On Location August 2007 – Goa

This was my first visit to India. I had few expectations of such a vast and complex country, and even fewer of Goa, a place I have heard described very differently by everyone who visits it. Hence I had not given Goa much thought until it was time to discover stunning luxury villas for the Steppes Travel portfolio.

It was a unanimous decision that I should begin my quest in Goa. This was for various reasons, but mainly that Steppes already had a close personal relationship with the owner of a most stunning villa on that golden coast. I was to stay in his beachfront home whilst visiting a wide range of properties during my stay, driving out daily through the gates of his impressive gardens not to return to them until after dusk. In just six days I was shown around no less than fifteen private villas. Each time I was graciously received by the villas' owners or their close representatives, and usually I was invited to stay for a delicious Goan meal or at least offered a steaming cup of Indian tea. There was never a spare moment left for sunbathing by swimming pools or testing the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, but I did manage to fit in some quiet walks down Candolim beach at dawn as well as a drive to Old Goa on my way back to Dabolim airport on my last day. It just didn't seem right to spend the entire time socialising without seeing any of the sights!

Sadly, not all of the villas were going to fit the demanding standards of our future Luxury Villa portfolio, but this was something I had somewhat prepared myself for. What I hadn't realised was that there were going to be so few that would actually make it in! Finding a home suited to rentals for luxurious holidays is not as straightforward as making new friends of their proprietors whilst sharing meals with them in their lovely abodes; it involves the close observation of minute details and the constant assessment of quality, service and staff.

The five villas with whom we collaborate in Goa have primarily been selected because of their exceptional locations and surroundings, near beaches or market towns, on private hilltops or by the ocean. Each is spacious and comfortable, has friendly staff and superb service. If I had the opportunity to take a week off with a group of friends, there is no doubt that I would take them to all to a fabulous villa in Goa!

Sadly, not all of the villas were going to fit the demanding standards of our future Luxury Villa portfolio, but this was something I had somewhat prepared myself for. What I hadn't realised was that there were going to be so few that would actually make it in! Finding a home suited to rentals for luxurious holidays is not as straightforward as making new friends of their proprietors whilst sharing meals with them in their lovely abodes; it involves the close observation of minute details and the constant assessment of quality, service and staff.

The five villas with whom we collaborate in Goa have primarily been selected because of their exceptional locations and surroundings, near beaches or market towns, on private hilltops or by the ocean. Each is spacious and comfortable, has friendly staff and superb service. If I had the opportunity to take a week off with a group of friends, there is no doubt that I would take them to all to a fabulous villa in Goa!