Goa

Situated 250 miles south of Mumbai on the west coast of India, Goa is the country’s smallest state and one of its most beautiful. Home to impressive beaches and diverse flora and fauna, Goa displays physical and cultural landscapes shaped by the Portuguese. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, in the city of Old Goa, houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier. In the 1970s, northern Goa beaches such as Arambol became hippie havens, and there are still remnants of New Age and hedonistic cultures. Recently, though, Goa has become an outpost for affluent Indians, who decamp to lavish mansions and enjoy the upscale restaurants and boutiques.