We have most certainly arrived in Best Exotic Marigold Hotel territory. The Amet Haveli Herritage Hotel is an extraordinary beautiful rambling old palace. The place is dotted with small courtyard gardens, inviting stairways, rooftop terrace, and exquisite colonnaded verandas. It’s also pretty well appointed with older British tourists (we should fit right in!). From my bedroom window seat overlooking the courtyard I’ve already spotted a few women in the style of the characters played by Maggie Smiths (god rest her soul), Judi Dench and Celia Imrie.

Our breakfast was on a charming garden terrace under the shade of a large tree with a vista over lake Pichola. I think we’re definitely paying for the view and the setting as the breakfast was so so. They didn’t have soya milk, but to their credit a boy was dispatched and about 20 minutes later he returned with soya milk that he’d purchased from a nearby store. The coffee was yuk – instant – but I think I can forgive them as the magic of the buildings and surroundings here certainly seeps into you.

After breakfast we wandered around a bit, exploring the terraces and stairways, snapping pictures of the lovely views that they framed. We’re off to explore the City Palace (which we can see across the water from our hotel) and then take a boat trip on the lake. Today will be a lovely relaxing antidote to the mega train journey of yesterday.