See what the experts are saying about Banda Aceh. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Introduction
To the Western visitor, Southeast Asia is an assault on the senses, an immersion into a way of life utterly unlike that to which we're accustomed. From bustling cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur to tiny fishing villages and tha... Continue reading »
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Best dining bets
Street Food (Bangkok, Thailand): On every street, down every alley, you'll find someone setting up a cart with an umbrella. Noodles, salads, and satay are favorites, and some hawkers set up tables and stools on the sidewalk for you to take a... Continue reading »
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The best adventures
Exploring Phang Nga Bay (Thailand): From the island of Phuket, sea-canoe operators guide visitors through the caves hidden deep inside the craggy island-rocks of Phang-Nga Bay. Outside, the islands thrust up to the sky, their jagged edges lac... Continue reading »
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The best after-dark
Patpong (Bangkok, Thailand): Yes, that Patpong. If go-go bars and sex shows aren't your style, you'll still find plenty to do. After you're finished shopping in the huge night market, you'll see plenty of restaurants, pubs, and discos that ca... Continue reading »
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The best beaches
Chaweng Beach (Koh Samui, Thailand): Chaweng is real fun in the sun. The beach itself is gorgeous, with bungalows nestled in the trees just beyond the sand. Behind the beach lies a small town full of life, from wonderful Thai and seafood eate... Continue reading »
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The best festivals and celebrations
Songkran (Thailand): Every year from April 13 to 15, Thais welcome the New Year (according to their calendar). Because Songkran falls in the middle of the hottest season in an already hot country, how do you think people celebrate? Every Thai... Continue reading »
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The best hotel bargains
Majestic Grande (Bangkok, Thailand): The Majestic could rightly be called either a small-scale luxury hotel or a bloated boutique hotel. Regardless of the label, it's in a prime spot off bustling Sukhumvit, with rooms going for half the price... Continue reading »
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The best luxury hotels
The Oriental, Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand): The original address in Thailand, the Oriental has seen modernization detract from its charms of yesterday, but there's still ambience all around. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Phuket, Thailand... Continue reading »
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The best markets
Chatuchak Weekend Market (Bangkok, Thailand): One word describes it: huge. You can easily get lost and certainly spend hours wandering this labyrinth. Don't buy anything until you spend at least a half day wandering down the endless aisles ey... Continue reading »
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The best museums
National Museum (Bangkok, Thailand): From prehistory to recent events, this museum -- the former palace of the brother of King Rama I -- answers many questions about Thai history and culture through the ages. Inside buildings that are themsel... Continue reading »
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The best shopping
Antiques (Thailand): Before you head out on vacation, visit some Asian galleries in your home country and take a look at the prices of the items you like. Once you're here, you'll be amazed at how little these things really cost. Most places... Continue reading »
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The best small towns and villages
Chiang Saen (Thailand): Crumbling 11th-century temples take you back to the birthplace of the Lanna Kingdom, one of Thailand's wealthiest and most influential. The nearby Golden Triangle, a notorious trade point for the international opium in... Continue reading »
