Venice to Imphal Flights

  About Venice 

Nestled close to the Adriatic Sea, the alluring city of Venice is a famous tourist spot. Situated at the northern regions of Italy's Veneto region, the city is renowned for being one of the top attractions with architecture inspired by the Renaissance and Gothic era. You will find some of the palaces in lines with the architecture. The beautiful city is gifted with the gorgeous Grand Canal which passes through the city. The flourishing tourism and food culture of Venice brings together many tourists together. Venice is also recognised for its international film and fashion festivals.

Best time to visit Venice

Vienna's alluring weather interspersed with the breeze from the Adriatic Sea is just too good for words. But, when it comes to visiting Venice, September through November is undoubtedly the best time to travel to the city. The temperature during this time is between 23 degree Celsius to 11 degree Celsius, which is perfect for the coastal city. It is easier to book hotels in Venice during this season as the prices see a tremendous drop. Most of the tourists visit the city in summer and are on their way back by the time September arrives. This only makes the city less crowded and noisy. You can easily walk the streets of Venice without bumping into another stranger or stand in long queues while visiting the city's top attractions. You should note that the city faces acqua alta from September to April, especially during November and December. This phenomenon basically means there will be rain in the city. Hence, if your plans coincide with these days, then you should ensure to carry some rain boots and an umbrella. The good thing is the city is lit with a plethora of festivities such as Venice International Film Festival, La Biennale di Venezia and Regata Storica, to name a few. These fests do bring some crowd to the city but only art and literature enthusiasts.

The fact that the city's temperatures are calm and appealing during this time makes it ideal for travelling. The winters do get a little cold here as the temperatures range between 6 degree Celsius to 12 degree Celsius. However, the city does witness some crowd who wish to celebrate the winters in the city. One of the big events that draw many tourists to the city is the Venice Carnival. The city streets are packed with mask-wearing attendants. Interestingly, the hotel prices in Venice are low even during the carnival. In fact, it actually would be a good time to experience the city's spirits. Despite the carnival festival, the hotels are low priced, as are the flight tickets to Venice.

Places to visit in Venice

Venetian tourism is a treat to the eyes and the soul. There are many beautiful locales in the city that continue to attract many tourists. You can start your tour from St Mark's Basilica, built to honour St Mark, the evangelist. Another big highlight of Venice is the lovely Grand Canal. Taking a gondolier to row through the canal is the most romantic thing you can take up in Venice. You should also visit Campanile di San Marco, a structure famous for being the setting to Galileo Galilei's demonstration of the telescope. At the heart of Venice is the famous St Mark's Square which is also called Piazza San Marco. From this space, you can further explore the famous cathedrals and historical structures, including Doge's Palace. Bridge of Sighs is another interesting place to visit which was once used to transfer prisoners to prisons from the courtroom. The legend is definitely worth the excursion. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is a gorgeous goth-styled church which was constructed in the 14th century. You can also check out the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a lovely museum with many artistic contributions.

Things to do in Venice

The most fun thing to do would be to explore the city via its canals. You can opt for some free Tours La Bussola as part of your day's itinerary. To indulge in some shopping and sightseeing, you can visit T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi, a space dedicated to Venetian shopping artefacts. You should definitely catch a show at the Musica A Palazzo. The Italians love music and are ardent performers too. From the coast of Venice, you can take up a tour of Murano and Burano Islands by booking a private boat. You should also visit the Jewish Ghetto, a section in the north-western section of Venice where the Jews were once forced to move. A gondola ride along the beautiful canals of Venice is something you should definitely opt for as part of your Venetian rendezvous. It is also recommended to indulge in their food culture. Plus, a wine expedition is a must as are known to come up with the best wines of the world.

Food and restaurants in Venice

As it is on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, the staple food automatically becomes fish for Venice. The Venetian diet mainly consists of cuttlefish, sea bass and clams, which can be found in a majority of food establishments in the city. In fact, much of the menu and even dishes have these fish as the base. There is a specific seafood salad known as frutti di mare, which is well-known for the fact that it has these as ingredients. Interestingly, the Venetian street food called Tramezzini is also popular for being a type of sandwich which comprises of a series of meats and cheese. The popular dish can be found in most of the cafes within the city. The best way to down the sandwich is by drinking a lovely sparkling white wine called prosecco, a big hit in the Veneto region. One of the biggest recommendations is to stick to the street food as they have a range as well as flavours that the big establishments might charge ten times. One such that is a favourite among tourists is the Ristorante La Caravella, known to serve some of the best Venetian food in the city.

Along with Ristorante La Caravella, you should also head to Paradiso Perduto, specifically known for its ambience. The establishment is located close to the Jewish Ghetto and is recognised for its long wooden tables. The area's vibe is also quite lively and full of vigour. It certainly brings more colour to the trip as does the famous Ostaria Boccardoro, a farm-to-table restaurant that offers only the freshest picks from their gardens. For the sake of experience, you can dine at the bacaro, which is basically a smaller bar that is easy on the pockets and favours authentic Venetian cuisine. The food and even the establishments have a character which only helps uplift the enthusiasm to check the places out. You can visit Cantina Do Mori, Alla Ciurma and Cantina Do Spade, to get the best meals and experience.

How to reach Venice

Venice lacks a direct flight availability from India. However, the flight connectivity to Venice via other international routes from India, make it excellent. There are dedicated airlines that have regular flights flying to Venice from India. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, LOT Polish Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Alitalia, to name a few, have excellent flight connectivity to Venice from India. The layovers usually take place in cities such as Munich, Istanbul, Warsaw, Frankfurt, Dubai, Rome, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Paris, to name a few. If you are taking Air France or Lufthansa, you will have to apply for a Schengen transit visa. It is essential that you apply for one as these cities expect travellers from India to hold the transit visa. These visas are only applicable to be within the airport premise to catch a connecting flight. You cannot step out into the city with the transit visa. The availability of flights to Venice from Mumbai is aplenty as it is a recognised vacation destination.

The concept of cheap flight tickets to Venice does exist, and if you get lucky, then you will be able to snag a really good travel deal. As one of the prominent travel destinations in Italy, the booking flights to Venice would be quite steep. However, thanks to the plethora of Mediterranean cities that also have the same demand, the prices are balanced. You will be able to snag cheap flight tickets to Venice and at the same time, might even get some really sweet accommodation deals. As long as you keep all your options open, you wouldn't have to worry much about the travel and accommodation in Venice. Prior bookings of flights and hotels in Venice is recommended as it would help you save up all the money to spend within the city on vineyard excursions and sailing expeditions. In fact, you can further upscale your Italian rendezvous in Venice by making reservations at high-priced dining establishments. You will be able to make it a trip with excess luxe, provided you've already got your travel and accommodation in Venice sorted.

  About Imphal

Situated in Manipur, Imphal is one of the gems in the North-East of India. It is also the capital of Manipur and has an enchanting view of the Himalayas and the different rivers that make it a popular tourist destination. Planning a trip to Imphal will be one of the best decisions you will make, and just the view will rejuvenate you. Apart from the hills and the rivers, Imphal also has museums and forts and museums that you don't want to miss. You won't feel like coming back from Imphal when you reach the place. You can also add it to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to cover most of the North-East.

Best Time to Visit Imphal

Imphal is beautiful all year round, and though you will not be able to enjoy getting around the city a lot during monsoon, the view of the lush green hills and rivers won't disappoint you. September to April is considered ideal for planning your visit to Imphal. It's the end of monsoon till the beginning of summer. The temperature drops to 4 degree Celsius during the day in winter and is the best time to venture out. Winter also attracts a lot of tourists which might get you a good flight deal to Imphal. Make sure you book a hotel in Imphal with a beautiful view if you are visiting the city during this season. Check out flight deals to Imphal online before you plan your trip during this season.

April to June is summer in Imphal, and the temperature can rise to 35 degree Celsius. Summer is also an ideal time to visit Imphal. You will be able to opt for a lot of adventure and outdoor activities during the summer.

Even though Imphal does not receive heavy rainfall, it does have strong winds blowing and intermittent rainfall, making it difficult for you to venture out. The monsoon starts from June and lasts till September. The weather, however, might put you in a bad mood and you won't be able to step out a lot during the season.

Places to Visit in Imphal

The Palace of Kangla is one of the main tourist attractions in Imphal. Not only will you be amazed by the beautiful palace that has an artificial lake surrounding it, but you will also come across the interesting history of the palace and the rulers. Visit the Manipur Zoological Gardens in Lamphelpat, 8 km away from Imphal. You will be given various options to choose from like a safari ride or a bird watching tour or wildlife photography. You will find this place very comforting and will leave with a smile on your face. The Loktak Lake is one of the largest freshwater bodies in North-East India and has several big and small islands floating on the surface.

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is home to the endangered Manipur Eld deer or the Sangai. You will also spot 420 other species of animals and 50 odd species of birds here. Visit the Imphal valley to experience nature at its best. It takes about 3 hours to reach the valley, and the enchanting view will leave you mesmerised. The Tharon Cave is yet another popular tourist attraction that you can visit. Make sure you have a map of the cap if you are entering the cave. The Singda Dam is one of the highest dams made from mud in the world. It has a very serene ambience and is a popular picnic spot, too. You can also visit the Manipur State Museum to know more about its history, archaeology and more.

Things to do in Imphal

Catch a game of polo at the Imphal Polo Ground. The game originated from a local Manipuri game called Sagol Kagei. The British found it so fascinating that they decided to take it to a global level. You can even try to learn the sport yourself or give it a try. You cannot vacation in Manipur without watching the Manipuri dance form Thabal Congba live. You can watch artists perform to the folk dance during Holi. The Raas Leela is another dance form that is popular here. It tells the story of Lord Krishna and Radha's eternal love story. You can also attend and be a part of the colourful festivals of the city.

Thangal Bazaar, Paona Bazaar, Kakwa Bazaar and Imphal Supermarket are some of the popular spots in the city to go shopping. You can buy souvenirs for your friends and family. You will get lots of handicrafts and jewellery for yourself. You'll even get all of these at affordable prices without having to bargain a lot. You can dedicate one evening just to shop and enjoy the local cuisines. Since the city has quite a lot of hills and rivers to its credit, you can also go hiking or trekking to one of the hills. Choose a spot on top of the hill and make it your own picnic spot. You can even sit and meditate by a river and fall in love with nature all over again. You can learn more about the Manipuri culture by booking a homestay and interacting with more people. You can also learn the language while you are there and impress the locals. Make sure you leave the city by making at least one friend from the city.

You can also go hiking at the Imphal Valley and don't forget to take your camera to capture nature at its best. Keep the weather in mind before you make any plans to go hiking or trekking. If it is monsoon, either take your umbrella with you or try to not make any plans to venture out during this season. You can also visit a cafe or sit in a secluded spot near one of the waterfalls and chill with a book. There is no greater joy for an avid reader than to sit with your favourite book and bond with nature, all at the same time.

Foods and Restaurants in Imphal

Manipuri food is said to be very healthy and quite simple, too. A lot of ingredients used in the food are organic, which is one of the reasons why it is considered healthy. But that doesn't mean it is bland. Manipuri food is super spicy and has less oil. They use chilli pepper in their food instead of garam masala. Not only is their preparation quite simple, but they grow most of the ingredients themselves in their backyard. Chamthong or Kangshoi is a very healthy vegetable stew that is cooked in Manipur. It is also quite popular in the state. Eromba, a combination of fish and boiled vegetables, is also popular in Imphal. Fair warning, the locals here consider fish as a vegetarian so you might want to be clear about what you don't want in your vegetarian food.

Naoba's Chakhumang Restaurant is quite popular around here and is a small, cosy place. It is famous for its soups and chow mein. Coffee and cake are best served at the Classic Cafe in Imphal. Head over to Sangai Continental for a luxe dining experience. The restaurant has an open and live kitchen, and you'll find it at Thangal Bazaar. Luxmi Kitchen is yet another popular food joint in Imphal. It doesn't burn a hole in your pocket but also leaves you satisfied. Their thali is quite famous, and you might want to reach before 3 pm if you're going to try the thali. Imoinu Lamphel is a restaurant that is only run by women. It's another popular food joint in the city.

How to reach Imphal

By Air

Imphal Tulihal Airport is the nearest one to the city about 8 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity from Imphal is pretty decent. Flights from Imphal connect to Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad and Delhi. Since there are no direct international routes from Imphal, you will have to change trains from Guwahati, which has an international airport. If you book during the right season, you might get a good deal on flights to Imphal.

By Rail

There is no direct way to reach Imphal by train. The nearest station is Dimapur railway station or Guwahati station. You will have to take a bus or private taxi from these stations and then reach Imphal. It won't be very difficult to find a decent mode of commute to reach Imphal from these stations.

By Road

Guwahati, Kohima, Silchar and Dimapur are some of the popular routes to reach Imphal by road. There are several national highways connecting these roads to Imphal. None of these modes of transport is more or less comfortable so you can pick whichever fits your budget or whichever seems more convenient to you. Try to avoid travelling by road during monsoon. Though the weather won't be a problem, there are chances you might get stuck if there is a torrential downpour.