Jaipur Pink is a particular shade of pink, a terracotta pink enforced as the official colour for all buildings under local law. The story goes that the reigning Maharaja in the 1870's declared they would paint the town pink in anticipation of a visit from Prince Albert. And it's stuck ever since.

This city is a visual delight – the sandy pink buildings, the bazaars crammed full of women in saris and other beautiful things, the block printed textiles, the restored haveli mansions and palace, the colourful street scenes...we were barely here 48 hours and I barely pulled my camera away from my face.

Here's where we got to...

Eat + Drink

• Lassiwala - Creamy lassis in disposable clay cups from an open streetside shop, famed for tourists but we were surrounded by locals only when we picked up our morning cuppa.
• Bar Palladio - All-blue jaw-dropping beautiful interiors at his bar and Italian restaurant

Hunt for Treasure

• Anokhi Museum - Dedicated to the art of hand block printing out of the city near Amber Fort, they also have a store in the city centre, ethical production here
• Gem Palace - Traditional and antique Jaipur jewellery, we browsed like it was a museum but it's actually a shop and they have plenty of affordable pieces
• Bazaar Shopping - We wandered through Tripolia and Chandpol Bazaars followed by Hawa Mahal Road which we loved best of all

Find the Light

• Hawa Mahal - Part of the City Palace which you will surely visit too, a high wall which screened royal ladies as they watched street festivities
• Amber Fort - Out of the city in the town of Amber, looking out over the surrounding valleys and mountains, near Anokhi Museum

Sleep

• Alsisar Haveli - Beautiful family haveli mansion turned heritage hotel