Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 1612 30 July 2016 12 Known as India’s Venice, Udaipur is dotted with floating palaces and lakeside havelis (mansions) and was the setting for the James Bond movie, Octopussy. “The Lady of the Lake” is a spectacular floating palace of pearlescent white marble that glistens in the twilight. Inside, it’s like a Venetian palace with stained glass windows, intricate coloured mirror work, miniature paintings, fine glass mosaic inlays and fretwork. From Udaipur, a short scenic drive though the Aravali Hills leads to the enchanting Devigarh, a rambling 18th-century fort palace in the village of Delwara. The former royal residence of the rulers of Delwara has been restored to a luxurious retreat with a distinctly modern edge — right down to the designer food. In nearby Jaipur, the Pink City, the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal) and the City Palace reign supreme. But I’m off to my own royal abode. Rambagh Palace is the former home of Rajasthani royalty such as 17th-century Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II and glamorous 20th‑century Queen Rajmata Gayatri Devi. Full of period furniture, its rooms are named after famous guests such as Lord Mountbatten. Winding marble corridors hung with Rajasthani art lead to fountains and parterre gardens. A marriage of Rajput and Moghul architecture, Rambagh is spread over 19 hectares of lawns and gardens that evoke memories of elephants and polo-playing princes. Built in 1835, Rambagh became the residence of the Maharajah of Jaipur until the Taj group took over the palace in 1957, converting it to a five-star hotel. In the finest tradition of Rajput hospitality, Rambagh offers its guests a taste of royal living that was once the sole preserve of kings — butlers, doormen, Rolls Royces and cocktails at the Polo Bar. Rajasthan isn’t the only place to find palace hotels. In Hyderabad, in southern India, the Taj’s Falaknuma Palace features large Venetian chandeliers, rare furniture, grand marble staircases, priceless statues and artworks, stained-glass windows, crystal, a library that’s a replica of the one at Windsor Castle with one of the most acclaimed collections of the Koran in the world. There’s also a new small boutique five-star palace hotel called Brijrama in Varanasi, situated right on the ghats (riverfront steps). Opened in mid-March, it has taken six years of renovation to return it to its former splendour. Staying in a palace is an unforgettable experience but you can always visit one of the non‑hotel variety. The Amber Fort and Palace outside Jaipur, the Palace of the Winds in Jodhpur, or the spectacular city palaces in Jaipur and Udaipur are worth seeking out. Karen Halabi was a guest of Tikka Tours, tikkatours.com.au. The gardens at Rambagh Palace The Lake Palace where Octopussy was filmed Staff at Devigarh TM EUROPE RIVER CRUISE SALE $2760 OFF PER COUPLE! From $2199 pp 12 Day Danube River Cruise with Prague* Deluxe cruise on Gate 1’s own new 5-star MS Monarch Empress in July & August 2017. Call for details and quote promotion code GXDP1380A Discover More of the World for Less with Gate 1 Travel Europe • Asia • Africa • USA & Canada • Latin America • River Cruises *Valid until 10 August, 2016, subject to availability. Promo code must be advised at time of new booking & not valid in conjunction with other offers. Price based on twin occupancy & subject to change. Booking conditions apply at www.gate1travel.com.au or call 1300 653 618. ABN 74 169 034 575. ATAS accreditation number A11423 Subscribe to WIN Get exclusive travel deals & enter to win a $4000 travel voucher at www.gate1travel.com.au Gate 1 Travel has been operating affordable first class tours for over 35 years. You will be amazed at the inclusions and high quality service that you receive for the price.