Udaipur is one of the most fascinating cities of Rajasthan. Here are lakes that come as a surprise in sandy Rajasthan, and forested hills where wildlife still abounds. And in the lakes or by their edges are palaces straight out of fairy tales, each more beautiful than the other. There are rugged fortresses too- Chittaurgarh and Kumbhalgarh, where the history of Udaipur is told as if it were but a page from yesterday. Founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh, the house of Mewar or Udaipur as it is now better known is surrounded by the Aravalli mountain ranges. Situated on the edge of three lakes, its narrow streets lined with shops and craftsmen's ateliers encourage hours of window shopping for the avid tourist. The ambience, climate and history have combined to make Udiapur a tourist haven - also known as the Venice of the East.