Visit Goa, India

Goa’s beach culture is its calling card, but look closer and you can explore Portuguese colonial remnants, including some fine churches.
Most people go to Goa as a relaxing coda to more energetic travels elsewhere on the subcontinent. Despite a reputation as a counterculture haven, the area has matured into a sophisticated but laid-back beach destination, with a wide range of indulgent hotels and boutique guesthouses, complementing well-groomed beaches and a thriving restaurant and shopping scene.

But, there’s more to this small state than just sun and sand. Portugal occupied Goa for 500 years, only leaving in 1961, and you can see its legacy in the region’s own brand of cuisine, its Baroque Catholic cathedrals and a culture that includes daily siestas. You’ll also find flea markets, yoga and meditation classes, and small villages and temples throughout the area.