Why go?

Surrounded by the mighty Aravalli Mountain Range and set on the edge of three large lakes, the city of Udaipur is known as the ‘Venice of the East’. Follow the scent of spices into its winding streets where magni cent palaces jostle for space with historic townhouses hewn from ochre-coloured stone. January is an ideal time to visit thanks to sunny days and cool nights, which lend themselves to starlit strolls along the water’s edge.

What to do

Weave your way through the maze of narrow city centre streets to the majestic City Palace tourism.rajasthan.gov.in – a beautiful blend of Mughal and Rajasthani styles, with brightly coloured domes, secretive courtyards and hundreds of scalloped balconies. Close by, the 32 marble steps that lead up to the main shrine at Jagdish Temple are well worth the climb. This Hindu building is an architectural marvel, entirely covered with intricate carvings of elephants and worshippers. Rub shoulders with locals at Chetak Circle and Bada Bazaar, which heave with handicrafts, miniature paintings and elaborate jewellery, although you’ll need to bring your best haggling skills to get a good price. Try a cooking class with Shashi Sanadhya, a passionate home cook who will reveal the secrets of Indian breads, authentic vegetarian curries and mango chutney in her immaculate kitchen 00 91 992 930 3511, shashicookingclasses.blogspot.co.uk. You’ll be hard- pressed to choose where to watch the sunset: Monsoon Palace with its panoramic views, or a cruise on glimmering Lake Pichola. Arrive early to ensure a good seat at Bagore Ki Haveli’s 00 91 294 252 3858, wzccindia.com nightly Dharohar Dance show, which provides colourful insights into Rajasthan’s rich folklore tradition.

Where to stay

Once a royal summer retreat, the Taj Lake Palace 00 91 294 242 8800, tajhotels.com sits in the middle of Lake Pichola, offering tranquil luxury and breathtaking views. Another property with regal accents is Chunda Palace 00 91 730 004 3828, chundapalace.com which has striking bedrooms, traditional hand-painted interiors and a roof terrace. For a peaceful haven, look no further than Bujera Fort 00 91 800 369 9042, bujerafort.com – located a little way out of the city’s centre, this pale pink oasis is intimate yet grand, thanks to silken fabrics throughout and heavy, carved doors. On the banks of Lake Pichola you’ll nd The Oberoi Udaivilas 00 91 294 243 3300, oberoihotels.com a spacious hotel spread over 50 acres, with an expansive infinity pool and rooms that ooze modern luxury.

Where to eat and drink

Rajasthani cuisine is predominantly vegetarian and largely based on ghee, pulses, dried fruit and yoghurt. Feast on traditional plates at Krishna Dal Bati Retro 00 91 900 105 5322, krishnadalbatirestro.in which is known for its thalis and dal bati churma (local dumplings served with spicy lentil curry). If you’re in the mood for a sundowner, The Sunset Terrace at Fateh Prakash Palace 00 91 294 252 8017, hrhhotels.com is the ideal spot thanks to scenic lakeside views and live local music. Dine by candlelight at Sheesh Mahal at The Leela Palace hotel 00 91 294 670 1234, theleela.com a romantic terrace setting where traditional Indian dishes are given a contemporary twist and served alongside wines from an expansive cellar. In the heart of the city you’ll find Neelam 00 91 946 251 0340, a homely spot that provides a real taste of India, featuring vegetarian dishes such as jeera aloo (cumin-spiced potatoes) and channa masala (fragrant chickpeas). For rooftop dining, head to Jaiwana Haveli 00 91 294 241 1103, jaiwanahaveli.com in the historic centre, to soak up the magnificent city views while feasting on regional dishes. Think laal maas (mutton with spiced red curry) and gatte ki sabzi (fried gram our dumplings with tomato gravy and yoghurt).

Time running out?

Don’t miss a stroll around Lake Pichola at sunrise. The oldest and most scenic lake in the city, it was also used as the setting for the 1983 James Bond lm, Octopussy.

Travel Information

Travel Information

Currency is the Indian rupee. Time is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT. Flight time from London is around 11.5 hours.

Getting There

Air India offers regular services from London Heathrow to Udaipur with one stopover in Delhi. airindia.in

Emirates flies several times a week from London Gatwick to Udaipur via Dubai and Mumbai. emirates.com

Resources

Rajasthan Tourism is a useful source of information on Udaipur. tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/udaipur