Reached via a short trek, and offering
gorgeous views of the Jaipur skyline,
Amer Fort features intricate artwork in
earthy colours on sandstone and white
marble. Its many courtyards, mirrored
chambers and ornate gateways cradle
centuries of significant moments in
Mughal history within them.Anokhi Café is the place to go to satisfy your cravings without
breaking your diet – if you so desire. The quiet, languid ambience
is perfect to have a bite to eat from a menu that offers salads,
burgers and pastas made from fresh seasonal organic produce
grown at the Anokhi farm (www.anokhicafe.com; KK Square, C 11,
Prithviraj Rd, Panch Batti, C Scheme, Ashok Nagar;
10am – 7.30pm).Get your bargain on at Johari Bazaar,
a haven for jewellery and clothing
lovers. This is the perfect spot to buy
traditional meenakari jewellery, rich
textiles, mojris, and traditional fabrics
bursting with colour to take home
a piece of Jaipur.Caffé Palladio Jaipur is a striking melange
of Mughal architecture and the influences
of the Italian Renaissance that will leave you
wanting to click pictures at every corner. With an extensive list
of signature cocktails, reasonable prices and a beautiful garden
to lounge in, you’ll be treated like true royalty
(www.bar-palladio.com; Hotel Narayan Singh City Pearl,
Narayan Singh Rd; 6pm – 11pm).After a long day in the Pink City, Hotel Saba Haveli welcomes you
with the traditional essence
of Jaipur. The centrally-located
property boasts spacious and
thoughtfully-decorated rooms
and a rooftop Rajasthani
restaurant that is renowned
across the city (www.saba
haveli.com; 477, Saba Haveli,
Gangapole; from ` 7,000)Jaipuris knownforits iconicmonumentsand
historicalsites,butlookbeyond–actively.
TheAravalliHillsarepopularwithadventure
junkies,especiallytheMountAburegion.
Rockclimberscantesttheirskillsonthehard
graniterocks,andtrekkerswillfindtheirhigh-
altitudeparadiseamidlushforestsdottedwith
viewpointsandfamoustemples.Indulgencetakesphysicalformat113 5A D, a chicrestaurant
locatedin therampartsof AmerFort.Its vintageandroyaldecor
createsanexoticatmospherein whichyoucanthrillyourtaste
budswiththetraditionalRajasthanithaliandlaalmaaswith
a bonusof sparsercrowds(00-91-98290-37170;AmerRd;
12pm– 1.30pm).Bluepotteryhasbecomea trademarkartformin Jaipur.At the
JaipurBluePotteryArtCentre, witnessit cometo life,transforming
fromquartzstonepowder,powderedglassandMultaniMitti
(Fuller’sEarth)to vividly-colouredvasesandplateswith
vibrantdesignsthatyoucantakehome(00-91-141-263-5375;
http://www.bluepottery.net;NearJainMandir,AmerRd;9.30am– 8pm)Barbardekhoif youthinkall barsarebasicallythesame!
TheSteamBaratTajRambaghPalaceHotelwillmakeyou
reconsider.Consideredoneof thefinestwateringholes
in thecity,it’ssetinsidea steamenginewith
perfectly-restoredbogeysandseating
arrangements.A fineselectionof liquorsand
sumptuoussignaturewood-firedpizzasaddsto
its regalold-worldcharm(00-91-141-238-5700;
http://www.tajhotels.com;BhawaniSinghRd,
Rambagh;6pm– 11.45pm).Livingupto its name,theNarayanNiwasPalace
Hoteltreatsits guestsliketrueroyalty.Thisheritage
propertyboastsa beautifulpoolas wellas peacocks
frolickingonits expansivegardens.Completewithoriginal
ArtDecofurnitureandornatefixtures,guestsgeta tasteof
thegrandeurof Rajputanaroyaltyhere( 0 0 - 91-141-256 -1291;
http://www.hotelnarainniwas.com/hotels-in-jaipur.php,
KanotaBagh,NarayanSinghRd).Do
Eat
Buy
Drink
Sleep
EXPLOREJAIPUR
YOUR FIRST
TIMEBEEN THERE,
DONE THATPHOTOGRAPH: DMITRY RUKHLENKO/123RF (AMER FORT), DONYANEDOMAM/123RF (JOHARI BAZAAR), ICONISAI (ILLUSTRATION) CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ASTALA YALNAZA AND AISHWARYA MENON22 October 2019