Excursion Old goa & high tea experience tour at Mormugao

You will need your imagination to envision the tangle of twisting streets, plazas and ochre villas of the old city, but what remains is a wealth of exceptionally impressive churches and convents, all UNESCO world heritage sites.

Old Goa, Basilica Bom Jesus

Your first stop, after approximately 1 hour drive, is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a fine example of Jesuit architecture, and perhaps the richest of the churches, with its heavily decorated yet admirably proportioned interior. Here worshipers, or the simply curious, may view the body of Saint Francis Xavier (d.1562), which lies partially exposed in a dazzling silver casket. Its surrounding chapel, constructed of marble and jasper, was a gift of one of the last Medicis.

St. Catherine's Cathedral, Church of St. Cajetan

The Se, or St. Catherine's Cathedral, was commissioned to be a grandiose church worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is still larger than any church in Portugal.

It is not far to the Church of St. Cajetan, modelled on St. Peter's in Rome. Its neo classical facade, with twin towers flanking the great dome, disguises an interior that is pure, unrestrained baroque. Hidden beneath the church is a crypt where the embalmed bodies of Portuguese governors were kept in lead coffins before they were shipped back to Lisbon.

Village of Merces, local family residence, high tea In the village of Merces is the ancestral home of the Oliviera de Fernandes family. The Fernandes family have been living here since the house was built 250 years ago, acting as village heads until Goa officially joined the Indian Republic. Your hosts today are the 6th generation of occupants.

Experience true Goan hospitality as the family welcome you. A local band will strike up a serenade as a late morning tea of tasty Goan snacks is laid out for your enjoyment. Feel free to browse among the antiques in the living room. The furniture is 300 years old and solid wood.

On your way back to the ship you drive through the Panjim city area, Goa's bustling capital. The total drive back to the pier takes approximately 1 hour.

Points of interests

Points of interest: Old Goa, UNESCO World Heritage churches and convents, local home experience, high tea

Note

Please note: This tour involves moderate walking approximately 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers). This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair.We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Proper attire is required to visit the temple. Shorts and short skirts are not allowed. Guests are advised that infrastructure is basic and local conditions may be challenging: coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding.