Hi everyone

We were planning on going to Paris, but I've been seduced by wintersun brochure images of Goa, and seemingly very good prices for hols there, and its fast becoming a possible alternative to Paris!  Has anyone been and, if so, what was it like?  Also, what vaccinations were needed, were they expensive and how long before going did they have to be done?  And last but not least, having a husband who is an arachnophobe (and I'm not too keen on them either, but not as bad as he is :D ), are there hordes of blooming great spiders?

Many thanks if anyone can give advice - although we may end up tossing a coin to decide between the two places :)

Lesley

Wow! A choice between Paris and Goa! Stuff Paris! Go to London instead - it's cleaner.

I've not been to Goa but I've been to Sri Lanka, and I guess the diseases are much the same. You will need jabs for typhoid, paratyphoid and hepatitis (for starters) and most likely more. You will also need to have a course of anti-malaria tablets from about a week before you leave to a week after your return. Jabs and tablets will set you back about £100-ish per person.

Go to Goa. Even if you hate it, you won't regret it! It'll open your mind! (Sri Lanka did that to me!)

Edit: I didn't notice any spiders in Sri Lanka - and only one snake!

I've been to Goa twice and can't wait to go back. It is very hot, extremely cheap to eat out and travel around in taxis. The surrounding poverty is disturbing but I guess tourism has given the people a better quality of life than other Indian states. The beaches and food shacks are amazing. Don't bother to take any toiletries as they are about a third the price there. Markets are colourful and haggling is great fun with amazing bargains. If you want to know more,Lesley, just email me, I'll be delighted to bore you with all my experiences there!!

Many thanks for the info ladies, and I've taken you up on your offer of emailing you Sandy!  I must admit its very, very tempting indeed!  Unfortunately I can't use the dirty Paris excuse on the OH as he's been twice and loves it :( At least he concedes that it is horribly expensive, but it still remains the front runner for him at the moment, although he does admit that Goa would be lovely (spiders excepted!).  Hmmm, I shall work on it though, in a subtle way that eventually leads to him thinking that Goa was his idea in the first place :D

Lesley

Im sure Candies been to Goa
if she pops on Im sure she'll let you know whart she thought of it - unless you PM her :)

hi , yeah lels right i have been 5 times, and it is absolutely fantastic!!if you need any info just pm me and i'll get back to you,and the jabs cost me £5 and malaria tabs about £30, so its not too bad.whatever you spend on jabs, visas and tabs youll save whilst your there, a 3 course meal with drinks for 2 will only set you back about £5, we usually go for 3 weeks every winter but are missing this year cos im having a big op!!:(

Thanks Candie!

Poor Sandy has suffered by being first to say that they went to Goa, and has got an email from me :D  I'll PM you though if I think of anything else, thank you!  OH has now picked up the brochures and is not only becoming increasing interested in Goa, but also has his eye on The Gambia, Red Sea resorts and Sri Lanka (cos I said JG had been!) now   He even browsed the Kuoni one I picked up in a moment of imagined lottery winnings madness and murmered "Turks and Caicos" with a dreamy look on his face! I reckon Paris is off the cards now :D

Mind you, Goa is still winning for me due to the extraordinarily low prices when there :)  Hope your big op goes well Candie :)

Lesley