Round trip or one-way – which one is better?

We shed light on the debate whether booking round trip tickets are better and more affordable than booking one-way tickets.

For long now, the merits of booking flight tickets within a certain window of time have been weighed against the merits of booking a series of one-way tickets instead of a round trip ticket. All we can say is, the merits of both are interconnected – and there are advantages in booking round trip tickets, too!

It all boils down to when you book. Those planning an international holiday can consider breaking up their journey once or twice mid-way to avail of cheaper one-way tickets. But this entails waiting for your next flight for hours, or the next day. Some people compromise by staying on in the connecting city for a few days, and then buying a flight out to their final destination country. However, it is better to look at why booking round trip flights might not be such a bad idea.

The advantages of booking a round trip:

• It might work out cheaper if booked well before time. Airlines are happy to extend a discount to customers booking round trip flights and who book their seats early.
• There are many domestic flight offers you get on round trips. Many airlines do not extend these domestic flight offers on one-way journeys.
• Getting the departure and arrival tickets booked and out of the way is simple. Otherwise, you will spend more time looking up connecting flights and another flight to reach/arrive at your destination.
• There is hardly any money saved on one-way trips, than on booking a round trip ticket.

…compared with the benefits of booking a one-way ticket:

• Booking one-way journeys are not a big hassle as everyone thinks to be. You can easily browse through a selection of available flights on your preferred date and book your tickets online.
• A round trip ticket is a better idea when you know exactly when you depart and arrive. But if your arrival date is liable to change, a one-way ticket is best. For example, if you are flying to be with a sick parent, you may not know when you will be back. So booking a one-way ticket is better.
• Airlines impose hefty charges on booking a one-way ticket at the last minute, but the rates are quite cheap if you book early.
• Get your flight rate aggregator app to find you the lowest one-way online flight bookings. You can get considerable savings by booking the lowest fare.

Giving a Treat to the Management Team

They say that the best way to reward your employees is by showing them your appreciation. And this becomes all the more important when you want to keep the leadership team of your business motivated and loyal. Of course, while you might give three days and two nights holiday packages for any executive as an incentive, you need to go up a notch in terms of luxury when it comes to your leadership team. Then there are times when you need to go on a retreat with this team to ideate, plan business strategies or to regroup and decision on short and long term goals. The best way to travel with the entire team could be a charter flight booking, which will make the journey extremely comfortable and convenient, giving you extra time to discuss issues.

Here’s a look at the places where you and your team should think of staying during the retreat or if you are planning an incentive for any member of the leadership team.

Top Three Luxury Hotels in Mumbai

The top most luxury hotel in Mumbai is the Trident at Nariman Point. This hotel has 555 guest rooms and suites. The dining options at this hotel are as vibrant and eclectic as the city of Mumbai. For instance, try Frangipani, a bright and cheerful restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine from early morning until late night. And when you need to let off steam, head to the Opium Den, which serves a vast selection of spirits and innovative cocktails. The Trident Spa is also a must try to wash away all the stress from the mind and body.

Another great option for luxury accommodation is The Leela. This place has 303 city and pool view Premier rooms, along with 58 Royal Club and 30 Royal Club Parlour Suites, which include dedicated butler services and access to the Royal Club Lounge and amenities. The Leela also offers excellent options for spa treatment, including both Ayurveda inspired and international therapy. They also have a Business Offer, with which you get accommodation in a very spacious room, delectable breakfast at their restaurant, Citrus, high speed internet access, complimentary transfers from the airport and back, and a range of complimentary hotel services.

The last option on our list is The Oberoi, which is situated in an unrivalled location on the Marine Drive, offering excellent views of the ocean and the Queen's Necklace, which is the golden crescent created by the lights along the shoreline. There are excellent options for fine dining here, such as Ziya, a contemporary Indian restaurant with an innovative menu, designed by Michelin-star Chef Vineet Bhatia.

And when you need to show your key employees a good time, don’t forget to travel in luxury too, with a domestic flight booking services, so that the entire experience is memorable from the first moment to the last.

Lesser Known Facts about the City of Dreams: Mumbai

The city that is home to more than 12 million people, Mumbai, earlier known as Bombay, is regarded as one of the nerve centers of India. It is the commercial and entertainment capital of the country. Popularly known as the city that never sleeps, Mumbai is home to the Bollywood film industry. This city also generates about 25% of India’s industrial output. 

Every year a huge number of travelers come to this city, where Parses, Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Jews co-exist peacefully. The city’s extensively planned road and rail network, along with the International airport, further make it the most accessible part of India.

Amazing Offers 

 

If you decide to fly to Mumbai or anywhere else in the country, don’t forget to check out Vistara’s Affordable Luxury suite of products. Leisure travel has become more affordable now, with attractive Business Class and Premium Economy fares from Vistara. All you have to do is to plan and book in advance or travel on weekends. If you book 30 days or more in advance, the Affordable Luxury program offers you up to 60% discount for Business Class and up to 40% discount for Premium Economy relative to last minute fares.

Amazing Facts about Mumbai

• Mumbai is named after a Goddess: The city has been named after Goddess Mumba Devi.
• The city has the largest theme park, Imagica: Situated on the Mumbai-Pune highway, Imagica is the only theme park in India built on international standards.
• Badra-Worli sea link is an architectural wonder: The 5,600 metre cable based bridge that connects the western suburbs of Mumbai with the southern suburbs is indeed an architectural marvel.
• Home to India’s first bus network: Mumbai is the first Indian city to get the well-established bus service system, known as BEST, in 1905, which is in service till date.
• City’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is India’s first railway station: CST was the first ever railway station constructed in India. It opened in 1888 and is today a UNESCO world historic site.
• The first Indian to own a car was a Mumbaikar: City’s Jamshedji Tata was the first Indian to own a car.
• The city has the longest coastline: The city has the longest coastline of 129 kms.
• Khargar’s central park is largest in Asia: An urban park in the city covering 119 hectares, this central park is the largest in Asia and third largest in the world.
• The city comprises of seven islands: The current city of Mumbai consists of Worli, Bombay, Mazagaon, Parel, Little Colaba and Colaba, which were seven distinct islands before their merger to form one city. It took more than 60 years to merge the seven islands.
• Mumbai is home to the largest and most expensive slums: Dharavi in Mumbai is not only the largest slum area of Asia but also the most expensive one. Aa house here can cost you a few lakhs!
• Bollywood’s initials were taken from the city’s name itself: The city is home to the Bollywood film industry, a name that was taken from the name Bombay.

Having learned all this about this city, aren’t you excited to explore it? If yes, book domestic flight ticket early and take advantage of Vistara’s Affordable Luxury offers.

Mind Blowing Facts about Lucknow for First Time Visitors

Lucknow is an ancient Indian city that is a cultural potboiler, offering unique food, music, art, and handicrafts. The Nawabs, who ruled Lucknow for centuries and gave it the much talked about Nawabi style, were great patrons of the fine arts. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was very fond of the classical dance form of Kathak, which traces its roots to Lucknow. Lachhu Maharaj, Achhchan Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj and Birju Maharaj are some reputed names who have kept the tradition of Kathak alive. Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, who later came to be known as the renowned Begum Akhtar, also made Lucknow her home. Her ghazals and thumris never fail to move the listener.

Kathak enthusiasts in Delhi should travel to Lucknow with domestic flights on offer, to enjoy the dance performances of their favorite artists. 

The Nawabi Style

 

It is said that it is the music, culture and monuments that speak of the Nawabi style of Lucknow. The city has been synonymous with Nazakat and Nafasat. Lucknow was ruled by the Delhi Sultanate, taken over by the Mughals and later looked after by the Nawabs. Little wonder then that it offers a real royal feel.

Gourmet Delights, Especially for Non-Vegetarians

Awadhi cuisine is native to the city of Lucknow, where the dum style of cooking or the art of cooking over a slow fire was given birth to. In Lucknow, you get to choose from a wide variety of kebabs, 18-layered parathas, succulent naans, mouth-watering kachoris, creamy kulfis and more. The famous Galoti kebab was created right here. These are made of tenderized meat whipped to a creamy consistency, and simply melt in the mouth. Once they are placed before the person, the aroma is enough to get your mouth watering!

 

Shopper's Delight

Lucknow is known for embroidery works like chikankari, zari, zardozi, kamdani, gota making, etc. Authentic Chikankari, a 400 year old embroidery style unique to this city, has myriad delicate stitches, to be precise, ten different kinds, which are traditionally embroidered with white cotton thread on thin cotton or muslin fabric to suit the hot weather. It has now evolved to suit the modern tastes but nothing beats the age old workmanship or kaarigari of the artisans here. Zardozi embroidery was done during the times of the Nawabs to create magic on cloth with golden zari thread work. Even today, when you wear garments with this work, you feel like royalty.

Lucknow is a cultural delight. If you too want to be a part of it, book yourself in one of the Delhi to Lucknow flights and experience a royal holiday.

4 Top Places to Visit and Things to Do in Chandigarh

Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India with world-class architecture and high quality of life. The face of modern India, Chandigarh is the manifestation of a dream seen by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and executed by Le Corbusier. 

If you are planning a getaway from Delhi, this is probably the most exciting option. Here are a few things that you must do in the “City Beautiful”. 

4 Things to Do in Chandigarh

1. Visit the Government Museum and Art Gallery

Located on Jan Marg in Sector 10, this museum is inside a building designed by Le Corbusier and is divided into four wings, dedicated to natural history, art, architecture and portraits. The major attractions here are collections of over 4,000 Pahari and Rajasthani miniature paintings.

There is also a collection of over 600 Buddhist sculptures from the Gandhara region, which is now known as Pakistan and Afghanistan. This museum also displays the plans and sketches for the planning of the city.

2. Hang Out at Nek Chand’s Rock Garden

Nek Chand’s rock garden is Chandigarh’s own wonderland in an otherwise grid-like city. This park is packed with narrow corridors, amphitheatres, bridges, staircases, a spectacular waterfall and even has an ethnic market at the end.

One of the most beautiful sights at the park is the unusual human and animal figures made of recycled material like wires, bottles, bangles, etc. The park is one of the biggest crowd-pullers of the city.

3. Sukhna Lake

The increasing number of buildings in Delhi has left it without too many water bodies. However, Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh is certainly a scenic tourist spot, where you can go paddle boating or simply enjoy the view.

If you are on a family vacation, then this is where you will have a great time. During winters, you can find many migratory birds at the lake. Isn’t this a good reason to book Delhi to Chandigarh flights?

4. Sightseeing at Leisure Valley

If you are a nature lover, then you must visit this 8 km long park created by Le Corbusier in the eroded valley of a seasonal river. It consists of a series of theme gardens, including Asia’s largest rose garden. The park also has replica of the Eiffel Tower. 

Usually serenity and modern city are completely opposite concepts. However, Chandigarh is a rare exception of modernization co-existing with nature. Trees and greenery have been given equal emphasis as the buildings here. So, book domestic flights tickets online and board your Delhi to Chandigarh flights now and get ready for an amazing vacation.

Christmas and New Year in Goa: What To Do And Where To Go

Goa offers you memorable ways to celebrate Christmas and New Year, without burning a hole in your wallet. There is so much to choose from at this time of the year, with the entire region steeped in the holiday spirit. This is a good option, especially for Delhiites, since it gives you a whole new kind of partying experience. And with the easy availability of Delhi to Goa flights, you don’t have to spend too much on travel either. However, given the popularity of this destination, it is always recommended to book your travel tickets and accommodation well in advance so that there is no last minute disappointment.

Why Goa?

Goa is a mixture of Indian and Portuguese cultures and architecture, attracting an estimated 3 million visitors each year. Other than this, Goa has everything you could hope for in a holiday destination, with beautiful beachfront settings, lively parties and balmy weather. Even in terms of prices, it is one of the most reasonable destinations, when compared to the traditional and iconic destinations like Singapore or Bangkok.

Where to Stay?

At this point, every other guest house or hotels will be busy. So, make sure you book your stay well in advance. On the other hand, there are also options for accommodation in private homes, villas, flats and shared rooms, available at affordable rates. So, make sure you check out all options available and choose one that piques your interest the most. And if you are a daring person, you can “couchsurf”. This is a term commonly used for sharing a home for free with a willing stranger who lives in Goa. Beach shacks could also be the less expensive option for you. If all these places are occupied, then you can only rely on a friend's place, who'll be happy to have you over.

What to Party?

If you don't mind spending lavishly, Club Cabana, SinQ, Lalit Golf and Spa Resort, Teso, and Hilltop are the ultimate spots. Then there's Deltin Royale Casino, which is India 's largest casino. It provides lavish meals, luxurious stay, gambling and complimentary chips for the casino as well.

If you are travelling on a budget, there is no place better than Club Westend, Club 9, LPK Waterfront, Tito's & Club Fresh. After this comes the popular shacks in Goa, which never fail to astound visitors, hosting some of the best beach parties on New Year's Eve. You'll find great music, food and booze over here. At Curlies Shack, Bobby's Shack, Jolly Boy's Beach Shack, Rudy's Golden Mermaid shack, you can dance on the cool sand close to the splashing waves.

So, start planning well in advance and spend a memorable winter in Goa with affordable Delhi to Goa flights.

4 Places to Visit in December in India

As the snow covers the hills in the North and the beaches of the South are drenched in sunshine, India welcomes the best season to travel in the country. With December marked with a string of holidays, it is certainly the best time to pack your bags and head for an adventurous journey.

The difficult part though is to select your destination. Here is a list of places that will make your job easier.

4 Places You Must Visit in December

1. Goa: To begin with, there is no specific time to visit Goa. You are going enjoy it as much in summer as you will in winter. But things do get wilder in December as Christmas and New Year approach. It literally turns into the ‘Las Vegas of India’. Fireworks and trance music, with the sand tickling your toes, is the perfect way to ring in the New Year. In December, Goa also observes the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier, which is another reason to visit the place. While you are there, don’t forget to shop at the Saturday Night Market in Arpora.
2. Alappuzha, Kerala: While Goa is normally crowded during December, Alappuzha is a calm place that offers peace. It is the perfect destination for those who love nature. Kerala is known for its backwaters and tranquillity, and Alappuzha offers you both. In December, Alappuzha celebrates a 10-day festival, Mullackal Chirap, which offers you a chance to experience the culture of the region. However, even before you make those domestic flight ticket bookings, book your stay on a houseboat.
3. Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: If there is heaven in India, it is in Srinagar. This place will welcome you with scenes similar to those you see in Bollywood films. In December, the place is covered in snow and temperatures drop below zero. Be a part of the Gulmarg Snow Festival that takes place just 56 kilometres from Srinagar.
4. Udaipur, Rajasthan: November and December are considered to be the best months to visit Udaipur, since the temperature in the City of Lakes is on the lower side. The city is home to many exciting tourist destinations, such as the Lake Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Monsoon Palace and Jag Mandir. You can also be a part of the Shilpgram Arts and Crafts Festival right here.

Since all these places see lower temperatures during December, make sure you pack accordingly and get your domestic flight ticket bookings in advance to get the lowest airfare.