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If you want to experience the bliss of staying in a luxury villa in Goa but notice that the prices burn a hole in your pocket try holidaying in Goa in the summer. You get to enjoy the same comforts, luxuries and special amenities at far more reasonable prices.

At this time of the year, boutique hotels and luxury villas reduce prices by almost 50% in some cases. Others offer enticing complimentary meals or a bottle of wine and gift hampers.

Over the years, tourism in Goa during summer has acquired its own particular style and flavour – more laid back, culturally orientated and attractive for adventure seekers.

Although many of the famous restaurants are shut, there are a growing number of new quirky places, in quiet Goan villages, that stay open year round. Restaurants that serve good Goan and Indian food, international cuisine like South East Asian and French cuisine, and eclectic cafes continue to stay open through summer and monsoon.

Best of all, you get to enjoy Goa at a more relaxed pace, far from crowds and traffic. It’s quieter and still beautiful.

The beaches once again look wide and fairly empty. A number of beach shacks have already been dismantled but old favourites continue to function unhampered by the weather. You can take long leisurely strolls and savour the wide open spaces and lovely sunsets. Best of all, you get to paraglide or bounce over the waves on a banana boat without queuing up. Water sports continue until the South West monsoon kicks in and then the seas are too rough for swimming.

There are several local festivals that take place this time of the year. Not to miss in May is Igitun Chalne – the famous fire-walking festival held at Sirigao temple in Bicholim.

Live music concerts take over from electronic music festivals. Like the just concluded Live Music Project held annually in South Goa. It is a 12-hour concert of jazz, rock, funk and blues showcasing a number of great bands. And it’s a free concert.

Don’t forget to set sail down Chapora river at sunset for when the South West monsoon hits the Konkan coast sometime in June most activities along the beaches and rivers come to a stand-still. But Goa has yet another treasure trove of exciting things to do and places to see.