Going to Udaipur is an ideal getaway. And you could do a two-in-one with this trip. Stay at one of the lovely palace hotels, could be the Shiv Niwas or the Lake Palace or even Uday Vilas, Oberoi's spanking new hotel. And then go to Shikarbadi, a hunting lodge hotel. Udaipur is a beautiful and romantic city with attractive landscaped gardens, lakes, impressive palaces and havelis and temples. People here are friendly and helpful and it is enjoyable to wander around the streets in the old city.

Its by-lanes have tiny little shops. All treasure troves. If you have an eye for detail you may pick up a priceless antique. I managed to locate an unique old lock where you keep turning the key a few times to unlock it. Also a rather strange round, cage-like oil lamp made of solid iron.

After a couple of days of this you could be heading towards Shikarbadi Hotel. Just 15 minutes out of the city (4 km from the City Palace) and you are transported to this quiet, rustic haveli, which evokes memories from the past. Originally a hunting lodge frequented by the royalty of Mewar, Shikarbadi is set amidst the serene wooded Aravalis, adjoining 250 acres of a wildlife sanctuary.

It is so tranquil, you don't believe the clamour of city life exists just a little away. The resort has a stud farm and you can go on horseback excursions (you can even take lessons if you don't already ride) into the hilly wilderness to spot the occasional deer, antelope, wild boar or nilgai. What a way to pass time.

Every evening the hotel staff put some food out on the periphery of the presently dried-up lake, and if you are lucky you may see some of these animals right from your deck chair.

Shikarbadi is known for its traditional Mewar cuisine. The hotel restaurant Baithak and Cheetal are popular even with the locals. A breakfast I ate with special jalebis, rich cream and stuffed green chillies, sev and masala tea has left a definite impression on my mind. The open air restaurant Risala, overlooking the distant Sajjangarh Fort, has a camp fire and bar-be-que in the evenings. They even have campsite accommodation with nine furnished tents for the adventurous visitors.

Well, if you can't manage to make time for a 100 per cent holiday, you could take your entire office there. Hold a business conference. Shikarbadi is structured to accommodate up to 100 delegates. Who knows in that peaceful surroundings what great strategies could evolve! After which you could play cricket. Yes, they even have a cricket ground. Also a private air strip for the boss.

Accommodation consists of 21 deluxe rooms (Rs. 1,999), all air-conditioned and overlooking the licensed Deer Park. The main building has three deluxe suites and one family suite (Rate Rs. 5,500). It also houses a quaint bar with trophy adorning its walls, conquests of maharajas from shikars of the past. Go there and down one or two, look the tiger in the eye, and wish that hunting was not banned in Rajasthan. For then you might have added your own trophy to Shikarbadi's collection.