One of the world's greats. You want celebrate something amazing with a blast of extreme exoticism? Then come here, a quick hop on from Delhi. It seems absurd that you can even stay - the Maharaja still lives in one of the palace wings. Peacocks Strut around the gardens where pavilions glimmer in the dusk sun, and the desert city of Jodhpur appears like a mystical mirage in the distance. The astonishing gold sandstone building is enough in itself - monumental and atmospheric with its ornate cupola, banqueting rooms, marble-floored squash courts, tigers' heads on the walls and a garage full of vintage cars. And now the whole movie-star romance of the thing has been brought bang up to speed by the efficiency and glamour of the Taj hotel group. The food is superb (divine samosa), ensuring peace of mind; the turbaned staff are twinkly; the art deco-style bedrooms are bubbles of comfort; and there's a new pool outside and a fabulous downstairs spa. Hunker down for a few days of shopping and sunshine, and of exploring all the building's nooks and crannies and its outrageously gripping history. The service and setting are probably the best in the whole of India. A more wondrous long weekend would be hard to find.