The Lake Palace — properly called Jag Niwas — appears to float on Lake Pichola, a confection of white marble and Rajput arches built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1746 as his summer pleasure palace. Today it is a luxury hotel run by the Taj group; non-guests can only admire it from boats or from the City Palace ramparts opposite.
Even from a distance it is one of the most romantic sights in India: the white walls turn pink at sunrise, gold at sunset, and pearly under a full moon. If you want to set foot on the island, book the high tea or dinner package well in advance — and dress appropriately, men in collared shirts.