COLORS OF ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

COLORS OF ISLAMABAD

 Islamabad is relatively quiet city, Capital of Pakistan. It covers an area of 1,165.5 km (450 mi) of which 906 km (349.8 mi) is Islamabad proper. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory, the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.19 million as of 2013.In the last decade there have been vast changes in the city's traditional reputation.

 Islamabad has become more charming with many new restaurants and hotels springing up to service this new wealth. A lot of international food chains have opened, and generally a great improvement in nightlife with increasing shopping areas opening till late. However during winter season streets are considerably quiet after dark. Even now, Islamabad remains a city where people come from all over the world to enjoy its peaceful, noise-free atmosphere with a lot of greenery and nice surrounding scenery.

You can stay according to your budget 

There are many hotels and restaurants in Islamabad but I prefer to stay Envoy Continental Hotel and Maragla Hotel these are local hotels and we can categories them in 3 stars hotels. They offers many facilities but they are cheaper than other five star or many guest houses main thing is that they are situated in middle of the city so through this  you have better access to move anywhere easily in Islamabad.

http://envoyhotel.com/ Envoy Continental Hotel, http://www.ramadaislamabad.com/

Ramada hotel Islamabad, http://www.hotelmargala.com/ Hotel Margala Islamabad,

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenaislamabad/default-en.html, Islamabad Serena Hotel

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/isbpk-islamabad-marriott-hotel/ Islamabad Marriott Hotel 

Food and Restaurants

Melody Food Street

For those who love fish, there are a few stalls that sell fish dishes in G6 Melody market, Islamabad. But I found this one as an interesting one. It's the way the fish is arrange here makes it so pretty. They breakfast is very popular in Islamabad, You must try there HALVA PURI and KASMIRI CHAYE, OR in diner they have specialty in CHIKEN KARI and SAG which is traditional food. It will cost you 9 to 10 dollars. Melody Market in the sector G6 Islamabad is very popular with street food and really a food paradise for those who love street food!

Des Pardes Restaurant Islamabad

http://despardes.com.pk/

Des Pardes offers a unique blend of Mughlai Cuisine with fine dining services; they invite all who like to explore historical food items.

The Monal Restaurant, Islamabad

http://www.themonal.com

I suggest you to please must try these things (Chicken Seekh Kebab, Gajjar Halwa,Chantni/ Achaar, Tea,Chiken Tika , Naan) it will cost 10 dollars. This place is like: WHAO! In the heart of Margalla Hills, on the lookout for the Capital, with all the hiking trails merging into this marvel. It is and just not the place, the food, the ambiance, the live music, the theme. I mean, you crave to go back to this place once you leave. I have memories with this place they give you several different tastes from around the World, They have a wide range of Continental Dishes.

HABIBI RESTAURANT
I-8 Markaz, Executive Center, Islamabad, Pakistan. Tel: (92-51) 444-8222, 444-8555, +92 -514448222.

Khyber Afghan Restaurant, Street 55, G9/4. Islamabad. Pleasant local Afghan restaurant set in a small house, and a good excuse to explore the back streets of little-visited G9 Islamabad. You can eat well for under Rs. 500 ($ 5) per person.

Day tours to explores Islamabad

Lok Virsa Museum, Shakarparian Park , Islamabad's premier museum featuring more than 25 large galleries in four blocks linked through passages depicting cultural linkages with Iran, Central Asia and China. There are large halls dedicated to architecture, musical heritage, textiles, romances, Sufi shrines and several other cultural themes. It has a large collection of embroidered costumes, jewelry, woodwork, metal work; block printing, ivory and bone work on display. 

    

Daman-e-Koh,  A lookout point in the hills above E-6 with great views of the city on a clear day/night. Its beauty is enhanced by the greenery and flowers at different sites. High quality restaurants, good food, live music, hiking trails and lush green hillsides make it a favorite place for local and foreign tourist .

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A visit to Imam Bari Shrine: Historical shrine of a Sufi saint located in the valley of NurPur Shahan near the sector of G5 Sector. You can see to Hillary Clinton over there.

 A place to visit Shakarparian and Pakistan Monument

 It is a beautiful wild and hilly area for a nice evening walk in a green natural atmosphere.

 Lake View Park is a beautifully laid out park with gardens, picnic spots, and secluded paths and views over the lake. Is now home to an aviary, go-kart track and climbing wall. The terraced garden and the lake are used for fishing and boating. On the south side of the lake is another small park with a nice lookout, Red Onion restaurant and old Hindu temple. The highest point in the garden offers a panoramic view of Islamabad. Boating, sailing, water skating and diving facilities are organized by private clubs. To the west of the lake is the Islamabad Club, which offers different sporting facilities.

This is Faisal Mosque, the largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia. With its backdrop against the Margalla Hills and its white structure designed to resemble a Bedouin tent, it makes an impressive sight even from very far.

One day trip to Murree.

The Murree, region is known for its scenic vistas of pine- and oak-covered mountains,      crisscrossed with springs and rivulets and dotted with lawns and orchards. On clear days a good view of the snowy peaks of Kashmir is possible, and the crest of Nanga Parbat, mountain can sometimes be seen. It has lot of mountain with full of snow winter.

 A day trip to Taxila

Taxila is a small city and an important archaeological site in Pakistan. Ancient Taxila literally meaning "City of Cut Stone" or "Rock of Taksha") was situated at the pivotal junction of India, western Asia and Central Asia. Some of the earliest ruins in this area date to the time of the Achaemenid or Persian Empire in 6th century BC
Transportations

Popular flights from Seattle (SEA) to Islamabad (ISB) for Round trip.

Qatar $1296, Turkish $1447, Emirates $1526, Etihad $1535, Air Canada $1546

Islamabad / Rawalpindi Airport (ISB) situated in the middle of Rawalpindi receive flights from a variety of international destinations, including in Europe, USA. There is a PIA for domestic destinations.

 Local modes of transportation:

By Bus Coach: Skyways or  Daewoo (+92 51 111 007 008) are some of the nicer long-haul operators. Skyways/Daewoo offers some direct services to/from Islamabad and Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. http://www.daewoo.com.pk/

Taxis in Islamabad are abundant, popular and generally safe. Cost is around Rs100 – Rs200( $1 to $ 2) per sector traveled, depending on your bargaining skills.

By train Since First Class travel with Pakistan Railway is good, it's worth knowing that Rawalpindi, the neighboring city, has railway connections with various major cities.

Auto Riksha: it very charming way to travel in local way, it is very cheaper way to travel inside the city.

Total cost of your round trip $ 3000. See you soon. Thank you