Showing posts with label cheap air tickets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheap air tickets. Show all posts

3 January 2014

Seychelles is easily one of the most alluring and magical of the Indian Ocean islands. While its tag as 'millionaire's playground' kept many prospective travellers away, it is slowly shedding its image thanks to the numerous affordable hotels, restaurants and lodges cropping all over the island.  Here are some of the must visit spots in the island. Whats more, increased competition has resulted in numerous carriers offering cheap flight tickets Seychelles.


Praslin :- This is one of the larger islands (12 kilometers long and 5 km wide) and is home the world heritage site,  the Vallée de Mai National Park. Life strolls through the island  at an unhurried and gentle pace, you will witness brightly colored shops selling sailfish sandwiches and banana bread,  villages basking quietly in the afternoon sun and flocks of Bulbuls sing in the trees above. Whilst the island wears a sleepy old town vibe, there is no dearth for activities here. The Vallée de Mai National Park is crisscrossed by numerous walking trails which lead into secret coves and secluded beaches. The reefs surrounding the island is home to scores of jellyfishes and sweetlips. Before you book international air tickets, make sure you compare fares on at least 3- 4 online portals.

Mahe Island  :-   The largest island (27 km long and 8 km wide) in Seychelles and home to the capital, Victoria. This dramatic island is dotted with granite outcrops and majestic mountain ranges rising out of the sea. This is one Seychelles island you will never tire of – from secluded beaches, hiking trails, vibrant markets and quaint creole restaurant, Mahe has tons to offer to keep you going.

Denis Islands :- A tiny, flat island that is barely 2 kilometers long where you can bird watch, snorkel,
dive, fish, kayak and parasail amidst stunningly beautiful vistas. It is located some 95 kilometers from Mahe island and is right at the edge of Seychelles bank. The waters surrounding the island is protected by offshore coral reefs which plummet to almost 2000 m which render them perfect for a tranquil dive.

La Digue :-   The island is perfect for a relaxing sunbath, a quiet walk across the beach shore and snorkeling. Though relatively small, the If you seek extreme solitude and seclusion,  you can easily hire a boat and travel to any of the nearer islands.

19 December 2013

There is a soul crushing dilemma faced by travelers who manages to find that tucked away but amazing island, restaurant or resort. To out the place to the public and run the risk of finding it overrun by tourists next time they visit or take the secret to their grave. It is choosing between helping fellow travelers or taking a selfish stand by enjoying your secret find all by yourself.


Yandup Ocean Bungalow, Panama: - A quaint, family owned Yandup Island Lodge that sits on a private island a little away from the remote Playon Chico community of San Blas, Panama. Visitors are treated to two tours every day - a visit to the beach located on the deserted island and a cultural visit to the villages of the local Kuna Yala Indian community. This not a place you would easily find cheap flight tickets to, but try to cover as many online portals as possible and you might end up with good online hotel deals.


El Nido, Palawan: - Imagine turquoise blue waters, hidden lagoons, limestone cliffs, silvery sands and coral reefs. El Nido on the island of Palawan in Philippines is a beach baby's dream destination. The island is virtually desolated and you get the feeling of being last few remnants of humankind on the planet. Getting to El Nido is quite a task, which has managed to stifle crass commercialism and filters out the truly determined travellers. Once there, it is easy to rent kayaks to tour the surrounding islands and hidden lagoons. Travel during the low season (Jun-Sep) and you might end with the entire island to yourself.


Rottnest Island, Australia: - This is a tiny island off the coast of Perth with no cars policy. Best way to get to Rottenest Island is to hire a ferry from Freemantle. Plan for a two day trip, on the first day, hire a bike and traverse the entire island while looking for secluded spots and good snorkeling patches. The next day head out to these marked spots and spend you day sun bathing, snorkeling and downing some Australian beer. This one of the easiest spots to get to since you can book International flight tickets to Perth from most major cities.


Oravae Cottage, Solomon Islands: - These islands are pleasantly secluded and have managed to escape the grubby clutches of mass tourism. A little away from the Gizo is the stunning island of Oravae Cottage. There is nothing much in the island except for a quaint cottage attached with a double bedroom penthouse where you will be fed by the local family who lives at the end of the island. You are free to do as much or as little as you desire – dive, snorkel, trek, surf or just laze on a hammock by the beach watching the gentle waters change hues from blue to green.

18 December 2013

Most first time travelers to India tend to focus on the Golden triangle comprising of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. While all three of the destinations fully merit the praises and attention shoved on them, overtime they tend to wear out even the most seasoned of travelers. Thankfully, Rajasthan offers a few cozy pockets of reprieve where you can get away from the chaos and find some peace and quiet. Rajasthan was home to fierce warriors known as Rajputs who fought a fierce war against the Mughals. The vestiges of the Rajputs are scattered all across the state, especially in the small villages, things have not changed much over a hundred years. The best way to explore these parts is to create your own personal triangle that covers Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. If you are looking for cheap air tickets to Jaipur, make sure you compare fares on multiple sites before booking.


Bundi :- Located at almost equidistant from Jaipur and Udhaipur, Bundi is a little town that is home to an artificial lake and a majestic palace built into the hills.  This town was once the capital of a princely state during the golden era of Rajput dynasty and remained independent even during the British rule and became a part of the country only after its independence in 1947. Bundi is famed for its stunningly intricate miniature paintings and the walls of the decrepit walls of the palace bears testimony to the  craftsmanship of the town's artists. Inside, you can see stunning miniature paintings, whose paint brilliantly reflect the light on account of being made with crushed gemstones like lapiz lazulli. The best way to reach Bundi is to make online air ticket booking to Jaipur and hire a cab.

Barolli Temples :- Just outside of Bundi is the 9th century temple complex that is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest temple complexes and boasts of  several architecturally striking aspects.  Surprisingly, the temple attracts very few visitors which renders the whole area with a calm, serene and  almost mystical aura. After you pay your respects at the altar, the priest applies a circular dot of turmeric on the middle of the forehead (denotes the third eye, the gateway to a higher consciousness).

Bhainsrorgarh :- A short ride from the Barolli temples will lead you Rajasthan's most atmospheric accommodation – a fortified outpost perched at the edge of a 200ft cliff that  overlooks the Chambal river. Today it is refashioned to a small hotel run by the royal family who have managed to avoid too many altercations thereby allowing visitors to sample the life of rural aristocrats. A short hike from the fort leads you to the river's edge where you can catch a ferry ride to the small village on the other side.

Kumbhalgarh :- Hailed as Rajasthan's most impregnable fort, Kumbhalgarh is located 50 miles north of Udaipur. Featuring 25 miles of continuous wall (the second largest in the world after the Great Wall of China), Kumbhalgarh served as the bastion of Rajput dynasty and has been overridden only once. The fort sits on an idyllic location that is totally isolated except for the surrounding chain of Aravalli Mountains. The fort is a massive complex housing 700 canons, 360 temples, a majestic palace and a village.

6 December 2013

Don't leave your home without these useful tips that is guaranteed to make your trip more fun and less stressful. Here's the low down on how to go about getting the cheapest air fare, almost free hotel stays and beating jet lag.

Keep a close watch on airline experts: - Sites like Flyertalk are choking full of frequent travelers who can offer invaluable tips. Apart from this, you can use the opportunity to hunt for loyalty programs, flash deals and offers on travel gadgets.

Time your bookings: - Most online travel portals have a fare calendar which gives you the ticket fare to your destination for a year. This can be especially useful when you are booking a vacation as it allows you to scan through the calendar and make your booking during cheap air ticket dates/season. The site thesuitest.com will give you a six month overview of the room prices for a hotel, thereby letting you book a hotel at its lowest price season.

Ticket re-booking: - Sign up for a for service like Tingo.com for hotels and refund me for flight tickets. These sites automatically rebook your hotels/flights if it notices a price drop. Also try to make your online hotel booking coupled with a flight ticket. This might help you get the cheapest flight ticket or even a free hotel stay.

Evade Jetlag: -  The trick to beating jet-lag is to follow a specific schedule during your travels. The site stopjetlag.com gives you an hour by house schedule regarding rest, meal time and sunlight exposure. Invest in a baggage tracker like Trakdot which uses a GSM chip to help you track your baggage's location via SMS, site, app or email.

Follow the crowd: - This is especially valid for finding the local eateries. I ended up gorging on one of the best shu mai dumpling place in Hong Kong by simply walking into a restaurant with the most number of locals.

Find a better seat: - Always check for new seat 24 hrs prior to departure, this is when airliners start upgrading their elite fliers thereby opening up more seats for you to choose from. Check for premium economy, though they don't match business class comfort, the extra leg room is worth the extra money. You can also check out SeatGuru.com to compare flights in terms of legroom, Wi-Fi connectivity and in-flight entertainment. Also try to book on a Wednesday to ensure you get cheap air tickets

14 November 2013

A little research reveals these five restaurants that are worth catching an international flight. You must visit these places once in a lifetime with your family or friends. These hotels are scattered in different locations like Spain, London, San Francisco, Singapore and France. Read about them to plan a visit there this Christmas.

Aponiente, Spain :-  Chef Ángel León's 22 seater restaurant opened in the tiny village of El Puerto De Santa Maria,  in 2005 and has since been garnering praise across the globe.  This Michelin 3 star restaurant specializes in sustainable seafood. Mr  León is wildly curious and inventive and constantly seeks out ways to incorporate unusual seafood ingredients like plankton and fish eyeballs (as a sauce thickener) into his creations.

Benu, San Francisco :- Ever since Corey Lee  quit  his position as chef de cuisine at the French Laundry to start his own gig,  food critics were eagerly anticipating for the opening of Benu. Despite the soaring expectations and prices (12 course meal is for $160), Benu received a raving response. Food journalists have rated the restaurant 4+ stars consistently and described it as having a “beautifully crafted menu that looks eastward for inspiration”. This place is definitely worth booking cheap online flight ticket to San Francisco

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London : - Heston Blumenthal is a celebrity chef with few equals.  One of his restaurants, the Fat Duck restaurant is a three Michelin Star restaurant that has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 restaurants in Britain.  Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is located within the Mandarin Oriental hotel and features floor to ceiling glass wall to allow guests to to watch the modern version of the stainless steel pulley system modeled on the 16th-century design used in Royal British Court's kitchens. While booking online flight ticket to London is no means cheap, this amazing restaurant kind of makes it worthwhile.

Restaurant Andre, Singapore :-  Within weeks of launching Restaurant Andre in Singapore's Chinatown district, chef Andre Chiang managed to wow the most hard nosed of gourmands with his exotic servings like braised eggplant with cockscombs and duck tongue.  Mr. Chiang  spent 14 years in France at some of the most revered restaurants and he managed to focus all of his expertise on his new venture. Finding  cheap flight ticket online to Singapore more easy  than ever before, maybe it is worthwhile to take that trip, if only to dine at this place.

Mirasur, France :-  Located in a tiny village in the French Riviera, this cozy restaurant is run by Argentine chef, Mauro Colagreco.   The restaurant offers a stunning vista with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.  Mauro Colagreco follows a 'new natural' modern French style where the ingredients are presented in an unadorned state. The most recommended dish is the blue lobster, cocoa bean with chamomile consommé.

6 November 2013

While booking a flight ticket online, many of us face the dilemma on whether to book the tickets on an online travel portal or directly from the airlines website. There are pros and cons to both and it all depends on time of your travel, number of stop over and the destination.

Many people are the under the false notion that booking directly on an airline website means they can circumvent commissions charged by online travel portals. Unfortunately this is not the case; very often online travel portals will have an exclusive partnership with certain airliners. This will allow the portal to display fares which are much lower compared to what you will get when you book directly with the airlines. Another factor to note is the deals and discounts offered by online travel portals which will give you considerable savings on your flight ticket.  Booking your airline tickets online has another benefit of raking in reward points which you can redeem for future bookings. Though the trend of reward point system is catching up among airliners, very few have adopted the system till date.

Having said that, there are countless advantages of booking domestic flight ticket directly on an airline website. The most important of them is that you get to see an extensive flight schedule. Most airliners publish a comprehensive flight schedule which states the precise time at which their flight departs and arrives. This can be difficult to obtain from an online travel portal. So if your travel involves multiple stop over and flight changes, it might be a better idea to book directly with the airlines.  When you do an online flight booking with an airliner, they save a significant amount on overheads. Most airliners pass this savings on to the customer in the form of a discount. Another major advantage of booking directly with the airlines is the extended period for alteration or cancellation of your flight ticket. Most airliners allow you to make changes to the timing and seat as late as 24 hrs prior to departure. Making a change in timing or seat with an online travel portal tend to be cumbersome and they have a longer cut off duration for the same.

The next time you are confused whether to book cheapest airline ticket from an online travel agent or the airliners, take these things into consideration for helping you make the choice that works best for you.

24 September 2013

Booking cheap air ticket is not a complicated affair , yet very often we end up spending more than we should during flight booking. Here are a few tips to help you save some dough the next time you are doing a flight booking.

  1. Always compare your air fares, never assume one carrier is going to be cheaper than the other. The cheapest air ticket factor depends on a variety of factors and is not always carrier dependent.
  2. Book Early, this is true especially during peak dates, and you stand to snag cheap flight tickets with no hassle.
  3. The best time to scan and book air tickets is on Mondays and Tuesdays since airlines typically launch their rates on these two days. 
  4. Try to be flexible about the dates of travel, if you can afford to travel on a weekday and away from the peak dates, you might end up saving a lot on your air ticket fares. 
  5. Subscribe to an airline newsletter as they usually advertise their last minute deals and other promotions on them. This is a great chance to scoop those last minute unsold seats at throwaway prices. 
  6. Your choice of airport makes a huge difference in your flight fare, try changing the destination airport to figure where you can get the lowest prices. 
  7. Check your ticket price 24- 48 hrs after you have booked, if you noticed a slump in the price of the ticket, contact your ticket agent or the airlines. Most often, you will be refunded the difference amount. 
  8. These days, airlines will charge you for everything from snacks to baggage, travel light to save up on your baggage fees. 
  9. Opt for a flight + hotel package. These are the newest trend in travel packaging and is a great way to save on your dough. 
  10. Wednesday has been officially declared as the cheapest day to fly due to the surplus supply of empty seats which the airlines will try to fill up as quickly as possible. Another trick is to fly the first flight of the day- though it means waking up at 4 am. 
  11. Always search the airline websites - they usually reserve the best prices and discounts for people booking from their website.

There is no really one silver bullet which will drastically help you save on your flight tickets. All there is a series of steps and practices which you can employ which will result in a cumulative savings on your domestic or international flight booking