PALANQUINS & PALMS

Your luxury honeymoon begins in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and one of its most evocative cities. Named the ‘Pink City’ – both for its red sandstone and the lick of pink paint it was given to honour a visit from the Prince of Wales in 1876 – Jaipur is as fascinating as it is eye-catching. Its bustling bazaars are a great place to pick up a souvenir in the form of one of the city’s famous handicrafts – specialities include stone carving and wooden puppets. Jaipur’s Amber Fort, a marble-and-sandstone monster with beautifully ornate carvings, is the area’s most famous attraction, with the City Palace and Palace of the Winds also worth checking out.

Your hotel, Rajhmahal Palace RAAS Jaipur, is a palatial hotel with 250 years of history. A tour of Jaipur in one of the hotel’s vintage cars is an unforgettable way to get to know the city.

Departing Jaipur after 2 nights, you’ll be taken by private transfer to your next stop, Ajabgarh – a journey of around 2 hours. Your home for the next 3 nights is Amanbagh, a regal, pink-hued hotel inspired by Mughal architecture and set in lush tropical gardens. Ajabgarh is a quiet village in the Rajasthani countryside and the home of the Meena people, whose rich traditional culture has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The Meena are famous for their brightly coloured dress and their handicrafts and jewellery, which would make for a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your honeymoon. Your hotel sits on the shores of the serene Jai Sagar Lake; a trip on a traditional shikara boat is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Another option is the sunset Cow Dust Tour, which will take you through local villages at the beautiful time of day when sunset mixes with the dust thrown up by the cows being brought home

The next stop on your honeymoon adventure is Ranthambore National Park, around 3 hours by private road transfer. A huge area of jungle-covered wilderness, Ranthambore is one of the best places in India to see tigers in their natural habitat, and leopards, hyenas and sloth bears are among the other animals who live here. You’ll spend 2 nights at Sher Bagh, a luxury tented camp on the edge of the park and a perfect base for guided game drives to spot tigers and other animals. Cultural attractions nearby include the mighty Ranthambore Fort, which dates from the 8^th century and has played host to conquering Sultanates, Rajputs and Mughals over its long history; the fort is also home to an important temple to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of Hinduism. From the side of the park, the fort provides a picturesque backdrop to the tigers’ territory.

After 2 nights exploring Ranthambore at Sher Bagh, you’ll travel by private road transfer (5.5hrs) to Agra, home to one of the most famous and romantic sights anywhere on the planet: the Taj Mahal. Built in the mid-17^th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in tribute to his wife, the Taj is known worldwide as a symbol of beauty and love. The great poet Rabindranath Tagore described it as “the teardrop on the cheek of time,” and, while you’ll have seen it in a thousand pictures and films, nothing quite prepares you for seeing it with your own eyes for the first time. Your hotel, the luxurious Oberoi Amarvilas, is an opulent property which features uninterrupted views of the Taj from each of its grand rooms and suites.

The next stop on your journey is India’s capital, Delhi, which you’ll reach by boarding a train – in itself an icon of India – for a journey of around 4 hours from Agra. Delhi is an endlessly fascinating city, by turns chaotic, colourful and mysterious; there are maze-like streets, strange souks and buzzing bazaars everywhere you look, and a seemingly endless list of cultural and historical attractions. These include the newly-built Akshardham Temple, an extravagant Hindu mandir; Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent example of Mughal architecture; and the Qutb Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. When you’ve had enough of sightseeing, Lodi Gardens are a beautiful place to relax or go for a quiet stroll, and is home to the tombs of several of the Sultans of Delhi. You’ll spend the night at Leela Palace, an elegant luxury hotel in the heart of the city.

The final leg of your journey will see you boarding a flight to the Maldives, where you’ll spend 4 nights at the luxurious Six Senses Laamu. Nestled in tropical forest on the remote Laamu Atoll, this is a beautiful collection of beach villas which are perfect for being as lazy or as active as you please. Laamu is surrounded by life-rich coral reef, and the interesting and colourful marine life which you can spot on a diving or snorkelling trip includes parrotfish, oriental sweetlips, and green turtles. A range of water sports is on offer, including surfing, wakeboarding and wind surfing, and the variety of available excursions includes island hopping and a private picnic on a desert island. Alternatively, you can simply put your feet up and relax on the beach or at the resort’s luxurious spa. After 4 nights on Laamu, your luxury honeymoon reaches its end, and you’ll fly home.