Jaipur

Jaipur lies close to the scenic Aravalli hills, a five-hour drive west of Agra (45 minutes by air from Delhi). The metropolis is dominated by the walled city, a complex of pink-hued ceremonial buildings and elaborate mansions known as havelis. Much of the city comprises a labyrinth of animated bazaars and open-air markets. This is the center of India’s crafts industry, and the array of handmade jewelry, textiles, pottery, woodcarvings, enamelware and folk art is overwhelming. Jaipur is also renowned for precious and semiprecious stones, which can be acquired for far less than you would pay back home.