The Jaipur Writers' Festival

India’s capital, New Delhi, lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful buildings, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the grand, sandstone Red Fort, striking Qutab Minar, and fascinating Humayun's Tomb. Architecture enthusiasts will delight in the iconic Lotus Temple. Hear ‘qawwalis’ (devotional music) at the dargah (tomb) of the Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya; or wander through the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, famous for its traditional jewellery and saris. The gorgeous Sunder Nursery and Lodi Garden provide calm, flower-filled oases for picnicking.

Set on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a beautiful city famous for its incredible Taj Mahal building, one of the seven wonders of the world. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 15th century as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this is an architectural masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship and perfect proportions. The city boasts numerous other superb attractions, including the red-hued sandstone Agra Fort, built in the 16th century; the Shahi Jama Masjid mosque, a 17th-century congregational mosque located in the historic core of Agra, and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, with its white marble facade embellished with intricate inlaid designs, also called the' Baby Taj'.

A small town in Rajasthan, Sapotara or Sapotra is close to Karauli, Bamanwas, Gangapur, and Karanpur. The primary attraction here is the historic Ramathra Fort, along with the gorgeous Kalisil Lake, and Sapotara also has a lovely little entertainment area where visitors can find excellent theaters, restaurants, and cinemas. The vast wild and open natural landscapes that surround the town offer superb hiking, star-gazing, and bird-watching opportunities (look out for kingfishers, herons, and waterfowl). Nature-lovers should also make sure to visit the enthralling Kailadevi National Park, neighbouring Daang plateau to discover several hidden shrines, Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, and Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur. Animals to look out for in this area include several types of deer, wild boars, sloth bears, panthers, jackals, and wolves.

Sawai Madhopur, the lively capital city of the greater Sawai Madhopur District, rests within southeast Rajasthan, on the northern extension of the sprawling Vindhyan Plateau. The city is famous for its flourishing fauna and flora and mouth-watering cuisine. Some of the best ways to experience these local treasures include a meander through enchanting public gardens and a sample of the delicious local dishes at the numerous atmospheric restaurants. Both a history and nature enthusiasts dream, Sawai Madhopur opens a world of enjoyable excursions with some of the most notable attractions being the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ranthambore Fort; the religiously significant Chamatkar Temple; and the remarkable Ranthambhore National Park, renowned for its abundance of free-roaming wildlife including the majestic Bengal tiger and Indian leopard.

Resting on the northern bank of the beautiful Chambal River, Bhainsrorgarh is a bustling city that serves as the perfect base for travelling the scenic surroundings in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. Rich in history and culture, the ancient Bhainsrorgarh Fort is one of the area's primary drawcards. Perched at 200 feet on a rocky ridge overlooking the river and countryside, Bhainsrorgarh is a fortified outpost of the Udaipur Kingdom. Those wanting to immerse themselves in this residence of royalty can spend the night at the Bhainsrorgarh Fort Hotel. Catering to every type of traveller, fun-filled activities include taking in the city sights, exploring traditional villages dotting the lush farmlands, sampling local Rajasthani cuisine, exploring the 9th-century Badoli Temples, venturing to Bundi Fort and picnicking on River Island. Don't forget to keep a lookout for crocodiles in the river.

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of Udaipur is built around three interconnected lakes – Lake Pichhola, Fateh Sagar Lake, and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake – and is encircled by the hills of the Aravalli mountain range. It is home to an array of ancient temples and fairy-tale-like palaces (several of the latter have been converted into luxury heritage hotels) and is known as one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful and romantic cities. Must-see attractions include the City Palace, the Lake Palace (set on a small island in the middle of Lake Pichola), and the Udaipur Solar Observatory – Asia’s premier solar-gazing site.

Tucked away in the Aravali mountain range in the north Indian state of Rajasthan, Bera is a tiny hamlet surrounded by some spectacularly scenic countryside. This surrounding wilderness area is characterised by a desert landscape of forest plains and rocky outcrops inhabited by an impressive array of wildlife species including Indian wolf, sloth bear, Indian leopard, striped hyena, golden jackal, and jungle cat. The hamlet itself features a small but charming heritage hotel, Castle Bera, which serves as an ideal base for exploring the area’s many tourist attractions. These include the Jawai hills and lake, one of the region’s most renowned wild leopard spotting locations; the Ranakpur Temple, a famous Jain structure; and Kumbalgarh Sanctuary, a vast wildlife refuge centred around the impressive historic fort of Kumbhalgarh.

Known as the gateway to the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second-largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is a popular tourist destination featuring a variety of ornate palaces, age-old forts, and sacred temples. Dubbed ‘The Blue City’, the old city contains houses in a beautiful shade of indigo. While Jodhpur is largely a sprawling modern metropolis, enclosed within its old city walls is a labyrinth of winding, narrow medieval streets, and bazaars. The massive 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, which towers over the city from its sandstone plinth, is one of the largest in the country. Other must-see attractions include the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world's largest private residences; and the Jaswant Thada, an intricately carved white marble mausoleum.

Nimaj is a tranquil farming hideaway on the edge of the Aravalli Hills. Roughly halfway between Jaipur and Jodhpur, it is a great destination for a rural break as part of a tour of Rajasthan. The lakes in the area a renowned for their flocks of migratory birds; waders and wildfowl visit during the winter months. One of the highlights of the village is the Nimaj Palace Heritage Hotel, an exquisite palace occupied by royalty since Medieval times. Other buildings of the same era include the Magarmandi Mata Temple.

Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur, nicknamed the ‘Pink City’ for its salmon-hued terracotta buildings, is the capital and largest city in the Rajasthan State. This metropolis combines tradition and modernity with its vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples. Don’t miss the fairy-tale splendour of the Amber Fort, set against the backdrop of the arid landscape and hosting enthralling sound and light shows; the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, a collection of 300-year-old astronomical tools which look like contemporary art; and the opulent City Palace, with its palatial structures, sprawling gardens, and atmospheric courtyards. Jaipur falls within the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist circuit, which includes Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, and it also serves as a gateway to the neighbouring desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

As previously described