DRIVE TO JAIPUR ABOUT 5
HOURS
Jaipur, known as the Pink City because
of the painted stone buildings, is a lively and bustling
place founded in 1727. The Maharajahs of Jaipur were always
amongst the most powerful and wealthy of Rajasthan. Today,
visitors can explore the lavish architectural projects sponsored
by the royal family, including the Jantar Mantar observatory.
Constructed by the scholar Maharajah Jai Singh II, this
celestial device is still accurate almost three hundred
years on. The City Palace houses a magnificent, if somewhat
eclectic, museum of
miniature paintings, textiles and costumes, weapons and
musical instruments. Outside the city the magnificent Amber
Palace lies on top of a hill, best climbed by elephant,
where you'll find a number of impressive public rooms decorated
with marble, mirror work and mosaics.
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ALSISAR HAVELI, JAIPUR
Built in 1892, the Alsisar Haveli has
the elegant style of a bygone era. Delicately painted Mughal
archways lead through a central lobby towards 36 guest bedrooms,
decorated in true Rajasthani style, with hand printed fabric
and glasswork complemented by modern conveniences such as
air-conditioning. The design of the swimming pool is in keeping
with the traditional
style and leads onto well kept gardens. Authentic local dishes
are served in the restaurant, enlivened each night by traditional
music and puppet displays.
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