The Royal Charm and Colorful Exuberance of Udaipur

The glory of my city Udaipur has often amazed me. The freshness I experience every time I visit some of my favourite hot spots has never faded with time. As one of the most popular tourist destinations of India, Rajasthan and in particular Udaipur, also known as the Venice of the East exudes a classy charm that allures many to come back for the next holiday or to recommend the place to family and friends. Right from the royally exuberant architecture to the colourful localities and mouth-watering delicacies, Udaipur has them all and more.

I am a lover of fine arts and exploring this amazing city is an unmatched experience that never gets old. The diverse options for budget vacations near Udaipur city have always encouraged me to pick one or sometimes two or more places for an impromptu visit with family. I also await the ten day Shilpgram festival, the arts and crafts fair that is celebrated from the 21^st until the 30^th of December.

Travel to Udaipur

My friends from India and abroad often seek my advice concerning the best travel itineraries for their impending visit to Udaipur. I have always recommended and taken pride in the fact that my city has its own airport, the Maharana Pratap Airport. It is very close to the centre of the city at a distance of just 22 km. Flights from places like Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Jaipur, to name a few, frequent the airport. But for my friends based out of Indian cities with no direct flights flying to Udaipur, I suggest them to land in Mumbai or Delhi to board a flight heading to Udaipur as it is not only convenient but the best viable option due to the frequency of the flights. There are also connecting flights to Jaipur from Muscat, Dubai, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. It is a good idea to avail a cheap and reliable car rental in Udaipur for sightseeing and to randomly enjoy what the city has in store. The drivers are well versed with the major tourist destinations leaving no stone unturned.

Udaipur – An overview

I love to book a taxi in Udaipur with an experienced driver to take my visiting friends and family to some of the must-see places in the city and nearby. The Udaipur City Palace is a must-visit inclusion in the checklist of things to do on a one day outing near Udaipur main city. The entry fee is INR 50 and the place is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Built on an island on Lake Pichola is the Jag Mandir palace which is an embanking testament of grandeur and clever architecture of the centuries old Mewar culture. I enjoy the boat ride in particular to experience the beauty and the solace that the temple offers. Arsi vilas, Mohan Mandir and Jag Niwas are the other three islands of the lake. A day’s visit to the beautiful lake is certainly worth it and for those looking for something lowkey, the Fateh Sagar Lake which has three islands with clean parks is a good choice to make.

For an impromptu one day outing near Udaipur, I frequent the Ahar which is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. It was the burial ground of the royal family and is now an archaeological museum with a collection of monuments that date back to the 10^th century. The mystic ruins of Ahar and its history have always intrigued and fascinated me and so I always insist my friends include this on their itinerary when they visit for more than two days.

The Jawahar Nagar ropeway ride has always been one of the fondest memories of my childhood weekend getaways near Udaipur. In fact, I have made it a tradition to personally take my visiting relatives and close friends for a round trip where they could view the wonderful city with its exotic lakes and islands. The place is open from 9 am to 5 pm while the cost of the ticket for a round trip is INR 80 per person. Another treat to the eyes is the Sajjangarh or the Monsoon palace that offers spectacular skyline views to the visitor. You may also book cabs to the resorts near Udaipur for a night stay.

Cabs in Udaipur

Commuting from one destination to another by hiring the local cabs have been a suitable option for me to explore the city of Udaipur. The Hathi Pol Bazaar is one such must-visit place. It is a famous shopping hotspot of the city. It is open from 10 am to 10 pm and if one has the knack for bargaining, then, shopping becomes much more interesting.

There are a couple of extravagant restaurants recommended for savouring the authentic Rajasthani delicacies of which the Raas Leela is quite famous. It is economical and boasts of a great ambiance too. Apart from the local cuisine, the place is also famous for North Indian, Continental, and Chinese delicacies.

Distance and Time Taken

Weekends never get boring for me when I am in my home city. By flight, it hardly takes less than two hours to reach Udaipur and vice versa. It is well connected to the major cities of India with both direct and connecting flights. Exploring the wonderful city is best done in cabs and by staying in hotels in the city’s centre to access all the must-visits with ease.