Jaipur is the capital of India's Rajasthan state. It's called the "Pink City" for its trademark building colour. Here you could find sights like the 16th century Amber Palace and Fort (which I particularly found amazing), or the opulent City Palace with its beautiful gardens, courtyards and museums.

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WEATHER

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Jaipur has a semi-arid climate. The rainy season comprehends the months of July and August; so better to avoid these months if you are not a big fan of rain. The best time to visit this city is from November till March, where you will experience a cooler weather (between 20°C and 25°C).

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We visited Jaipur in June and the weather was really hot and humid, but I really enjoyed it! So it all depends on what you prefer.

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TRANSPORT

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We visited Jaipur as part of a Virgin Holidays tour and all the transfers were included. We went from Agra to Jaipur by private coach and it took us around three and a half hours.

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There are different ways of transport to reach Jaipur. If you would like to travel by train, you could check this website Trains to Jaipur, where you will find useful information about the different train companies, prices and the journey duration. 

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You could also travel to this city by taxi. If you are coming from Agra, a taxi can cost you approximately Rs 4,500 ( £47). 

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Once in Jaipur, the best way to get around is taking the rickshaw. 

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PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO

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Day 1

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• ​Allow plenty of time to visit Amber Fort and Palace, a honey coloured fortress palace located in the Aravi Hills. Due to concerns over elephant welfare Virgin Holidays didn't offer the excursion to the fort by elephant, so they took us by jeep instead. I loved the whole experience and this was one of my favourite visits in Jaipur.

• Continue your day with one of Jaipur's most photographic highlights, the Hawa Mahal, also known as Palace of the Winds which was built by King Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.

• End the day visiting Jantar Mantar, a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments. It features the world's largest stone sundial, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Day 2

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• Your second day in Jaipur can start visiting the City Palace which boasts courtyards, impressive gateways and temples.

• Go to see the Jal Mahal, a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. A must see!! 

• Unwind at the Ram Nivas Garden, located in the heart of the city. Its atmosphere of tranquility and leisure, is perfect to have a break from sightseeing.

• End your trip doing some shopping. The "Pink City" is famous for its jewellery and clothes and you will find many markets that sell traditional products. Most of the markets open seven days a week. Here I mention some: Johari Bazaar (jewellery), Nehru Bazaar (beautiful clothes and textiles), or Sireh Deori Bazaar (leather goods and some items that are exclusive from Jaipur).

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FOOD AND DRINK

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Even I am not into spicy food, here I mention some dishes that you could try if you are visiting Jaipur:

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• Dal Baati Churma: This is, perhaps, the most popular plate in Jaipur. It is a complete Indian dish that comprises dal and baati. It is served with the daal (lentils) and spicy garlic chutney.

• Mohan Maas: The meat is cooked in milk and mild spices so it makes it juicy and tender.

• Macchhilli Jaisamandi: For this dish, fish is cut and marinated in a green chutney and then cooked in a spicy gravy comprising ginger, garlic, coriander and mint leaves.

• Dil Khushal: A traditional sweet that leaves a grainy texture in your mouth with hearty flavours.

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My personal recommendation: 

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• I loved the food and the service at Baluchi, a signature Pan Indian restaurant that serves authentic Indian curries. It is located at The Lalit Jaipur.

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WHERE TO STAY

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We stayed at The Lalit Jaipur, a five star hotel that offers an outdoor pool, fitness centre and spa. The rooms were spacious with comfy beds and with an amazing bathroom. Staff were extremely helpful and went the extra mile to satisfy our needs. I had a great time here and I highly recommend it!

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If you would like to have  a look at the prices or to book a room, check this link The Lalit Jaipur.

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BUDGET

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Jaipur is not expensive, so excluding accommodation, you may need around Rs 5,000 (£50) for two days. That includes food, transport, tickets and shopping.

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