The Rough Guide to Goa

QUICK INFORMATION The Rough Guide to Goa is firstly what it says it is - A guide. It has been put together to help and advise you with resourceful information for your forth-coming travels. This guide I would say would be exceptional for backpackers and holiday makers travelling only in Goa. If you are looking to travel other places in India please look to a more suitable book to cover your whole scope. When purchasing and selecting any travel books always look to see when the book was printed, this edition that I am reviewing is the 6th edition printed January 2006 this would be the most recent and up to date book in the Rough Guide to Goa series. Even though this book is a year old it still supplied me with all the information I needed books in this series are normally updated every two years. Just having returned from Goa myself, I found this edition to be excellent value for money all information given is extremely well written, descriptive, easy to understand, maps were detailed and were shown to be very useful and informative. For holiday makers it gives you some great tips if you decide to venture outside of your accommodation and take a closer look at life beyond a beach holiday, for backpackers or people just turning up for a few weeks wandering around, it can supply you with a quick fix in your moment of need. PLACES COVERED Panjim and central Goa, North Goa, South Goa, Around Goa, Mambai (Bombay) each place is also extensively covered with the history, the religions of Goa, Environmental issues in Goa, Natural history, Goan music and dance, Books. Language: Hindi, Konkani words and phrases, (food and drink terminology). BOOK OVERVIEW This book is beautifully laid out, we start with an introduction Where to go, When to go, Things not to be missed, I would advise you read this thoroughly before your visit so that you can make the most of your travels it supplies you with information on your expectations while in Goa. This is followed by the Basics, Getting There, Visas and red tape, information on websites and maps (please use websites extensively before you travel very handy for backpackers on the move) Insurance, Health (medical information please check all key points in this section before travelling) Costs, Money and banks, Getting around, accommodation (covering all ends of the scale) eating and drinking this covers places from the top end to a local shack on the beach. Communications and the media, Festivals and holidays, Cultural hints and etiquette, shopping and souvenirs, Crime and personal Security, Travellers with disabilities, Travelling with Children, Women and sexual harassment and lastly the directory (Things advisable to take). MY TIPS Going to brief over a few areas, Goa's number one income is made from Tourism therefore it's very commerical to other parts of India. I suggest reading this book thoroughly before travelling all website are handy for extra information, when travelling around word of

This little book is probably the best of it's kind and is invaluable for the budget travellor. It contains accurate descriptions of accomodation and restaurants in different price ranges. My only comment is that the writer is a little harsh on Calangute, yes it's a busy, bustling tourist town - but I didn't see 'heaps of garbage' and the town starting to 'stew in it's juices'. However generally I loved this little book, the photos were great and I would have been lost without it!