Set on the shores of the pristine Lake Pichola, Udaipur is surrounded by the Aravalli Ranges of Rajasthan. Often referred to as the City of Lakes, the city was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty was driven away by the Mughals. The famous City Palace, a majestic white monument, stands on the banks of the lake. Originally built by Mahrana Uday Singh II, the elegant palace built entirely in granite and marble, rises nearly 100 feet (30 metres) above Lake Pichola boasting fantastic panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.
The Palace itself is an amalgamation of eleven fascinating palaces built by different rulers at different times dating back to 1550, each resembling one another. From City Palace you can view the white marble Lake Palace, built in 1746, set amidst the scenic Pichola Lake, nestled between the Aravalli Hills and City Palace, stretching over a four-acre island. Originally built as a royal summer house, the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel.
By Katie Shaw
6 August 2018
This week saw the return of the BBC's The Real Marigold Hotel, a travel documentary series wherein a group of nine famous senior celebrities pack their bags and head to India, for a once in a lifetime trip uncovering the fascinating history, wonderful scenery and unique cultural differences of this kaleidoscopic destination.
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By Sukie Chapman
18 January 2018
You love rail travel but also want to explore further afield than Europe; this is a conundrum many of our customers call us about.
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By Lorna Heatley
16 August 2017
70 years ago, on the 15th of August 1947 India became the country that we know and love today. Following the departure of the British after nearly 200 years of what is known as the ‘British Raj’ (or ‘British Rule’), India suffered a period of turmoil, with Pakistan off from India, but it has since risen to become one of the main superpowers of the modern world.
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By Peter Liney
25 April 2017
A firm handshake and a broad smile; his name was David (a member of Kerala’s Christian community who make up 20% of the population here), and with this and this alone, he welcomed me aboard his giant Chinese fishing net. Here a team of six lowered the netting over 250 times a day into the estuary below, which just a few short metres away transformed into the Arabian Sea.
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