The affordable long-haul winter sun destination with pristine sandy beaches, 33C heat and direct flights
BRITS looking to escape the cold and wet winter weather have plenty of great options available to them.
One of which is Goa in India, where the temperatures remain in the low 30s during winter, a beer costs 70p and the beaches are both serene and beautiful.
What's more, it's affordable and easily reached, with TUI offering direct flights from the UK and package deals, including airfare and seven nights B&B from £659pp.
The main draw of the state of Goa is its shoreline, with beaches that offer both a good time and relaxation.
Among the best loved are Candolim and Calangute, with the former known for its "huge swathes of soft sands and its beauty," according to Time Out.
They add: "Adventurers can also get involved in parasailing, banana rides, scuba diving and jet skiing."
Calangute meanwhile is very popular with tourists and gets busy during peak travel seasons.
It's known to attract holidaymakers looking to party and enjoy themselves.
For those looking for a more relaxed day at the beach, South Goa has plenty of calmer options available.
Culture Trip advise a trip to Palolem beach, among others, for a more restorative, relaxing holiday.
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They said: "If you want scenic beauty and tranquillity, South Goa is the place to be.
"South Goa is home to the best secluded, rustic and pristine beaches that offer serene environs, relaxation and natural beauty.
"A few popular ones are Palolem Beach, Colva Beach, Butterfly Beach and Benaulim Beach."
It's not just the beaches that have people from all over the world choosing Goa as their holiday destination.
Indian food is loved the world over and Goa has its own unique cuisine that blends well loved Indian dishes with Portuguese influence, owing to more than 400 years of Portuguese rule.
Fish curries and seafood are unsurprisingly popular given the resort's 105km of shoreline, while coconut also features heavily. Xacuti and balchāo are among the destination's favourite dishes.
Meals out are comparatively cheap as well, with main courses in restaurants available for less than £2 according to Goa Villa.
The food isn't the only place in Goa where its Portuguese history is on show.
Fontainhas is an old Latin Quarter in Panjim, the capital city of the state.
It has maintained a lot of its Portuguese influence, most notably through its architecture and its narrow, winding streets.
It offers "breathtaking vibes of old cafes and bakeries, colonial charm of Portuguese buildings, art galleries and churches" that will "take you back in time to a bygone era," according to Tour My India.
Other popular attractions in Goa include the Anjuna flea market, where visitors can barter for trinkets, jewellery and clothes among the hundreds of stalls.
There's also Dudhsagar Falls, described as "a spectacular falls plunging into a pool where you can swim with giant carp".
The fish aren't the only wild inhabitants at the falls either, with plenty of animals spotted around the site.
Macaques are very commonly seen cooling down and drinking from the water, while Dudhsagar Safari claim that panthers, deer and even tigers have been seen nearby.
Several species of snake and bird are also known to live in the trees around the falls.
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Meanwhile, these winter sun destinations are just hours from the UK, meaning no jet lag.
And these short and mid-haul destinations are still great in the winter.
