Pattaya
This lively coastal city is one of Thailand’s most visited and well known beach resorts. Spend your days relaxing on the bustling beaches or indulging in some of the many watersports on offer. After dark the city’s streets come alive with a vast and varied nightlife scene where the party typically continues until dawn. Pattaya has come a long way in outgrowing its reputation as a seedy beach town and now offers activities for a wider audience including young tourists in search of a wild night out, families or business travellers. The main beach of Hat Pattaya provides a wide range of attractions such as souvenir stalls, food stands and beach bars. Hat Jomtien just to the south is a relatively quieter option, while Hat Naklua to the north is the most family-friendly beach. Popular activities include golf, go-kart racing, the collection of oddities at “Ripley's Believe it or Not”, and the Vimantaitalay tourist submarine which offers 30-minute trips underwater to see corals and marine life just a few kilometres offshore.
Bangkok
Steamy, frenetic, and exhilarating, Thailand’s capital city, located in the Chao Phraya River Delta, is a legendary travel destination. This metropolis is equally famous for its rich cultural offerings, effervescent nightlife, superb shopping, and diverse dining options. Bucket list items include a visit to the mind-boggling Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, a morning boat trip down the canals to immerse oneself in the floating markets, and a walk around the opulent Grand Palace. The tourist hub of Khaosan Road, the MBK Centre, Siam Square, or on weekends, the vast Chatuchak market, offer further excellent shopping opportunities, while restaurants span every style, from incredible street food to five-star haute cuisine. The SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon is a great spot for couples and photographers, while the Siam Society and Kamthieng House provide an in-depth introduction into Thai culture and folklore.
Ubud
Far from the boisterous beach party scene of Kuta, in the central region of this remarkable little island, lies Ubud - the cultural centre of Bali. Surrounded by lush, terraced rice paddies, and exquisite temples, Ubud is jam-packed with tourist attractions. Its busy town centre is lined with a slew of art galleries, cafes, craft shops, and spas. One of the town’s most visited sites is the Sacred Forest Monkey Sanctuary, home to hundreds of wild monkeys as well as three Hindi temples. Spend your days strolling around the lively streets of central Ubud or get away from the hustle and bustle by cycling along ricefield-lined rivers where traditional village life carries on relatively undisturbed. Nights can be spent enjoying live music concerts, or one of the nightly Kecak Fire and Dance or shadow puppet performances.
Tanjung Benoa
Strung between Nusa Dua and Benoa village on Bali lies Tanjung Benoa, a peninsulatrimmed with family-friendly resorts and hotels. The area is popular withwatersport enthusiasts, with visitors from other areas pouring in for the day to takeadvantage of the calm waters and idyllic white sand beaches. Jet skiis, banana boatsand parasails are amongst some of the most popular activities on offer. Away fromthe beach the town is calm and peaceful, with quaint fishing villages and traditionaltemples in close proximity for exploration.
