Srinagar to Macau Flights

  About Srinagar

Called as the Paradise on Earth, Srinagar is located in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, near the banks of river Jhelum. It is a significant tourist attraction along with Ladakh. The city is known for its enchanting lakes, colourful boats, Kashmiri handicrafts and their culture, of course. Since it is one of the most popular tourist locations, it is well-connected with all the major cities in the country. The town also plays muse to several poets and lyricist who use the river Jhelum a lot in their poems or songs. The markets in the city will also ensure you take a piece of the town with you back home through a souvenir of sorts.

Best Time to Visit Srinagar

No matter what season it is, Srinagar is a sight to behold throughout the year. Different seasons come with different kinds of activities for you to do. Summer, which is from March to June) is the apt season to visit the city if you are on your honeymoon. The tulip garden that blooms during the summer adds to the beauty of the town. Booking a hotel in Srinagar if you are on your honeymoon comes with a lot of offers. You can choose from a lot of options. The summer is not too harsh here. The maximum temperature touches 30 degree Celsius, and the lowest is 14 degree Celsius. You will also come across excellent flight deals for Srinagar during this time.

It does not rain a lot in Srinagar, but the monsoon is from July through September. Autumn sets in from September to October, and this is the most beautiful season, too. The weather is pleasant, and the entire city turns into a spectacular garden. Though it will be a tad bit cold, so do pack your winter clothes. Visiting the Dal lake during this season on a Shikara ride is an experience you won't forget.

October to February is winter and the temperature ranges between 0 to 15 degree Celsius. Winter is a peak season and ideal for multitudes of tourists to fly to Srinagar. The locals of Srinagar celebrate Shivratri and Nuroz (an Armenian festival) by the end of winter. You will have to book flight tickets to Srinagar during this season since most roads are blocked, thanks to heavy snowfall. Travelling by road is also not a very popular route to reach Srinagar during winters. This is also one of the best times to go trekking in Srinagar. You can either find a group within the city itself and join them, or you can book one online, in advance.

Places to Visit in Srinagar

Dal Lake is one of the major attractions of Srinagar and for all the right reasons. Be amazed at the reflection of the mountains that fall on the lake. Take a gondola ride and lots of pictures, too. You cannot go to Srinagar and not visit the Tulip Garden. The Shalimar Bagh, a garden built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Noor, is another major tourist attraction. While you are visiting Dal Lake, make sure you also pay a visit to Char Chinar, an island that is in the middle of the lake. It is one of the most visited places in the city.

The Shankaracharya temple, built to honour Lord Shiva, is on the top of a hill in Srinagar. It is recognised as one of the most sacred shrines in the city. For all, you adventure lovers out there, do go for the Tarsar Marsar trek in the Aru Valley of Kashmir. You will find quite a few tour guides and packages to go trekking in the valley.

Things to do in Srinagar

You can take a Shikara ride across the Dal lake and be mesmerised by the beauty of the city. The city also has floating markets, which is a kind of experience you will only get in this part of the country. Paragliding is one of the activities that the city offers to its tourists. It is one of the adventurous activities that you must try here. If you are not too keen on booking a hotel in Srinagar, you can also choose to stay in a houseboat. It is one of the most sought options in the city and who wouldn't want to wake up to the view of the mighty mountains and the scenic Dal Lake. Srinagar is a city with a lot of gardens and greenery.

Visit the enchanting Mughal gardens and the Tulip garden, too. You can take a heritage walking tour of the city or go paragliding if you are a fan of adventure sports. You can also opt to go on a shopping spree in the local markets or for a street food crawl. Try the local cuisines and explore the culture further. With the rising political tension, make sure you also study the current scenario of the city along with that of its neighbours before you plan a trip to Srinagar. You do not want to get stuck amid a difficult situation.

Along with its spices and food, Srinagar is also famous for its rich culture. If you are in the city during any of the festivals celebrated here, make sure that you attend it and be a part of it. You won't regret it at all. No matter what season it is, the city never fails to cast its spell on you with its beauty.

Food and Restaurants in Srinagar

It's no secret that Kashmiri food is rich in flavour and a lot of spices like saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, etc. are used to serve that aromatic food. It's a treat for your taste buds. The Kashmiri Biryani, Kahwa, even Dum Aloo is worth a try when you visit the city. You will come across a lot of Mughlai cuisines with a blend of Kashmiri spices in the food. Mughal Darbar is one of the most popular places to dine in the city.

If it is snacks and coffees that you are in the mood for, you can visit the Cafe De Linz or Coffea Arabica. Both of these cafes are the perfect combination of ambience and good food. Ahdoos is also a popular joint that offers authentic Kashmiri food at affordable prices. If you are in the mood for a luxe dining experience, head over to The Chinar at The Lalit Grand Palace for an exquisite dinner. Not only do they serve mouth-watering delicacy, but the outdoor restaurant adds to the pleasant ambience while dining. Jade Dragon at Vivanta by Taj is yet another restaurant that you must definitely try if it is a five-star treatment that you want to experience. The Kashmiri Kahwa, which is a kind of tea made in Kashmiri style, is also highly recommended when you holiday in Srinagar.

How to reach Srinagar (Transportation)

By Air

The Sheikh ul Alam International Airport or the Srinagar International Airport is about 15 km away from the city. Srinagar airport also serves as a military airbase to the Indian Air Force. While the airport welcomes domestic flights with excellent connectivity, it does have designated airlines or space for international flights despite being recognised as one. There are domestic flights from Srinagar that regularly fly to Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chandigarh and other major cities. However, international flights from Srinagar are comparatively less to non-existent. The flight connectivity from Srinagar to other cities nationally and internationally is excellent. Some great domestic airlines such as AirAsia India, GoAir, SpiceJet, Vistara, IndiGo, Air India and more have dedicated flights to Srinagar. If booked earlier, you will even get cheap flight tickets to Srinagar and exclusive flight online deals. The airport is about 12 km away from the central city of Srinagar. But thanks to fantastic inter-city transport such as government-run buses and taxi cabs, it is convenient for tourists to reach the central town and check into their hotel rooms.

By Rail

Jammu Tawai is the closest railway station to reach Srinagar. It is about 290 km away from the city. You will have to hire a taxi from the station and enter the beautiful city. Travelling by train will not burn a hole in your pocket at all, and you'll also get to enjoy the stunning scenic views of the lush green valley. The domestic route to Srinagar also connects to Banihal, which is on the other side of Pir Panjal, thanks to the new Banihal tunnel that has been constructed. The tunnel is 11 km long and has found fame for the same. In fact, it is known to be the longest rail tunnel to have been built and takes approximately 9 minutes to cross to the other side.

By Road

The most popular routes to Srinagar by road are connected from Chandigarh, Gulmarg, Jammu, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Delhi. Though a road trip does sound like a lot of fun and easier way to travel, the roads are closed during late winter because of heavy snowfall. It is advisable to travel by air during winter.

  About Macau

Macau is nestled along the Pearl River Delta on the South China Sea. The city is bang opposite the city of Hong Kong and is recognised as one of the top tourist destinations. It is also known to be one of the most populous regions globally.

Best time to visit Macau

Macau's location on the coast makes it susceptible to extreme heat and humidity. The proximity of the coastal city to the South China Sea further brings over monsoons that could get really ugly. The monsoon is between April through October with July to September receiving maximum rainfall. The torrential rains could put a damper on all your tourist plans. They are so bad that the city streets get flooded and even bring over typhoons. The peak monsoon season is also recognised as typhoon season as the city witnesses a lot of natural calamities. This easily makes for bad weather that is definitely not ideal for vacation. More than ideal, it is actually quite risky as you could get stranded in the city or you might also have to deal with the repercussions of typhoons and heavy rains. Investing for a trip to Macau during this time of the year would only be a waste of money. Although it should be noted that the city's hotels see a drop in prices. But irrespective of the cheap hotel bookings you can make in Macau, it is not worth the money as you wouldn't be able to enjoy the city.

Summer is just as bad. The extreme heat and humidity can get quite annoying. You would have a tough time having fun in the city as the heat would irk your senses. While the water is right there for you to soak in and cool down, it is still not the best season. You should know though that summers are actually peak season for Macau. There are many tourists flocking over to soak in the sun and salty breeze. A majority of the crowd come from the winter locales of China and other countries. The outdoor activities are also enabled during this time, making it an ideal spot for summer vacation. The hotels do see a surge in prices during summers. Booking a hotel in Macau during summers would be splurging far more than your speculated budget. You could get some lovely online deals, but for it, you'll have to make advance reservations. Winter season in Macau, from December to February, is the best and most favourable time to plan a trip to Macau. Not just the weather but even the city's spirits turn happy with festivals and events, which would give you a good opportunity to indulge in their culture.

Places to visit in Macau

Macau has a beautiful balance of ancient architecture and modern skyscrapers. You can start your touristy rendezvous by checking out the Ruins of St. Paul's. It was originally a Catholic religious complex which also had a college in the complex. The 17th-century structure has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Monte Fort is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally constructed to safeguard the city's Jesuit properties from invasion. For some quaint time in the neighbourhood, you should visit Coloane, an island close to Macau. The place is exquisite with Portuguese architecture. While you're here, you can further visit Taipa, another island in Macau that is famously acknowledged for the slew of casinos and interesting structure. The bridge connecting Coloane and Taipa is actually a famous tourist attraction in Macau that deserves some attention. The city does have many beautiful Chinese temples with the construction that will leave you spellbound. Do ensure to visit the many temples.

Things to do in Macau

Macau has some really cool indulgences that you simply cannot miss. One of the biggest attractions is the casinos that are prevalent in the city. You should visit the Venetian Macao casino resort. The estate is owned by the American Las Vegas Sands organisation and is the biggest attraction for many tourists. The huge casino hotel is one of the most posh and luxe structures in the city. The City of Dreams should definitely be on your list of attractions to check out in Macau. The exquisite water fountain show is captivating and too beautiful an experience. Hanging out at the Hac Sa Beach is something you should not miss. The quaint waters touching the shores with a quiet vibe is also a good place where you can relax. For more Portuguese architecture, you should visit the Guia Hill Fortress. The white structure with yellow and orange borders is a lovely space and especially has an exquisite landscape. Make sure that you continue with your food excursion as the city does have a slew of lovely restaurants and food establishments.

Food and restaurants in Macau

Macau's big competition in the culinary field Hong Kong, stands juxtaposed with the South China Sea playing a spectator. Although Hong Kong is recognised to be one of the most hi-tech cities with a thriving food culture, Macau also offers fusion food in this department. The coastal city has a slew of cuisines ranging from Portuguese to Chinese, all of them available with exquisite ambience. Predominantly, Macau favours Portuguese cuisine and has many restaurants and food establishments of the same descent. However, that doesn't mean they do not favour any other cuisine. Macanese cuisine, which is basically fusion food, is quite popular in the vicinity too. The mix of Chinese and Portuguese cultures on a platter is something you might have never encountered. Well, Macau gives you the opportunity to do the same. You can start with your food rendezvous in Macau by visiting the Clube Militar de Macau, a Portuguese restaurant which even has a very colonial-style vibe and decor. Make reservations for this place and definitely indulge in some of their lip-smacking Portuguese food and wine.

Another famed Portuguese-inspired restaurant is Albergue 1601. Hidden away from the city's bustle in Macau is this lovely two-storeyed restaurant which offers a quaint vibe and serves Portuguese and Macanese dishes. You can upscale your dining experience in Macau by opting for a Michelin-starred establishment by visiting Robuchon au Dôme. Make sure to carry enough money for this is going to be quite some indulgence. Also, their 14,500 labels of wine are quite a trip. The city also has restaurants that favour Indian cuisine. Golden Peacock is recognised for its perfectly cooked Indian food with a nice modern touch. You will find dishes such as butter chicken, skewered chicken, biryani and of course, vegetarian dishes too. Macau's Urban Kitchen is another perfect food establishment that you should check out without fail. The place boasts Asian, Japanese and Korean grub with special focus on seafood. You will not be disappointed here, and the all-day buffet system further adds to its perks. For a kaiseki meals setting, you don't have to travel to Japan but can find it in Macau's Yamazato.

How to reach Macau

Even though Macau is quite close to Hong Kong, a dedicated airport has been built to lure more tourists to the coastal city. The flight connectivity to Macau from Indian cities is decent as it is technically not too far. But there are no direct flights connected to Macau from India. Despite the demand for the city as a tourist haven, airlines have not reserved direct flights to the city. Hence, you will have to take flights which have layovers in other cities. Singapore Airlines, NokScoot, Air Macau, Silkair, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Eastar Jet, Asiana Airlines, to name a few, have flights that have connectivity to Macau. The most popular route chosen to reach Macau is often the one from Singapore and Hong Kong. A transit visa is required to travel as the flights connecting Macau have layovers in cities such as Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and more. The airports of these cities have made it mandatory for the passengers to carry a transit visa. You can apply for one at the embassy, or you can opt for an easy online application.

The international route to Macau from Singapore and Hong Kong is actually favoured. However, often people choose to take flights to Hong Kong directly and use the means of sea to reach Macau. There are daily ferries that can reach Macau from Hong Kong. As tourists wish to check out both the cities in China, they often pick this option over the others. This is also convenient in many ways as the duration to reach Macau is reduced drastically from Hong Kong by the water body. Not to mention how it also saves a lot of flight ticket cost. You can make your flight bookings to Macau online, but finding cheap tickets would be tough. The city, especially during peak season, sees a lot of crowds. Hence, when you're booking flight tickets to Macau, make sure that you do it in advance to get the peak season ticket without splurging too much. There are always many online flight deals to Macau that you can avail, as long as you are able to find them on time. You can also make your hotel reservations in Macau well in advance to avoid expensive room prices.