Enchanting Rajasthan

A trip to Rajasthan in the land of the Maharajas to discover beautiful palaces and wonderful natural scenery among the smiles of children.
I don't usually write diaries when I return from my travels, but this time I can't refrain from doing it as the experience lived on this tour in North India with my husband? was something truly unique.
We have had this trip in mind for several years, but for one reason or another we have always postponed it.
Last September we finally left for Delhi. Have we flown with Lufthansa already? used for other trips, which one? proved once again to be a great company. Arrived at the airport in Delhi in the middle of the night, we found the driver of the agency? MAHENDRA TRAVEL? of Jaipur that we had already contacted? from Italy.

1 day

DELHI
Unlike what they had read, Delhi there? liked it very much. We visited Old Delhi with its beautiful, colorful and chaotic bazaar; Jama Mashid Mosque, India gate, Raj Gath and Red Fort.
The first day yes? finished, tired but very satisfied.

2 day

MANDAWA
Early the next morning the driver picks us up at the hotel, punctually at 8,00. We expect 6 hours by car, the destination? Mandawa, famous for its havelis. Along the way we stop several times to take photographs. We are starting to like this India!
We arrive in Mandawa where a guide is waiting for us to introduce us to the city. He takes us to visit many havelis and explains a little of their history. I forgot, the guide also spoke excellent Italian.

3 day

BIKANER
Departure for Bikaner. On the way we stop at Fatehpur and then Deshnok at the temple of the rats, even if the idea of ​​walking among these cute ... little animals didn't appeal to us much. But how could we miss such an experience! In the end I must say that the rats did not even deign to look at us, taken as they were by drinking milk and eating the food brought by the faithful. We were also lucky enough to see the white mouse which is said to be a good omen.
We arrive in Bikaner, our driver takes us to visit the city? with the tuk tuk also acting as a guide.

4 day

JAISALMER
Path ? long, so we interrupt the stage with a stop at the village of Ramdeora for a visit to the temple. Many dusty stalls up to the temple where the faithful bring their gifts. People here? annoying but our trusted driver is our shield.
We arrive in Jaisalmer in the late afternoon.
Relax by the swimming pool of the beautiful Rang Mahal hotel.

5 day

JAISALMER
Today includes a visit to the fort, temples and a walk through the characteristic streets full of shops. In the afternoon excursion to the desert to watch the sunset with a show of local dances and dinner under the stars. I have to be honest, I was expecting a lot more ?!

6 day

JODHPUR
Today we go to Jodhpur, the city? blue. Even today, to break the long stage, we stop at Osyan where there is a Hindu / Jain temple. We reach Jodhpur in the afternoon and immediately go to visit the fort. We stroll through the bazaar and buy spices and tea to take home to our friends.

7 day

UDAIPUR
We leave for Udaipur, the city? of the lakes. On the way we stopped in Ranakpur to visit the temples. A masterpiece of architecture! Inside are not allowed bags, leather belts and shooting systems, so even cell phones. To reach Udaipur you travel along roads whose sides live an infinity? of monkeys. We take lots of photos, forcing our patient driver to stop several times.

8 day

UDAIPUR
The morning begins with a visit to the City Palace, then a boat ride on Lake Pichola and a walk through the bazaar.
Afternoon of relaxation by the pool and then dinner in a splendid restaurant overlooking the lake. I do not remember the name. Stupendous!

9 day

Will today's stage take us? to Bundi. There ? particularly liked, very dirty, chaotic town, cows on every corner.
We walked around it for a while and, perhaps also due to fatigue, we missed the visit to the Bundi Palace.

10 day

JAIPUR
And today we leave for Jaipur, the city? pink. We go to visit the temple of Galta, 8 km away. from the city. The temple ? located within a gorge and d? inhabited by a colony of monkeys. There are several tubs where the faithful perform ablutions surrounded by monkeys. All of this ? very scenic.

11 day

JAIPUR
The goal this morning? the Amber Fort located just outside the city? of Jaipur. On the back of an elephant we arrive at the courtyard of the fort and with our guide who speaks Italian we begin the visit; the strong? wonderful and well kept. Let's go back to Jaipur and take photos of the Palace of Winds. We visit the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar and then we get lost in the bazaar where we make several purchases by bargaining at pi? I can not.

12 day

AGRA
And yes, unfortunately our journey is coming to an end. But still we have to see there? that for a lifetime we have dreamed and that prompted us to undertake this wonderful journey: the Taj Mahal.
We arrive in Fatehpur Sikri, a beautiful city? abandoned immediately after its construction due to lack of water.
We leave for Agra. On the way we see the hospital of the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and we ask our driver to stop. Visit ? touching, many children and poor people find some help here. We leave a small offer and leave with a heart full of sadness.
We head to Agra Fort and from here we have the first, exciting view of the Taj Mahal. We reach our Windham hotel where they give us an amazing suite, complete with a fireplace, lounge and dining room.

13 day

DELHI
Wake up early in the morning. Such a pity! The bed was great, soft sheets, a blast! But the Taj Mahal and also our driver are waiting for us! We arrive in front of the mausoleum and we remain speechless. The spectacle that presents itself to our eyes? exciting, indescribable. We can't take our eyes off. Let's start the visit, but unfortunately the time available to us after two hours? expired. The car is waiting for us to take us back to the hotel for breakfast and then leave for Delhi.
Our trip ? now come to an end. Will a flight take us back tomorrow? in Italy. We drive along the highway that takes us back to Delhi and the images of this wonderful journey flow in our eyes. We retrace the various stages, think of the smiles of the people, the dark eyes of the children who look at you curiously, the cows always in the middle of the road, the dirt, the warmth of these people. For dinner we go to a nice place with our trusty driver. We go back to the hotel a little sad.

14 day

Today we leave. We close the suitcases, load them in the car and go to the airport. We greet and thank the driver who allowed us to realize our dream. Our journey ends here, but on the plane we already think? on our next trip. But where? Of course in India, perhaps in Gujarat, or why? no to the South and we will use the same agency again.