Art Holiday Tour is based in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Udaipur is also known as "The City of Lakes" and is one of the most popular holiday destinations in India. An extremely distinct Indian city, it widely known for its incomparable 'medieval' architecture, chivalrous history, cheerful and robust exposition of its people and brilliant colors. Endowed with extraordinary palaces, lakes, temples, gardens, Udaipur is situated in a picturesque valley in midst of Aravali hills, which are the oldest mountain ranges in the world.

Strolling in the streets of this 450 years old city with protruding architectural balconies is a dream walk for the modern man. The multiple lakes add to the magic. Life at the shores of these lakes has been the source of inspiration to painters and photographers around the world.

Udaipur city facts:
Area: 37 sq. km
Population: 3,66,000
Altitude: 577 meters above sea level
Languages spoken: Rajasthani, Hindi, English
Best time to visit: September-March
Weather: Winters are pleasant with temperature remaining at around 28°C during day and up to 11°C during night. The winters are the best time to visit this historic city.

Some popular places to visit in and around
Udaipur are:

Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal: A well-known center of continuing studies of folk culture. Created in 1952, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal has been recording Rajasthani folklore and folk music, staging plays, collecting tribal and rural arts and disseminating the knowledge of folk arts to the masses. The museum has on view a huge collection of rural and folk items collected over a period of 50 years from remotest villages. Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal is a big tourist attraction for its overwhelming puppet shows and performances of folk dances and ballet.

Chittor: 115 Km east of Udaipur is historic place called Chittorgarh - or the fort of Chittor. This was the original house of the kings of Udaipur long before the city of Udaipur was found. Spread over a wide plateau, Chittorgarh has a formidable fortification. Over centuries, it saw several wars and was sacked on 3 occasions—leading to great sacrifice of its people. The women burnt themselves to death while men died fighting for their honor. They are both immortalized in folk traditions and legends.

Craft Village: Shilpgram which literally means ‘craftsmen’s village’ is a living ethnographic museum. The village comprises over 31 rural dwelling form the western region of India , re-erected in 70 acres of picturesque countryside amongst the foothills of the Aravali Range , just 5 Kilometers west of Udaipur. The village boast of an enormous diversity of culture, crafts and architecture which is found throughout the state of the western region of India. Shilpgram has become the hub of cultural activities for craftsman and performing artist.

Dharohar: A magnificent heritage is reflected in Indian architecture, monuments, cuisine, arts, costumes, customs, festivals and spirituality. Meaning 'heritage', Dharohar is a bold display of authentic music & dance forms performed by genuine performing artist at the West Zone Cultural Center in the impressive Neem Chowk courtyard of Bagore-ki-Haveli, the very spot where years ago in the heyday of the haveli, similar performances were staged to entertain the royal household and their guests. Through dance and music, Dharohar endeavors to provide a glimpse of one of the most spectacular and colorful and thrilling elements of this heritage.

Havelis: Havelis or palatial ancestral homes, have been the most splendid living spaces of wealthy merchants, royals (relatives of princely families) or big officials of the princely states who lived or live there. Havelis were built with intricate skilled workmanship and are great examples of our architectural heritage and cultural expressions of its inhabitants.

Kumbalgarh: 70 kilometers from the city of Udaipur is a mighty medieval fortress called Kumbhalagarh that sits atop the ancient Aravali ranges at an altitude of 3,300ft. (1,100 Mt). Surrounded by a wild life sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh's enduring charm is of its desolate abundant palace with beautiful courtyards, interesting frescoes, temples and ruins spread over a wide area and a grand view of the Marwar planes.

Lake Pichola: This is Udaipur's most famous lake situated in the middle of which is the world famous Lake Palace Hotel. Lake Pichola has the most romantic setting of distant hills on one side and old walled city with the imposing city palace of the former kings of Udaipur on the other. A haven for water birds, Pichola is serene on the far side just as it is vibrant with local people at the lakefront.

Mahasatya: A veritable forest of decorated white marble cenotaphs in an interesting setting, just three kilometers east of the town Mahasatya, is the cemetery of Udaipur kings, queens, princes and princesses.

Ranakpur: Situated 100 km north of Udaipur, Ranakpur is famous for its huge complex of temples that were made in 15th century. The stringing architecture includes 29 halls containing 1,444 pillars not one like the other. And each pillar is covered with intricate, delicate carvings.

Rajasthani Puppets: One of the oldest puppetry tradition in the world is traced to India - and in India to Rajasthan - in Rajasthan to Udaipur. Developed over hundreds of years, the Rajasthani puppets have evolved into unique characters and are popular both as forms of entertainment and decoration. Colourful puppets sell all over the city and they make great gifts!

Sajjangarh Palace: Presiding over the city of Udaipur, Sajjangarh is the imposing palace made on top of a hill. Udaipur king Sajjan Singh built it for his queen and maids especially for the rainy months. Hence, it is also called the mansoon palace from where one gets a magnificent panoramic view of the city of Udaipur.

West Zone Cultural Centre: One of the seven zonal culture centers set up by government of India, it provide facilities for the creative development of performing arts, visual arts, literary works, traditional folk and tribal art forms in the western region of India in the states of Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Goa Daman, Diu and Dadara Nagar Haveli. There is a special emphasis on people’s participation and revival of vanishing arts and crafts. The main thrust of the zonal centre is to network and disseminate cultural activities in rural India. West zone culture center is housed in a historical building known as Bagore ki Haveli built during 1751-1778 AD.

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