If you think, you have explored everything in Goa wait, until you sign up for the Airbnb Experiences. By Pallavi Phukan
Most of us travel with limited time at hand and usually with a must-visit list. While we cover the touristy regulars, we often miss out from experiencing the local flavour of the destination. Airbnb Experiences since its launch in 2016 has been giving opportunities to travellers to do just that — experience and do things the local way. With 12,000 experiences across 180+ cities around the world, Airbnb has curated activities with the locals, providing a platform to travellers for insider access to communities, and at the same time connecting locals to create a powerful cross-cultural interaction.
After launching Experiences in New Delhi last year, Airbnb launched its Goa Experiences on June 9, 2018. Commenting on the launch, Chris Lehane, Head of Airbnb Global Public Policy & Communications said, “Airbnb Experiences make travel magical again by immersing guests in local communities around the world, offering unique, one-of-a-kind immersions that are handcrafted and led by local experts. We want Goans to participate and benefit from local tourism by sharing their interests and passions, enabling them to make additional remuneration. Experiences are also a great way for local residents to discover new things to do and new people to meet.”
So, while you choose from the 5,000 gorgeous listings around the state you can also select from an array of Experiences in Goa. Here are our top three picks
Windsurf with a Champ:
Learn windsurfing at the beautiful Hawaii Beach in the village of Dona Paula. The host for this experience is Derrick Menezes, a 15-time national windsurfing champion and pioneering water sports aficionado in Goa who has also represented India at the 1998 Asian Games.
Panaji City Walking Tour:
You may have been to the hippest party places in Panaji, but how about visiting quaint lanes and colourful houses and listen to the old stories of the locale? Take a walking tour across the city with Ramachandran, a Goan who is an avid traveller and passionate about sharing historical knowledge of his home town. The walk ends with a traditional Goan breakfast.
Old Goa Heritage Walk:
If you are a history buff, this one’s for you. Hosted by Pooja and Rohan, who belong to one of Goa’s well-known families with Portuguese roots, this heritage walk allows guests to visit 5-6 UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Old Goa. Here you can learn about the colonial Portuguese era, the establishment of Catholicism in the state, and tales of Old Goa which was founded in the 15th century as a port on the banks of the Mandovi River.
