Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, known as the City of Angels, is a place of sharp contrasts. Spend the daytime exploring ancient palaces and temples (such as Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha) in the old city of Rattanakosin, and nights clinking glasses in one of Bangkok’s legendary sky bars.
For the latter, make a reservation at Octave Rooftop Lounge and Bar on the 45th to the 49th floors of Bangkok Marriott Hotel. Relax, unwind, and sip creative cocktails such as Lavender Dream (a blend of gin, lavender liqueur, butterfly pea, lime, and cream) while admiring unparalleled 360-degree cityscape views.
Back at ground level, get your shopping fix at a luxury shopping mall along upmarket Sukhumvit Road, or at a floating market in nearby Samut Songkhram province. And for your foodie fix, be sure to try authentic street food — such as pad thai (Thailand’s national dish) or a sweet dessert of mango sticky rice — at one of the local markets. You can also bring exquisite flavors to life at a local cookery school, where you’ll learn how to make classic Thai dishes like green Thai curry. Most cookery sessions include a visit to a nearby market before you create and savor delicious authentic Thai cuisine.
Embrace Bangkok’s status as a concrete jungle at Erawan Shrine, a sacred site surrounded by skyscrapers, or get some fresh air alongside hundreds of monitor lizards in Lumphini Park. And for some city culture and adventure combined, climb the serpentine steps up to the Golden Mount, a Buddhist temple set atop an artificial hill surrounded by shaded trees, and enjoy panoramic city views.
Local transportation is as diverse as the city’s attractions: Take advantage of the elevated BTS SkyTrain, underground MRT, tuktuk vehicles (auto-rickshaw), and the ferries along the Chao Phraya River. For a fun adventure, take a chartered long-tail boat and cruise along the city’s River of Kings. It’s a great way to gain a different perspective of the city — and is most serene at sunset.
