Jaipur – The pink city is known for its royal palaces, Maharaja culture and the unending beauty of Indian history. Being one of the major travel hubs of India, Jaipur finds a place in almost everyone’s to-do list. I had always been intrigued by the magnetism and grandeur of this city. Being an avid traveler I wanted to explore the narrow lanes, bustling markets and rich heritage that the city beholds. And so, as soon as I got my leaves granted, I booked a flight from Pune to Jaipur and a flight from Jaipur to Pune on Cleartrip.

And no sooner did I look for the flights on the website, I was treated with a lot of offer which made my bookings easy and convenient. My son, Viraj, has been my constant companion when it comes to travel. He loves visiting new places and of course playing games at new kids arenas. And as I love teaching my son the rich history of India, in no way would I have made this trip without him. Bags were packed and we were set for a mighty trip to unfold.

On the day of travel, we made sure that we pack light and make the most of our trip. Thanks to Cleartrip, the bookings were in place, and the mother-son duo made a safe and heavenly journey to Jaipur.

Day 1 – Touchdown!

We landed at Jaipur at 3 p.m. and headed straight to the hotel. The spacious room, views of the street and the weather were perfect for us to begin our stay here. After some rest, we freshened up to explore the nearby markets. We made our way to the Babu Market to know the shopping scene of Jaipur. While my son was mostly annoyed and repeatedly asking me to leave, I was immersed in the beauty of the Rajasthani Bandhni sarees, dupattas and the plethora of handwork outlaid in front of me. I picked up a few dresses for myself and a couple of t-shirts for Viraj. The Rajasthani puppets intrigued me the most. There were also Rajasthani jewelry and bags to b picked, but I decided to give them a chance on my next visit.

Chokhi Dhani – Th Rajasthani restaurant

After a couple of hours of shopping, it was time to taste the local cuisine. As we had only a few days in our hands, instead of picking up a regular restaurant we decided to visit the Chokhi Dhani. This is a Rajasthani themed restaurant spread across a large area that gives a glimpse of Rajashtan in a visit. The desert lands, ancient houses, Rajasthani artwork, and regional dresses were all displayed beautifully to soak into the culture. I took my time to learn about these designs from the guide. Viraj was intrigued by the puppets and birds made of clay that were installed almost everywhere in the restaurant. After an hour of exploring the place, we went to the dining area to dine like a true Rajasthani.

On the floor, a mattress was put with single-seater dining tables that had more than 15 varieties of dishes served. All made of authentic ingredients and Rajasthani flavors. My son jumped in joy finding such beautiful outlay of food but chaos to gorge on just the ones he actually knew. As we completed the meal we had to our room for a good sleep.

Day 2 – A Day amidst the Old Forts

Our morning began with a tour to the Amer Fort. This ancient palace was once the capital of the Maharajas. With a local guide, we took our time learning about the lives of Maharajas, visiting the Maharani room and soaking into the view of the city from one of its balconies. Thereafter we went to the Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort to not the nuances of history. The architecture and view of the forts were surreal. Our day ended with a hearty meal at one of the local restaurants.

Day 3 – City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and Kids Zone!

The next day, we decided to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Hawa Mahal. Splendid, majestic and unimaginable – I was smitten by its beauty. The red sandstone architecture of the place is truly jaw-dropping. After a few selfies, we moved to the City Palace, an old Maharaja palace and museum with stunning architecture and collection of vintage cars, decors and pieces from history. It took us a while registering the beauty of this stunning palace. After a short visit, we hired a car to have a look at the Jal Mahal. I was indeed awe-struck to find a fort immersed in water. The rest of the night was spent at a kids’ activity center and playroom where Viraj enjoyed his love for games.

Also read: Solo trip guide for a female traveler

The next morning we board the flight to Pune as we had to cut our trip short due to a family emergency.

And the biggest respite was that Cleartrip made it possible for us to reschedule our flights and board them just how we wanted. Our flight from Jaipur to Pune was comfortable and relaxing. We caught on sleep until we reached Pune.

It was a beautiful experience traveling with my son and exploring a new city. I hope there are more such trips like these and I keep adding pages to my diary!

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