Day 1: Shimla - Perfect Gateway to Heaven

Travelogue By Mehvish Kidwai Diverse people: One option. If you think you are a mountain lover or have passion for hiking, paragliding, tracking and other adventurous activities, or if you are a peace enjoyer or a bhakt or loves to spend night out having leisure time in the open with clear sky stars all around, then hills is the best option to opt for. In hills also, Summer Hills commonly known as Shimla is the best destination to go for, whether it can be a 10 days long holiday or a short weekend, Shimla beautifully gives you what you deserve within your budget. This is the only place which can be visited any time in the year; no matter its summers, winters or rains. Each month has a different weather to offer you. From early sunrise to late sunshine, slow walk on the ridge road the most valued place of Shimla will make you personified with the charm of the city. The best shopping area in Shimla is The Mall road, Lower Bazaar,Tibetan Bazaar and Lakkar Bazaar. These all markets are interlinked providing an enormous range of goods that Shimla has to offer. This includes handicrafts, wood, and metalwork, shawls, pullovers, local tweeds, etc. The same place offers wide variety of food serving in many good restaurants that can be Punjabi, South Indian, Chinese and Continental Foods. One can find good Punjabi Dhabas and VaishnavDhabas near the mall and lower bazaar having reasonable rates. There are many Fast Food Centers on the Mall, where Burgers, Pizzas, Patties are easily available. Most of the Shimla’s eye catching spots are linked to Ridge road; Church, library, ice-skating rink, lovers spot, museum are on the same lane connecting Ridge to Peter hills all covered with snow with apple trees on it. The spot is best for scenic view where the beauty will surely mesmerize you. The city can be visited any time, but a winter is, again, an idea that does not lure many but has a quite some charm for anyone eager to avoid crowd. Though it gets cold, enough to make you numb, even with the glaring Sun, the city under a snow cover is surreal. You would love yourself for visiting the place.-WTN