The Heartlands of India, Maheshwar

Despite the town being well off the usual tourist routes, there is a so much to see and do in the country around the town of Maheshwar. The ruined city of Mandu sits atmospherically atop the Vindhya mountains and is well worth the drive. Inside its 23 miles of walls are palaces, mosques and pavilions, each with their own romantic legend such as the 'Ship Palace' which looks like a ship floating on the lake below, and which was once the sultan's harem and home to 15,000 women.

 There is a also a chance to visit Roopmati's Pavilion, built for the love of King Bahadur after she promised to marry him only if she could see the Narmada river below, every day. On an island in that river, you will find the Hindu temples Omkareshwa and Amareshwar. You’ll finish the day by exploring the local area on foot, strolling by the ghats or shopping for the famed local saris, woven in plain cotton with decorative silk ends.