Gujarat is a state that promises to enthrall. It is an easy side step off the well-worn tourist trails in India with an array of unexpected and incredible experiences. The capital city of Ahmedabad (and towns like Patan and Modhera in touching distance) is a canvas of remarkable architecture and history. Slow strolls taking in hundreds of years of work behind historic sites is great for the history lover. For the wildlife enthusiasts, this is the only state where one can spot Asiatic lions, and see the blackbucks thrive in a sanctuary only for them. Birding on the salt-pans where pink flamingoes add a dash of colour to the endless white, and the wild-asses leaving dust trails in the Rann of Kutch are exhilarating experiences.