Murree , General info:
7/10

Murree is a hill station close to the capital city Islamabad. Its 7500 feet above sea level, so remains cool even in summer. Being in close vicinity to Islamabad it gets huge number of tourists. Its economy is mostly based on tourism. I winter it gets snow and attracts huge crowds from nearby cities.

Murree , Cheap stuff:
8/10

Murree's Mall Road is shoppers paradise. Shawls, Stoles, dry fruits and locally embroidered dresses are speciatities.

Murree , Different stuff:
7/10

Abundance of dry fruits

Murree , Don't miss:
8/10

The Mall with its three levels of shopping in a hilly area is definitely not to be missed. In addition there are many lovely hiking tracks.

Murree , Food:
7/10

All kinds of Pakistani and international varieties especially Chinese food is available everywhere. Not to be missed is the local breakfast of omelletes and parathas with doodh patti tea. They have lovely version of french fries too.

Murree , Hotels:
9/10

PC Bhurban, Shangrila, Blue Pines, and 100s more. All over Murree one can find hotels, restaurants and shopping areas

Murree , Safety:
8/10

Its perfectly safe

Stafford, Staffordshire , Cheap stuff:
1/10

The local market survives - just, given the competition it faces (see above). In the markey one may buy artfully camouflaged poor-quality fruit and veg (that's produce), dodgy electrical goods, replacement hoses for old washing machines and, an exciting addition to the local retail experience, Polish foodstuffs.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Different stuff:
5/10

Stafford has in recent years become home to a large number of mostly young people from eastern Europe. They are quiet, polite, hardworking, healthy and attractive, and perform sterling service in local shops and farms. This failure to blend in with the locals has caused some comment. Mostly appreciative.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Don't miss:
6/10

Um. The open-air Shakespeare at the castle at the end of June is fun. Unless it rains. The park alongside the river has been replanted and developed and is rather pretty in the summer. Unless it's flooded.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Food:
2/10

Don't ask. There are no decent restaurants in Stafford. Although the cafe in Marks is OK.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Hotels:
3/10

The Swan, an old coaching inn, on the main street. There are others, but none that I'd consider. There's a more upmarket one in the village of Acton Trussel, a few miles out of town.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Safety:
7/10

If you're in any way vulnerable (ie. aged, young, drunk or drugged, lost), best to avoid walking around the small areas of suburban low-income housing on the outskirts of town. Gangs of amateurishly unpleasant children and youths might well give you a hard time, in between smashing the glass in bus shelters and gobbing on the few remaining public telephones. Also, the town centre after 8pm on a weekend evening is the rightful domain of the drunken British young adult. There are drunken assaults, there is vomit, there are loud and ugly voices. It's not pleasant. Other then that, no probs.