LAKESIDE LEISURE

The art of balancing heritage trails and palace luxury in Udaipur, Rajasthan

- SRUSHTI KULKARNI

It’s the eternal holiday dilemma, especially when the destination is bursting with heritage, palaces and dreamy stays. You’ve splurged on that luxurious hotel and want to soak in every moment of it, yet at the same time, the pull of exploring a new city you’ve never been to before is irresistible. The question is: how do you do justice to both, savouring the stay you’ve paid dearly for while still getting a real taste of the place you’ve travelled all this way to see?

And then comes the balancing act—how do you make the most of a three-day getaway, squeezing in both the indulgence of your stay and the essence of the city? We found ourselves facing this exact dilemma in Udaipur (though truth be told, it happens almost everywhere). But this trip felt especially important, after all, the city is a treasure trove for culture vultures and history buffs alike, steeped in the legacy of Rajputana, the valour of Maharana Pratap and stories etched into its palaces and lakes. At the same time, the newly opened Fairmont Udaipur Palace was an experience in itself, so enchanting that we couldn’t help but linger and soak it all in.