Located in the
Rajasthan region of
India, Udaipur, known by many as the
Venice of the
East, was founded in 1599
AD by
Maharaja Udai Singh. While
Rajasthan itself is home to many of the most beautiful places in India (
Jaipur and
Jodpur, among others) Udaipur stands out as an unforgettable city. Dusk viewed from the rooftops of any of the cafes or restaurants is an event unto its own.
The Lake Palace (a converted Palace which is now a 5 star hotel) dwells in the midst of
Lake Pichola and is only accessible by boat. A close runner up in terms of luxury and views, is the
Shivnivas Palace (also a 5 star hotel), which is on the grounds of the City Palace Museum. The Shivnivas has hosted such famous visitors as
Jackie Kennedy and lives in infamy as the backdrop for a scene in the
James Bond classic,
Octopussy.
Other sites to see in and around Udaipur include the
Jagadish Temple, the Ahar Museum, the
Chittorgarh and
Fateh Sagar.