Mumbai, formally known as Bombay, had a very different vibe to Delhi and the other Indian cities we’d visited - cosmopolitan, affluent with a greater mix of cultures, especially from the Middle East due to its location on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

Udaipur, the Venice of the East, is located around a series of lakes framed by mountains, forts and palaces; it’s also known as the White City - the palaces and buildings hugging the lake made of white marble.

The Jain Temple of Ranakpur is built entirely in white marble, around the 14th century - known for its magnificent architecture. There are 29 pillared halls, 80 domes and 1444 intricately carved pillars - each unique, decorated in a different way.

Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar desert and was the Citadel of the ancient Marwar Kingdom. This bustling desert city is the second largest in Rajasthan after Jaipur. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rathore clan in 1459.

Jaipur is named after its founder Jai Singh II who came to power at the age of 11. Its northern India’s first planned city built from 1727. In 1876 Maharajah Ram Singh had the entire old city painted pink - the colour of hospitality - to welcome the Prince of Wales -later King Edward VII.

We spent a day travelling through part of Rajasthan - which translates to Land of the Kings - this state is home to maharajas, mighty forts and marvellous palaces.

At the end of a long narrow glistening water course, surrounded by ornamental gardens, the Taj Mahal floats majestically on its raised marble plinth - said to be the most beautiful building in the world.

Delhi, the capital of India, is a cacophony of colourful chaos - cars, rickshaws, tuk-tuks, buses and carts - drawn by horses or people. They all vie for position at traffic lights, spilling through the streets and laneways, people living in cramped quarters in every available space.