Pantnagar to Barcelona Air India Flights

  About Pantnagar

Pantnagar is a small city in Uttarakhand that is famous for housing one of the best agriculture university campuses in the country, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture Technology. It is also an industrial town and has fewer sightseeing spots. But it is closer to tourist spots like Corbett National Park, Mukteshwar and Nainital. The Pantnagar airport is also one of the most active airports in the Kumaon district of Uttarakhand. You will come across quite a few tourist packages that will help you see the most of this town. You can spend a day or two here in Pantnagar before you head to the neighbouring cities and tourist attractions around it. One of the most endearing and best things to do in the North is visiting the wildlife sanctuaries, and you can visit the one near Pantnagar, too.

Best Time to Visit Pantnagar

Pantnagar is a city that you can visit all year round. The weather remains pleasant, and it is also accessible to a lot of tourists throughout the year. However, it is highly recommended that you visit the city during the winter. The view and the weather are at their best during this time. October to March are ideal for visiting Pantnagar. The temperature ranges from 8 to 15 degree Celsius. The climate is favourable to step out and enjoy some sightseeing. In fact, stepping out in the cold winter mornings for a cup of tea will rejuvenate you.

Summer in Pantnagar begins from April and lasts till June. The temperature ranges from 26 to 42 degree Celsius. Even though the heat is quite terrible, tourists don't hesitate from planning a summer trip. Since it is also a gateway to hill stations like Nainital, the weather won't stop you from paying a visit to the city. In fact, you will even get decent flight deals to Pantnagar and book a hotel in Pantnagar at affordable prices, since it is offseason.

July to September is when the city witnesses monsoon. Pantnagar receives heavy rainfall during monsoon, and the weather also turns quite cold. The constant downpour might make it difficult for you to step out of your hotel rooms or indulge in any sightseeing activities that you have planned for the day. It is not the best time to plan a trip to Pantnagar. Summer and winter are more ideal for a vacation than monsoon.

Places to Visit in Pantnagar

Pantnagar is situated in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and while the city itself has very few tourist spots; also because it is an industrial hub. However, it is quite close to the Jim Corbett National Park, Nainital, Haldwani, Bhimtal, Nanakmatta and the Govind National Park. Haldwani is in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand and is about 24 km away from the city. Haldwani has quite a few temples and historical landmarks that you mjust not miss. Nainital is a charming hill station which is also a popular honeymoon destination. The hill station also has five lakes that only add to the charm and beauty of the place. The Jim Corbett National Park is recognised as one of the most famous national parks in the country. It was launched in 1973 by a hunter who went by the name Jim Corbett. You will find approximately 500 species of trees, 600 species of birds, elephants, tigers, Sambar deer, Nilgai, King Cobra and a lot more. This is a spot you must never miss if you are visiting Pantnagar.

If you are visiting national parks, you can also head to the Govind National Park. The dense forest is home to several birds, 15 species of mammals, musk deer, leopards, snow leopards, bears and so on. Bhimtal, a city that is named after one of the Pandavas named Bhima, is known for the Bhimtal lake. This is yet another tourist attraction that you must definitely add to your itinerary. You can embrace your spiritual side by visiting Nanakmatta, which is one of the three Sikh Holy places. Hemkund Sahib and Reetha Sahib are two popular places here in Nanakmatta. You also visit the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture to know more about the city. Make sure you book a hotel in Pantnagar that is closer to all the popular tourist destinations in and around the city. You will get hotel accommodations at an affordable price.

Things to do in Pantnagar

Visiting Nainital is a must if you are going to Pantnagar. Even though the hill station is a popular honeymoon destination, there are quite a lot of activities that you can indulge in even if you are solo backpacking or planning a trip with your friends. You can enjoy boating at sunset by the Naini lake or trek to catch a gorgeous sunrise at Tiffin Top, which is about 4 km from Nainital. Do take your trekking gear with you. If you are not a trekking person, you can opt for a horse ride to reach the hilltop. The hill station also has a Tibetan Market for you to go on a shopping spree. If you are planning on visiting Jim Corbett National Park, remember that a safari ride is not the only thing you can do here. You can go river rafting at the Kosi river, take an elephant safari or a jeep safari, go cycling or mountain biking in the national park and also visit the Corbett Museum. Do not miss the Corbett Waterfalls near Ramnagar.

If you are visiting Haldwani, do stop at Kathgodam. It is a popular tourist destination and is also the starting point of the famous Roopkund trek. The Shitla Devi temple is also in Haldwani and a popular place of worship, too. The temple area is crowded in the evenings, and you'll see the most enchanting sunset from here. Boating at the Bhimtal lake is another popular activity. Not only will you enjoy your solitude, but the peace and quiet will only rejuvenate your minds. If you are lucky, you might even find pheasants and exotic deer around the lake. All of these tourist destinations in and around Pantnagar will have a lot of shopping areas, and you can buy multiple souvenirs from these places to take back home for your friends and family. If you are travelling with your family, you will definitely have a great time here. The scenic view of the Himalayas and the multiple lakes around the city will make your trip even better.

Foods and Restaurants in Pantnagar

From Chole Bhatures and Parathas to other types of cuisines, you will find everything to satiate your hunger in Pantnagar. There are a lot of restaurants near the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. BE it local street food or cafes or fancy restaurants, you will find a lot of options to choose from here. The Navrang Sweets and Fast Foods is a popular eatery which is about 14 km from the university. You can pack some confectioneries and baked goods to take back home or sit there and enjoy some delectable chole bhature here. You can also head to Standard's Sweets and Restaurant at Rampur Road. You can also go to the Apricot Cafe opposite the Radisson Blu hotel in Rudrapur to hang out for a while and sip some coffee. If you are looking for a proper dine in experience, you can go to The Hunger Garage at Civil Lines. You can choose from a wide range of options from the menu and be assured that you will leave the restaurant satisfied and happy. Route 87 is yet another restaurant that you must definitely try.

You can also try the local eateries and street-side breakfast places around the hotel that you are staying in. Not to mention, do have some or lots of chai while you are travelling in the North. The tea here is simply refreshing and will lift your spirits instantly.

How to Reach Pantnagar (Transportation)

By Air

Pantnagar has its own domestic airport. The flight connectivity from Pantnagar is quite limited and mostly only flies to other cities up North. Connecting flights from Delhi is one of the most popular routes to Pantnagar by air. You can also take a bus or taxi from Delhi to reach Pantnagar. Since Pantnagar's weather is pleasant throughout the year, you might get interesting flight deals to Pantnagar throughout the year. Keep a lookout for cheap flight tickets to Pantnagar.

By Rail

Pantnagar station and Haldi Road railway station are the only two stations that are well-connected to the other major cities up North. The Haldi Road railway station is approximately 5 km away from Pantnagar and is also a very convenient way to travel.

By Road

Travelling by bus or taxi is the best way to reach Pantnagar. The nearest bus station is about 7 km away from the city, and there are a lot of buses that frequently run from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to Pantnagar. If you don't feel like driving to Pantnagar, you can hire a taxi to reach the city.

  About Barcelona

Snuggled up by the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Spain is the beautiful city of Barcelona. The Mediterranean metropolis is one of the largest in Spain and has global recognition as one of the best cities to vacation at. Barcelona is a world leader in the tourism, financial and cultural industries with a tremendous contribution towards fields of sports, entertainment, arts, fashion and science. Barcelona has excellent connectivity with various other European cities via domestic and international routes. In fact, through the port, many cities can actually reach Barcelona, in style.

The bustling energy of the city is something that can only be experienced in person and not just in movies. Barcelona's fervent atmosphere will marvel you, as will the enthusiasm of the locals.

Best time to visit Barcelona

Barcelona is a town of celebration which sees lovely hues and carnivals irrespective of the sticky humidity. The months from May to June are when the temperatures act extra favourable to the tourists and even the residents of the city. With temperatures close to 22 degree Celsius, the summers certainly add more charm to the place. Witness a flurry of festivities that envelop the city as the onset of summer brings varied hues with it. For people travelling from hotter countries, the weather would certainly be a treat. Thanks to the numerous carnivals that take place in the city during springtime, it definitely adds more reasons to visit Barcelona in the said season. Events such as Verbene de Sant Joan and Sonar are some of the festivals that you would enjoy during spring. Although the tourism activities drop come September, the temperature is quite pleasant as it ranges from 20 degree Celsius to 23 degree Celsius. With rains taking over the city, not many tourists are able to visit the beach. Being a coastal delight to many, the lack of beach time automatically reduces the tourist potential.

The summers easily become a high point in Barcelona's tourism. The months July and August especially see a throng of tourists relishing the Mediterranean sun while they hit the lush beaches. Due to this being the peak season, it is obviously going to come with some expensive flight tickets and accommodations. Events such as El Grec and Festa Major de Gracia further attract more tourists to the city. If you want a relaxing vacation which also falls under a good budget, spring is the time for you to fly to Barcelona. The city has exquisite accommodations and even Bnbs. You can book hotels in Barcelona's luxury hotels such as Almanac, W, Mandarin Oriental, The Serras, etc., or go for backpacking and check in to hostels. Either way, you will receive excellent treatment as the staff in Barcelona are quite friendly and happy-to-go.

Places to visit in Barcelona

Barcelona's beaches and coasts might take up most of your attention but do give the city's Catalan-styled infrastructure a peek too. The city has ornate churches, parks, museums and of course, sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea will marvel you. You can simply walk through the beautiful streets of Barcelona and check out some of their whimsical structures. Some of the flamboyant places to visit in the city include Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. While you're venturing out to check out the city, do not miss Barri Gótic, which translates to the Gothic Quarter. These are the oldest parts of the city. The scenic city streets with alfresco cafes and clubs will definitely get your attention. To see the works of famed artist Pablo Picasso, visit the famed museum Museu Picasso, also located in the city. For the tourists who love the sport football and have a soft spot for FC Barcelona, visiting Camo Nu Stadium should be on your list of places to visit. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Barcelona's Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) will amaze you with stellar acoustics and architectural features.

Things to do

La Barceloneta Beach is undoubtedly the best and the most popular beach in Barcelona that you should check out. There are various water sport activities that take place on the beach, which would entertain you. You can even take surfing sessions or parasailing, to name a few activities. The beach also has some amazing restaurants and food establishments where you will find lip-smacking seafood. While you're having fun at the beach, you should also sign up for a wine tour, especially if it's harvest season. Not only will you get to relish some of the finest wines made in the country, but you'll also get to interact with people from different parts of the world. The city also has a great nightlife with pubs and parties, some even held at the beach. A walk down Las Ramblas will be a fun experience for you since they have some amazing shops for souvenirs and local artworks.

Food and restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona's cuisine is a perfect melange of traditional Spanish and Mediterranean dishes. From delicious gazpachos to Catalonian classics, you will get the best food experience in Barcelona. There is a lot of history infused in their cuisine which makes their food, a trip of its own. While the rest of Spain is big on dishes made from meat, the Catalonian food has more fish as the base for meals. It would help you tremendously to know what to expect in terms of food in Barcelona. With heavy investment in meat, you should make sure that you have enough room to try their varied cuisine. Catalans have a thing for mixing meat and experimenting with the flavours of diverse meat. It shouldn't surprise you to see chicken and prawns being served to you on a platter. That is just the way they roll. Paella is, of course, the biggest seller in terms of Spanish food in Barcelona. In fact, even Fideuà, a type of paella, is a rage in Barcelona and something you should try. The food culture is another reason why Barcelona stands at a high rank in the list of best places to visit in the world.

While they do love their meat, the food served in Barcelona also sees a nice balance of grilled vegetables nestled against marinated meat. Vegetarians need not worry as there are dishes for your taste buds as well. One traditional dish that you should definitely check out is the escalivada, grilled eggplant tossed with red peppers, olive oil and garlic. Another recipe for the vegetarian folks is the pa amb tomàquet snack, which is basically a bread topped with crushed tomatoes, olive oil and garlic. Make sure to save some room for desserts as well. Savouries such as Mel i mató (extracted from goat cheese) to Cava (Catalan sparkling wine), these dishes complement the classic Catalan rendition of creme brulee, also known as crema Catalana. Some of the best places to indulge in the Catalan and Spanish cuisine are La Patsa Lab, The Coffee House Barcelona, BelleBuon, Billy Brunch. You can further explore more taste at Pizzeria Da Nanni Barcelona, Manna Gelats, Chaka Khan, La Cava Cakery, Don Kilo Restaurant, Teoric Taverna Gastronomica, to name a few.

How to reach Barcelona (Transportation)

By Air

Located on the South coast of Spain, the city can best be reached via air. There are many international routes connected to Barcelona via air, making travelling convenient. Barcelona El Prat International airport has brilliant flight connectivity from Barcelona to major international cities, including India. Although there are no direct flights to Barcelona from India, many flights connecting to the Spanish city with layovers in London, Zurich, Munich, Singapore, to name a few. As one of the biggest tourist attractions in Spain, the city of Barcelona sees a good number of tourists throughout the year. Flight tickets to Barcelona from India are a little expensive, especially round trips. However, if you manage to book your flight tickets beforehand, you might find some great online flight deals to Barcelona. This might even help you cover your accommodation expenses. As a city catering to tourists, often the hospitality and accommodation prices are quite steep. However, as long as you make prior hotel bookings in Barcelona, you will not have much to worry about. You can either opt for luxury stays or go for hostels and homestays.

By Rail

Flight tickets to Barcelona from India could be expensive since it is a high-priced city, to begin with. However, the flight tickets to Madrid from India are comparatively very cheap and affordable. What you can do as a substitute to save up on some euros and get the best of both cities would be to fly to Madrid and use Madrid's domestic rail route to Barcelona. There are many trains to Barcelona from Madrid, Malaga, Zaragoza, Seville and Valencia. Not to mention how Barcelona also has impeccable train connectivity to French cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and more.

By Sea

Considering how it is of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona has great connectivity from the sea as well. There are many ships and cruises that connect the city with other European cities such as Rome, Nice, Marseilles, Corsica, Sardinia and more. If you are planning to backpack across Western Europe, then taking a boat or ferry ride to Barcelona from one of these city ports would be a fun voyage. Not to mention how you'll have a good time cruising the Mediterranean Sea.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.