Silver sands, sparkling blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, white churches resting against green paddy fields and coconut trees lining the coastal streets. Goa - a place you can fall in love with at first glance. The smallest union territory of India – Goa is located on the western coast of India and shares its boundaries with the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Arabian Sea marks its coastline, making it an all-season destination. Panaji, also known as Panjim is the official capital of Goa and the largest city of Goa is Vasco. Portuguese influence on lifestyle, Konkani culture, nightlife, beaches, flea markets, traditional cuisine, and historical significance of Goa attracts tourists from far and wide. There's much more to Goa than sun, sand and sea. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not. Ruled by the Portuguese till 1961, Goa still retains its Indo-Portuguese character - very visible amongst its architecture as well as its people. Goa's tourism byline of "Goa - 365 days on Holiday" is absolutely true. Apart from beaches, Goa has 500 year old churches, forts and temples, walking and trekking routes, waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries and even spices plantations that are worth visiting.