DATESPOTS

DATESPOTS : Goa

The skies are unpolluted, the water is clear and the beaches are inviting. Goa conjures up a lot of romantic pictures, and with its great food joints, and cosy corners on the beaches, one does not need much imagination to come up with a good place for a date!

We recommend:
Walking barefeet on the Goan beaches
Hectic fun-filled evening at Tito's
Authentic Goan cuisine at Souza-Lobo
Noisy, but fun nights at Club Xtreme

The Goan beaches

It would be an insult to this feature if we spoke of ideal date spots in Goa, and didn't mention her beaches. Goan beaches are famous the world over for their variety, cleanliness, serenity, and of course, their incomparable excitement.

The perfect locations to cosy up with your loved one against the idyllic backdrop of the Arabian Sea, the sunset, and the peaceful lapping of the waves. Goan beaches are also terrific to have a great, rollicking time in. All the beaches are dotted with makeshift "restaurants", which are actually beach shacks, that miraculously never fail to churn up the most lip-smacking cuisine possible. There are a myriad choices for you love - birds. From a calm, barefoot walk together on the sun - washes sand, to a long ocean swim, or just a peaceful meal overlooking the surf from one of the shacks.

If you are a party animal, Baga rocks. The coastline is dotted with beach shacks known for food as much as techno and rave beats.

If you want to party really hard, head to Anjuna, located about 4 kms up north. This beach is known for its Moonlight party on Wednesday night.

Want the beach to yourself?

Arambol, way up North, around 18 kms. from Baga, is a favourite. It's picturesque. There's a fresh water swamp close to the beach. To put the locale in perspective, imagine 2 inviting swimming pools.

Explore Palolem in the Beautiful South. It's located in the back of beyond, almost at the southern tip of Goa. Which makes it ideal for skinny dipping.

Goan beaches score high on all our ratings. A definite must, they never fail to add romance and excitement to any relationship.

Tito's

Less than a minute away from Baga beach, is one of Goa's most happening nightspots - Tito's. A definite hang out for locals and tourists alike, Tito's boasts of incredible food, an always - packed dance floor and a very skilful bartender! It is mainly meant for couples who want to spend a noisy, hectic evening together. This is not to say that Tito's is not the place for those who want to spend a quiet time with each other - the solitude of the beach is just a 30 second walk away.

Tito's also boasts of a 24 hour coffee shop with a bakery which has mouth-watering goodies. A must - try is their delicious chocolate cake (you get a huge chunk at a very reasonable price), and their coffee is the smoothest ever.

Tito's is one nightspot in Goa that has it all packed in - music, food, drinks, dance, people, and the sea. What more could two people in love ask for.

Souza-Lobo

Souza-Lobo is a quaint little eating house right on the Calangute beach itself. If you want authenthic goan cuisine, then you've gotta check this place out (if you can get a table that is).

The tongue moile, crab curry and prawn-stuffed papads are out of this world. Also check out the sannas and chicken xacuti. The place also has a great continental menu to cater to the tourists. Great pepper stake. And the Sunday-speciality truffle is to die for. The ambience is cosy and laid back and the food rates are reasonable.

Make sure you have a reservation though. Infantaria, a bakery situated on market street in Calangute near the chapel is also managed by Souza Lobos. But every Sunday it doubles up as a restaurant to serve a great buffet breakfast and lunch. The buffet breakfast complete with fresh juices, cold cuts, cereals, freshly baked breads, hot coffee and eggs anyway you want them is an absolute steal for less than a 100 bucks.

And if you go late, you'll be too stuffed for lunch.What better way to begin your day?

Club Xtreme

Undoubtably the best Goa has to offer to all party lovers, and the most happening spot on the party scene is Club Xtreme.

Located at Miramar, just a few minutes ride from this beach, this place is a ‘must visit’ for all you guys who want to spend a fun-filled, loud, noisy, entertaining nights with your date, just to let your hair down, enjoy some good music and hang loose.

It is the closest Goa can get to ‘Fire-n-Ice’ insists a Mumbaiite. With a great in-house DJ, spinning away, giving you all kinds of music catering to both the locals as well as the tourists.and the phirangs who are seen by the dozens, night after night. Ranging from trance to jive numbers to even marathi music which is a favorite with the locals, this DJ sure knows how to please everyone.

The club sports a circular dance floor and a snazzy bar on the ground floor, with a great overview of the dance floor. Complete with pool and snooker tables on the top floor, with cozy oval sofas in every corner, this place has everything right, for a special night out with that someone special. The hitch however is that it has an entry fees of Rs. 200 for guys, while it is free for girls.

The most happening nights being Friday and Saturday, this place is sure to make you come back, week after week, craving for more.