Discover Thailand: Temples, trails and island escapes

The long wait is over. Thailand's calling! You give your luggage a once-over. Sense of adventure? Check! Spirit of discovery? Check! Curiosity? Check! And it's time to go. You grab your bags, make your way through the airport and before you know it, the sound of your trolley rolling to the check-in desk is replaced by the rush of turbines as your plane speeds off into the night sky. Street food, temples, dream beaches – one last time, you dream of all the adventures that await you before they finally come true.

When you catch your first glimpse of the Thai capital's foothills, your heart leaps in your chest. As soon as you arrive, you're off to your accommodation.
Totally hypnotised, you watch the colourful chaos unfold on the lively streets and can hardly wait to dive into the action yourself. So – depending on when you arrive – you quickly kick your suitcase into your hotel room and head straight out to explore Bangkok! Lured by exotic aromas and the sizzling of food stalls, you make your way to one of the many night markets and mingle with the locals. Be it on Yaowarat Road in Chinatown or the legendary Khao San Road, the amount of street food on offer here is huge! From pad thai to mango sticky rice, all the way to deep-fried insects, there's nothing you can't find! Our tip: If you're in Bangkok during the weekend, pay a visit to the Chatuchak Weekend Market!

In the glow of dawn, you set off to discover Bangkok's must-sees! The famous three golden spires of the Grand Palace, the former royal residence, shimmer at you in the distance. Not far from there, you see the intricately decorated pyramidal towers of the Wat Pho Buddhist temple – colourful perfection wherever you look! Meditative chants resonate from the temple's interior, and for a moment, you forget that you're in the bustling centre of Bangkok. The temple's enormous Buddha, laden in burnished gold and calmly reclining on its side, is an absolute must-see, and now you want to see even more! As you climb the over 300 steps to Wat Saket, the temple's imposing golden chedi towers before you. You glance over your shoulder and are left breathless: from here, you have a panoramic view of the entire city. Then you make your way to the Flower Market, where you find yourself in a vibrant sea of colourful blossoms, immersed in heavenly fragrance.

It's time for a change of perspective! And the best place for that is the King Power Mahanakhon Tower (optional, admission payable on site)! Visit the Observatory on the 74th floor and let your gaze wander over the city and skyline. From there, you can truly grasp how huge Bangkok really is – nothing but city as far as the eye can see! And if you're looking for something even more spectacular, then head to the 78th floor. Step out on the glass floor and behold the metropolis at a dizzying height of 310 metres, transforming it into a veritable Lego world beneath your feet! When you're done, how about a trip to Bangkok's green oasis, Lumphini Park? When you're there, the only reminder that you're still in the midst of city are the skyscrapers that surround you. And keep your eyes peeled, because with a bit of luck, you might even spot a few monitor lizards – especially around the ponds.