Manila to Plaisance Flights

  About Manila

The highly populous city of Manila is the capital of the Philippines. The urban city is recognised worldwide as a city prone to the maximum number of natural disasters, owing to it attracting a high number of cyclones regularly. Despite being vulnerable to natural disasters, Manila is actually known to be a fast-growing city in the Philippines. Located on the bayside, the city has been tremendously influenced by the Spanish as it was once a colony.

Best time to visit Manila

Manila is surrounded by waters on all sides, giving it hot and wet weather. Hence, it is best advised to visit the quaint city during their dry season. Manila's dry months start from January and last up to April. The rest of the year is pretty hot and humid. The flipside of the dry months is that it comes with the summer sun. This basically means you'll have to deal with hot and dry weather when you visit Manila. However, it is still a better bargain than the wet months. March and April see the peak summer with temperatures ranging from 23 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius. The weather is perfect for hitting the beach and cooling down. That is always an option that many tourists opt for. Besides, one can always indulge in renting out bicycles and riding in the streets of Manila, exploring new crevices of the lovely city. Due to the months being peak season, the city is often crowded with tourists resulting in high hotel prices. During these months, the hotel rates in Manila spike up to an exorbitant amount. It becomes quite unfavourable for budget tourists to make their bookings for hotels and flights to Manila as there is already a lot of demand for the city.

One can simply opt to make prior hotel and flight bookings to Manila. Although tourists tend to visit the city all-round the year, the safest ones are from January to April. From June to November, Manila is pretty much hot and humid with monsoon taking over. The weather gets rather unpleasant to indulge in tourist activities. This is one of the major concerns which makes tourists opt for the peak season. Monsoon is pretty bad as during this time, the streets get flooded, and the torrential rains destroy quite a lot of the habitat. Since Manila also attracts cyclones and other such calamities, it is best to avoid the wet season. It is essential to check the weather and all the reports before you make your flight and hotel bookings in Manila. Sure, the bad weather and lack of tourism does bring down the hotel prices in Manila. But it definitely wouldn't be worth it as you wouldn't be able to enjoy the city's spirits and tourist attractions. The best thing to do would be to make prior bookings of flight and hotels in Manila for the dry season.

Places to visit in Manila

As a country with some of the largest urban gardens and parks, you can start your tourist rendezvous in Manila by visiting some of them. Rizal Park is a popular garden in the city which was earlier called Bagumbayan, attracts a lot of tourists every year. The garden was built during the Spanish Colonial Period and has been a structure of historical significance. The park is beautiful and comes with lush green grasses and alluring sights. Next from here, you can visit some of the monuments in the city. You can check out Fort Santiago, a citadel created by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a known Spanish navigator and governor. The defense fortress is recognised for its historical relevance of serving as a prison during World War II. San Agustin Church is another beautiful Roman Catholic structure which is acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Aside from the usual, you can always make room for visits at the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Zoo and Casa Manila, to name a few highlights.

Things to do in Manila

There are many things that you can do in Manila, starting from the Manila Baywalk. The promenade overlooks the Manila Bay and offers a pristine view of the waterbody. You can actually take up carriage rides by the promenade. In the evenings, there are also some performances by locals and live band performances. Not to mention how the area has lovely cafes which serve multi-cuisines. Visiting the Manila Ocean Park should be on your list of things to do in Manila. It is an oceanarium and is owned by the China Oceanis Philippines Inc. The institute is located in proximity to Rizal Park. The place is beautiful as you get to walk through the oceanarium and view some exquisite and rare marine life. To learn more about the history and cultural heritage of the country, you should visit the National Museum of the Philippines. It falls under the government authority and is maintained by the officials. The architecture and exhibits preserved by the Philippines government in the museum will pique your interest. You can also indulge in some fine dining and relish the lavish cuisine.

Food and restaurants in Manila

The cosmopolitan city brings flavours from around the world in their cuisine. You will not miss any international cuisine as the Filipino food in itself has been derived from inspiration from aboriginal, North American, Chinese, Indonesian and Spanish cuisine. Most of the dishes in Manila would seem familiar, be it the flavours or the style of cooking. Manila's eclectic spread of food establishments is perfectly balanced with upscale restaurants and budget food joints. Wherever you go, you will be met with exquisite and memorable food. You can start with a buffet spread at Spiral Restaurant. It features some of the finest gourmet dishes with food inspired by 21 diverse countries. There's a Japanese station as well as a French station with fun cooking scenes. The place is high-priced so best to fill up your pockets before visiting the place. Another luxurious fine dining experience that you can check out is at Café Ilang-Ilang. This food establishment also has a buffet setting with cuisines such as Italian, Asian, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese and Western.

You can also opt for dining with a great view of the Sky Deck View Bar. The aerial view of Manila from the rooftop restaurant is beautiful. For a quaint but authentic Filipino food, head to The Aristocrat. Barbara's Heritage Restaurant is another such place which serves Filipino food as well as a spectacular vibe. Some more establishments that would put a smile on your face are Ilustrado Restaurant, Harbor View Restaurant, Movie Stars Cafe, Bistro Remedios and My Kitchen by Chef Chris. Your food expedition in Manila would be quite an experience as there are far too many places to pick from.

How to reach Manila

Flight connectivity to Manila from India is extremely good. There are many flights that fly to Manila from India. Most of the South Asian countries have impeccable flight connectivity with Indian cities. Even Manila sees regular flights flying from Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, to name a few. The most popular route to Manila chosen by travellers is from Singapore and Hong Kong. The flight connectivity to Manila from these international cities is immaculate. Airlines such as Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Dragon Air, Philippine Airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are some of the prominent names that have flights reserved for Manila. There are no direct flights that fly to Manila from India. There are mostly connecting flights and layovers that take place in international cities such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. International routes connecting Manila from cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and even Bangkok are more favoured. The number of flights in service are more, plus the duration is also less time-consuming.

It takes about eight hours and fifteen minutes to reach Manila from India. However, the only way you will get to reach so early would be if you pick the fastest flights with exorbitant ticket costs. The popular flights to Manila have tickets at the price range of INR 20,000 to 27,000. The difference in duration of flights is also barely of an hour or two, making these options more affordable. There are cheap flight tickets to Manila, and if you book in advance, you might be able to get some benefits of discounts too. There are countless deals that take place online, and you can easily avail some flight deals to Manila by snooping around the web. In fact, there are combo deals of flights and accommodation too that is recommended. You can get a cheap flight and hotel bookings in Manila, as long as you make prior reservations and find good deals online. The peak season might see a tremendous change in the flight ticket cost to Manila as well as the hotel prices. During the wet seasons, the hotel prices in Manila drop to an all-time low, making budget travelling possible.

  About Mauritius

Snuggled up in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the African continent, lies the beautiful island country of Mauritius. The lovely island country is known to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It has strong Indian and African influences and is also known for its exquisite blue waters.

Best time to visit Mauritius

Mauritius' proximity to the Tropic of Capricorn brings forth a hot tropical climate. The weather is mostly warm and cool with summers experiencing hot and humid breeze. May to December becomes the best time to visit the island country of Mauritius. The days are longer during these months. The dry and sunny vibe of the place brings a soothing effect that would definitely work well with your vacation vibe. The seafood brims with fresh catch cooked to perfection. Even the hospitality and tourist attractions within the island are accessible. You can waltz around the city streets without having to worry about bad weather or humidity. In fact, the hot and dry combination can best be dealt with by taking a dip in the Indian Ocean. Overall, the place is perfect for a leisure vacation. However, the only big concern comes when you need to pay the price for the impeccable hospitality and views. Booking a hotel in Mauritius during the peak season could be quite expensive. Even flight tickets to Mauritius are quite steep as the demand for the island country is quite high.

Unless you've managed to win some big combo deals online for flights and hotels in Mauritius, it would be a tad bit cumbersome to get a cheap and affordable deal. The island does sell leisure luxury, so it would be unfair to expect the city to have cheap services. There is always the window of opportunity to snag some online flight and hotel deals to Mauritius which could slash off half your expenses. The tropical island can be ignored from January to March and definitely from July to August. These are wet cyclone seasons for Mauritius and will have some dire effects on your travel plans. During the cyclone season, the winds are quite strong to the point of destructive. They definitely don't spell vacation as the shores would be off-limits. With little to nothing to do on the island, you might be wasting your money in Mauritius during these seasons. Hence, before making your bookings, ensure to check the weather report and possibility of any kind of looming cyclones that might hit the shores of the African island.

Places to visit in Mauritius

Mauritius is a small island country and has many coasts that boast pristine blue waters and white shoreline. The first one that you can start with during your beach-hopping is to check out Île aux Cerfs. It is perfectly located on the east coast of the country and is known to be the largest lagoon in the island country. With its green trees and blue waters, the scenic beach is perfect for exploring. While the Île aux Cerfs is a private-owned island, Mauritius island is open for all. It is perfect for you to unwind with your partner. The Seven Coloured Earth is the next best beach to check out. What makes this beach a tourist attraction is the geological formation of sand dunes by the beach with hues of pink and purple. The seven distinct colours on the dunes is what gives the place its name.

On the extreme southwestern tip of Mauritius' island is the alluring peninsula, Le Morne Brabant. The natural caves and green vegetation surrounded by azure blue waters makes tourists flock over to the place. The mountain of Le Morne Brabant has actually been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. A little away from the Indian Ocean, nestled in the centre of the island is the Grand Bassin. It is a secluded area located in the Savanne district has many Hindu temples and idols of gods such as Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesh, Goddess Ganga, to name a few.

Things to do in Mauritius

The best way to explore more of Mauritius and soak in the beauty of the island country is by beach-hopping. The place is literally surrounded by the Indian Ocean on all sides. This means there are beaches everywhere in Mauritius. Some of the notable mentions include Flic En Flac Beach, Grand Baie, Mont Choisy beach, to name a few. At these beaches, you can take up a slew of water sports activities. From kitesurfing to scuba diving, there are a bunch of things that you can do on the beaches of Mauritius. Aside from the fun outdoor activities that can keep the beach bums busy, you might want to indulge in some of their exquisite seafood too. The place offers fusion food with influences from African, Indian, French and European cuisine. You can also hike at the Black River Gorges National Park as it has many green trekking trails.

Food and restaurants in Mauritius

Mauritius has quite a reputation in the culinary circle for offering a delightful spread to tease a man's gastronomical urges. The restaurants and food establishments in Mauritius are celebrated for their exquisite tropical flavours and a rich melange of cuisines ranging from French, African, Mediterranean, Indian and Dutch. The most famous food establishment in Mauritius is the Escale Creole, a place which brims with bespoke Mauritian cuisine. Not only are the dishes lip-smacking but even the vibe of the place is worth talking about. It would be quite an experience to indulge in food curated by world-class chefs. For a little French indulgence in Mauritius, you can visit Le Chamarel Restaurant. The vibe of the place is uber-romantic, and the food is just as delicious as the views of the ocean. Le Fangourin's flavourful fried rice with mushrooms is a big seller. The dish and even the restaurant should certainly be added in your list of places to visit for food excursions. The place is perfect for vegetarians and also has a lovely setting.

Le Château de Bel Ombre is a fancy food establishment that stands on the grounds of the Heritage Le Château, an ancient relic from the 1700s which has been recently refurbished to accommodate the restaurant. For an Epicurean holiday in Mauritius with succulent and aromatic food explosion, visit this specific restaurant in the city. Le Flamboyant is another raved restaurant which offers a fancy view of the ocean and makes scrumptious delicacies. Their highlights are ravioles de marlin fume and dim sum. For a continental buffet spread, visit Mon Plaisir Restaurant. It is the main restaurant of the Sugar Beach resort and certainly a place worth dining at. With a private pool that leads to the ocean, the setting is gorgeous and refreshing, especially for breakfast. Do not miss restaurants namely, Citronella Restaurant & Cafe, Safran Restaurant, Dix Neuf Restaurant, La Plage Beach Club Restaurant and Republik Beach Club & Grill, to name a few.

How to reach Mauritius 

Mauritius is one of the most famous international honeymoon destinations for Indians, after The Maldives. The exquisite azure blue ocean with resorts over waters and palm trees forming a line to the shore paints quite a picture. The setting makes for a great postcard background, not to mention how the luxurious setting is also a good place to spruce things up, romantic styles. The flight connectivity to Mauritius from India is hence, quite good. There are many flights to Mauritius from Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, to name a few. Although there are no direct flights connecting Mauritius and India, a majority of international airlines with layovers form a good connectivity to the African island country. Airlines such as Emirates, Saudia, Vistara, Kenya Airways, Malindo Air, Air Mauritius, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Air Seychelles, to name a few, have regular flights flying to Mauritius. The most popular international route for Mauritius from India is via Dubai. Emirates Airlines provides many flights to Mauritius, making transport convenient.

The flight duration to Mauritius from India is close to 13 hours and fifteen minutes. This also includes the layovers or connecting flights that one might have to take from international cities. The popularity and demand for Mauritius has also made its flight tickets rather pricey. Come peak season, and you will find a massive surge in the ticket prices to Mauritius. However, they are still decent and affordable. A round trip would cost you approximately INR 80,000. This is without the additional discounts or online flight deals. If you spend some time on the internet to find the best flight deals to Mauritius, you will end up saving much more. Also, the hotel bookings in Mauritius is quite steep, owing to the luxe setting and hospitality services they provide. Hence, it would be ideal for making prior hotel reservations in Mauritius. The best thing to do here would be to book hotels and flights to Mauritius together. There are many online deals and honeymoon packages (if a romantic rendezvous is what you're going for), that you can avail.