Goa for Shangri-la

I am taking some time off work next Jan/Feb and plan to do a short retreat and then maybe a small trek - thinking Nepal since I went there some time ago and never got to really see the natural beauty of the place - after which I want to hook up with some friends in India for the last few weeks of what will be about a 6-week trip.

I was in Goa about 12 years ago doing a teaching placement and then losing my my mind for a bit around party season, as you do, or I did!?! Basically though I loved the essential elements of the place - the people both local and visiting, the food, the landscape and beaches, the 'scene' if you want it, the catholic/hindu-portuguese/india blend, all of it - and would love to go back to the place and have my friends share in it too. Or perhaps it would be better to discover a new place togther ...

I am thinking of maybe hiring a house for early/mid Feb, somewhere remote but within hitting distance of action, liveliness, people and any scene there might be left. I have got my eye on a place near mandrim but maybe there are other places, besides goa too, I should be thinking about ...

So yeah, here we are, all a bit older now, most new to india/goa, not into the drugs and party-ness so much but wanting to keep all options open ;-) and definitely looking to find our shangri-la and feel this needs ot include sea and beach-ness :-)

So anyone got any advice as I try and craft my 6-week mind/body/spirit recharge - from the wider itinerary and concept to houses to rent in Goa or elsewhere (for up to 8).

Cheers. Peace.

Mandrem beach is an excellent choice along with Arambol and Asvem which are right next door.

A lot has changed in the 12 years that you have been away and those hard parties have faded away with the emphasis these days on European tourists(50+ years old) coming on chartered flight holiday packages.

Those parties from 1992-93-94 were absolutely wonderful and I am happy to say that I was present.

Too bad those days are long gone.