Udaipur is a city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, it’s set around a series of artificial lakes that were created to supply water to nearby villages after flooding a small valley in 1362 and is known for its lavish royal residences. City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola, is a monumental complex of 11 palaces, courtyards and gardens, famed for its intricate peacock mosaics. The Lake has been known to almost dry up in drought years where the old town of Pichola is sometimes visible. Jag Niwas Island is home to the Royal’s Lake Palace, and Jag Mandir island is now the Taj Palace Hotel, where a basic room might set you back £550 a night!

It’s very calm and serene and full of hotels and havelis on the lakeside, behind this are hectic narrow streets (not wide enough for cars) humming with markets, shops, restaurants and businesses.

Its also home to a big hand made clothing scene, linen, silk, cotton, wool mix, for trousers, shirts, jackets, waistcoats or dresses and saris. David ordered 2 pairs of good quality linen trousers and 2 short sleeved shirts, made to fit, in 24 hours for about £45. In the meantime, I went next door and signed up for a wonderful massage, I was scrubbed with herbs and essential oils, masaged from head to foot and had a pedicure. I left 2.5 hours later, cleaner, lighter and looser, all for £25. The Indian head massage was simply heaven!!!

We spent our one full day here at the City Palace, the hugest place we have seen so far, its a mix of 11 palaces, all added and extended over time, blended with gardens and courtyards. It’s decorative, informative and full of historical exhibits, including old carriages and clothing used and worn over the centuries. The Palaces also have several blue and white “areas”, decorated with Portuguese tiles, depicting the national bird, the Peacock.

We left the Palace and walked around the Lake to a “skyride” to the top of the small mountain behind the city. This facility is fairly new and Indians are in awe of it! The views are over the lake, it was another humid day when we were there so views were a little hazy.

From the skyride, we took a boat ride around the main features of Lake Pichola, gawped at the Palace and the Taj Hotel before heading back to our own hotel for dinner in the roof top restaurant. All in all, a lovely relaxing city full of gentle, stress free people.