The Grand Palace Laxmi Vilas Palace, Udaipur

Advantages: Beautiful scenery and impressive history
Disadvantages: the lake can dry up in a drought

...If you are visiting the town of Udaipur a boat trip on the lake is essential. Lake Pichola is a man made lake that was built in the 14th century and it is amazing to realise that it is 8 kilometers square and is fed only by rainwater. Cruising on the lake in a low slung open boat, you head towards the Lake Palace hotel, made of beautiful white marble. It is now a first class hotel where you cn go for a sumptuous meal for about £15.00. As you cruise away from the shore, you look back to see the ghats (platforms) where the people wash their clothes and themselves. The water appears clean, but lurking in the crevices by the walls an accumulation of scum and debris makes one shudder at the thought of the bugs to be picked up by the unwary traveller. On the other side of the lake is a small island palace called Jag Mandir... Read review

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Advantages: Lovely place, laid back lifestyle, peaceful atmosphere,cultural capital
Disadvantages: Not much night life

...famous Brindavan Gardens and the Krishnaraja Sagar dam were built in this time too. With the advent of Independence in 1947, Mysore passed under the Government and the Wodeyar dynasty came to an end. While Mysore does have a number of palaces, forts, museums the crowning glory is undoubtedly the Mysore Maharaja Palace. The original wooden palace was destroyed by a fire in 1897 and the new one was rebuilt by Henry Irwin in 1911.The exterior of the palace has Indo saracenic features with a series of domes and arches. The interior of the palace is richly decorated especially the Grand Durbar Hall. Filled with ornate ceilings, intricately carved doors, frescos from the epics give a royal splendour.To the south we have the Kalyana Mantapam, which has an octagonal roof covered by stainless glasses. Tall iron pillars wrought at Glasgow adorn... Read review

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Advantages: Heritage
Disadvantages: Temprate and arid zones

...of the unique pink stone construction of the buildings.The city is jeweled by the’Amber Fort’ and is bustling with activity. The next to see would be Ajmer, seat of the world famous Garib Nawaj mosque where Muslims and Hindus pay their respects equally. Next on the route is Chittorgarh,once the seat of the heroic Rajputs.Rani Padmini had committed ‘Jahar’,self immolation in fire to protect dignity from a muslim king at her palace here and is revered by women all over India.Chittorgarh is made memorable by Mirabai for her bhajans(devotional songs) and her divine love for Lord Krishna.Victory Tower is also worth seeing. The one to come next in the itinerary is Udaipur,one of the most illustrious cities of Rajasthan,boasts of the Lake Palace Hotel, The Palace and the heroic deeds of Rana Pratap against the Moghul aggression. All... Read review

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