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Udaipur

Founded in 1559 by local ruler Maharana Udai Singh II, Udaipur was the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. Once the stomping grounds of the aristocracy, Udaipur's scenic lakes and elegant palaces now host visiting royalty of a different sort, from Bollywood stars and producers to India's business and political elite. The view of the City Palace skyline with Lake Pichola and its island place in the foreground is one of India's most famous. Although the sobriquet "fairy-tale city" has worn thin, Udaipur's architecture and interconnected lakes remain evocative of a bygone charm. Even today, amid the rampant development sweeping much of India, Udaipur retains the feel of the days of both the British Raj and the maharajas, both of whom once ruled over this idyllic city.

EXPERIENCES

City Palace

Visit the City Palace, the largest palace in Rajasthan, which was continuously enlarged by the rulers of Udaipur since the 16th century. Highlights of the City Palace include the Tripolia entrance gate built in 1713; the Chandra Mahal, famous for its beautiful columns, fretwork windows and marble reliefs of Rajput women; and the Mor Chowk, or Peacock Courtyard, which gets its name from the inlaid glass mosaics of peacocks on its walls.

Devi Garh & Delwara Village

Visit Devi Garh, an 18th-century fort-palace in the village of Delwara. Now restored as a 39-room boutique hotel, whose design incorporates local semi-precious stones, Devi Garh is surrounded by lush green fields and mountains on three sides and is close to the striking temples of Eklingji and Nagda.

Delwara is a 450-year-old village that is still steeped in traditional ways. It is home to four exquisitely carved 14th-century Jain temples, and its diverse agrarian community includes members of the Bhil tribe, Muslims and Jains.

Fateh Prakash

Walk from the City Palace to the 19th-century Fateh Prakash, which contains a magnificent durbar, or ceremonial hall, an excellent portrait gallery and the famous gallery of crystal furniture and chandeliers imported from England.

Jagdish Temple

Visit Jagdish Temple, the largest temple in Udaipur. It was constructed in the first part of the 17th century and dedicated to Lord Jagannath. Climb a steep stairway to enter the temple and view the pyramid-shaped spire, decorated with carved friezes of women, elephants, musicians and horsemen. The interior is a tour de force of carved stone and contains shrines dedicated to local deities.

Lake Pichola Cruise

Go for a private cruise around Lake Pichola, which is surrounded by the Aravalli mountains. The terrific views of architecture of Udaipur and the surrounding countryside may help you understand why Udaipur has sometimes been called the “Venice of Rajasthan.”

Ranakpur Jain Temple

Take a day-trip pilgrimage to the awe-inspiring Jain temple complex at Ranakpur, considered by many to be among the most important temple sites in northern India, and one of the five great holy places of the Jain faith.

Ranakpur is dominated by the magnificent Adinath Temple, where an exterior of simplified marble blocks gives way to interior spaces of white marble so intricately carved that they must be examined closely to appreciate their fine detail. This design is symbolic of the Jain belief in the insignificance of outward display compared to a rich inner life.

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Wildlife Parks

BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK

SATPURA NATIONAL PARK

PREFERRED HOTEL

Taj Lake Palace

The white marble Taj Lake Palace seems to float magically in the middle of the stunning Lake Pichola, facing the city of Udaipur against the backdrop of the Aravalli Mountains. The hotel’s 83 individually decorated rooms and suites are located in a former royal palace that is only accessible from the mainland by boat. Recently renovated and updated, the Taj Lake Palace is considered one of the most romantic hotels in the world. The Neel Kamal restaurant serves Rajasthani cuisine; the Jharokha room offers light international fare; and the open-air rooftop restaurant Bhairo has clear view of the City Palace. There is a lakeside bar and lounge with incredible views of the surrounding countryside. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, hot and cold Jacuzzis and an aerobic workout room, though no fitness center. The business center has computers and mobile phones for hire, broadband Internet access and wi-fi access. The Jiva spa offers traditional Indian spa treatments, and is available for exercise and relaxation. Taj Lake Palace is a 40-minute drive to the airport in Dabok (UDR).

PREFERRED HOTEL

The Leela Palace Udaipur

A 45-minute drive from Maharana Pratap Airport lies the Leela Palace Udaipur, a five-star property on the banks of Lake Pichola. Sporting sweeping views of the City Palace and the majestic Aravalli Mountains, the Leela Palace Udaipur features seventy-two rooms and suites divided into six categories, all decorated in sepia tones with local textiles and artwork. The in-house restaurant, the Dining Room, offers a cornucopia of cuisines throughout the day; the Sheesh Mahal, a rooftop restaurant on the lakeside that offers fine dining under the stars, and serves cuisine from the royal kitchens of India; and the Library Bar, an intimate lounge that fuses English club decor with Indian aesthetic principles. Food can also be served by the mosaic-tiled pool overlooking Lake Pichola, or in guests’ rooms. Other amenities include a spa by ESPA, yoga lessons, badminton, boat rides, cooking classes with one of the property’s chefs and much more.

PREFERRED HOTEL

The Oberoi Udaivilas

Nestled along the beautiful Lake Pichola, The Oberoi is designed after the majestic Indian palaces of yore that litter the Mewar region: grand pavilions and domes, decorated with frescos and adorned with artifacts stun the senses, while top quality service lends a touch of regality to your travels. Many of the 90 rooms, designed to evoke the history and culture of Rajasthan, have terraces that open on to semi-private swimming pools; suites include private swimming pools and outdoor dining pavilions. Dining options include: Chandni, an upscale Indian restaurant; Suryamahal, for European, Mediterranean and Thai dishes; and Udaimahal, a dining experience approximating the opulence of maharajas. The Udaivilas has a business center, an excellent Oberoi spa, two pools and a sports complex. The hotel is a 40-minute drive from Dabok Airport (UDR).

Devi Garh

An 18th-century fort and palace in the village of Delwara, an hour and a half drive from Udaipur’s airport, Devi Garh is centered around five courtyards. Surrounded by lush green fields and mountains on three sides, Devi Garh overlooks Delwara, and is near the temples of Eklingji and Nagda. The palace was recently restored as a hotel, and boasts thirty-nine rooms; all rooms feature complimentary internet, electronic safes, Ipod docks on request, climate control, flat-screen televisions, and room service. The in-house restaurant offers a mix of international and Indian cuisines, and the hotel bar is stocked with a variety of delicious drinks as well as a refined take on chaat, or savory street food. Amenities include a spa run by world-renowned cosmetics company L’Occitane, a business center, a heated swimming pool, and a fully-equipped fitness center.

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