Must-See Mosques in Punjab, Pakistan

Faisal Mosque: Islamabad, Pakistan

The largest mosque in Pakistan, the Faisal Mosque was also the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993. It is located on the foothills of Margalla Hills in Islamabad and serves as a distinct example of Islamic architecture.

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Masjid Babulilm: Islamabad, Pakistan

The first Shiite Imambargah in Islamabad has been the site of a lot of religious turbulence and violence within the I-8 sector. The Masjid is still an absolutely stunning site.

Badshahi Mosque: Lahore, Pakistan

An important example of Mughal architecture and one of Lahore’s most iconic landmarks. After the fall of the Mughal empire, Pakistan’s second largest mosque served as a garrison for the Sikh and British empires.

*If you’re visiting this mosque—the historical Lahore Fort, Minar-e-Pakistan, Wazir Khan Mosque, Samadhi of Ranjit Singh and Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das are all in walking distance, located within the “Walled City of Lahore”.

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Get Fruity with Ice Pops at the Conrad New York

Loopy Doopy, a rooftop bar, is located on the 16th floor of the Conrad hotel in the Financial District. The atmosphere is quintessential to that of the restaurants in South Beach, Miami. However, the stunning view of the New Jersey skyline, reminds you that a gem like this could only be found in New York City. Rooftop season in Manhattan would be a little less colorful without the Ice Pops that serve as Loopy Doopy’s trademark drink. You get to mix-and-match different flavors of popsicles and wine, guaranteeing a fruitful combination that will impress you more than the Jersey skyline ever could.

See an elevated view of NYC by helicopter

One of my favorite solo adventures thus far, a helicopter ride in New York is something I would highly recommend to tourists. In fact, if you’re a New Yorker who’s frequented rooftop bars & checked out most of the panoramic skyline views on your bucket list—this aerial adventure is calling your name! While I was a bit nervous about riding a chopper for the first time, Zip Aviation did a wonderful job at making me feel safe while providing an extremely enjoyable experience. They often offer tours via Groupon for reasonable prices.

Asheville’s Biltmore Estate: A Breathtaking Wedding Venue

The Biltmore House, a Châteauesque-style mansion, was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II during the Gilded Age. Currently belonging to Vanderbilt’s descendants, it is the largest privately owned house in the United States.

Access to the 8,000-acre estate does require tickets, which were generously provided to us by the wedding party. Admission even included a private tour of the 250 rooms that compose the mansion.

The Mehndi, Vidhi and Sangeet (ceremonies traditional in Indian Culture) took place in Asheville’s other must-see venues, including the North Carolina Aboretum.

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The wedding ceremony took place at the top of a hill, within the gardens overlooking the Biltmore House. The groom’s party arrived by dancing up the hill (typically called a baraat in Indian weddings). The bride arrived in a carriage drawn by beautiful white horses. The newly-wed couple released white doves following the ceremony.

The bridal party and groomsmen arrived to the cocktail hour in a southern-style Asheville wooden trolley.

The cocktail hour took place in a terrace at the back of the estate, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains during sunset.

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For the reception, the couple created an intimate and elegant environment by choosing a grandiose tent located on the vast lawn of the Biltmore House.

Dine at Royal Bangladesh Indian Restaurant

If you’re passing through East Village, chances are that you can see the flickering lights of this restaurant from blocks away. This was such a fun experience, from the colorful atmosphere to the upbeat Bollywood music. BYOB & enjoy an atmosphere that could only authentically be created in NYC.

Take in views from Top of the Rock

Located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the three observation decks which make up Top of the Rock showcase a stunning 360-view of New York City. This is one of my favorite aerial views of Manhattan because you can see skyscrapers of the island encompassed by the surrounding water.