Enjoy this 6-hour shore excursion in Goa, known as “Rome of East” or “Pearl of the Orient". Experience Goa, places of worship and world heritage architecture. Visit Portuguese-built Basilica of Bom Jesus. a lush spice plantation farm, and learn about the region’s history from Portuguese administration to the present day. A buffet lunch is included.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Lunch
✔ Bottled water
✔ Professional guide
✔ Port pickup and drop-off
✔ Transport by air-conditioned minivan
✖ Gratuities
Pickup Locations
1. Goa Port
Additional Info: Tour departs within walking distance of the cruise port
Itinerary
1
St. Cajetan's Church
St. Cajetan Church which was modelled on St. Peter’s in Rome and built of laterite blocks and lime plastered. The façade, having two towers on either side to serve as a belfry, has Corinthian columns and pilasters supporting a pediment, and four niches, which keep the statues of the apostles. Hidden beneath the church is a crypt where the embalmed bodies of Portuguese governors were kept in lead coffins before they were shipped back to Lisbon. Forgotten for a time, the last batch was removed only in 1992.
Duration: 20 minutes
2
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Basilica of Bom Jesus which was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century and is one of the most important churches in Goa. The embalmed body of St. Frances Xavier is enshrined here in a marble mausoleum, which is exposed to the public once every ten years. The last date this happened was in December 2014.
Duration: 20 minutes
3
Se Cathedral
The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the seat of the Patriarch of the East Indies. The Se Cathedral was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque over a Muslim army, leading to the capture of the city of Goa in 1510
Duration: 30 minutes
4
Fontainhas
Panjim ‘Fontainhas’ area where the walking tour will begin. The Fontainhas is the Latin Quarter built by the Portuguese and we will be able to view from the outside the church and the old villas. Later, drive through Panjim, the capital city passing through streets lined with old villas that are characteristic of Portuguese Goa
Duration: 60 minutes
5
Shanta Durga Temple built between 1713-1738. Dedicated to Shanta Durga, the Goddess of Peace, this temple sports an unusual, almost pagoda-like, structure with a roof made from long slabs of stone. Goan temples are unique and stand apart from other Indian temples in their distinct architecture, location, spaciousness and environment.
The temple’s main entrance hall has decorated wood doors coated with silver as does the main entrance hall path. Pass through these doors to a beautifully designed Mandapa which has the main effective features, four big pillars on each side; on entering you are greeted by decorated ceilings with chandeliers, temples bells and in front of the Shrine is an exclusive three-part silver screen. Enjoy a guided tour here before spending some time to explore independently.
Duration: 20 minutes
6
Tropical Spice Plantation
Tropical Spice Plantation - spices brought the Europeans to Asia and a trip to a plantation is very refreshing and rejuvenating to all the senses. Here you will learn how local spices and herbs are grown organically. On reaching the spice plantation, you will be given a warm Goan Traditional welcome and offered a refreshing herbal drink. Once inside you can immediately inhale the fragrances of fresh spices such as nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, black and white pepper, coriander, chilies, and betel nut. Interspersed in this plantation are also fruit trees and vegetables such as cashew, custard apple, banana, citrus fruits and pineapples. You also get to see the art of how Betel Nut pluckers climb these trees, over a hundred feet above the ground and then swaying from tree to tree, later enjoy your meal.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Additional info
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
• Dress code - Temples are sacred houses of God and a place worship. To preserve their sanctity and spiritual ambiance one must follow the below dress code within temple complexes
• This tour is only applicable for Cruise ship passengers
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
