This romantic city is one of the most beautiful in India. Intricately carved white buildings and temples flank the serene Lake Pichola, in the centre of which floats the fairytale Lake Palace. Famously featured in James Bond’s Octopussy, Udaipur exemplifies all the beauty and majesty of princely Rajasthan.

See:

• City Palace – This impressive royal residence features carved balconies, lavish peacock mosaics, ornate mirrors, coloured glasswork, and peaceful gardens. Take a guided tour to fully appreciate the history of this opulent building.
• Jagdish Temple – Two huge stone elephants welcome you to this beautifully carved Indo-Aryan temple. Climb the 32 marble steps to reach the main shrine, which features a brass image of Garuda, and striking statue of the four-armed Lord Vishnu, carved out of a single piece of black stone.
• Bagore-ki-Haveli – This magnificent 138-room home was built by an 18th century Rajasthani prime minister and contains fascinating cultural displays and works of art. One room even features the world’s largest turban!

Experience:

• Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola, where you can play James Bond with a close-up view of the stunning Lake Palace, now an exclusive 5-star hotel.
• Watch a traditional Rajasthani dance performance at Bagore-ki-Haveli. These performers will leave you transfixed as they whirl in circles, balance flaming jars on their heads, and even dance over broken glass!
• Admire the sunset from the crumbling Monsoon Palace, located in the lush mountains around Udaipur.

Secrets of the city:

• Fans of Indian cuisine will love Udaipur. The city’s spice shops sell high-quality saffron at a fraction of the price back home, and there are opportunities to join in an Indian cookery class.
• Automobile fans will enjoy the Maharaja’s Vintage and Classic Car Collection, which includes a gorgeous 1938 Cadillac and the actual Rolls Royce Phantom used in Octopussy.