An oasis in the middle of the desert, the Shahpura Bagh is set in the heart of a network of 250 lakes. The nearest lake is full of white lotuses and the sunsets here are beautiful. Beautiful gardens surround the property and the haveli is pristine white, iridescent in the heat. This is a perfect aristocratic retreat adorned with all usual ingredients – period furniture, four poster beds, high ceilings, portraits of the royalty, the works. But what wins you over is the incredible sense of space, the tastefully, lovingly done up spaces, personal attention, homemade food and the fact that all rooms open to green, green gardens.

USP: Heritage meets unhurried leisure. High on the romantic index.

Bhilwara lies between Jaipur and Udaipur and Shahpura Bagh is 50 km from Bhilwara.

Air: The nearest airports are Jaipur and Udaipur, both about 210 km from Bhilwara, in opposite directions.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Bhilwara but Ajmer (120 km) is better connected from the rest of the country. Take the Ajmer Shatabdi from Delhi which takes 6 hours and offers a comfortable journey.

Road: If you are driving from Delhi, the journey will take about 8 hours. Reach Jaipur from Delhi on the NH 8. After crossing Jaipur, switch to NH 79, just short of Ajmer, at Nasirabad. Drive on and turn towards Bhilwara at Gulabpura.

Easygoing days. Picnics, fishing and boating on the lakes with ample sundowners. The surrounding wetlands are a birdwatcher's paradise while the region is also rich with heritage and history – explore forts, palaces and temples.