by Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey

After the early start there is time to take in the offerings of the beauty salon car, and after a massage and lunch you will be ready for the next stop, Chittaurgargh.

Temples, a fascinating Victory column and gardens with incredible views distract from the fact that Chittaurgargh is famous for being conquered relentlessly throughout history, and that upon the deaths of the men-folk the women of the city committed 'jauhar', burning themselves to death to escape the attentions of the conquerors.

Udaipur, the Palace in the Lake.

Udaipur and its famous Palace in the Lake, are the main attractions of day 6, the last but one day of your trip. Watch the James Bond movie 'Octopussy' before your trip, it helps when you join the discussions as to what was filmed where! Before setting off on the boat across the lake to the palace to enjoy what I thought was the best food of the trip, you will get a chance to visit a local art school to watch local artist and their students perform miracles on silk.

Last, but absolutely not least, there is the Taj Mahal: yet again Day 7 starts way too early - but as for watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, what can I say? The most romantic and elegant building in the world, tinted pink from the rising sun, the mist settling behind the big dome over the river, it is a truly awe-inspiring sight. Something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

In the afternoon, the last trip takes you to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, worthwhile, but after the Taj Mahal a little bland, so that a lot of people decided to while away their last afternoon in the comfort of their cabin on the train.

The next morning the Palace on Wheels arrives back in Delhi, and you will find that you can barely remember where you have been. A dream-like trance will settle over you for the next few days before slowly all the images, colors, smells and impressions will fall into place and leave you incredulous at how much you have managed to see in such a short period of time. Then you will start making plans for the return to your favorite places of the journey in the not too distant future.

For more inforamtion on freelance writer Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey, visit www.ulrikeonline.com. (...BACK)