THAILAND

The tour through this quixotic country begins in Thailand's noisy and vibrant capital, Bangkok, with visits to Wat Po and other famous temples. It continues into the countryside, exploring Kanchanaburi, site of the bridge over the River Kwai; the ancient capitals of Ayuthaya and Sukhothai; and national parks alive with monkeys and elephants. The charming city of Chiang Mai awaits in the northern mountains—from there wilderness treks depart for remote hill-tribe villages. Thailand is famous for its beaches, and you'll find all of the best ones here: Phuket and Koh Samui, as well as many others popular with Thais. Author Phil Macdonald makes sure you see all of the famous sights, and lesser-known ones as well. Self-guided tours with maps include a riverside walk in Bangkok and a boat trip down the Chao Phraya River. Special features include a guided boat trip down the Chao Phraya River and a riverside walk in Bangkok. Experiential sidebars abound, including one on staying overnight with a hill-tribe family, another on meditating with monks in Buddhist temples throughout Thailand, and another on culinary courses to learn how to make exquisite Thai dishes. A hefty Travelwise section includes information on how to get there and how to get around, as well as author-picked hotels and restaurants.

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