Udaipur is, admittedly, one of many cities to be dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, but perhaps it is the most deserving. In 1829, Colonel James Tod called it ‘the most romantic spot on the continent’. Fabulous palaces, many of which are now luxury hotels, are set around its lakes against the backdrop of the purple Aravalli Hills. Warm and sunny all year round, Udaipur has all the colour and noise of any Indian city, with an extra injection of Aladdin-style romance. The floating white marble Lake Palace, which James Bond fans will recognise as Octopussy’s opulent home, is particularly beautiful.