Luxury holidays in Udaipur
Shimmering Lake Pichola close to Udaipur is one of the city’s main draws; the largest of the city’s many lakes, it has a starring role in James Bond film Octopussy, when the suave spy emerges from it disguised as an alligator. Take a boat trip across the languid waters to beautiful Bagore-Ki-Haveli, a palatial 18th-century mansion housing colourful Mewar artwork and traditional costumes, or visit the extravagantly decorated City Palace museum, to discover the story of the city’s origins. The shady, bougainvillea-filled paths, marble elephants, embellished pavilions and grand fountains in Saheliyon-ki-Bari (the ‘garden of maids’) are a must-see – legend has it, the king designed the garden himself to present to his queen-to-be and her 48 maids, so it may give your other half some ideas…
When to go
The best time to visit is in winter, from September to March, when the tropical climate gives way to milder temperatures. In summer, temperatures soar, making it uncomfortably hot for visitors.