Wednesday, 18 December 2019

Karachi is a large, loud and messy city but its offerings are never boring to those who wish to have a special night out. When it comes to having fun and enjoying a unique night in Karachi there are countless options available and there is always something for everyone, whether it’s a rock cafe with karaoke or an indoor adventure park.

Arena

Arena is Karachi’s one-stop shop for a bunch of fun indoor activities which include ice skating, rock climbing, bowling, arcade gaming, miniature golf and pool/snooker. There are food options at their restaurant-cum-cafe to satiate those hunger pangs that are likely to show up after a rigorous session of climbing and skating. Additionally, if all this wasn’t enough to excite they also offer the strategic and thrilling game of paintball to release your stress. So if you have a group with you, you could also get vicious at the colorful battle.

ice skating

Bounce

Located inside Ocean Mall is a jumpy trampoline park that will leave you in laughter and high on all the happy hormones. You will experience a night of joy here as you defy gravity and spring up in the air. They have a free jumping arena, a foam pit and an exciting basketball area. Bounce is a place where fun and fitness coincides as the jumping is said to create lots of muscle movement in the body. Afterwards you can grab delicious meals at some of the best restaurants at the mall, such as the Kolachi Restaurant.

trampoline park

Pi-Social

For all the board game enthusiasts out there Pi-Social is what dreams are made of. With over a 100 games to choose from while sipping on a warm cup of coffee, this cafe is great for a chilled night out with family or friends without ever being boring. Pick a game, make a team or play against the bar server to compete for a free drink. One entry ticket gets you unlimited access to try out the board games along with a free beverage from their special list.

board game coffee

Westeros Dhaba, Karachi

It isn’t possible these days to be a citizen in Karachi and not ‘hang out’ or have tea at a Dhaba. Dhabas are roadside tea establishments that serve tea and other hot and cold beverages, along with different types of breads and sometimes even fast food. In recent years many vibrant and ‘new agey’ Dhabas have popped up around the city that are based on unique themes like Bob Marley, truck art, the local movie industry and Game of Thrones, which has inspired the creation on Westeros. However, what sets them apart from the strict competition is their menu. They are a modern day dhaba with a GoT twist, offering dragon stone oven baked pizzas, dragon balls and fire and chocolate brownies.

Boating and dinner at Port Grand

Karachi is blessed with a vast shoreline and it’s a must to make the most of it. If a nighttime swim at devil’s point under the full moon at 12 am is a bit too wild you can perhaps explore the waters through a boating expedition from Port Grand. The port offers a boat ride around the mangroves that line the Karachi coast, a speed boat ride and a special floating party deck when you have something special to celebrate. There is also an art lane at this sea-facing hub, where various artworks are displayed in an indoor plus outdoor gallery space. There is also a night bazar and many weekend attractions like magic shows, musical and dance performances and fire shows. Lastly, their wide array of restaurants are also worth checking out.

port grand

Seaview’s activities and sunset

Karachiites need not look any further for some simple innocent fun than Seaview, aka Clifton Beach. The long shoreline of the beach is a sight to behold, unlike any other during sunsets as the sky is painted in hues of yellow, orange, pink and purple under the magical sight of the sun sinking in the Arabian sea. Along with the majestic view come activities like horse and camel rides, buggy rounds and flying lit-up plastic kites. A simple barefoot walk with good conversation while biting on some roasted corn sprinkled with Karachi-style lemon and chilli dressing is in itself a lovely and unique experience.

Sea_view_at_clifton

Stars Club

If you are movie buff you will definitely enjoy hanging out at the Stars Club opposite Metropole Hotel Karachi. The recently opened cultural club/restaurant/art hub is themed on the Pakistani entertainment industry and provides a platform for musicians, artists and poets to perform. They also screen local movies and music on their big screen and have a recording studio space for musicians and singers. Their beverages are named after local Pakistani artists, the stage and screen allows only content by local artists to be shared and their movie-themed menu is also named after local art and artisans. All in all, it’s a perfect spot to get in touch with Pakistan’s entertainment industry in a unique way.

Things To Do In Lahore For 600 Rupees Or Less

The city of Lahore if filled with rich history, stunning architecture, delicious food, and amazing shopping.  There are plenty of reasons why we all love Lahore, but if you think you’ve done it all – think again. Here are some fun things you can do in the city in under Rs 600:

1. Halwa puri breakfast at Gawalmandi


If you’re in the mood to eat authentic and delicious Pakistani food – head on over to Gawalmandi to experience history and an affordable yet divine halwa-puri meal.
Price: 100 Rs

2. Take a tour of Badshahi Masjid


Visit this peaceful and stunning mosque to appreciate Mughal history and architecture.
Price: Rs 20/-

3. Go head to head at a bowling alley


If you’re in the need of Friday night plans, Uptown LA Bowling Club is a great place to have fun with your friends.
Price: Rs 600/- per game

4. Visit the Lahore Museum


If you’re a history enthusiast, go on down to the Lahore Museum for fantastic collections of artifacts, artistic objects, classic and historic objects.
Price: Adults: Rs 20/-
Students: Rs 5/-

5. Have brunch at Mall1


If you’re in the mood for a nice continental meal with great ambiance – head on over to Mall 1 for brunch or dessert.
Average Price: Rs 600/-

6. Have a good game of Laser Tag with your friends


If you want to do something unique, bring out your competitive side with laser tag at Funholics Laser Tag. 
Price: Rs 600 Per Game

7. Watch a stage drama at Al Hamra


Bring out your cultural side with a stage drama at Al Hamra Arts Council

Price: Free – Rs 500/-

Things to do and see in gilgit baltistan

Embracing many of the planet’s highest peaks, Pakistan is the incredible confluence of four great mountain ranges: the Himalayas, Karakoram, Hindukush and Pamir Mountains. For adventure-loving tourists, there are few places in the world that can compare to northern Pakistan in terms of unspoiled natural beauty.
The snow-capped peaks
Camping in the mountains
Visiting Skardu, a town in Gilgit-Baltistan region, is like a trip to the land of Narnia where the magical wardrobe door opens up to an enchanted land. The city of Skardu mesmerises visitors with its breathtaking sights that engulf the town.
Towering snow-peaked mountains, crystal clear rivers, high altitude lakes, natural springs, lush green plains and the treasure trove of historical sites make Skardu a must-visit place at any time of the year. It is best avoided in winter because the roads leading up to Skardu would be blocked by snowfall or landslides.
During my trip to Skardu, I had to endure a 17-hour ride up the mountains from Islamabad, but the views were worth the journey.
Never bored of this beauty
The Skardu Valley runs ten kilometres along Shigar River and Indus River, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Karakoram range. Skardu district is located at the confluence of the Indus River and the Shyok River, making it the base camp for leading tourist destinations in the Gilgit-Baltistan region including K-2, the second highest mountain in the world and also purportedly the most difficult mountain in the world to climb. Yes, it is actually easier to scale Mount Everest than K2.
things to do in gilgit-baltistan region
The junction of rivers and great civilisation
Independence monument in Skardu
Like the rest of mountainous areas, Skardu is almost engulfed in a white veil throughout the year, with a respite between April and September. This is the ideal season to relish the beauty of the area. The long summer hours allow you to explore the forests, view wildflowers and spot the re-emergence of wildlife. The glaciers also melt into splashing rivers at this time.

Attractions to visit

1. K2 Museum

This unique tent-shaped museum showcases the multitude of local culture and expedition maps. The museum is sponsored by the Italian government and is located in the grounds of the PDTC K2 Motel near the bank of the Indus River. Enjoy the numerous historical photos documenting the arduous expeditions of K-2.

2. Skardu Fort

Skardu Fort or Kharpocho translates to the King of Forts. It is perched above the junction of rivers and was built during the reign of King Ali Sher back in the 16th century. The half-hour hike to the top of the fort unveils stunning views of the valley below.

Places to visit in gilgit baltistan

There’s so much to do in Gilgit Baltistan. No matter what time of year you visit, you will find there is never enough time to enjoy all the fun. Spring bursts forth with tree blossom, making it one of the best time to visit beautiful valleys, hill stations and lakes. In summer, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, swimming or climbing. Autumn brings the falling of leaves from trees and the white of the birches in contrast with evergreen conifers. In winter you can enjoy snow activities like snowboarding or skiing . For every season in Gilgit Baltistan, there is plenty to see, lots to do, and everything to enjoy!.

Bagrote Valley
A small valley surrounded by high mountains makes it the perfect place for trekking. It is a place less known when compared to any other nature spots in Gilgit Baltistan, but surely will leave you with a much enhanced nature treatment like the others.

Attabad Lake

Attabad Lake is a lake in Gojal Valley, Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan, an administrative region of Pakistan. The lake was created in January 2010 as a result of the Attabad Disaster. Attabad Lake has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Gilgit-Baltistan offering activities like boating, jet skiing, fishing, and other recreational activities.

Passu Valley

Passu lies between Batura & Passu Glaciers. The famous natural beauty of Passu is Tupopdan Peak, also known as “Passu Cones”, having picturesque shape is one of the most photographed peaks in the region.

Gulmit Village

Anybody who wants to take the experience of looking at the best landscapes, must visit Gulmit. A walk through the valley exposes you to over 100 varieties of flora and fauna all of which are pervasive through this region.

Khalti Valley

Khalti Lake is an artificial lake was formed due to stretch of river near the village of Khalti. The dark blue waters of lake during summer look very charming. The lake usually freezes during winter, it becomes crystal-clear and villagers of Khalti use to walk on it.

Phandar Valley

A twisting road passing through lush green fields & forests with a view of flowing river and icy peaks will lead you to this Phandar valley. From springs of crystal clear waters to lakes & rivers of deep blue water, there are all colors of nature’s beauty.

9 Most Breathtaking Places to Visit in Switzerland

Switzerland just may be the most beautiful country in Europe, especially in summer. There’s something about the way the mountains still glisten with snow even into the sunniest of summer days, the turquoise lakes — all of which are amongst the cleanest in the world — the fields of alpine flowers… it just goes on and on.
Whether you opt for a luxury rental in Switzerland or try to experience the country cheaply by staying in hostels (to which I say good luck — I paid a crippling $40 for a bunk in a hostel, an experience I hope to never repeat), the best part is that many of the most stunning views in Switzerland are completely free!
[woman on a train] - best places to visit in Switzerland
I used an 8-day Swiss travel pass to explore some of the best places to visit in Switzerland, all by train. I’ve compiled a list of some of the most beautiful places in Switzerland to help you plan the best stops for sightseeing in Switzerland by train. Rather than just give the usual Switzerland tourist spots, I’ve tried to show some more off the beaten path Switzerland highlights, plus popular cities like Zürich and Geneva.
Using my Swiss Travel Pass, I was able to take the Schynige Platte belle époque railway, the steamboat across Lake Lucerne, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world up to Mt. Pilatus, and handfuls of scenic cable cars – all included for free in the price of my rail pass, and a discount on the Gornergrat in Zermatt to see the gorgeous Matterhorn up close.
Swiss Travel System offers a variety of different travel passes for different budgets and trip durations. Starting at 205 euros (around $229 USD) for a 3 consecutive day 2nd class pass, there are also 4, 8, and 15 day passes, offering more value the longer you stay. Kids under 16 travel for free with their parent or guardian, and youth aged 16-25 get to ride at a significant discount.
There are also flex tickets where you can travel 3, 4, 8, or 15 days of your choice within a one-month period if you’re more into slow travel. To see a full breakdown of ticket choices and prices,
[mountains and fields and blue sky] - off the beaten path Switzerland
This guide will cover 9 of the absolute best places in Switzerland, and if you want to see how to organize all these places into a logical itinerary, I’ve done the work for you and created a 10-day Switzerland itinerary that incorporates as many of the places on this list as I could while still not traveling at a breakneck pace so you can still enjoy your vacation. I include recommendations as well for what to do if you have more or fewer days.
And if the stress of itinerary planning is too much, there is always the option of a guided tour — which can actually be a good deal in pricy Switzerland, where hotel rooms, meals, and transport alone can easily destroy your budget.
Wondering where to go in Switzerland? I’ve got you covered below, with 9 recommended stops for your Switzerland itinerary plus accommodation and activity recommendations. Check out the video below for a few highlights and a quick preview of the 9 spots I’ve chosen to highlight in Switzerland.

My Top 9 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland

Montreux and Lac Leman

Montreux is a normally quiet town on Lac Leman near Geneva that pops off for two weeks each year when the Jazz Festival (and 200,000+ visitors!) come to town. Try to line up your time in Montreux with the Jazz Festival, when tons of musical acts (not just jazz) come to town and street food is available all up and down the main lakeside promenade.
Or you can grab some food from the local Coop, take advantage of the open container laws, and have a lakeside picnic while buskers entertain you before the main acts at night.
[orange flowers and blue lake, Montreux]
[sign for Montreux jazz fest]

What to Do in Montreux

Montreux is at its best during its yearly Jazz Fest. But your timing doesn’t line up, there’s still plenty to do in Montreux to experience one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland to its fullest.
Montreux is home to the stunning island Chateau de Chillon, a castle that dates back to the 11th century and which has been marvelously kept up over the centuries. It’s certainly one of the most scenic places in Switzerland with stunning lake and mountain views framing the turrets of the castle. Entrance is 12.50 CHF (about $13) but the entrance fee is included with your Swiss Travel Pass if you have one – a great tool for sightseeing in Switzerland!
Of course, the Lake Promenade (which you can take to walk to the castle) is absolutely stunning and definitely worth dedicating some time to enjoying.
The nearby Chaplin’s World is also a popular Montreux attraction. Charlie Chaplin, like many other celebrities, spent many years of his life enjoying Montreux and as a result you can enjoy a museum in his former home.