In Udaipur, the city of lakes, history hovers deliciously close and romance revs up. This is where the James Bond flick Octopussy was shot. Fairy tale palaces, forested hills, and narrow streets lined with craftsmen's ateliers encourage hours of meandering. The shimmering waters of the famous Lake Pichola give the city an indulgent quality, and you instinctively know that you are at the right place. And to top, the hotels are exemplary and the air connections easy.