Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

DISC OVERING INDIA  15

1 Week in Goa &
Karnataka
• Airports Arrive at Goa’s
Dabolim International Airport
and depart from
Kempegowda International
Airport, Bengaluru.
• Transport Travel within
Goa is mainly by local bus,
while the overnight tourist
bus to Hampi saves time, as
does the overnight Hampi Serene waters at Anjuna beach, Goa
Express train to Bengaluru,
which has bus and train more relaxed, two fine Hazara Rama Temple (p537)
connections to Mysuru. candidates being Palolem and Elephant Stables
(p511) and even more secluded (p537). Finally, clamber around
Agonda (p511). Both offer Hemakuta Hill (p536) and
Day 1: Goa numerous restaurants the marvellous bug-eyed
A good place to get a feel for specializing in fresh fish. Narasimha Monolith in time
the Portuguese ambience of to watch a superb sunset.
Goa (pp488–513) is by spending Day 3: Hampi
half a day in the capital Panaji Wake up to find yourself in the Day 5: Bengaluru
(pp490–93), ideally located on magical surroundings of On arrival in Karnataka’s busy
the Mandovi river, and nearby Hampi (pp534–7) in Karnataka, capital Bengaluru (pp516–18),
Old Goa. Marvel at the colonial the deserted capital of the these days a hi-tech and
grandeur of the early 16th- Vijayanagar Kingdom, on business hub, spend the
century Old Secretariat (p490) the banks of the Tungabhadra. morning visiting the ornate
on the riverfront and a number Set amid sugarcane fields and 18th-century Tipu Sultan’s
of splendid old churches, such rice paddies, the back drop of Palace (p518) and rest during
as Baroque Basilica de Bom peculiar rock formations adds a the midday heat in the leafy
Jesus (pp502–503). In the surreal aspect to the extensive botanical gardens of Lalbagh
afternoon, go for a swim at archaeological remains. Follow (p518). In the afternoon, tour
either Anjuna (p494) or one the slightly cooler route along Cubbon Park (p516) and the
of the beaches on the bay of the river to the splendid huge Government Museum
Vagator (p496), the largest Vitthala Temple (pp536–7), with (p516, closed Mon), paying
of which is lorded over by its famous musical pillars. special attention to the
ruddy Chapora Fort (p496). Venkatappa Art Gallery (p517).
Day 4: In and around Hampi Later sample the busting
Day 2: Palolem & Agonda Join the early morning puja at nightlife around Mahatma
Decamp to the southern end of the village’s living Virupaksha Gandhi Road.
the small state for a relaxing day Temple (p536). Spend the rest of
by the warm waters of the the morning visiting the Day 6: Mysuru
Arabian Sea. The beaches down extensive remains of the Royal Classy and unhurried Mysuru
here are generally quieter and Centre (p537), replete with the (pp522–3) exudes a far more
old-fashioned vibe and is a fine
city just to explore on foot. Its
one unmissable sight is the
incredibly ostentatious Amba
Vilas Palace (pp522–3), lit up like
a Christmas tree in the evening.
A number of rooftop restaurants
afford views of this spectacle.
Day 7: In and around Mysuru
Check out the Neo-Classical
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art
Gallery. Next, buy fresh fruit
at the Devaraja Market. Enjoy
them in the afternoon on the
way up to the temple atop
Chamundi Hill (p523), then walk
back down via the massive
Garuda shrine in the form of a stone chariot at Vitthala Temple Nandi monolith.

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