India’s third largest city, Kolkata (Calcutta), offers travellers a vibrant, untapped alternative to Delhi and Mumbai. Escape with Jet Airways and discover Kolkata’s fascinating art and literacy heritage. November through to February are the best months to visit as they enjoy the most comfortable temperatures. Here are three reasons to fly to Kolkata this season:

1) Uncover rich culture: Known as India’s cultural capital, Kolkata is home to many iconic landmarks. Travellers can pay tribute to the work of Mother Teresa by visiting her home and tomb. Don’t miss the Victoria Memorial Hall, dedicated to Queen Victoria. Visitors can admire the English and Mughal designed architecture and wander around the museum and surrounding gardens. Travellers can also immerse themselves in the city’s art and literacy heritage with a visit to the home of India’s renowned Bengali poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore which has been transformed into a centre of Classical Fine Art, and a walk across the Howrah Bridge (formally named Rabindra Setu after the poet)

2) Browse vibrant markets: Soak up the charm of Kolkata’s famed book market on College Street (colloquially known as Bol Para or Book Street), dotted with makeshift stalls of bamboo, wood and canvas. A paradise for literary lovers, this is the world’s largest second-hand book market. Meanwhile, the colourful Mullik Ghat flower market boasting over 2,000 growers beneath the end of Howrah Bridge is well worth a visit. Another great retail experience is New Market, offering a range of stalls selling anything from colonial antiques and jewellery to arts, crafts and street food. 

3) Sample local delicacies: The city boasts a wonderful array of Bengali cuisine, with an emphasis on fish and lentils, while Indian street food is both delicious and widely available. From the kathi roll, invented at Nizam’s and a Kolkata food institution (essentially hot rotis served with a choice of fillings), to chowmeins and dosas – visitors are assured a satisfying culinary experience in this city! There is also an abundance of Chinese food on offer on the city’s street corners, reflecting the city’s history when a large number of Chinese settlers descended upon Kolkata.

Flights to Kolkata with Jet Airways (www.jetairways.com, 0808 101 1199), India’s premiere airline start from £564 per person return. * While flights in Premiere Class (the airline’s business class) start from £2,190 per person return. Jet Airways offers daily flights to Kolkata via Mumbai and Delhi. The airline flies twice daily to Mumbai from London Heathrow.

*All prices quoted include taxes and surcharges.

-ENDS-

For further information or images please contact Suzanne Holiday or Lara Huberman at Keene on 020 7839 2140 or email jetairways@keenecomms.com Visit www.jetairways.com

About Jet Airways

Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 111 aircraft, which include 10 Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, 10 Airbus A330-200 aircraft, 4 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, 70 next generation Boeing 737-700/800/900 aircraft and 16 ATR 72-500 and 1 ATR72-600. With an average fleet age of 5.35 years, the airline has one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in the world. Flights to 72 destinations span the length and breadth of India and beyond, including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Bangkok, Brussels, Colombo, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait, London (Heathrow), Muscat, New York (Newark), Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore and Toronto.

About JetKonnect

JetKonnect is a dedicated product designed to meet the needs of the low fare segment. JetKonnect will also offer guests a Premiere service on nearly all domestic routes. With its mixed fleet of Boeings and ATR aircraft with over 500 daily flights connecting 52 destinations across India, JetKonnect provides more flexibility and choice to its guests. JetKonnect’s convenient schedules, reliable service and low fares, promise to bring greater value and a seamless flying experience to our customers.

Jet Airways and Jet Konnect have a combined fleet strength of 111 aircraft and operate over 620 flights daily. For more information visit www.jetairways.com