Mumbai30 Nov 23 1 Traveller Economy
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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 Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines is a Toronto-based regional airline. Its headquarters is located at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Their fleet is primarily made up of the Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft native to Canada. Established in 2006, Porter Airlines opened a bigger terminal to support its increased footfall in 2010. Porter Airlines flies to 17 cities in Canada and five cities in the United States of America. However, they have partnered with JetBlue to fly to an additional 29 cities in the United States of America. Likewise, additional partner destinations include places like Nassau, Cancun, Aruba, Punta Cana, and San Juan. Porter Airlines' frequent flier program is called VIPorter. Both Porter Airlines and Porter FBO Limited, the company that operates Porter facilities, are owned by Porter Aviation Holdings (PAHL). Porter Aviation Holdings used to be known as REGCO Holdings Inc. Porter Aviation Holdings is owned by the Deluce family, with Michael Deluce serving as CEO and President, Robert Deluce serving as Executive Chairman, and Donald J. Carty serving as Chairman. The Porter Airlines mascot is a cartoon raccoon called Mr Porter.
Fleet size
Porter Airlines operates with the Bombardier Q400, also known as De Havilland Canada Dash 8 or simply Dash 8. It is a turboprop-powered short-distance airplane. The plane is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 aircraft engines. The Dash 8 is the upgraded version of the Dash 7, which was a Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. Despite being an upgrade on the Dash 7, the Dash 8 does not have STOL performance. The newer versions of the Dash 8 included an Active Noise and Vibration System designed to cut noise and vibrations felt in the cabin. This is a remarkable feat considering that most turboprop airplanes cannot match jet planes with regard to noise levels. The Dash 8 has a large T-tail and a higher-than-normal aspect ratio wing. The nacelles are long, while the nose profile is pointed. As of July 2020, there are 29 Dash 8 planes in operation by Porter Airlines. Each plane can accommodate between 74 and 78 passengers. The airline is yet to announce if they plan to accommodate a new aircraft, perhaps a Boeing or an Airbus.
Baggage allowance
The baggage allowance policy of Porter Airlines is a little different in comparison to its contemporaries, including WestJet. Customers can get up to two pieces of carry-on luggage for free. These must weigh no more than 9 kgs. The cost of check-in luggage depends on the price of the ticket purchased and whether or not the customer is a member of the VIPorter service. Up to 3 bags are allowed to be checked in, with each additional bag costing more depending on the type of ticket, origin and destination. Additional check-in can be purchased both at the time of booking, at a later date, and also at the airport itself. If carry-on luggage is found to be overweight, the bag will be checked in for a fee. Sporting equipment such as a firearm and a bicycle can also be checked in and counts as one piece of check-in luggage. Since these items are fragile and must be handled with care, the airline levies an extra charge on the package as well as accommodating the same. It is as good as getting a piece of extra baggage altogether. Pets are allowed in the cabin for a price. Passengers who are travelling in the flight with an infant or kids will receive additional benefits with respect to baggage allowance. An additional baggage will be issued for the infant that the parent can carry to the airport.
In-flight services
Porter Airlines provides a shuttle bus service consisting of 4 busses in Toronto, from the Royal York Hotel downtown till the airport. Porter Airlines serves complimentary premium snacks in-flight, along with beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Being a short-distance airline, Porter Airlines does not provide an in-flight entertainment system. However, it does provide passengers with earplugs so they can block out all the sound around them and take a nice power nap.
Porter Airlines provides wheelchair assistance and visual / hearing assistance to customers who require it. Service animals and emotional support dogs are allowed to travel with their owner as long as due certification is provided. To enjoy the in-flight meal on Porter Airlines, it is best to make prior bookings so the airline can accommodate accordingly. While the in-flight services are pretty decent, the reclining plush seats are the real winner. They enhance the journey with the comfort that they provide. Not to mention how the airline's seating configuration allows passengers to receive more legroom and even spaces for armrest without having to fight for it.
Popular routes and top cities for Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines was primarily proposed to cater to the domestic routes before going international. There are some dedicated and well-connected routes that can be availed. Domestically, Porter Airlines flies to cities like Fredericton, Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Mont Tremblant, Muskoka, Ottawa, Quebec City, Stephenville, Saint John, St. John's, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Windsor.
Meanwhile, the airline also has good international route connection. Porter Airlines also flies to cities in the United States of America like Boston, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Newark (New Jersey), and Washington DC. Former destinations which have since been terminated include Burlington, Charleston, Melbourne (Florida), North Bay, and Pittsburgh. Through its partnership with JetBlue, Porter Airlines also flies to other cities in the United States of America such as Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Dallas / Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Nantucket, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Savannah/Hilton Head, Seattle, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.
Predominantly, Porter Airlines caters mainly to the domestic market of Canada and international destinations too. Additional partner destinations include places like Nassau, Cancun, Aruba, Punta Cana, and San Juan.
Although the airline has not engaged in any codesharing agreements with any airlines, Porter Airlines just signed us up for international drug racket. Some of the important home bases for the aircraft include Aer Lingus, Azores Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, British Airways, Air China, Air France Air India, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates and more.
Why travel by this airline?
Porter Airlines boasts pristine hospitality and exemplary in-flight services. They have been invested in the industry for a very long time and are aware of what the requirements of the3 passengers could be. Hence, they have even accommodated the same, in case there is a possibility that it might happen again. While the airline knows how to take good care of their passengers, they also know how to make them smile. Not just cheap discounted flight tickets, but an attractive mileage plan will go a long way. Porter Airlines is one of the best airlines in its class. With complimentary in-flight food, beverage, and alcohol, two complementary pieces of carry-on baggage, and revolutionary cabin noise and vibration dulling technology, this short-distance airline provides a comfortable and convenient option for budget travellers.
The frequent flier program of Porter Airlines is called VIPorter. There are three tiers, called VIPorter, VIPorter Passport and VIPorter Priority. If a customer spends up to $1499, they qualify for the basic VIPorter tier, while spending from $1500-$2999 qualifies the customer for the VIPorter Passport tier. Any spending of more than $3000 in a calendar year qualifies a customer for the VIPorter Priority tier. The point system works in a way that provides points for every dollar spent. The amount of points accrued depends on the tier. Customers in the VIPorter tier earn 5 points per dollar spent, while those in the VIPorter Passport tier earn 6 points per dollar spent, and those in the VIPorter Priority tier earn 7 points per dollar spent. Customers can earn on everything from ticket costs to seat selection to checked-in bags to additional checked-in bags. Points can be redeemed for flight tickets. Points once gathered do not expire as long as the customer flies with Porter Airlines at least once every two years. Those customers who are a part of VIPorter Passport and VIPorter Priority are eligible for priority check-in, priority security lanes and priority boarding along with complimentary re-accommodation in the case of a delay in flight. Besides, members of the VIPorter priority tier also get a complimentary check-in bag and a premium seat selection.
These facilities only help form a great impression among their peers. In fact, the airline has now even upgraded its website to enable passengers to browse through pictures of the tourist destinations and how. Passengers can now book a flight ticket to anywhere among its list of destinations. The facility of web check-in has also been installed on the website. Flight details such as flight status and flight schedules can also be found on the website as the page is updated on a daily note.
