Chicago to Male 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 Malé

Malé atoll is the capital of the most romantic island nation of the world, the Maldives. Located beautifully in the Indian Ocean, the city is particularly famous for the azure blue waters touching white and shores. Not to mention some of the astounding hospitality, private islands and to be one of the poshest places.

Best time to visit Malé

The best part about the Maldives is the sunny, positive weather the island country receives throughout the year. The temperatures do vary, but throughout the year, it is a beautiful place with exquisite waters and weather. To visit Malé, it is recommended that you book for tickets between November and April. The weather during these months is just splendid. The peak season for the Maldives is from December through March. Basically, throughout these months, you will be able to soak in the summer sun yet not be bothered by the excess heat. This is also the dry season in the Maldives, which works perfectly well if you're planning for a romantic trip. Since it is the peak season, there might be too many tourists on the streets. Plus, the flight bookings to Malé might also be expensive. However, if you manage to get great online flight deals, then you can use your budget to splurge on some fancy water houses and hospitality services that the city is predominantly known for. The hotel reservations will also be expensive during this time, so it is best to book hotels in Malé ahead of time to avoid exorbitant rates.

Malé also receives rainfall for one half of the year. May to November is the months when the city gets maximum rainfall. June is when the monsoon is at its peak. It is not favourable to make flight bookings or hotel reservations during this time as the climate wouldn't do justice to the pristine beaches. For the rains too, the northern atolls receive torrential rains from May to November. Similarly, the high rainfalls are experienced between November to March in the southern atolls. It is essential to learn about this when you are booking your flights and hotels. The geographical stance of both the atolls would help you make better choices. From indulging in excessive scuba diving or other water sports, the rainy days would keep you nestled in your water houses. Irrespective, the city does have something in store for people booking flights and hotels in Malé during all seasons.

Places to visit in Malé

Malé Atoll is the city where you will land and before you take off to you romantic rendezvous in one of the quaint and silent islands in the Maldives, you should look around the city and visit some of the interesting places it had to offer. The city has tourist attractions which don't just limit to its blue beaches and white sands. Places such as the Malé National Museum would be a good way to start the trip. You can visit the place and learn more about the history of the island country. Over the years, the settlements have seen quite a lot of changes from Europeans to Indians to Sri Lankans. It would be an educational venture to see the exhibitions of what makes Make and the Maldives so relaxed and amazing. You should also visit the Tsunami monument while you're in the city. The monument was basically erected after the horrific 2004 Tsunami that shook the island nation.

Things to do in Malé

As an island city, Malé caters to the traditional water sports needs of tourists. You will find a slew of gorgeous islands with azure blue waters reflecting the bright yellow sun. With a view so fine and divine, you cannot expect any more of awesomeness from the place. However, Malé continues to entertain the traveller by providing a series of recreational activities that would only make them want more. Some of the fun things that you can indulge in at Malé is to do some island-hopping. As the Maldives is an archipelago, it is surrounded by a plethora of other islands tucked together. Interestingly, all the islands are diverse and have a different quality that stands out. Some are even private beaches and islands owned by people with restrictions and prohibitions. You can imagine how luxe the environment would be of the place with so much at your perusal. Water sports is a big thing here. You can indulge in a slew of fun water activities.

With clear waters, scuba diving and snorkelling are one of the fun activities to undertake. You can simply take up a short course by signing up in the city of Malé. They will take you to the coast or rather some of the places where snorkelling and diving is possible. Accordingly, you will be allowed to experience the beauty of the marine ecosystem. Similarly, some beaches in Malé also have provisions of activities such as parasailing, surfing, banana boat ride, jet ski, kite surfing, to name a few. It would be quite an expedition to visit beaches in Malé. Also, no matter what, do not skip a spa session on the island. There are countless spa establishments that offer quality massages and pamper you with some of the best products and services.

Food and Restaurants in Malé

Being surrounded by water makes seafood as Maldives' staple food. As the waters of the Indian Ocean do come with a plethora of varied fish and marine life, the same is incorporated in the food as well. With influence from the Indian, Malaysian and European cuisines, the Maldives food has coconuts and contemporary food to offer to the customers. The city of Malé is blessed with some fine restaurants and luxury food establishments which add to the experience of the travellers. One can find an abundance of lovely joints and restaurants as tourism is predominantly the highlight of Maldives. To start your food expedition, you can start from Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, which is famous for its European seafood spread. The establishments serve some of the finest and interesting dishes ranging from malossol imperial caviar, yellowtail kingfish, champagne risotto and everything downed by some lovely wine and mango sorbet.

While seafood might be the highlight of Maldivian food, you can always savour some vegetarian dishes at Muraka. The idyllic restaurant setting has a fancy wooden decor and international menu to serve. They make Maldivian tuna loin, lobster bisque, papaya salad, to name a few dishes. Simultaneously, they also have some impeccable salad options for vegetarians. The salads are derived from the Mediterranean flavours, which adds to the vibe the place has. Places such as Sala Thai, Seagull Cafe House, Shell Beans, Aioli Restaurant and Jazz Cafe offer pristine food menu and views to die for. There is no speciality dish that needs to be tasted in Malé as such since their food is derived from varied cultures and the availability of diverse fish in the water. It would be interesting to taste some random marine animal on your plate.

How to reach Malé (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Malé from India is excellent as it is located in proximity to the country. Malé is also known as one of the most prominent places for honeymooners or romantic rendezvous. With the azure blue waters touching white sand beach shores and resorts built on top of the ocean water, it is undoubtedly a place with excess demand throughout the year. Hence, there are many flights available to Malé. In fact, you will find direct flights to Malé from Indian cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Delhi, to name a few. Airlines such as IndiGo, GoAir, Srilankan Airlines, SpiceJet, AirAsia and Vistara have regular flights flying to and from Malé. It hardly takes three hours to reach Malé from India, which makes travelling to the island country convenient. Some of the popular routes chosen to travel to Malé from India are from either Kochi or Chennai. As for international routes to Malé, Sri Lanka's Colombo is the only airport that directly connects to Malé. The island country has immaculate connectivity and a lot of demand as well.

The flight tickets to Malé are also quite cheap. In fact, you can complete a round trip to Malé from India for approximately INR 25,000 to INR 30,000. The flight costs depend on whether you are opting for a longer duration flight or if the airlines have more or less connectivity. Some of the flights to Malé are as cheap as INR 10,000, which is ideal for many budget travellers. However, this comes with some excess time spent in layovers and connecting flights. Even though the distance is quite less from India to the Maldives, you might end up spending close to nine hours in airports. You can book your flights to Malé in advance to avoid the last-minute surge in prices. You must check the season before heading to Malé. Depending on the season you choose, your flight ticket costs to Malé also change. Peak seasons often see a surge in the flight tickets to Malé so ensure that you book in advance. While you're booking your flight tickets to Malé, also make hotel reservations in the city. There are a plethora of combo deals online that you might be able to get hold of.