The way to go to Ratnagiri is by road, ideally from Bombay, which is 373 kilometres away, or also from Goa, which is closer at 200 kilometres. The still fairly new Konkan Railway too will take you there, but half the fun in visiting the old coastal city, is going there by road. The Ratnagiri coast is fringed with gently rolling green hills that curve around the bay, creating pristine white beaches on which swaying palms grow, and on whose tops temples and forts and a lonely lighthouse stand. It is a sleepy little city, you can sleep-walk your way through it in half a day, provided you keep your evenings for a visit to the wharf when the catch of the day is brought in and dispersed.