Gopalpur is realy peaceful and quiet, but if you are seeking further rejuvenation, take a trip to Taptapani, 67 km away. As the name suggests, Taptapani has hot water springs and is a wonderful place to literally soak away your aches and pains. Chandragiri, 36 km south of Taptapani, is a Tibetan refugee village, recognised by its temple and prayer flags, its Lhasa Apso dogs and the intricate carpets that the Tibetan community weaves for a livelihood.

The tribal culture of Orissa survives in the ethnic communities in the hills and forests around Ganjam. Visits can be arranged to the tribal villages, with sufficient notice for official permission, especially during the festivals and markets. Be prepared to trek up the hills and to camp in very basic accommodation.

Getting there: The nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar, 180 km from Gopalpur. Bhubaneshwar is a one-hour flight from Calcutta. The nearest railhead is Berhampur (16 km) on the Kolkata-Chennai line. You can drive in to Gopalpur on National Highway 5 from Berhampur, Bhubaneshwar and Barkul (75 km). Buses, minibuses, tourist taxis and even auto-rickshaws can be hired from Berhampur.

Getting around: Auto rickshaws are available for moving around within the town - remember to agree on the fare beforehand. You can hire tourist cars for the day to visit the sights outside Gopalpur.

Accommodation: There is no dearth of places to stay from star class hotels, tourist resorts and beach shacks.