DAL lake and the attractions of Srinagar notwithstanding, there are various other tourist hotspots that are a must-see for all visitors. These include Nagin lake, Wullar Lake, the Tomb of Madin Sahib, Hari Parbat Fort, but tourists will need to plan a long trip to visit all of these sites. Gulmarg Gulmarg - or the ‘city of flowers' - is approximately 60 kilometers from Srinagar, and tourists can arrange for a guide at Tangmarg, which appears on the way to Gulmarg. Guides are not strictly necessary, but the need for one becomes apparent when one starts bargaining with the horse renters. Being the most expensive place in Kashmir means that tourists will need to drive a hard bargain with most shopkeepers and other service-providers in Gulmarg. The city itself is no less than paradise, although flower-lovers should be aware that February is not the time to go. Tourists looking forward to see the fantastic array of flowers Gulmarg has on display should visit from April to June, when the entire city is reportedly carpeted with flowers. We weren't so lucky and encountered only copious amounts of snow. No path, no tree not even a single wire was left uncovered. Dark green firs were so heavily covered with snow that they were appearing blackish. We toured the city in a jeep with heavy tyres covered in chains to ease movement on snow-covered roads. Though the slick and slippery roads leave you breathless, the sheer thrill and shivering cold add to the adventure. Gulmarg also offers skating, skiing and cable cars' facilities. It is advisable to reach there in the morning and either to stay the night or return to Srinagar before sunset. Food and Beverages Kashmir is the place to go for complete relaxation. Significantly enhancing the cosy ambience is the widespread availability of excellent food. We thoroughly enjoyed Kahwah - the famous Kashmiri tea - which is served as a welcome drink to all. With its unique aroma, the tea - made from a variety of herbs and provided without milk - is the perfect weapon against the cold weather. The food too was simply delicious and there was a wide range to choose from. You can also find many good multi-cuisine restaurants and even traditional vegetarian, non-vegetarian and Punjabi dhabas (roadside cafes). Linguistic culture Kashmiris communicate in Kashmiri, Hindi/Urdu and can even understand English. Language is not a problem and it feels good to listen to them speaking in Kashmiri, which is as sweet as its people. Shopping Traditional bazaars are the best places to shop but there are also private factories which directly sell the handlooms that Kashmir is famous for, at a more reasonable price than in the market. The best things to shop for are the Pashmina shawls or stoles, Kashmiri-embroidered shalwar kameez or kurtas for men, and intricately-designed pieces of wooden furniture. Visiting Kashmir is an experience one treasures throughout their life. If one wants to see a place resembling heaven on earth, Srinagar is the place.
