First look at Sawantwadi, and you can be forgiven for wondering if it is a piece of Nainital which has lost its way and landed up at the foot of Western Ghats. The town was the seat of the Royal family of Bhonsles and still retains some of the stately grandeur. It sits in a bowl of lush green hills encircling a huge lake called Moti Talao. The palace gate and the imposing clock tower are reflected in the waters. Tourists can take a round of the lake in a peddle-boat or can simply feast on the emerald beauty while walking in the lakeside gardens. As the sun sets, streetlights come on at once around the complete perimeter of the lake. It is a moment with something extra to make your vacation unforgettable.