I’ve been away in India visiting middleson, as anyone who follows us on Insta will know as I’ve rather clogged the feed up with pictures. This is my third trip to India, and I’m getting the hang of it. I followed our recent Jaipur shopping guide by Elena, which was excellent and also took a look around some modern Indian retail and found some fab stuff. If you ever plan to go, bookmark this page for reference.
Palladio, Jaipur
We all (middleson and his girlfriend and youngestson) completely feel in love with Palladio, which has the feel of a Wes Anderson movie set about the perfectly curated colour scheme and beautifully designed decorations. Even the visitors were fantastically dressed (the guy on the right above is Simon, the pastry chef, but don’t you love that blue outfit?). Imagine my delight when I discovered that it is owned by a woman Barbara Miolini and was designed by another, Marie-Anne Oudejans.
There is a fabulous bar for cocktails and a separate cafe location where there is also a tiny but charming store. I bought beautiful water glasses and the special tea blend and could have been persuaded to buy the napkins and cushions. The food at the cafe was among the best we had in India; fresh, contemporary Indian food with bright and vivid tastes. A highlight was the spiced iced expresso, a shot of chilled expresso wizzed with peach syrup and cardamom. Do not miss this place if you go. I would happily have moved in.
The garden seating pods should also be for sale as they were divine, but probably a good thing that they weren’t as it wouldn’t have fitted into my suitcase, although I’d have given it a good go.
Samode Haveli at Jaipur
We stayed in the most beautiful hotel, Samode Haveli while in Jaipur, which was peaceful and cool to retreat to after a day spent out in the heart of bustling Jaipur. It’s been given a lux make over, which has been done very sensitively, keeping the heritage decoration such as the original hand painted lounges intact. The fabulous pool, surrounded by flowering plants and trees, is a treat to return to as it is hot in Rajasthan during April and May (it regularly reached 40 degrees). During the cooler months, particularly February, when it’s the Literary and Wonderful Workshops festival, it is very popular and fills up fast, so book early.
Panna Meena Ka Kund at Jaipur
Obvs we did a lot of culture, but we did find ourselves increasingly picking places with good ‘gram-abilty. This is how it is if you travel with millennials, they’ll always check out the instagram feed before they visit, and if the ‘gram profile is a bit ‘meh’, then it’s off the list. Luckily, the water well of the Panna Meena Ka Kund was perfect and down the road from the Anokhi Museum.
Neemrana Hotel, Rajhastan
If you drive from Delhi to Jaipur, you’ll pass the 15th century Neemrana Fort Palace, now a truly spectacular hotel, with the atmosphere of a Merchant Ivory film set. We had just one night there but it was magical and one of our highlights.
My bedroom was tented, with traditional Rajasthani block printed cotton in the deepest of reds. There are more images of this on our Insta-feed if you’re interested. One of the best buys in Jaipur is the by-the-metre block printed cotton fabric (Ridhi Sidhi is my favourite for this), which is a gorgeously fine quality and around £2.00 a metre. I’m trying to figure out how to do this at home now, because who doesn’t want a tented bedroom? Also, I bought a lot of fabric so I need a big project to use it all up…
Shopping in Delhi
Back in Delhi, I really liked Good Earth, which is like a very up market Anthropologie, which sells my favourite Indian perfume brand The Perfume Library. The Khan Market store is my favourite and just along from the excellent and very well priced Anokhi store.
My friend Rebecca had tipped me off about which contemporary fashion designers to look out for, as she regularly buys in Delhi and her list included Injiri, Eka (from whom I bought a beautiful light weight indigo linen dress) and Pero. Ogaan in Haus Khas is a great store with an extensive collection of good designers, a bit like a more-realistically priced version of EGG. Sadly I didn’t take images of the store as I was too busy trying things on. Here’s a picture of some lovely colourful scarves instead.
Finally, Nicobar a terrific modern Indian mid market lifestyle brand, like a cross between COS and Anthropologie (everything’s a bit Anthro in India) where I bought a pair of black linen wrap front trousers I lived in the for the whole holiday. The weight of the cotton here was perfect to wear in the heat.
I really liked the whole range, it was ageless in style and so well priced. You could buy your whole wardrobe for Indian holiday here and I nearly did. The cafe, Nico Caara, is also fantastic and we had a delicious brunch there after trying on nearly everything in the store.
Thanks for the heads up on all these places Amanda. I’ll certainly keep this blog as a print-out in my travel folder for the next Jaipur trip. We stayed a week at the Samode Havalli in December — fabulous experience.
Thought of you while in India Sue, particularly when in the amazing textile shops….can’t wait to go back. xxx
I love following your travels! I also am a big fan of Indian clothing so thank you for the resources. I will be doing some shopping for cool clothing for hot and humid NYC summers.
I love following your travels! I also am a big fan of Indian clothing so thank you for the resources. I will be doing some shopping for cool clothing for hot and humid NYC summers.travel agency morocco
India is a fascinating travel destination with its vibrant culture and diverse food landscape. Embark on a local food tour to go beyond the usual sights and sounds. You’ll learn how local ingredients are sourced and prepared, sample regional delicacies, get to know the people, their stories, traditions, and more. It’s a unique and authentic way to see India. Read more here about how such a tour can diversify your travel experience.
I’ve been away in India visiting middleson, as anyone who follows us on Insta will know as I’ve rather clogged the feed up with pictures.
Great travel tips for shopping in Delhi and Jaipur! If you’re looking for a comfortable place to stay while traveling, consider staying at RV parks Midland TX. These parks offer great amenities and are perfect for a restful stop during your travels
Your trip sounds amazing! It must be special visiting Angkor Wat full day Tour your son and experiencing India for the third time. Your Insta updates have surely inspired many to explore! Thanks for sharing the Jaipur shopping guide—I’ll definitely bookmark it for future travels. Looking forward to hearing more about your discoveries!
Your description of Palladio is absolutely enchanting! The way you palheiro village compare it to a Wes Anderson movie set makes it feel even more magical, and the attention to detail in the color scheme and design sounds truly captivating. It’s wonderful to hear that such a beautifully curated space is the vision of two talented women. Also, Simon’s blue outfit sounds like the perfect touch to the already stylish atmosphere!
Delhi and Jaipur Shopping Tips” is an incredibly helpful guide for anyone planning to explore the vibrant markets of these two iconic cities. The article offers practical advice on navigating the bustling bazaars, bargaining effectively, and identifying authentic products, which is especially useful for first-time visitors. The tips on must-buy items, from traditional textiles in Delhi to gemstones in Jaipur, are spot-on and highlight the unique shopping experiences each city has to offer. The emphasis on respecting local customs and supporting local artisans adds a thoughtful touch, making it not just a shopping guide but also a culturally enriching read. Highly recommended for travelers looking to make the most of their shopping adventures in India! where to stay in Cinque terre
London is such a beautiful city to explore, even on a rainy day! The bus tour sounds like a great idea for sightseeing. Visiting Harrods and experiencing the Christmas Grotto must have been truly special, especially for Andrew!
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What an incredible journey! It sounds like you had an amazing time in India, and your Instagram feed must be a treasure trove of vibrant memories. It’s great to hear that Elena’s Jaipur shopping guide came in handy—it’s always a bonus when recommendations lead to fantastic finds. Your tips and experiences are so valuable for anyone planning a trip to India. Group Travel Tours
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I couldn’t agree more—Philippine destinations are truly underrated! The way you described Mount Pulag’s sunrise makes me want to experience it firsthand. Love the idea of incorporating nature-inspired color palettes into home design. It’s such a great way to keep the travel spirit alive even while staying at home! yarra valley private tours
Your Insta updates have surely inspired many to explore! Thanks for sharing the Jaipur shopping guide I’ll definitely bookmark it for future travels. Looking forward to hearing more about your discoveries! rameshwaram temple
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The tips on must-buy items, from traditional textiles in Delhi to gemstones in Jaipur, are spot-on and highlight the unique shopping experiences each city has to offer. Jay Alexander
An excellent read! It’s easy to get complacent in familiar surroundings, but this post really highlights how important it is to stay alert and prepared. The tip about sharing your itinerary and checking in with loved ones is something more travelers should remember. I also loved the mention of learning the local language—just a few words can make a big difference. Safety is universal, and these tips are relevant both locally and abroad. premium tours in Mexico
This sounds like such an adventurous day in London! I’m a big fan of hop-on, hop-off bus tours because they let you explore at your own pace. Visiting Harrods and grabbing a bite in the Disney Café sounds like a fantastic experience for both kids and adults. I can’t believe your train hit a wild boar! That must have been such an unusual experience, but it’s great that you were able to get back on track and continue your journey to Paris.Remote & Virtual Internship