We need a holiday...

Saba Qamar (actor)

1. London.

2. I don’t keep a particular budget when I travel. I am an impulsive shopper so deciding on a particular budget never works for me.

3. I like meeting new people when I travel, and being introduced to various cultures along the way, with their different cuisines and other specialties. I value the exposure I get through travelling. I believe that getting acquainted with new people and places helps you grow as a person and enlightens you in a very positive way.

4. My only focus is on enjoying myself to the fullest when I travel. That includes eating whatever I like and not working out according to a routine or plan.

5. I like upbeat music.

6. Dubai.

Imran Abbas (actor)

1. My favourite destination is Sydney.

2. I don’t actually calculate money while spending. Basically, I believe that whenever we go on vacations, we should never care about money because vacations and travelling is all about being carefree in every sense. However, after spending I calculate my money and then realize that I have spent a lot (haha). I am the biggest spendthrift ever; however, I am not a shopaholic. I spend mostly on food.

3. Sightseeing. Since I am an architect by profession, I am very fond of architecture and the local food available in different parts of the world. Apart from all this, the most favourite thing about travelling is that you get to meet a lot of people and have a chance of interacting with them.

4. The first thing after checking in to my hotel is to find out about their gym facilities. Also, I prefer walking as in Pakistan I can’t do that often. People recognize you here so it becomes difficult to roam around. Moreover, I try and stay away from unhealthy food during holidays.

5. Well, I am a music buff! Wherever I go, I love to explore the classics of that particular area as it intensifies the feel of the place.

6. I think London... I have never noticed anything so fascinating about it. I don’t understand why people are so attracted to it.

Ahsan Khan (actor)

1. My favourite holiday destination is London, which is my second home as well.

2. I allocate a certain amount/budget for each trip. Let me make it clear that I am not a spendthrift, but I generally end up spending more on vacations and then lose track of how much I have spent.

3. Favourite thing about travelling is that you get to meet new people, explore new places, get to try different cuisines etc. Also, the best part about travelling for me is sightseeing and being closer to nature.

4. When on vacations I tend to gain a little weight. But I make sure to walk a lot.

5. Well, it totally depends on the mood and what part of the day it is. So depending on my mood I could go for Classic, Jazz, Sufi, Pop or Trance music.

6. I have travelled to many places and can’t think of any of the destinations as overrated.

Sunita Marshall ­(model/actor)

1. My favourite holiday destination is Thailand because the beaches are gorgeous and it is cheap as well. When in Thailand, you can do everything you wish for!

2. Umm... well that homework is done by my husband, he is the one who calculates it. So he takes the charge of it.

3. Favourite thing about travelling is travelling itself. I just love it! I hope I get to travel more in the future (haha).

4. Well, I don’t really think about that because if you’re on a holiday, you want to enjoy every bit of it. So I try all the specialties of that country but yes, I do keep myself hydrated which is really important. The rest I don’t really care about.

5. Honestly, I am not a big fan of music however I do listen to it often. So anything would do... nothing sad though.

6. I don’t think any place is overrated. Each destination has its own perks.

Sarwat Gilani (actor)

1. Istanbul.

2. I make envelopes with limited money and carry one envelope with a certain amount that I have allocated for myself for the day.

3. Seeing different cultures and experiencing new foods.

4. Eat the most amazing salads and fruits that are the speciality of the region.

5. It is always a mix...depends on the energy I get from different places.

6. There is no such thing as an overrated city...it is what you choose to see and experience.

Zahid Khan (designer Kuki Concept)

1. Paris.

2. I have travelled all around the world and I always do budgeting before heading to any country so it’s always better to calculate the money you want to use.

3. I love the whole idea of travelling. Basically I am a fine artist and I have a great interest in art, culture, architecture and different cuisines.

4. I am a foodie but I always try to eat healthy and I always drink lots of water.

5. I love music and I listen to all kinds of music, Sufi, Ghazals, Rock, Pop ... depending on my mood and which city I am travelling to.

6. None as such.

Nadia Hussain (model/entrepreneur)

1. Depends on whether the holiday is with kids or without them! With kids I prefer either Singapore or USA... With hubby I prefer going on a nice beach resort area.

2. It is just about a total amount for the trip not a daily budget.

3. The experience of meeting new people and also enjoying different cultures.

4. I try to walk as much as possible.

5. Instead of music, I prefer watching movies.

6. Every country has its own uniqueness so I guess I can’t specify any place.

Zhalay Sarhadi (actor)

1. I don’t have a favourite holiday destination as such. I just make sure that wherever I go, I spend quality time with my family.

2. I don’t spend a lot of money. I don’t calculate how much I would be spending during the whole stay. But I keep a check on how much will I need to buy important stuff, nothing else. I am a miser in that sense.

3. Favourite thing about travelling is going to different places, getting to know about different cultures and history, seeing the artefacts, finding about people and their ways of living etc. So yeah... travelling fascinates me a lot.

4. I eat right. Mostly, I try to find organic restaurants. I maintain my intake of fruits and protein. And of course, work out. When travelling, we make sure that the hotel we are staying in has a pool and a gym.

5. I am a big fan of desi music but rest of my family members aren’t. I tend to listen to Indie, Pop, Jazz, all dancing numbers and of course, old Hindi and Pakistani songs.

6. I don’t think there is one. You find different things of interest and different kinds of leisure activities wherever you go. And now when the world is becoming more open towards tourism, even the metropolitan cities have become interesting.

Shaiyanne Malik (designer/entrepreneur)

1. I don’t have one destination. There are a number of places such as Europe, Italy, Brazil and the list goes on. I just returned from Mexico and I loved it. I also love South America and for shopping Far East is the best. Not to forget that the Northern Areas of Pakistan are beautiful too.

2. If I am with friends we make a daily kitty and when with family then we follow a holiday trip budget... which by the way always exceeds.

3. Discovering new places with loved ones.

4. Drink only mineral water; avoid eating raw vegetables or meat. And eat at reliable restaurants... and oh yes use loads of sun block.

5. Anything and everything local to the country in which I am in.

6. There is no overrated city. Every city has its own personal charm you just have to discover it.

Khalid Anam (singer/actor)

1. Bangkok. 

2. I don’t. My wife is a wiz at it. I leave it up to her and she does a marvellous job.

3. The uninterrupted concentrated time spent with family without worrying about power failures and water shortage etc...

4. We all walk a lot... We enjoy discovering different places on foot.

5. All that I carry on my mobile phone. I also like to discover and experience the local cultural music.

6. Phukket

Ruby Shakel (designer)

1. Switzerland.

2. We just keep an overall budget for the trip.

3. Travelling with my kids.

4. Well, while travelling I make sure to eat according to my appetite that makes me going throughout the trip.

5. I am busy shopping and sightseeing, I don’t get time to listen to music.

6. New York.

Adil Murad (actor)

1. My favourite holiday destination is NYC - the city that never sleeps. There is so much to see and do. From the museum of modern art to Broadway, there is never a dull moment.

2. My calculation depends on how much money I have, and how much of it I am willing to spend. Sometimes, we all go over budget because of unexpected things or shopping.

3. The experience of new cultures and history.

4. Not a whole lot. Vacations are meant to be fun where most rules are out of the window.

5. Believe it or not, while in the plane, I like to listen to the ambient music channel. It relaxes me. Apart from that, if I have my iPod in the city, it depends on my mood.

6. The most overrated would definitely be Dubai. I know that it has wonders of the world, but it is so artificial. It is like a concrete jungle.

Nazneen Tariq Khan (jewellery designer)

1. My favourite holiday destination is NY.

2. I wish I knew calculation (haha) but still I manage it somehow. I keep a specific amount separate for hotels, car rentals, food and ticket money and do all my fun stuff with the extra money.

3. My freedom is the most favourable thing during my trips. Over here I can’t go for a walk or sit with a cup of hot chocolate by myself without being judged. Also, I love sightseeing. Wish life was a big holiday!

4. I have to look after my diet due to my major allergies. So I eat well and walk a lot which I can’t do here.

5. I love music and of course I love listening to it in the car while going from one place to another. So I download all my favourite songs including some oldies and enjoy them during the trip.

6. I feel Dubai is an overrated city. Too artificial and extremely expensive.

Zia Gurchani (writer/actor)

1. Tokyo - for its phenomenal combination of East and West.

Paris - for its magnificent historic architecture and wandering in its alleys.

New York - for its vibrant thriving cosmopolitan ambience and its cultural offerings and pure energy.

2. I don't calculate. If I want to go out for a night in the town or buy various things or go sightseeing... I will do it, as one doesn't go on trips every week. Yet, I will not go beyond my limits and get stuck with debts. No!

3. Meeting people with varied experiences from different countries. I love talking to people from all backgrounds and races.

4. I walk, unless it is absolutely necessary to ride the subway. In summers I make best use of the hotel's swimming pool and swim like a fish.

5. Usually I want to connect with the local music scene. Even if I don't understand the lyrics, never mind. The strains of musical instruments, the tune, beat and rendition are usually soulful. In particular Farsi music, but Turkish, Arabic, Swahili, and even Chinese Opera are fascinating. Not that I understand it but I let the music descend upon me.

6. Bangkok. It really is now a Has-been. Thank you but - No Thank you!