TRAVEL INFO

GETTING THERE: Spicejet has daily flights from Dubai to Jaipur, from Dh425 return. Air Arabia has daily flights to Jaipur from Sharjah, from Dh825 return. Travel agencies can organise itineraries that include road journeys between cities, drivers, guides and entrance to tourist attractions.

WHERE TO STAY: Room rates at ITC Rajputana in Jaipur start from around Dh730 for a double room, including a buffet breakfast (itchotels.in). In Jodhpur, WelcomHotel offers double rooms from Rs6,000 (Dh322), including breakfast (itchotels.in). Udaipur has a wide range of heritage hotels, palaces that have been converted into luxurious hotels and reasonably priced homestays. For an authentic experience that won’t hurt your pocket, stay at Lalit Laxmi Vilas. Overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake, this century-old palace has been converted into a five-star hotel with 55 beautifully designed rooms and suites. Don’t forget to try laal maans (red mutton curry) at the hotel’s Aangan restaurant. A double room starts from Rs9,200 (thelalit.com).

WHERE TO EAT: Jaipur has a wide variety of restaurants offering authentic to fine-dining experiences. Virasat Heritage Restaurant is right in the centre of the city. It offers traditional ambience, folk music and a classic Rajasthani thali (virasatrestaurant.com). In Jodhpur, give the reasonably-priced On the Rocks a try. It has an Indian, Chinese and Italian menu.

WHERE TO SHOP: Ensure you have Gem Palace on your itinerary – it’s considered to be the world’s oldest jewellery store. Teatro Dhora is a great place to find clothes, jewellery, accessories and houseware from some of India’s emerging designers. In Jodhpur, visit the Clock Tower or Ghanta Ghar for vibrant tie-dyed clothes, handicrafts and antiques and the famous Mathania red chillies. The flaming red colour and heat are like no other. In Udaipur, go to Bada Bazaar. In addition to stores that offer clothes in ethnic prints, it has a massive shoe department and stores that sell silver and camel bone jewellery.