Chicago to Prague 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 Prague

One of the most popular destinations to go backpacking across, Prague, is one every traveller's list. The city has seen invasions, fires, floods and a lot of overthrows at around 870 AD. Prague is one of the most delightful and charming cities and the most popular European destination, too. The city is known for its magnificent castles, synagogues and towers. It also makes for one affordable trip and hosts a lot of backpackers on a budget every year. It has also been named as one of the largest castle complexes in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. You will also come across a lot of stunning cathedrals and museums that maintain the old-time charm of the city. Even if you are not into architecture a lot, you will find yourself admiring the beautiful structures in Prague.

Best Time to Visit Prague

Spring, from March to May, is an ideal time to visit Prague. The temperature ranges from approximately 0 to 17 degree Celsius throughout the months. The weather is pleasant and mild. You can book a hotel in Prague at reasonable prices. Since it is only the beginning of summer, make sure you do carry some warm clothes to tackle the cold breezes and wind chill. Spring also has a lot of festivals and events that you can attend, like the Prague Marathon in April, Prague Food Festival and Prague International Music Festival in May and June. You can also sign up for Prague Proms in May. If you are staying in hostels, you will even end up making new friends from all over the world.

June to August is summer in Prague, and it is also said to be the best time to plan a trip to Prague. The temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degree Celsius. Booking a hotel room in Prague during this season might be a tad bit expensive if not done in advance. You can even get a decent deal on flights to Prague online if you are planning it way in advance. But if you want a budget-friendly trip, make sure you plan it during Spring or Autumn. Since this is also peak season, you'll find the streets quite crowded and buzzing with tourists. You can also attend Venetian Nights, an open-air music festival that takes place in July.

September and October is also a favourable time to plan a trip to Prague. It is Autumn, and the weather is also quite pleasant. November through February is winter and the least favourable time since it is winter. However, if you want to spend your Christmas and New Year's Eve in the European city, you might get cheap flight tickets to Prague. But you will not be able to enjoy sightseeing or even exploring some of the popular tourist attractions in the city. If you are going to Prague during Christmas, do not miss the Christmas Market. You will also not find a lot of crowd during this time.

Places to Visit in Prague

Prague has a lot of charming castles and cathedrals to its credit. One of the best ways to get around the city is to either take public transport or just walk around. Prague has a well-functioning metro that is connected well within the city. It is yet another efficient way to get around the city, along with trams. The Prague Castle is a major tourist attraction here. The castle has buildings constructed over the last 1000 years, and all of them are connected. It also houses the President of the Czech Republic. You will also get a great view of the city from here. The Charles Bridge that is built over the Vltava river is another popular place for tourists. Late evenings and early mornings are the best time to visit the bridge since you will find a lesser crowd during this time. You will also find a lot of vendors and street artists for your amusement and shopping needs.

The St Vitus Cathedral overlooks the entire city of Prague from over a hilltop. The architecture is magnificent, and you will learn a lot about Prague's history here. The construction of the church was completed in 1929. Old Town Square is another most visited tourist attraction where the famous Astronomical Clock was built in 1410. The climb to the top of the tower can be quite difficult, and it is highly recommended that you avoid it if you are not fit. It also makes for a great spot to take pictures. You can also visit the Prague Zoo that is home to endangered Przewalski's horse, also called the Mongolian wild horse. The zoo has over 4200 animals, and you can pay a visit if you are travelling with your kids. For all the art lovers, there is the National Gallery in Prague that has curated some of the best and classy artwork.

Things to do in Prague

If you travel to Prague during the right season, that is summer, a lot of options will be open for you to go sightseeing. You can either hire a taxi or a guide; you can also walk to most of these places and discover the lesser-known tourist spots. Prague is surrounded by hills and going mountain biking is a popular activity that tourists take up here. If you are done with sightseeing and want to do something adventurous, you can try mountain biking. If you want to make your visit to Prague Castle, you can hike through the Chotkovy Sady. It will be an experience of a lifetime with breathtaking views as you reach the castle.

Hot air ballooning is also a popular activity that attracts tourists in Prague. You can also visit the Náplavka Farmer's Market to binge on some delicious snacks or just stroll across the River Vltava to soak in the view. You can also catch the ballet or an opera show at the National Theatre. The John Lennon wall is also pretty popular among young travellers and fans of the Beatles. An activist had painted an image of the lead singer on a wall right opposite the French embassy after John Lennon was killed in 1980.

Foods and Restaurant in Prague

You are certainly going to love the food in Prague. Be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, you will find everything here, and you will love it, too. Bramborák is basically potato pancake but with a lot of flavours. Head to a deli to pick this up, and it will leave you wanting for more. You must also try the Goulash in Prague, a bowl of meat and potato stew with a lot of herbs. You can try the goulash at Mlejnice. Halušky is yet another dish popular in the Czech that is actually a traditional Slovakian dish. It's a kind of dumpling that is topped with ham and fresh herbs.

You will find some great Halušky at Mincovna. Cafe Savoy is a great place to head to for a delicious breakfast. Ensure that you make a reservation in advance since it is a popular place. Portfolio Restaurant is also famous for its excellent choice of wines, interiors and their service. Bistro à Table is a French restaurant that specialises in traditional French cuisine like filet mignon and frog legs. Don't forget to treat yourself to a glass of wine here. Sansho is yet another popular restaurant that serves authentic Asian food. Do try the six-course dinner menu that is served at communal tables family-style. Kmotra is where you head to if you are in the mood for some pizza and delicious homemade pasta. Prague also has a restaurant that specialises in Afghan cuisine called Kabul Restaurant. The menu is translated into different languages, so you are not surprised with what lands on your table.

How to reach Prague

Václav Havel Airport Prague, which was earlier called Prague Ruzyn? International Airport is the international airport in the Czech Republic's capital, Prague. The flight connectivity to Prague from India is excellent. While there are no direct flights to Prague, there are several connecting flights that have layovers at Istanbul and Munich. Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa have frequent flights to Prague from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. LOT Polish Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines take off from Delhi to Prague. You also have Qatar Airways and Lufthansa taking off from Bangalore quite frequently. Istanbul, Munich and Doha are some of the popular routes to Prague since most flights to Prague have a layover at these airports. If you are travelling during summer or winter, there are high chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Prague. Getting around the city from the airport is also not very tedious since you get cabs right outside the airport. If you are travelling from another European city or country, trains are the best and most preferred option. It is quite convenient, well-connected and offers you the best view across the continent, something you will cherish for a long time.