Less touched by the tentacles of tourism, southern Goa is undoubtedly the more serene side of the Indian state. Live life like a laidback local for the day with a visit to a local distillery to taste traditional coconut liquor and a chance to chill out at Palolem – considered one of the best beaches in India.
We kick off with a tour and tasting session at a feni distillery – a handcrafted coconut liquor that's a favourite Goan tipple. Take a walk through the tiny fishing village of Betul and discover how they transform the fruit of the cashew tree into this age-old spirit.
Elsewhere on the trip, we'll visit a rubber plantation, a bamboo basketry and a coir factory where they craft furniture, rugs and more from the fibres of coconut husks. Then after soaking up the scenery atop the colonial-era Cabo de Rama fort, there's a delicious lunch and some well-earned downtime under the swaying palms of Palolem beach.