Jaipur

Jaipur, the rose, is still appealing despite its heavy traffic, incessant noise and pollution. Walk along the rectilinear avenues, almost all dotted with stalls, specialised bazars per trade and terraces, wonderful lively areas. In the south, Jauhari Bazar, the jewelry and fabric market is one of the most attractive parts of the town. Get into the City Palace, a vast palatial complex. It has most of the town's tourist curiosities with its splendid façade of the Wind Palace, first reserved to women of the royal circle, the Astronomical Observatory where there are monumental instruments such as the 88 feet high sundial and the City Palace itself, a blend of Moghol and Rajasthani architectures.

Remember to take cash with you when visiting the big cities, and make sure you have some change, as the shopkeepers rarely have any.

All the Indian dishes are worth trying, and the advantage of Rajasthan is that its cuisine is less spicy than that in the south. Make sure you try the spinach with cheese, the rice mixed with chicken and onions, and the meat dishes, which are all delicious. Avoid eating raw vegetables and drinking water that is not bottled.