About this experience
Want to go back to the time of the Great Age of Discovery and imagine Lisbon caravels on the horizon? Or visit a villa where almost nothing has changed after four centuries, and admire palm groves just like the first owners of the house did? During the journey, you will get to know the Portuguese heritage of Goa, feel like residents of the New Time, enjoy stunning views, and witness a beautiful sunset on a picturesque island.
What to expect
Old Villa
The building you will visit was built at the end of the 16th century. The villa still belongs to an influential Goan family. You will be welcomed by the owners themselves. Inside, you will see antique furniture, porcelain and silverware, tiles, and authentic interior items. Portraits of family members hang in the house, and you will learn the biography of some of them.
The atmosphere of the place is indescribable. There is no feeling of 'museum', and visitors feel emotionally at home. You can look into antique mirrors, imagine how centuries ago, through these windows, elegant ladies dressed in the latest European fashion contemplatively looked at the palm grove, and literally inhale the scent of a bygone era. And, of course, you can take exquisite photos at the villa.
Reis Magos Fort
Next in the program is an excellent example of colonial architecture. Surrounded by strong laterite walls and adorned with towers in the Portuguese style, you will learn the most interesting facts about the fort and its role in the war between the Portuguese and local kingdoms. The monument was recently beautifully restored. From the viewpoint, you will have a beautiful view of the sea, the capital of Goa, and the Mandovi River estuary. Cannons, windows with loopholes, spiral staircases, and endless sea horizons: the ambiance allows the imagination to run wild, imagining a Lisbon ship appearing on the horizon any moment.
Latin Quarters
Did you know that such a quarter exists not only in Paris but also in Panaji, the modern capital of the state of Goa? Walking along Fontainhas' streets, you will discover an example of colonial heritage so atypical for the rest of India that soon you will feel like you are in Portugal or the Netherlands. Along the way, you will hear interesting details about life in that era. How were houses built, what replaced glass in the windows? Why are there roosters and guards on the roofs? Why are the walls so bright? Who lives in these houses and owns them today?
Unforgettable Sunset on the Hill
The day will end atmospherically. In Goa, there is a delightful river island called Divar, where time seems to have stopped a hundred years ago. We will take a ferry there after visiting the fort to watch the sunset on the hill, at the foot of a Catholic temple.
🥘 After visiting the fort, lunch from European cuisine is planned.
Organizational Details
- We will pick you up from the hotel and drop you back after the tour
- The price includes: guidance by a Russian-speaking guide, all entrance tickets, transfer in a comfortable minivan or minibus with air conditioning
- For transfers from South Goa, an additional charge of 30-60$ (depending on the distance) applies
- Bring a headgear, sunscreen, and ensure you have comfortable footwear
