If India is a symphony, then Rajasthan is its crescendo. Imagine a living tableau where golden desert dunes flirt with sumptuous palaces, bright turbans meet saris that dance in the wind, and every alleyway whispers tales of love, bravery and... trickster monkeys (more on that later). Ah, Rajasthan! I remember it like it was yesterday. Or the day before, because with the heat, my brain has a tendency to get confused. But what remains clear is the feeling of being plunged into a tale from the Arabian Nights, Bollywood version. Between the camel safaris, the tigers that look straight into your soul (or just your camera), and the spicy thalis that make you dance on the spot, Rajasthan is a multi-sensory experience. In this article, I'm going to take you on a tour of the top 15 must-sees in this magical region. We'll pass by golden cities, mystical temples and bazaars that turn even shopaholics into souvenir hunters. As an added bonus, I'll be slipping you a few juicy anecdotes - like that moment when a camel judged me with its eyes because I didn't know how to ride properly (yes, those critters are very critical). So, come on, let's get on our imaginary tuk-tuk and explore this land of the maharajas. Put on your sunglasses, it's going to sparkle! Jaipur, the pink city: history in powder pink Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a royal gateway. As soon as you arrive, you'll be greeted by the Hawa Mahal, the palace of the winds with its delicately sculpted façade, resembling an oversized birthday cake. Don't miss the City Palace, a labyrinth of courtyards, museums and halls where you can admire royal costumes and weapons worthy of a Bollywood film. And of course the Jantar Mantar, that strange astronomical observatory filled with huge instruments that look like they've stepped straight out of a Doctor Who episode. Here you can measure time or, like me, pretend to understand celestial movements while taking selfies. During my visit, a mischievous monkey tried to grab my bag in search of biscuits. Moral of the story: never underestimate a macaque's appetite. Udaipur, India's Venice: water and romance With its sparkling lakes and palaces worthy of a film set, Udaipur makes you want to get out a violin and sing serenades. The jewel in the crown here is the City Palace, a gigantic edifice perched on a hill with a breathtaking view over Lake Pichola. The must-see attraction? A boat trip at sunset to admire the sumptuous Lake Palace. Don't be surprised if you spot a royal wedding or two - millionaires love this place to say 'I do'. A tuk-tuk driver told me that Lake Pichola had magical powers. According to him, dipping your feet in the water would guarantee a successful love life. I gave it a try... and I'm still single. Jodhpur, the blue city: A dream of azure Imagine a sea of houses painted indigo blue, stretching out beneath the imposing Mehrangarh fortress. This fort is the highlight of the show: huge, robust, but with architectural details so delicate you'd think a goldsmith had worked on it. The Sardar market is a must for souvenir lovers - spices, fabrics, and those famous leather babouches that will be a hit on Instagram (even if they stay in your cupboard). When I tried to negotiate for a carpet, the merchant offered me some chai. The result? I bought two rugs instead of one. The power of tea, my friends. Jaisalmer, the golden city: the magical desert Perched in the middle of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is a golden mirage, especially as sunset approaches. Its fort, still inhabited today, is an architectural gem. Here you can wander through narrow streets lined with beautifully carved havelis and cosy little cafés. But the star attraction is the camel safari in the Sam Dunes. Imagine yourself gliding across the sand, with only the rustle of the wind and the grunt of the camel (which, by the way, has a lot more personality than it looks). My camel was called Rajesh, and he had a strange obsession with nibbling tourists' hair. I had to protect myself with a scarf the whole way. Pushkar, the city of pilgrims and hippies A small village nestling around a sacred lake, Pushkar is a surprising cocktail of spirituality and bohemia. Here you'll find the world's only temple dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu creator god, as well as markets filled with handcrafted jewellery, incense and baba-cool trousers. If you're lucky enough to visit in November, the Pushkar camel fair is a sight to behold, with camel races, moustache competitions and vendors shouting louder than a fish market. While attempting a meditation by the lake, a parrot landed on my shoulder. It would have been spiritual if the bird hadn't decided to poke my glasses. Ranthambore National Park: A royal jungle Imagine yourself face to face with a Bengal tiger, its golden eyes shining in the half-light of the jungle. That's exactly what Ranthambore, a former hunting reserve of the maharajas turned national park, promises. Between the ruins of an old fort hidden under lianas and the waterholes where the animals come to drink, each safari is an adventure worthy of a documentary. On one safari, my jeep came to an abrupt halt. A few metres away, a tigress and her two cubs were basking in the shade. The guide whispered that this was a rare opportunity. I was fascinated... until a particularly noisy monkey alerted everyone. Bikaner: Camels and improbable legends Bikaner is Rajasthan in its raw state, where the grandeur of the forts meets astonishing traditions. Junagarh Fort is a marvel of architecture, but what makes it so special is its
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