Panama City & All-Inclusive Playa Blanca

All-Inclusive Luxury Week

Captivating Caribbean Coast

Standing guard over Costa Rica&rsquo;s fertile northern lowlands, the Arenal Volcano is an icon of Costa Rica. Only considered dormant since 2010, at 1633 metres high, the perfectly conical shape of the Arenal Volcano provides a picturesque backdrop to rainforest adventures in the Arenal Volcano National Park. A few rumbles and puffs of smoke escape the peak of the volcano intermittently, and old, solidified lava flows and volcano rocks are weaved throughout the lush forests, inhabited by many exotic bird and animal species, who fourish in this unique eco-system.
If you visit the Arenal Volcano today, you&rsquo;ll find that it no longer spurts bubbling lava nor is it illuminated with an orange glow come nightfall, but the intense underground thermal activity has given rise to countless hot springs and thermal pools, the perfect places to soothe your muscles after hiking through the exquisite wilderness of the national park. Tranquil Lake Arenal lies at the foot of the volcano, the largest in the country and responsible for providing a large percentage of Costa Rica&rsquo;s electricity in the form of hydro-power, helping to foster the eco-friendly imagine that tempts many to travel to Costa Rica.&nbsp;
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<h2>What to do at the Arenal Volcano</h2>
If you travel to the Arenal Volcano you&rsquo;ll be rewarded with breathtaking views, a stunning natural environment and plenty of activities to suit all tastes. Getting in touch with the abundant nature of this region is a highlight of any tour of Costa Rica. The best way to explore the Arenal National Park is on foot, following one of the many hiking trails that weave around the volcano, leading visitors through lush, wildlife-rich rainforests and across intricate lava flows. If you&rsquo;d rather save your legs, horse-back rides are an equally popular way to discover the surroundings. The perfect way to cool off after a hiking trip in the Arenal National Park is to pay a visit to the glistening pool at the foot of the breathtaking La Fortuna Waterfall. Shrouded in lush tropical foliage, it&rsquo;s a true oasis amidst the humid jungle.
One of the most rewarding things to do around Arenal is to take a nature walk to discover the local wildlife. Wild deer, howler and white-faced monkeys, snakes and tropical birds are just some of the exotic wildlife you&rsquo;re likely to see if you visit Arenal, whilst nocturnal nature walks reveal an even more magical environment! If you&rsquo;re lusting after the picture-perfect view of Arenal Volcano, then a cruise on Lake Arenal will offer you unrestricted views of the perfectly conical icon. Always alive with paddle-boarders, kayakers and fishermen attempting to catch rainbow bass, taking a boat ride on Lake Arenal is truly a highlight of a trip to the Arenal Volcano.

Arenal

If you've decided to visit San Jos&eacute; in Costa Rica, be prepared to find a city full of history, art, culture, and leisure. It may not be the most beautiful city in the world, but it is the heart of the country. A cosmopolitan city like few in South America, full of contrasts, music, and life.&nbsp;
<h2>The Am&oacute;n district: the first stop with history</h2>
Most of the travelers who choose San Jos&eacute; as their destination focus on the Am&oacute;n district. Partly because it still has buildings reminiscent of the city's colonial past and partly because it's one of the safest areas.&nbsp;
Here you can see the historic mansions that once belonged to the owners of the coffee plantations and the Parque Espa&ntilde;a is a good place to relax, especially if you come at sunset and watch the flocks of birds gathering!
<h2>The Calle de la Amargura in San Jos&eacute;</h2>
The original Calle de la Amargura, the 'Street of Bitterness' that inspired the Spanish saying "to take someone through the Calle de la Amargura" was located on the island of San Lucas and was a kind of Green Mile. It was the last street prisoners walked along before entering a prison they would never leave again.&nbsp;
In San Jos&eacute;, however, they have turned it on its head, and the Calle de la Amargura in the capital has the liveliest nightlife you can imagine. This is an area with a large student population and is full of bars and places to go dancing.&nbsp;
<h2>Visit San Jos&eacute; in Costa Rica and enjoy the art</h2>
There's a major cultural movement in San Jos&eacute;, both popular and academic. You can see the results of the latter in three of its museums.
<h3>Museum of Contemporary Art and Design</h3>
This was created in an old liquor factory and exhibits the work of contemporary Central American artists. The outdoor space, the Pila de Melaza, is where performances and happenings take place.
<h3>Jade Museum</h3>
This is the most famous in San Jos&eacute; and has the largest known collection of American jade, a true rarity. Its building, with its imposing dark glass, is both disturbing and seductive.&nbsp;
<h3>National Museum of Costa Rica</h3>
This is in the Bellavista Fortress and it has a huge collection of objects belonging to the pre-Columbian era, but there is also religious art and pieces from the colonial period.
<h2>Spirogyra Butterfly Garden</h2>
Most visitors come to Costa Rica for its nature, its fauna and its incredible landscapes. If you visit San Jos&eacute; you will be able to see a small sample of all this in the Spirogyra butterfly garden. It has more than 30 species of butterflies and various types of hummingbirds.&nbsp;
You'll enjoy the visit more if you go in the morning since that's when they are all fluttering around. End your walk with a coffee in the garden cafeteria, perfect for planning your next steps in the Costa Rican capital.&nbsp;
<h2>The National Theatre</h2>
The theatre in San Jos&eacute; is one of the most important buildings in Costa Rica. You'll love its neoclassical facade, presided over by the effigies of Calderon de la Barca and Beethoven. Let yourself be seduced by its luxurious foyer and admire the costumbrist-style paintings that adorn the auditorium.&nbsp;
<h2>La Sabana&nbsp;</h2>
La Sabana is a large park in the center of San Jose. This is the venue for many activities that bring the inhabitants of San Jos&eacute; together. It has a large pond and it's not uncommon to see families enjoying homemade picnics. You'll find it to the west of the Paseo de Col&oacute;n.&nbsp;
Inside the park, in one of the few remaining colonial-style buildings in the city, there is the Costa Rican Art Museum, which has a modest but interesting collection of 19th and 20th-century works. If you have time, take a walk in the outdoor sculpture garden. The feeling of having found a little piece of Europe in the middle of America is as strange as it is intoxicating.
<h2>See San Jos&eacute; and beyond: Tortuguero National Park</h2>
Tortuguero National Park is one of the most important destinations in Costa Rica and one of the most visited, so set aside a couple of days in your itinerary to see it. You can get there by boat from San Jos&eacute; itself and enjoy the exuberant Costa Rican landscape.&nbsp;
Once there, you will find more than 300 species of birds and, with luck, you can see turtles laying eggs or the magical moment when the hatchlings break their shells. The surroundings are of unparalleled beauty, a tropical forest dotted with lakes and vegetation rich in splendid greenery.

San José

This small fishing town is located within Santa Cruz, in Guanacaste province. Whilst it still preserves its natural charm, in recent years it has also become an important tourist destination. Its main attraction are its beaches, such as Grande, Langosta and Ventanas, as well as water sports like surfing, not to mention watching turtle breeding, an interesting annual attraction on the coasts of Costa Rica.

Tamarindo

Pura Vida & Paradise in Tamarindo

Bangkok

The biggest city in the north of Thailand. Also known as the Rose of the North, is for many the most important city in cultural terms and one of the most beautiful thanks to the nature of its surroundings, which are home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the country. Chiang Mai boasts over 300 Buddhist temples and is an exceptional opportunity to experience the most authentic Thai culture.

Chiang Mai

The biggest island in Thailand at 21 kilometres across, known as Pearl of the Andaman. Although this is one of the islands of Thailand which has seen the most tourism, there are still untouched corners of white sand to be discovered along its coastlines. Each beach is different and they are separated from one another by capes and hills. You can see the warm crystal waters of the Andaman sea along the length of the coast.

Phuket

Secrets of Siam & Andaman Pearl

Bali, Lombok & Gili Trawangan

Located on the island of Borneo, the Bako National Park is the oldest in the Sarawak region. It is also one of the smallest, whose main charm lies in the beautiful cliffs of its coast, the huge bays of white sand or the rocky outlets. To access its interior it will be necessary to do so by boat, which navigates the mouth of the river until reaching the entrance to the park. This reserve has excellent access to the Borneo jungle. Among its rich vegetation, different types of ecosystems coexist. The park is home to carnivorous plants and a rich variety of wildlife such as macaques, known for stealing food and personal belongings from confused tourists, as well as snub-nosed monkeys, which are only found in Borneo; the bearded pig, the largest mammal in Bako and other animals such as wild boars, otters, snakes and squirrels. The Bako National Park is one of the most popular visits on a trip to Malaysia and a great place to contemplate the nature of the island. Inside there are trails with different levels of difficulty for all walkers. There is also accommodation, so it is possible to spend the night there.

Bako National Park

This Hindu shrine is one of the most popular Hindu sites outside of India. It is located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and takes the name of the river and the village located nearby. The most striking part of the temple is its exterior, presided over by a huge golden statue of representing Murugan, the god of war to which the caves are consecrated. Before climbing the numerous steps there are also several temples with paintings and sculptures typical of Hinduism to enjoy. At the top is where the cave of the Cathedral is located, a cavity of 100 meters high where the main sanctuary is located. Inside you can see an altar, several figures characteristic of this religion, as well as offerings that believers have given to the Gods. A good time to visit is during the Thaipusam festival, in January or February, when the victory of good over evil is celebrated and Murugan receives flowers and offerings.

Batu Caves

The capital of Malaysia is a city of contrasts. In is a melting-pot of different communities such as Indians, Chinese and Malays, as well as other immigrant nationalities who arrived in Kuala Lumpur after industrialization. The icon of the city, which stands out from the rest of the buildings, are the Petronas towers, which once were the highest in the world and from where the best views are obtained. A few meters away is another of the most visited viewpoints. It is the Menara Kuala Lumpur, a communications tower whose base is an activity center for children. Both buildings are located in Gran Jalan Ampang, the district where most of the large hotel chains, restaurants and stores are concentrated. Malaysia was a colony of Great Britain until 1957, the day in which the great square of Dataran Merdeka replaced the Anglo-Saxon flag with that of the country as a symbol of independence. Some of the architectural gems of the city are the old railway station, which combines Islamic, Moorish, Gothic and Greek art; as well as Masjid Negara mosques, where non-Muslims are asked to cover themselves with a tunic, and Masjid Jamek, located in the center. The multiculturalism of Kuala Lumpur can be enjoyed in the different neighborhoods that make up the city. One of the most visited is Chinatown, where there are numerous markets of clothing, antiques, technology and furniture, selling products at a good price. It is also possible to find beauty salons and to try Ichthyotherapy, the so-called fish pedicures. Kuala Lumpur is one of the essential stops on a trip to Malaysia. Not only for its airport, where international flights arrive, but also for its cosmopolitan charm and buzzing atmosphere.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, south of the island of Borneo. It is an essential stop on a trip to Malaysia if you plan to explore national parks such as Bako. Its main characteristic is its multiculturalism, since this peaceful city is made up of different Hindu, Chinese, Malay and indigenous communities such as bidayuh. Some of the places that should be visited are the impressive building that houses the Sarawak museum, one of the most important in the country for exhibiting the traditions and ways of life of the natives; the mosque, which looks as if it has been taken from the story of Aladdin, with its golden domes; the palace of Astana, which serves as the governor's residence; Fort Margherita, formerly used to defend the city from possible pirate attacks; Chinatown, one of the liveliest areas of the city; and Jalan India, one of the pedestrian streets which has a great atmosphere. The Sarawak River is one of the attractions of Kuching, and there are lots of opportunities to explore it by boat to enjoy the views of the city.

Kuching

Kuala Lumpur, Orangutans & Damai Beach

All-Inclusive Spice Island Escape

The only capital city in the Maldives despite the number of islands that the country comprises. This is a small town, with all the charming houses contained in a very small space. The most striking building is the Friday Mosque, however the most enjoyable has to be a trip to the market, an essential trip to stock up on local produce and soak up the atmosphere.

Malé

On the banks of the&nbsp;Yamuna River&nbsp;lies&nbsp;Agra, adored by all who visit and occupying a place in the hearts of all romantics. Of course, the&nbsp;Taj Mahal&nbsp;is what draws most travelers to make a&nbsp;trip to Agra, but there are a plethora of notable sights to explore in the city aside from the iconic mausoleum. Situated in the&nbsp;Indian&nbsp;state of&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh, Agra&nbsp;is a wonderland of&nbsp;Mughal-era architecture, combined with the typical colorful chaos of such a sizeable&nbsp;Indian&nbsp;city. Between&nbsp;1526&nbsp;and&nbsp;1658, Agra&nbsp;was the capital of the&nbsp;Mughal Empire&nbsp;and many of the city&rsquo;s buildings are monuments from this era are now designated&nbsp;UNESCO World Heritage Sites.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Marathas&nbsp;took over the city after the&nbsp;Mughals, followed by the&nbsp;British Raj, and if you&nbsp;travel to Agra&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll be able to trace this fascinating timeline through the city&rsquo;s diverse and awe-inspiring buildings and monuments.
Agra&nbsp;is easily reached from&nbsp;Delhi, around&nbsp;200 kilometers&nbsp;away, and is one of the three&nbsp;&lsquo;Golden Triangle&rsquo;&nbsp;cities, making it an unmissable destination if you take a&nbsp;tour of India.&nbsp;The magical facades, historic ambiance and legendary legacy of&nbsp;Agra&nbsp;are sure to transport you back in time to the captivating Golden Age of the&nbsp;Mughals.&nbsp;
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<h2>What to see in Agra</h2>
Although many&nbsp;tours of Agra&nbsp;focus on a few select highlights, there are more than enough&nbsp;things to do in Agra&nbsp;to consider spending an extended stay in this former&nbsp;Mughal&nbsp;capital. We recommend starting with the prominent&nbsp;UNESCO World Heritage Sites&nbsp;and then continuing to the lesser-known sights. Of course, the&nbsp;Taj Mahal&nbsp;is a bucket-list favorite and its white marble mausoleum is a universal symbol of love that has transcended across the centuries. Built-in the&nbsp;17th-century&nbsp;by&nbsp;Emperor Shah Jahan,&nbsp;in memory of his favorite wife, it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful tombs in the world. You&rsquo;ve probably seen hundreds of photos of the glistening monument, but nothing compares to&nbsp;visiting the Taj Mahal&nbsp;in person. Expect large crowds, or alternatively, visit very early in the day for a more peaceful experience.
Visiting the Agra Fort&nbsp;is another of the top&nbsp;things to do in Agra.&nbsp;Once the main residence of the&nbsp;Mughal Emperors,&nbsp;Agra Fort&nbsp;exudes stately elegance and power. More like a walled-city than a fortress, once inside the&nbsp;70-foot&nbsp;high walls you&rsquo;ll find idyllic courtyards, complete with scalloped arches, as well as the huge sandstone structure of the&nbsp;Jehangir&rsquo;s Palace&nbsp;and the beautiful&nbsp;Khas Mahal Pavillion, among other impressive buildings. A&nbsp;tour of the Agra Fort&nbsp;is incomplete without contemplating the spectacular mirrored halls of the&nbsp;Shish Mahal,&nbsp;known as the &lsquo;Glass Palace&rsquo;.
If you&rsquo;re trying to avoid the crowds or you&rsquo;re an avid photographer, the&nbsp;Mahtab Bagh Botanical Gardens&nbsp;is one of the best&nbsp;places to visit in Agra.&nbsp;Savvy travelers know that the gardens of&nbsp;Mehtab Bagh&nbsp;are the ultimate destination for uninterrupted views of the&nbsp;Taj Mahal,&nbsp;thanks to their location on the banks of the&nbsp;Yamuna River.&nbsp;The manicured square-shaped gardens are in perfect alignment with the white marble mausoleum across the water and the gardens buzz with an atmosphere of excitement at sunset owing to the spectacular views. A slice of nature amidst the bustling streets of&nbsp;Agra, be sure to pack your camera if you&nbsp;visit Mehtab Bagh Botanical Gardens.
Just&nbsp;40 kilometers&nbsp;from the city is&nbsp;Agra&rsquo;s&nbsp;third&nbsp;UNESCO World Heritage Site:&nbsp;the ancient city of&nbsp;Fatehpur Sikri. Before&nbsp;Agra,&nbsp;Fatehpur Sikri&nbsp;held the title of capital of the&nbsp;Mughal Empire&nbsp;until it was completely abandoned at the turn of the&nbsp;17th-century.&nbsp;A masterpiece of&nbsp;Indo-Islamic&nbsp;architecture, this red sandstone city is a popular and worthwhile stop on a&nbsp;tour of Agra.

Agra

Bikaner, is one of the most frequented cities the in state of Rajasthan. The geography of Bikaner reveals the topography of the region. With the construction of the Ganges Canal, it has become possible for people to participate in agricultural crop production in the green area of Bikaner.

Bikaner

A cacophony of colors, sounds, and aromas,&nbsp;Delhi&nbsp;is an assault on the senses. The gateway to the delights of&nbsp;India, this capital city, on the banks of the&nbsp;Yamuna River, is simply unforgettable and is sure to leave an impression on even the most intrepid traveler. A rich tapestry of history and culture can be found beneath the chaotic exterior of&nbsp;Delhi&rsquo;s&nbsp;city life, whether amongst the&nbsp;Mughal&nbsp;relics of&nbsp;Old Delhi&nbsp;or the imperial grandeur of&nbsp;New Delhi.
Travel to Delhi&nbsp;to experience the stereotypical image of&nbsp;India: the overwhelming honking of car and scooter horns, the human and animal traffic, the steaming street food stalls, the street beggars and the busy shoppers. Despite the intensity of the city, it&rsquo;s easy to fall in love with the so-called&nbsp;land of a thousand colors&nbsp;during a&nbsp;trip to Delhi. Inhabited since the&nbsp;6th-century BC,&nbsp;Delhi&rsquo;s&nbsp;architecture tells the story of the rise and fall of kingdoms and empires in its monuments, mosques, temples, museums, and palaces. In fact, there are at least eight historic cities of&nbsp;Delhi, all of which were built upon the ruins of their predecessor, leaving behind countless relics for visitors to discover on a&nbsp;tour of Delhi&nbsp;today.
A multi-faceted city in more ways that one, you&rsquo;ll see enormous wealth juxtaposed by incredible poverty and modern architecture side-by-side with ancient temples if you&nbsp;visit Delhi. For labyrinthine markets and mouthwatering street-eats, it&rsquo;s the best destination in&nbsp;India.&nbsp;Whether you&rsquo;re in amongst the frantic streets of&nbsp;Old Delhi&nbsp;or enjoying the wide avenues and leafy green spaces of&nbsp;New Delhi, you&rsquo;ll get the best out of a&nbsp;trip to Delhi&nbsp;if you simply go with the flow and savor the experience!
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<h2>What to see in Delhi</h2>
With an urban core of more than&nbsp;700 square kilometers, there&rsquo;s plenty of&nbsp;things to see in Delhi&nbsp;and equally as much ground to cover. The&nbsp;metro system&nbsp;will whisk you between the city&rsquo;s sights, but of course, you&rsquo;ll be missing out on the intricate, intoxicating street life scene above ground by bypassing the traffic-laden roads.
A diverse city, all religions are represented in&nbsp;Delhi&rsquo;s&nbsp;temples, mosques, and churches, some of which have secured themselves at the top of the lists of&nbsp;things to see in Delhi.&nbsp;Akshardham Temple&nbsp;is a great place to start. Despite being inaugurated in&nbsp;2005, this center of&nbsp;Hindu&nbsp;culture possesses all the charms of more traditional temples and is adorned with intricately carved pillars, domes and even, life-sized elephant sculptures. Constructed by more than&nbsp;1000&nbsp;talented artisans, this ornate display of spiritual architecture is home to a number of forward-thinking exhibits, aiming to make&nbsp;Hinduism&nbsp;accessible to all audiences.
Another of&nbsp;Delhi&rsquo;s&nbsp;modern religious buildings is the&nbsp;Lotus Temple, an icon of the city&rsquo;s skyline. A&nbsp;Baha&rsquo;i&nbsp;house of worship, its minimalist lotus flower design, composed of&nbsp;27 free-standing marble-clad petals, is simply spectacular. Open to all visitors, this unique place of worship is one of the world&rsquo;s most visited and a must-see on a&nbsp;tour of Delhi. One of the older religious monuments in&nbsp;Delhi&nbsp;is the&nbsp;Jama Masjid Mosque, dating back to the&nbsp;17th-century&nbsp;when it was built by&nbsp;Mughal&nbsp;Emperor Shah Jahan, the same emperor that built the prestigious&nbsp;Taj Mahal.&nbsp;Jama Masjid Mosque&nbsp;can accommodate an impressive&nbsp;25,000 worshippers&nbsp;and is crowned by two&nbsp;40-meter-high&nbsp;minarets and three domes. Finally,&nbsp;Delhi&rsquo;s&nbsp;Lal Mandir Jain Temple, the oldest&nbsp;Jain&nbsp;temple in the city, is conveniently located opposite the&nbsp;Red Fort&nbsp;and shares the same vibrant color as the fort in its facade. The temple complex contains a number of shrines as well as a bird hospital, as the care of animals is an important aspect of&nbsp;Jain&nbsp;beliefs.&nbsp;
From the spiritual to the historical, there&rsquo;s a handful of historic monuments that simply cannot be missed on a&nbsp;tour of Delhi. The&nbsp;Red Fort, once the main residence of the&nbsp;Mughal Emperors, is one of the city&rsquo;s most popular sights. The bright-red hues of the fort&rsquo;s exterior make it instantly recognizable and incredibly photogenic. Every year on&nbsp;August 15th, the tricolor flag is raised above the&nbsp;Red Fort&rsquo;s&nbsp;Lahori Gate&nbsp;to commemorate&nbsp;Indian&nbsp;independence in&nbsp;1947.&nbsp;Inside this&nbsp;UNESCO World Heritage Site,&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll find elegant&nbsp;Mughal&nbsp;architecture and marble latticework, whilst those who&nbsp;visit the Red Fort&nbsp;in the evening will be treated to a fascinating sound and light show describing&nbsp;Mughal&nbsp;history.
Another of&nbsp;Delhi&rsquo;s most visited sights&nbsp;is the historic&nbsp;Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb,&nbsp;the final resting place of the&nbsp;Mughal Emperor Humayun, built by his widow in the&nbsp;16th-century.&nbsp;A&nbsp;UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb&nbsp;is said to be the first example of&nbsp;Mughal&nbsp;architecture in&nbsp;India&nbsp;and is thought to have later inspired the design of the&nbsp;Taj Mahal. Be sure to stroll through the surrounding gardens, which were slowly filled with the graves of&nbsp;Humayun&rsquo;s&nbsp;descendants over the centuries. Finally, a monument in honor of a hero of modern times, the&nbsp;Raj Ghat, dedicated to&nbsp;Mahatma Gandhi,&nbsp;is one of the most important&nbsp;things to see in Delhi. Consisting of a sleek black marble platform, marking the location of&nbsp;Gandhi&rsquo;s&nbsp;cremation on the banks of the&nbsp;Yamuna River,&nbsp;a flame burns here constantly in his memory.
If you&rsquo;d rather experience the life of everyday&nbsp;Delhiites&nbsp;after exploring the monuments and palaces of the greats, you can&rsquo;t miss out on&nbsp;visiting Khari Baoli Spice Bazaar.&nbsp;Asia&rsquo;s&nbsp;largest wholesale spice market, it was first established in the&nbsp;17th-century.&nbsp;Expect intoxicating aromas and bargaining locals amidst a sea of rainbow-colored spices, herbs, and dried fruits. Situated in the busy shopping district of&nbsp;Chandni Chowk,&nbsp;this is unfiltered&nbsp;India&nbsp;at it&rsquo;s finest. Be sure to pick up some exotic spices before retreating to the market&rsquo;s hidden rooftop platform, a little-known tip for those wishing to snap panoramic photos and watch the hustle and bustle from a tranquil vantage point!

Delhi

One of the three famous Golden Triangle cities, Jaipur is the magical capital of Rajasthan, known for the pink stone hues of its facades and for its show-stopping Hawa Mahal Palace, commonly known as the Palace of the Winds. Bursting with historic buildings, flamboyant bazaars, temples, palaces and museums, Jaipur is a highlight of any Golden Triangle tour.&nbsp;
Founded in 1727, by Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, the city became the capital of Jaipur state during the era of British rule and, after independence, the capital of the newly-formed state of Rajasthan. Since 2019 the entire &lsquo;pink city&rsquo; of Jaipur has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its major sights such as the Amber Fort.
Jaipur&rsquo;s bustling streets, laden with rickshaws and camels, evokes an old-world charm, whilst its monumental buildings tell the tales of the golden years of the Maharaja. A trip to Jaipur is a stepping stone into the vast interior of Rajasthan and is sure to carve out a place in your heart with its Rajput and Mughal architecture and hospitable locals.
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<h2>Things to see in Jaipur</h2>
Jaipur is a sightseeing hotspot in India and for good reason as there are a plethora of things to see in Jaipur, ranging from majestic palaces to atmospheric bazaars. At the top of all travellers&rsquo; lists is the historic Amber Fort, located just 12-kilometres from the city of Jaipur. Once the residence of Rajput Maharajas, the Amber Fort was built on the remains of an older fort in 1592. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the extensive Amber Fort is home to a collection of courtyards, gardens, halls and palaces. The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous part of the fort and a sight that cannot be missed if you visit the Amber Fort.&nbsp;
Second on the list of all who travel to Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, the Instagram-worthy icon of Jaipur. With an eye-catching honey-combe-shaped facade, built in a classic Rajput style in hues of orange and pink, the Hawa Mahal is the postcard image of Jaipur. Built to house the ladies of the royal household, 953 small windows, which adorn the unique facade, were designed to keep the palace cool during the scorching summer months.
Continuing with the journey through Rajput architecture, the Jal Mahal Palace is one of the most beautiful things to see in Jaipur. Surrounded by the tranquil waters of Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, this bright yellow palace is an excellent example of traditional Rajput architecture. Set against the backdrop of the Rahatgarh Hills, the Jal Mahal Palace is five-storeys high, although only one floor is visible when the lake is full. If you travel to Jaipur and have the chance the visit Jal Mahal after dark, don&rsquo;t miss out on the opportunity as the palace facade is illuminated at nightfall.&nbsp;
Another of Jaipur&rsquo;s UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the fascinating Jantar Mantar Observatory, a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments, dating from the 18th-century. Amazingly, these intricate instruments allow for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye and offer a fascinating insight into early astronomical technology in India.&nbsp;
After discovering the magnificent monuments and palaces of the pink city, a trip to Jaipur is incomplete without exploring the city&rsquo;s labyrinthine bazaars. The most famous bazaar in Jaipur is Johari Bazaar, famous for its gold, silver and gemstone jewellery and beautifully embellished textiles. For a taste of Rajasthani street food head to Masala Chowk, a popular food market where you can sample a wide array of mouth-watering delicacies in a pleasant open-air setting.&nbsp;

Jaipur

Nicknamed the The Golden City, it is situated on the crest of a yellow coloured ridge of sandy rock, crowned by Jaisalmer Fort, which with its 99 bastions, crowns the 80 metre high Trikuta Hill. Jaisalmer means the Hill Fort of Jaisal.

Jaisalmer

The gateway to the Thar Desert, situated to the west of Jaipur. The impressive 15th century walls with their eight doors, are as famous as the blue coloured buildings that guard its interior.

Jodhpur

Mandawa is situated on the Silk Road in India, which crossed the whole of Rajasthan to connect the Middle East with China. This turned this desert region into a prosperous area, where rich traders created small towns as a base for their operations. Mandawa is the essence of rural India and is a beautiful place to visit to discover the infinite splendour of the Havelis and palatial mansions decorated with frescos and which are home to families who live there for a monthly rent of 15 rupees.

Mandawa

Situated in the heart of the state of Rajasthan, The Thar Desert is the only large desert in India. In some areas the landscape resembles the African Sahara more than a desert, however you can witness the impressive sand dunes here. This area of semi-arid land surrounds the city of Jaisalmer. One of the typical tourist attractions of this city is simply to admire the sunset from the large sand dunes of Sam or Khuri.

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