Chicago to Algiers Flights

  About Chicago

Located on the West coast of Gujarat is the quaint little city of Porbandar. The city is highly regarded for its pilgrimage as it has a strong mythological relevance. Many pivotal incidences from the tales of Mahabharat and Ramayana have taken place in the city, or so says the folklore. As the city is on the Saurashtra's coastal side, the city is blessed with a brilliant climate and geography. There are hills, coasts, rivers, lakes and more such geographical benefits that make Porbandar a beautiful city. Historically, the city adds another feather to its illustrious cap by being the birthplace of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi. With such intriguing stories that the city has to tell, it easily becomes one of the most visited places in Gujarat.

The flight connectivity to Porbandar from other major cities is also excellent. The coastal town connects with the rest of India through popular routes, making travel easy and convenient. Booking hotels in Porbandar are also useful as the city comes with exciting accommodations.

Best time to visit Chicago

Porbandar enjoys fair weather throughout the year. The temperature is mostly at a pleasant range between 23 degree Celsius to 36 degree Celsius. Depending on the year and the humidity, the temperatures do see some changes, but mostly, it's sunny positive. The winters in Porbandar are quite enchanting as the cold breezy air adds quite a romantic charm to the place. The temperatures usually range from 10 degree Celsius to 36 degree Celsius. When you do plan for your Porbandar trip, try to choose this season. The pleasant weather will make sightseeing more comfortable. Not to mention how the flight tickets to Porbandar are also cheap and affordable, irrespective of the peak season. December and January are considered as best months to visit Porbandar.

The monsoon months in Porbandar are just as enjoyable as the winters. Between July to September, the monsoon drenches the city with a cool but humid atmosphere. While the humidity does increase during monsoon, the strong winds that pass through the city during the season help normalise the temperature to a pleasant level. You can book a hotel in Porbandar during this time and take in all the monsoon magic. You certainly wouldn't regret it.

Summers, though, could be a little hot. In comparison to the pleasant weather the city experiences throughout the year, the summer winds come with high temperatures that sometimes reach 40 degree Celsius. While it is not ideal for visiting Porbandar during summers, if you are already used to such temperatures and climate, you wouldn't have much trouble. Not to mention how the flight tickets to Porbandar during summers see a drop in prices.

Places to visit in Chicago

Porbandar does not have many tourist attractions as such. The place is a pilgrimage with many temples and shrines. During your trip, you can visit some of the temples, namely, Sri Hari temple, Krishna-Sudama temple, Kirti temple, to name a few. These temples have strong connections with the Hindu mythology tale Mahabharat. The city also has some relics from the Harappan civilisation which could add to a good historical venture.

One of the big highlights of Porbandar's tourism is the Huzoor Palace, built in the early 20th century by Rana Natwarsinhji, the last Maharaja of Porbandar. The structure has derived architectural inspiration from European styles and is quite beautiful. The vicinity also has fancy fountains and well-maintained gardens.

Things to do in Chicago

The city might have only pilgrimage as the most prominent tourist attraction, but you can tweak your itinerary and add some personal excursions of your own. Located a little away from the city are the Jambuvan Caves, known to be the resting place of the famous warrior Jambuvan, who has played an essential role in the mythological tales of Mahabharat. The caves are also known to have Ramayana relevance with Hanuman spending time in the caves. You can also visit the Porbandar Bird Sanctuary and indulge in some photography. The sanctuary has a scenic setting which adds to the charm and beauty of the place. The biggest attraction of the bird sanctuary is how it inhabits migratory birds such as jacanas, little cormorants, whistling teals, avocets, coots, grebes, pelicans, terns, to name a few.

Food and Restaurants in Chicago

Porbandar is famous for its Gujarati cuisine. The city, much like the rest of the state, is rich in vegetarian Gujarati delicacies. From lip-smacking dhokla with green chutney to divine khandwas, one can never get tired of these dishes. Porbandar also follows the Jain-style cuisine by eliminating potatoes, onions, etc. from their dishes. They substitute potatoes with bananas which manage to do the job perfectly well. In fact, Jain cuisine is just as tasty as a regular vegetarian cuisine. You should probably give Jain food a try when in Porbander.

Travellers with a taste for vegan and vegetarian food can head to Flavours. The restaurant is famous for its take on vegan-friendly dishes as well as a slew of global cuisine. You will definitely be happy and satiated with their take on international cuisine. The place is extremely healthy and something worth considering. If exquisite fine dine is in your itinerary then you should head to Blue Coriander and book a table. The place with its classy interiors has great food reviews. You can get some lovely Gujarati thalis here or even the sweet daal that they're fans of. The food is known to be fresh and tasty with a plethora of choices for vegetarians. You can also get a spicy vada pav at Goli Vada Pav. Mumbaikars know their vada pavs well, and they sure love Goli Vada Pav.

Finding a non-vegetarian restaurant in Porbandar might be challenging as the city primarily has a vegetarian population. However, there is one place where you can get some lovely Indian spin on dishes, including seafood. SaltWater, located on the Dwarka Porbandar highway, has the best seafood that you should certainly try. As for those who are tired of all the spices and want something savoury, you should check out Shiva Baker's Point and Midday Munchies.

How to reach Chicago(Transportation)

By Air

Porbandar Airport is located along the coast of the state of Gujarat. The airport is open for commercial use but also has a military presence. The city's airport is well-connected with some of the big cities in India such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, June, Jaipur and Bangalore, to name a few. Thanks to the consistent infrastructural development, the city has managed to find great connectivity with other cities in India. The flight connectivity to Porbandar is excellent as many flights from big cities have direct flights. SpiceJet and TruJet are the two airlines with dedicated flights flying to Porbandar. Even though it is a domestic airport, there are provisions of duty-free shops within the airport that one can avail goods from at a reasonable cost.

The airport also provisions a slew of restaurant chains and fast food shops to keep the passengers entertained. The most popular route to Porbandar is from Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi as these three cities have regular flights flying in and out. The location of the airport is also convenient, enabling easy access to the city centre. You can hire a taxi cab from outside the airport, or if you have booked a hotel in Porbandar, they will probably send the airport shuttle, if you request it.

By Rail

Porbandar Railway Station is perfectly connected with major cities within Gujarat. There are dedicated daily trains to and from Porbandar to Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Somnath and more. The railway also connects well with other domestic routes from Porbandar to big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Jaipur. Weekly trains to cities in the South such as Hyderabad and Kochi are also available. It is essential to know the train schedule before booking the tickets. Specific express trains are not reserved for Porbandar so you might end up spending a lot of your time in transit. The station is around 5 km from the city centre.

As frequent trains are entering and leaving the city regularly, transport via train is also considered to be a good and affordable option. Flight tickets to Porbandar could be expensive sometimes depending on the season in which you are booking your flights.

By Road

Major cities are connected to Porbandar through the domestic route of NH 8B. The national highway brings cities such as Ahmedabad and Rajkot closer to Porbandar. Public buses are also available to connect Porbandar to the rest of the cities in Gujarat. You can find them at the bus station where buses to Vadodara, Jamnagar, Surat and even Mumbai are available. Many travellers opt for roadways to reach Porbandar, especially if they are travelling from the coastal areas of Maharashtra. Tourists even drive down to Porbandar from Jaipur and other cities in Rajasthan as it is a good drive. From the bus station, rickshaws and buses are also available that can take you to the hotel you have booked in Porbandar. Taxi cabs are also present in the city, so transportation in the city is extremely convenient for travellers.

  About Algiers

Algiers is the capital of Algeria, and you will find a lot of French colonial-style buildings in the city. Exploring the neighbourhood by food is one of the best ways to explore the city. It is a hilly place, and if you have booked a hotel in Algiers that has a view of the entire city from the top, you will certainly be a tad overwhelmed. It is far more convenient to take public transport than hiring a car and paying more money for that. The fuel is cheap, the food is exquisite, and you get the best desserts in town. Algiers will not disappoint you at all. However, you won't find any retail chains in the city be it a Zara or McDonald's. The French highly inspires the food in Algiers, but they also add their own charm to it. Though you won't find high-end Michelin star restaurants in the city, you will find a lot of small eateries and joints that will ensure you don't leave disappointed. Le Jardin d'Essais du Hamma is a botanical garden, which is also an important tourist attraction here, especially if you are visiting during summer.

Best Time to Visit Algiers

November to April is high season for Algiers since the weather is less ferocious and a lot of tourists plan on visiting the Sahara desert, too. Make sure you book your hotel in Algiers well in advance to avoid the surge prices. January records the coldest temperature up to 8 degree Celsius, but you can still head to the city during this season. It won't put a damper on your plans to go sightseeing or indulge in any outdoor activities. Make sure you also book your flight tickets to Algeria in advance to avoid the surge pricing.

March to July is the spring and perfect to explore the Roman sites in the city. The weather remains pleasant and lets you carry on with your sightseeing plans without any hindrance. However, you might even get a good deal on flights to Algeria since it is not peak season and airlines will introduce a lot of offers. August is quite hot, and the number of tourists in the city also sees a dip considerably. Best to avoid the Sahara. The temperature reaches up to 31 degree Celsius.

Places to Visit in Algiers

The old city in Algiers is called Casbah, and it is a popular tourist spot in the city. Casbah is that part of the city that dates back to the 17th century. It was founded on the ruins of old Iconium. The exceptional architecture of the Ketchaoua mosque, mosque el Djedid and mosque Ek Kebir are the main reasons why Casbah made it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notre Dame d'Afrique is another popular tourist spot that you must head to if you are visiting Algiers. The stunning Catholic basilica was constructed in the late 1800s and is the perfect symbol of the Neeo-Byzantine style that took over French Algeria at the time. It took fourteen years for the construction of the church to finally get over. It opened its door to the public in 1872. You will lose yourself in the beautiful intricately designed glass windows of the basilica. Visit the Maqam Echahid to pay your respects to everyone who was killed in the Algerian war. Didouche Mourad Street is one of the main shopping areas in Algiers and quite a happening place, too. The Grande Post office, Faculty of Algiers and the park of Galland are some of the popular attractions here. The Great Mosque of Algiers dates back to 1097 and is the oldest mosques in the city.

You can also head to the coastal town of Sisi Fredj. It is one of the most visited resorts and is about 30 km from Algiers. It is popular for its splendid architectural work and sandy beaches. If you want to spend your day having lots of fun and getting a spa together? Head Over to Aquafortland which is a water park that has an outdoor Jacuzzi, three swimming pools and a man-made sandy beach. The Aquafortland Spa will take all of your troubles away and instantly put in you in a calm, relaxing zone. You can spend your evening at Sheraton Club des Pins Resort, one of the fanciest places to visit in the city. Visit the local art museums, if you are an art lover. The city's art galleries feature artworks from some very talented Algerian artists. If you are a history buff, You can head to a couple of museums in the city like The Bardo Museum and the National Museum of Antiquities. The displays and the stunning rock carvings, everything leaves you stumped. You will also come across a lot of malls in the city to fulfil all of your shopping desires. You can buy souvenirs, desserts or clothes for your loved ones at a reasonable price. It will surely not burn a hole in your pocket.

Things to do in Algiers

Take a walking tour at the Casbah. Not only is it one of Algiers' oldest towns but also one of the most beautiful towns to visit. You can also head to the Martyr's Memorial to pay your respects and learn more about the history of the city. If you have nothing planned for the day, just put on your favourite music and take a walk at The Botanical Garden. You can also go visit the Notre Dame d'Afrique here and compare it to the original one in France. You can also visit the National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers if you are an art lover. You can also experience the vibrant nightlife here without having the dreaded feeling of going back to work the next day. The city is also quite popular for its culinary scene, and you are not exactly very motherly, and I know. Try the local food joints and eateries here instead of being hell-bent over heading to an expensive restaurant. Algiers is one city that will not disappoint you at all. The people in the city are quite friendly and very helpful, too. You will also end up making some great friends in Azerbaijan. You can also enrol yourself at one of the cooking classes in the city, and you will certainly come back more talented. Your love for food will certainly but do make sure that you don't leave your families lying around.

Foods and Restaurants in Algiers

Kalb-el-luz is easily the best way to end your Algerian dinner. The delicious baked dessert is made of semolina and ground almonds with lovely flavours of cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla. Liam lahlou is a beautiful lamb stew that is slightly sweet to the tongue but tasty overall. Interestingly, this meat dish has all kinds of fruits and nuts that compliment each other perfectly. It is certainly a dish worth trying. If you don't wish to experiment with much of their cuisine, then you can simply opt for Algeria's basic Tajine stone. It only has chickpeas, carrots, onions, olives, mushrooms and pieces of chicken. The exquisite dish is cooked well and is often garnished with lemon juice and saffron. Meat is predominantly part of all Algerian food, so do not be surprised to see more meat in your soup. Speaking of, you should give chorba a try. It is a tomato-based soup that has been tossed with cooked meat, chickpeas, frik and Algerian spices. These dishes will surely take you through quite the culinary trip.

For an intimate outing, head straight to Le Caid in Algeria. The place is beautifully set with classic local settings. Some more restaurant options that you should definitely visit when in Algiers are Restaurant Le Saint which is rich in seafood, Lalla Mina with its host of musicians, Cafe Yontonville with their top-notch breakfast and La Maison de Couscous to taste some of the best Algerian cuisines which do consist of some of the dishes mentioned above.

How to reach Algiers

Houari Boumediene Airport is the main airport that serves Algiers and is about 17 km away from the city. The airport has been named after the former President of Algeria, Houari Boumediene. The airport has been functioning since 1924. The flight connectivity to Algiers from India is excellent. Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates Airline have frequent flights to Algiers with layovers at Istanbul, Frankfurt and Dubai. You might come across exciting flight deals to Algiers if you book well in advance. If you visit during the offseason, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Algiers. You will find it very convenient to get a taxi service from the airport to your hotel, in case you haven't pre-booked your ride. The airport has free WiFi, restaurants, cafes, medical help, smoking areas, children's play areas, lounges and a lot more. You will definitely not get bored if you are waiting at the airport to board your flight.