Rajasthan's Royal Cities: A First Timer's Itinerary

If you want to feel like you have stepped into a fairy tale, go to Rajasthan. The state is famous for its palaces, forts, and desert landscapes, and it is incredibly well set up for tourism. I started in Jaipur, the Pink City. The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, looks exactly like the photos, but walking through the City Palace and seeing the intricate mirror work at Amber Fort was something else entirely. From there, I took a bus to Jodhpur, the Blue City, where the Mehrangarh Fort towers over a sea of indigo houses. Climbing up to the fort and looking down at the city was a highlight. Finally, I ended in Udaipur, which is probably the most romantic city I have ever seen. I took a boat ride on Lake Pichola at sunset, watching the Lake Palace float on the water like a mirage. For transportation between cities, I used a mix of trains and private taxis. The taxis were more expensive but worth it for the flexibility. If you are short on time, focus on just two or three cities rather than trying to see them all. Each one deserves at least a couple of days.