Fly to Bangkok

You're never far from a temple in Bangkok: the city is home to more than 26,000! The Grand Palace is a glimmering wonder guaranteed to astound you; it's also where you’ll find Wat Phra Kaeo, the sacred temple of the Emerald Buddha. Nearby, Wat Pho is famed for its grand reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage school where therapists will intuitively ease out those knots. Across the river is the glorious Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) – ironically, most beautiful at dusk. Meanwhile, the six-ton dazzle of Wat Traimit's gigantic gold Buddha is a spectacle you'll never forget!

Bangkok has an excellent restaurant scene, but to experience the real flavours of Thailand, you can't beat street food. One of the city's best street-food hubs is Sukhumvit Soi 38, near Thong Lor BTS station. Stalls are open until 3am and it gets busier and better the later you go. Try wonton noodles, pad thai and super-fresh mango sticky rice. Popular with Bangkok locals for street-food delights such as steamed chive dumplings, coconut icecream and Hainan rice noodles, Khlong San Market comes alive at dusk.

Take a Thonburi khlong (canal) tour in a brightly coloured longtail boat. You'll need to negotiate the fee with the driver up front, but you'll get a wonderful glimpse of everyday life around the backwaters of the Chao Phraya River: children dive-bombing into the water, women trading wares from their boats and men fishing. Chao Phraya Express Boats are a handy way of getting around: the tourist-friendly blue flag service stops at several of the city's key attractions. Grab an all-day pass and float from sight to sight!