Newbie - Goa Help please!

Hi Everyone
Looking to go to Goa, 1st timers, late October 2005 2 adults and a 7 year old. Been reading Lonely Planet and looking at Travel Pack brochure and quite fancy Candolim.

Never been on a package holiday before! Can anyone give any advice please whether it's best to take a package or if I can get a flight only and accomodation (budget but clean/comfortable as child with us) prefer a pool too. Also which hotel/guest house anyone recommends please? Flights would need to be ex LGW. Looking at staying 3 weeks.
Also any other info anyone willing to share would be gratfully appreciated, like will my daughter be able to see elephants like mummy has promised?!?!?!

Thanks in advance
j x

Its best if you contact charter operating companies in London for giving you a package of flights and Hotels.

Also no Elephants in Goa and if you see one with the Sadhus then avoid entertaining them as it will motivate them to bring more elephants and causing cruelty to the animals.They are lonely and are abused

If you wanna see Elephants its best you visit a WLS in South or Guruvayoor where they have a Elepehant Farm

yes, best if you take a charter, rates are fairly good as the season only starts in end-oct. once you have some hotel options from the agent (candolim area is good) feel free to post them here and someone will give you feedback i am sure. elephants...yes there is at least one such set of performers in goa who will put on an elephant show for you but i agree with goamit its tacky, expensive, and not worth encouraging