Renowned for its silk, manicured gardens, lofty temples, sandalwood and spectacular palaces, Mysore is an ideal choice for a quiet getaway.

This city of palaces is sure to transport you to another era altogether! The magnificence of the Indo-Saracenic architecture at the Amber Vilas Palace will leave you spellbound. This majestic palace was designed by Henry Irwin. It is a poem in silver grey granite crowned by bulbous domes in pink marble. Other opulent palaces that deserve a visit include the spectacular Lalita Mahal Palace, Vasantha Mahal, Cheluvamba Vilas, Jaganmohan Palace, Jayalakshmi Vilas with its Corinthian columns and you can soak in the panoramic view from Rajendra Vilas, perched on a hill top. Each palace has a story to tell….

Admire the exquisite artworks at the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, housed in one wing of the Jaganmohan Palace, famed for its collection of Ravi Varma originals. If you’re interested in tribal art and craft or gazing at royal portraits, then stop by the Government Museum or the State Archaeology Museum. The immaculately maintained Mysore zoo, the Chamundi temple with its monolithic Nandi statue and the Brindavan gardens with their musical fountains (30 minutes away from Mysore) deserve a visit too.For the adventurous, Mysore has plenty to offer: from trekking, bungee jumping and wall climbing to cycling, hang-gliding, nature camps and rafting (on the river Cauvery).

No visit to Mysore is complete without shopping for silk sarees, yardage of rustling silk, sandalwood carvings and incense. Wander along the Devraj Urs market to soak in local flavours, craft and shopping.Located about 130 km from Bangalore, Mysore is well-connected by road and rail. The city can be visited anytime of the year, but if you are looking for a little drama and fanfare, Dussehra is a good time to visit Mysore. It is an ideal choice if you are looking for a short break.