When a dear friend of mine, a fantastic travel content creator whom I deeply admire, reached out to invite me and my family for a retreat at Nature’s Nest Goa, I didn’t think twice. It was a weekday, schedules were tight, and a dozen little logistics had to be managed. But it was Goa after all, and our hearts said yes before our minds even caught up.

What I didn’t know then was that this trip would turn out to be so much more than just another Goa getaway.

Because this time, Goa wasn’t about beaches or shacks.
This time, Goa meant the forest.

The First Glimpse

The moment we left the buzz of the main roads and wound our way towards the resort, I knew this wasn’t the Goa of clichés. The landscape grew wilder, greener, quieter, almost as if it was slowly peeling back its layers to reveal a surprise.

When we finally stepped into Nature’s Nest, tucked away in the folds of the Western Ghats, it felt like crossing a threshold. Our cottage was simple and earthy, yet thoughtfully maintained, the kind of space that instantly feels like home. And then came the discovery that sealed it for me – there was no network!

In today’s world, that might sound uncomfortable to some. But trust me, it was liberating. The absence of notifications made room for bird calls. The silence of the forest wrapped around us like a blanket. The detox was real, and it was beautiful.

Of Food, Forests, and Flow

Every meal we had here was nourishment in the truest sense. Local Goan specialties, prepared with warmth and authenticity, reminded me of why food and place are inseparable. The flavors were rooted in the land, and somehow they tasted even better after long hours of walking under the trees.

Days fell into an easy rhythm. Morning treks through the inviting trails, afternoons by the cottage, evenings of conversations and laughter. Nature’s Nest has this way of letting the forest set the pace for you. A pace far kinder than the one we carry in our everyday lives.

The Highlights That Stayed With Me

There were so many moments that stitched this experience together for me.

• Walking through cool streams on our way to a hidden, rain-fed waterfall. The sheer joy of getting drenched under its cascade, laughter mingling with the roar of water.
• Visiting the historic Tambdi Surla Temple nearby, standing in reverence as raindrops fell outside, and then the most unexpected delight for my daughter – piping hot Maggi just outside the temple gates.
• Nights that belonged to fireflies and glowing fungi, when the forest itself seemed to breathe with light during the bioluminescence walk. A kind of magic that no photo can ever capture.
• Watching my daughter and the other kids indulge in activities that were playful yet meaningful — painting pebbles, cooking from farm to table, learning to set up camera traps, and proudly becoming certified junior naturalists.

More Than a Trip

As I look back now, what lingers isn’t just the beauty of the Western Ghats, but the way this journey made me feel. To disconnect, and yet feel more connected. To explore, but also to pause. To discover Goa not as a party, but as a living, breathing forest.

Yes, Goa will always have its beaches. But it is just as much its breathtaking forests. And in Nature’s Nest, I found a Goa that will stay with me far longer than the salt in my hair or the sand on my feet.

If this little glimpse into our Goa getaway at Nature’s Nest sparked your wanderlust, I have captured the full experience in a short reel — from temple trails to forest walks, waterfalls, and all the soulful little moments in between.

Check out this reel for the complete story: 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOqUBpPk1W1/

And if you are already picturing yourself there (trust me, you should!), you can make bookings directly with Nature’s Nest Goa here.