TIME TRAVEL

Guests at Belgadia have plenty to explore in the town of Baripada and further, but staying indoors has its perks, too. The 18th-century double-storeyed palace, with a blend of Greek and Victorian architecture styles, is a living museum. The family issues day-tour tickets to visitors passing by the region, but a weekend stay is an opportunity to travel back in time. From the retro bathtubs and taxidermy trophies—there’s a thrilling story of a man-eating crocodile that comes with the reptile’s skeletal remains on the walls—to dainty wrought iron staircases winding up to hidden chambers, the original decor has been maintained.

Refurbishments, especially the macaroon-colourcoded rooms, reflect the princesses’ millennial tastes that hit the sweet spot for guests from around the globe. The family occupies a wing of the palace