Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE FOUNDING FATHER OF QUEPEM
When Father José Paulo de Almeida looked out his oyster-shell doors and windows, he saw the Church of the
Holy Cross beyond the palm trees out front, the river that functioned as his road into and out of the forest out
back, and below, lush gardens elaborately designed with cruciform patterns. The Portuguese priest and nobleman
arrived in Goa in 1779 and set up the town of Quepem not long after. Today the
Palácio do Deão
( 2664029,
9823175639;
www.palaciododeao.com
; 10am-5pm Sat-Thu) may look a lot like it did when he lived there,
with original woodwork, furniture, religious effects and even the garden design all lovingly restored in the past
few years by Goan couple Ruben and Celia Vasco da Gama. The Vasco da Gamas also host lunches and teatime
on the back verandah; call for reservations and prices. All donations to the Palácio are used to continue restora-
tion work and eventually create a cultural centre here.
A taxi from Margao, 14km away, will cost ?600 round trip, including waiting time, but the bus (?10, every few
minutes) stops just a few minutes' walk down the road.
Sleeping
Hotel Tanish
MAP
HOTEL
$
GOOGLE MAP
( 2735656;
hoteltanishgoa@gmail.com
; Reliance Trade Centre, Valaulikar Rd; s/d ?650/900, s/d/ste with AC ?800/
1100/1800; )
The best budget place to stay in town - incongruously located on the top
floor of a mall - has kind staff and tidy, well-equipped rooms with great views of the sur-
rounding countryside. Suites come with a bathtub, big TV and views all the way to Colva.
Just make sure to ask for an outside-facing room; some overlook the mall interior.
Om Shiv Hotel
MAP
HOTEL
$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 2710294;
www.omshivhotel.com
; Cine Lata Rd; d with AC ?2700-3800, ste ?4850; )
In a bright-yellow
building tucked away behind the Bank of India, Om Shiv does a fine line in 'executive'
rooms, which all have air-con, balcony and an ordered air. The suites have exceptional
views, and it's home to Margao's 'only night hotspot', the Rockon Pub.
Eating
Swad
MAP
INDIAN
$
GOOGLE MAP
