A Couple's Guide to Goa, India

So you are an incorrigible romantic and are traveling with your sweetheart to Goa? You have come to the right place. This coastal heaven is the stuff that romance is made of—white sand paradises, crystal clear waters, idyllic village settings, charming churches, mist, shrouded waterfalls and lush, tropical forests.

Goa has many wonderful beaches, but a safe bet would be the Sinquerim-Baga stretch of beach, with just the right combination of solitude and company. Hold hands, walk on the sparkling sands and gently dip your feet in the warm waves, while the starry skies keep you company. Do stop by for a drink or two at one of the shacks. If you are adventurous types, begin the stroll at the Baga end, walk the 9km (5.6 mi.) stretch and finish off at sunrise, for a well-deserved breakfast at the five-star Vivanta by Taj hotel.

Apart from the Arabian Sea, Goa can cast a spell on you with a series of waterfalls and lakes. Enjoy the pristine Dudhsagar Falls by foot or jeep, take a dip in the rapturous waters of the Arvalem Falls and watch the gorgeous sunset at the Salaulim Dam. You can also walk through refreshing streams to see the splendid Dudhsagar Falls do its thing between two neighboring hills.

Woo your sweetheart by taking him or her to one of the most romantic restaurants in Goa—the O’Coqueiro Restaurant, which literally means ‘coconut tree’ in Portuguese. The restaurant is a perfect setting for two—a charming Portuguese ancestral bungalow set amidst lush foliage is sure to stir the romance in your soul. The restaurant serves delicious Goan cuisine and a renowned music band plays a medley of light-hearted music on Friday.
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Embark on an enthralling one-hour trek from Chorla Ghat to the pinnacle of the Vagheri Hills and let the gorgeous terrain intoxicate you with its exotic wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Spice up your romantic itinerary with an ocean trek from Kochra-Shriramwadi to Neuti Beach. Plunge into the waters together from the 20-foot-high rock (6 meters), have a leisurely lunch and then go see the historic Neuti Fort before sunset. Looking for a place to propose? Sonsogor is one of the highest peaks and virgin territory at that. The stunning view of the natural surroundings is the perfect setting to pop the question.

Yes, history can be romantic too. Have a hearty breakfast at one of the wayside cafes in Old Goa, don a comfortable pair of sneakers and explore the charming churches and cathedrals by foot. Go revel in the age old architecture of the Iberian façade and fabulous mosaic work of Sé Cathedral, the wood carvings and beautiful paintings of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the richly gilded altars of Basilica of Bom Jesus, and finally the grand old queen, the Convent of Santa Monica, with its intimidating beauty and miraculous cross at the altar.