The tiny Portuguese city of Daman, 192 kms north of Mumbai city, is tucked away neatly between Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is also an important link on the sea route between the other Portuguese posts of Diu to the north and Goa to the south. Daman bears cultural traces of both its European colonizers and their possessions.

The Damanganga River bifurcates the 72 sq. km of the Union Territory into Moti (Big) Daman and Nani (Small) Daman. Moti Daman takes you to various lanes and by-lanes of the city, old wood and mud houses, taverns and a few picturesque postcard cottages and bungalows that were once owned by the colonial rulers. The Governor's Palace in which the colonizers went about their business of exporting the treasures of the Indies to Europe is a must visit. Daman's magnificent churches that are said to be the best preserved examples of Portuguese religious architecture in Asia are next on your list. The Cathedral of Bom Jesu, consecrated in 1603, is a gilded wonder of wood and brick. The Church of Our Lady has panels depicting episodes from Christ's life. In the same area lies the tree grown ruins of a Dominican Monastery. The beautiful Lighthouse on the North West end of the fort offers the finest view of the shimmering sea. If you're looking for an evening walk, don't miss the fountains and neat promenades at the lake garden at Satya Sagar Udyan, that also house decent eating joints.

Nani Daman also has its own beauty. St Jerome Fort was built between 1614 and 1627, amidst fears of a Mughal invasion. After a lot of renovation the fort is today a cemetery and a school. Nearby lies the Church of St Jerome who also is the Patron Saint of Daman. Five kms north of Daman lies the casuarinas lined long-shored Devka Beach that boasts of a host of fancy restaurants, bars and well-priced hotels. Swimming at Devka is dangerous due to the rocky formations underwater. From a certain point on the beach you can catch sight of two Portuguese churches and also the towering lighthouse. Other places to visit include Miramar Hotel that boasts of the Mirasol Lake Resort and Park with boating on an artificial lake, water slides and a wave pool. But if you are the aquatic type and just can't resist the beach, head to the relatively safe Jampore Beach, south of Nani Daman. Lot of shady palm trees line the coast making it a photographer's delight.

Take a quick one day trip to Silvassa that lies 33 kms from Daman and falls in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. One of the many attractions of the Portuguese rule here is Our Lady of Piety Church with its tall steeple, most unlike the churches at Daman and even Goa for that matter. There's also the Lion Safari, Vanganga Lake and Island Garden, not forgetting Khanvel village that also has Big B's bungalow. A long drive from Silvassa takes you to Dudhni, a great place for river water sports especially boating, water scooters and speed boats. From across the Damanganga river don't miss the breathtaking view of the Madhuban Dam (worth a visit too) which empties into the Arabian Sea between Nani and Moti Daman.

GETTING THERE
You can reach Daman by driving from NH 8 to Karambeli and then taking the state road that leads you to Daman. Alternatively you can also take a train, getting off at Vapi and a half an hour journey by bus to Daman.