
Fiona Caulfield, author of the Love India travel guide series, suggests different activities, depending on sensibility and personal passion:
For Early Risers: Have an early morning chai at Sahu Chaiwalla on chaura rasta in the old city and then a fragrant stroll through the flower market. Market enthusiasts may also enjoy the vegetable market near Sanganeri gate and the bustling milk bazaar in Subhash chowk. By then time for breakfast: for a hit of nostalgia, it is hard to beat the Indian Coffee House or for luxury head to Rambagh Palace Hotel to enjoy breakfast on the verandah or the lawns. Or, in the morning, visit the 18th-century Govind Dev Ji temple at City Palace to receive a blessing from the priest and witness joyful worship and hear the chorus of “Jai Govind.” From here explore the Palace, the Hawa Mahal and do the fabulous Heritage Walk.
For Art Lover’s: The Albert Hall is a magnificent Indo-sarcanic building, which houses the central museum’s superb collection of fine arts and traditional crafts from across rajasthan. It deserves a few hours at least, or ideally multiple visits. Alberts 1589 is perfect for a refreshment break. From here visit Neerja for blue Pottery and then head to one of the best contemporary craft shops in India, Anantaya by AKFD.
For Crafts Aficionadoes: Explore the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, where you can hand-print your own scarf of t-shirt, and then suitably inspired, go shopping. Just a few minutes from the museum, is the exclusive and exquisite haveli where Brigitte Singh lives and works, then head back into town and visit as many of the Block Print specialists as you can. Begin with kin fabrics then Shyam Lal and then head to the centrally located C Scheme and Civil Lines to visit Gitto, Kilol, Rasa, Soma, Cottons and end the tour at the Anokhi and café (pg21), for a well deserved rest.
For Adventurers: Explore the forest reserve located at the base of the Aravalli hills on an elephant during a night safari. The team at Dera Amer make sure that you are well nourished and hydrated on the safari, providing drinks and snacks on torch-lit platforms and a full dinner on completion of the journey. Perfect on a full moon night.
For Night Owls: Undertake a moveable feast to my favorite palaces. I would start with drinks on the terrace of the charming historic Narain Niwas Palace Hotel and then head to Cinnamon at Jai Mahal Palace for contemporary Indian or, if in a more relaxed mood, I would go to the garden of Diggi Palace Hotel and enjoy a simple honest thali under the leafy canopy of grand old trees.


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