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Learn more about each property by placing your mouse
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Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a heterogeneous nation, in which there are four major ethnic
groups: Pashtoons, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. Numerous other minor ethnic
groups (Nuristanis, Baluchis, Turkmens, etc.) also call Afghanistan their home.
While the majority of Afghans (99%) belong to the Islamic faith, there are also
small pockets of Sikhs, Hindus and even some Jews. The official languages of the
country are Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian). The capital of Afghanistan is
Kabul, which throughout history, was admired by many great figures, such as the
great Central Asian conqueror, Zahirudeen Babur. Today, Afghanistan is on the
road to recovery, after decades of war.
History
Afghanistan is a heterogeneous nation, in which there are four major ethnic
groups: Pashtoons, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. Numerous other minor ethnic
groups (Nuristanis, Baluchis, Turkmens, etc.) also call Afghanistan their home.
While the majority of Afghans (99%) belong to the Islamic faith, there are also
small pockets of Sikhs, Hindus and even some Jews. The official languages of the
country are Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian). The capital of Afghanistan is
Kabul, which throughout history, was admired by many great figures, such as the
great Central Asian conqueror, Zahirudeen Babur. Today, Afghanistan is on the
road to recovery, after decades of war.
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L O C
A L A R E A I
N F O R M A T I O N |
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| Seasons |
Summer (July - September) - Temperature 25 to 41°C
Autumn (September - Nov.) - Temperature 12 to 25°C
Winter (November - April) - Temperature -4 to 15°C
Note: The temperatures shown here are from Kabul
These vary for various geographical parts of the country |
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| Clothing Suggestion |
Warm woollens during winter
Ladies are required to cover the head, as per local sensitivities |
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| Health Concern |
Use bottled mineral water only |
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| Currency |
Local currency: Afghani (AFA)
Dollars accepted and converted freely
Euro not so easy to transact, but accepted |
Serena has created one luxury hotel in Afghanistan:
Kabul Serena Hotel
The Kabul Serena Hotel, conveniently located in the centre of Kabul city overlooking the famous Zarnegar Park, is situated close to all the Embassies and Ministries, and is just 20 minutes from the airport. Built in 1945, amid landscaped gardens, the hotel has undergone a complete refurbishment, through the rehabilitation of the existing building and the addition of a completely new section. The hotel dominates a busy junction and is situated in the city’s commercial centre.
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Pakistan
An exclusive destination, full of rich and extraordinary experiences, the Serena hotels in Pakistan give guests the chance of a face to face encounter with the still unknown and fascinating diversity of a land relatively new to the map of the world - but with centuries of history and traditions. Pakistan's heterogeneous culture, implanted and accumulated by a variety of different civilizations, lies waiting to be discovered by the sophisticated, modern traveller.
History
Historically, Pakistan is one of the most ancient lands known to man, with a past that can be traced back to the Sumeric culture in Mesopotamia. In fact, its cities in the Indus Valley flourished before the building of Babylon and its people practised the art of good living and citizenship long before the ancient Greeks. This antiquity, coupled with Pakistan's geographic diversity, remarkable architecture and folklore, offer rich experiences to those who visit this part of the world.
| L O C A L A R E A I N F O R M A T I O N |
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| Seasons |
Summer (May-August) - Temperature 30-43 degree Celsius
Autumn (Sept.– Nov.) - Temperature 15-30 degree Celsius
Winter (Dec.– Feb.) - Temperature 0-16 degree Celsius
Spring (March – April) - Temperature 15-30 degree Celsius |
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| Clothing Suggestion |
Summer: pure cotton; Winter: warm woollies;
Autumn: light woollies
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| Health Concern |
Use purified water |
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| Currency |
Pak Rupees |
Serena has created five luxury hotels in Pakistan:
Quetta Serena Hotel
Nestled among the awesome Chiltan and Koh-i-Murdar mountains, the city of Quetta makes a dramatic sight. The provincial capital of Balochistan, it lies 1692 metres above sea level. This legendary land of the Baloch, with its rugged mountains, deserts, orchards, lakes and valleys, has developed fascinating and distinctive patterns of architecture. The curving, rambling mud wall is a basic and omnipresent element, as are the cooling channels of running water.
Faisalabad Serena Hotel
Faisalabad, Pakistan's flourishing industrial town and the home of cotton textiles, offers a vibrant, bustling scenario. With its shopping opportunities in textiles, leather, brassware and jewellry, Faisalabad's totally ethnic mood leaves much to be discovered. It is a city of rich and delicate architecture reflecting the exuberance of Punjab decorative arts and the Islamic heritage of the region. The streets are highly articulated in geometric patterns with angular street intersections, a profusion of balconies and suspended loggias, and hidden interior courtyards.
Gilgit Serena Hotel
Enclosed by the lofty slopes of some of the world's highest mountains, the Gilgit valley, on the fabled Silk Route to China, is an sensational place to visit. Gilgit is a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers, hikers and fishermen - and also for its fresh mountain air and dramatic landscapes. The valley is within reach of many majestic peaks such as Rakaposhi (25,550 feet), the Haramosh (24,300 feet) and the majestic Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet). A spectacular 15 hour drive from Islamabad, most of which is on the Karakoram highway that follows the fabled Silk Route, or a simple one-hour flight, will bring you to this land of unspoiled beauty. Gilgit is where the game of polo was born and is still played in its original form. The Kashgari bazaar is a shoppers delight.
Swat Serena Hotel
Set in the fertile Swat Valley of the North West Frontier Province, Swat is famous for its gentle climate, verdant mountain slopes and its treasure-trove of antiquities of the unique Greco-Indian Gandhara civilization. The beauty of the Swat Valley has charmed travellers since even before Alexander the Great came here: green, hilly slopes strewn with wildflowers, rich fruit-trees, terraced fields climbing up mountainsides through copses of maple and pine, limpid streams and cascades, all against the backdrop of the tamed Hindu Kush range.
Islamabad Serena Hotel
Islamabad, Pakistan's federal capital, is a modern city standing back-to-back with a historic one, Rawalpindi. A drive through the cities confirms the first impression. Islamabad's quiet suburban charm, its atmosphere of hushed officialdom, and its green, tree-lined avenues, contrast sharply with Pindi's vigorous commercialism, its noisy bustling markets and its dusty streets thronged with traffic. Travelers entering in Islamabad for the first time are struck by its greenness. More than six million trees have been planted here since the foundations were laid. The best viewpoint by far is from Damen-e-Koh, a terraced garden on the Margalla Hills, from where it is possible to see the whole of Islamabad spread out before you, dominated by the towering minarets of the Shah Faisal Mosque and by the Houses of Parliament.
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