Our trip to UDAIPUR, ‘the lake city of India’ or ‘the white city’ sits on the Lake Pichola…
Udaipur offers a great mix of… historical sites, beautiful architectures, lakes, natural attractions, delicious rajasthani food, multiple roof top restaurants with nice views, striking sunsets, art, craft and culture. The city has a very relaxed feel to it. You can easily walk around the city for the whole day… If you want to enjoy Udaipur in its full glory, it would be better to plan your trip during the winters. Summers are too hot. Best time for vacation in Udaipur would be October-March. Our trip to white city was in February… and it was an amazing experience!!
What to Pack: Cottons, Cottons & Cottons… all you need it light, airy cotton clothes. Carry your sun glasses, hats, umbrellas, a comfortable pair of shoes (you will be walking a lot). Pack any medications if you take any regularly, toiletries in travel size bottles. Don’t forget your chargers and batteries for phones, touch-pads, etc. Any credit cards, membership cards, lounge access cards, etc. Your id card, some cash, ticket printouts, hotel reservation prints. Most important carry your camera and memory cards and if you are much into photography, pack your tripod (we carry for all our trips).
How to reach: Udaipur has got Airport, Station and a bus stand. You can take any mode of preferred transport… by road or air. We took a flight from Mumbai to Udaipur.
Where to stay: Our top three favorites to stay in Udaipur would be – The Taj Lake Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas & The Leela Palace. The city is loaded with hotels. You will find many beautiful budget hotels as well. We would suggest stay close to Lake Pichola as all touristy places are around this lake… You can walk around historical monuments, colorful markets and mesmerize in the beauty of this amazing city…
Must See Places: The white city of Udaipur offers you an amazing lake views, beautiful palaces & forts, art museums, gardens, architectural temples, colorful local markets. You will be mesmerized by the scenic beauty of this city… Lake Pichola & Fateh Sagar Lake gives you a picture perfect views…
is majestic. Palace is truly a feast to the eyes… You can dedicate many hours of your day to this palace…
In night, the Palace looks all golden and you can see its reflection shimmering in the lake… which again is mesmerizing to the core…
The property includes two hotels, Shiv Niwas and Fateh Prakash. A part of palace is open to tourist… which is converted into the Museum… Then there is a part which is a current residence of Arvind Singhji Mewar.
Another museum is in Fateh Prakash hotel. It’s called the Crystal Gallery. It is spectacular. Cameras are not allowed inside.
Next comes in line is Jag Mandir Island Palace. This Palace is located on the southern island of Lake Pichola.
This Palace covers green gardens, marble chambers and eight stone elephants stand solemn guard at its entrance… This palace is a beautiful wedding location. In fact… the romance and beauty of Udaipur makes it an ideal wedding destination.
This palace is believed to have inspired many of its ideas for The Taj Mahal. The Jag Mandir Palace can be explored on a boat tour of Lake Pichola, which leaves from the banks near the City Palace every fifteen minutes.
You can also visit Sajjan Garh also know as Monsoon Palace.
Another surprisingly beautiful place was… a garden – Saheliyon-ki-Bari.
The garden features ornamental fountains, a lotus pool and a rose garden. This garden is worth a visit.
Another famous museum in Udaipur is the Vintage Car Museum.
The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety of classic and interestingly rare transportation vehicles…
Another not to miss place in Udaipur is Bagore Ki Haveli… In the evening, the haveli lightens and stages enjoyable performance of traditional dance and music of Rajasthan. The haveli looks marvelous with glowing lights in the night. Believe us… this cultural show is a must see…
We would recommend… do take the guided tours for City Palace, Jag Mandir Palace and Saheliyon-ki-Bari. Believe us… your experience will be much more magical…
Shopping: Udaipur markets are colorful. You just can not stop yourself from not buying things. Udaipur has huge number of small shops, big showrooms and roadside stalls that would offer you an extensive variety to choose from. You can explore outlets inside The City Palace and around Jagdish Temple. Look for Miniature paintings, bandhani and leheriya sarees, mojaris / juttis (handcrafted shoes) and other handicrafts.
Must Eat in Udaipur: Well of-course… in Rajasthan how can you not try a ‘Rajasthani Thali / Platter’…
Must Visit Restaurants:
Café Edelweiss, The Whistling Teal, Jagat Niwas, Palki Khana, Rajasthani Thali at Garden Restaurant.
Go for Drinks at Jagat Niwas, Upre or Panna Villas.
When in Udaipur… don’t miss the street food. Do try bread pakoda with a hot cup of tea at Kamlesh tea stall, kulhar coffee and cold coffee at Vinod fast food and café, Aaloo Paratha at Sai Baba Nashta Center, Ayad ka Samosa, Lala ki Kachori (Warning for the spice level – but again… a must try), Delhigate ki Jalebi…
Well… again… the food list for us always goes on and on… Let us know if you have any recommendations… we would love to explore new places when next in Udaipur…
All in all… Udaipur is a picture perfect city… a must visit for those who love photography!!!
We are sure we must have missed out on many things but just these few made for such a memorable vacation… Excited to hear your stories and experiences of this amazingly beautiful romantic city… Feel free to check with us for more details if you are planning to visit this white city soon…
Photo Credits: Megha Agarwal
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