Jaipur

Located in the desert region of Rajasthan, the ‘Pink city’ of Jaipur is one of the region’s most popular cities, and is well loved by the millions of tourists who visit every year. If you are looking for something a little different from the hustle and bustle of Delhi, and want to explore sites and attractions off the beaten track, then this lovely city could well be the place for your next holiday.

What to see

Jaipur is full of wonderful monuments to India’s past, and retains a vibrant cultural life, with lots of festivals every year. These festivals include the Elephant Festival, celebrated every year in March, in which elephants are dressed in ceremonial costume and paint and take part in races, polo matches and tugs of war; the Kite Festival in January; and the popular Teej festival, which celebrates the arrival of the monsoon after the scorching heat of summer.

Jaipur is also famous for its array of rich public gardens. Kanak Vrindavan, close to the Amber Fort on the Jaipur-Amber road, is a beautiful green valley, well worth exploring. 10kms outside Jaipur you will find Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh, which was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh as a symbol of his love for his queen. Another superb garden is Vidyadhar, 8km east of Jaipur; it makes a lovely oasis in the parched desert which surrounds it.

Come to Jaipur and you will have the chance to explore its outstanding monuments, such as the amazing Amber Fort, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal (built 1799); the Statue Circle, a popular evening meeting place for local citizens; and Gaitore, a grand royal cremation building 15km outside the city. Those interested in the region’s religious life will also want to visit the Moti Dungri Temple, the adjacent Birla Temple, and Galtaji, a holy pilgrimage site for followers of Hinduism.

Where to eat and drink

For a breakfast of fresh food, delicious cake and coffee, supplied from the adjacent organic farm, head to the Anokhi Cafe. It serves organically sourced Western/European dishes. This is a particularly good choice if you are looking for a change from local cuisine, and some of the dishes you can enjoy here include blue cheese salad and betroot and feta pizza. The cafe also serves excellent iced tea and cookies. For authentic local cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere, your next restaurant visit should be to Nirula's Potpourri, which has plenty of space, ambient lighting and a wide and varied menu. The service is excellent. Other options for meals out are Lassiwala (where you can sample lassi, a delicious sweet yoghurt drink made with saffron); the Forresta Kitchen and Bar (serving Continental, Chinese and Indian dishes); Surya Mahal (delicious South Indian cuisine) and Niro's (an excellent choice for late dinner).

With so much to do and see in this vibrant and truly unique city, it is no wonder Jaipur proves popular year after year with discerning tourists looking for a lively, interesting and rewarding holiday experience. Holiday Rental Homes now promotes luxury accommodation in Jaipur, so if you are planning a vacation to the city, feel free to browse our collection of high-quality properties.