With its cream saloons embellished with intricate designs the Palace on Wheels pampers the traveller as it chugs through Rajasthan on a journey through former royal kingdoms. Once ruled by kings, forbidding fortresses and fairytale palaces of the state have now been converted into museums, hotels, and restaurants where retainers serve truly royal repasts. The Palace on Wheels tour for seven nights and eight days is now offering a 25 per cent discount to foreign tourists. The current tariff per day is $485 (single occupancy), $350 (double occupancy) and $285 (triple occupancy). For the Indian tourist, the rate is fixed at Rs 10,000 per night payable in INR. This discount does not apply to bookings already made.

AIR BOOKING
Travel Tips

All flights to and from USA, UK, and Europe will originate and terminate in Mumbai due to foggy weather conditions and the closure of Pakistan's airspace. However, shuttle services are available between Delhi and Mumbai with through check-in-facilities. Air India has introduced Yatrik-Your Airline Travel Reservation Internet Kit-which offers web-fares, books tickets online and delivers. For more details log on to www.airindia.com.

MUSIC & POETRY
Fine Tuned

Someone has finally tuned in to Kaifi Azmi's non-filmi poetry. Music Today's Shaguftagi combines Azmi's poetry and Khayyam's music. The eight ghazals and nazms in various moods and rhythms-by singers Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan-are a unique blend of the contemporary and traditional. Each cassette costs Rs 75.

CUISINE
Food for Fitness

A different look at food: Indian Food Sense by Ruth N. Davidar. Meant to appeal to the health conscious gourmet, it is a nutrition guide to traditional recipes. In its compilation of traditional Indian recipes and regional cuisines, the book focuses on nutritional values and low-fat cooking. The final part gives listings of ingredients with regional names, the various nutrients in foods , height and weight tables for Indian children and home remedies among other things. In short, it is all about eating wisely and well. Published by East West Books (Chennai), it is priced at Rs 250.