Visit Sukhothai

Ruined former Siamese capital, UNESCO-listed.

Cycle among the lotus-pond temples of Thailand’s first capital, a serene UNESCO site without Ayutthaya’s crowds.

The "museum without walls": grassy royal burial mounds, the Cheomseongdae observatory and Silla-dynasty treasures across the town.

Visit Bangkok, capital of Thailand. Explore the Grand Palace (home of the Emerald Buddha and intricate Thai architecture), take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River (passing temples and local life), shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market (one of the world's largest markets with over 15,000 stalls), and sample street food like pad thai and mango sticky rice at Yaowarat (Chinatown's vibrant food scene).

Visit Phuket, Thailand's largest island. Explore Patong Beach (famous for its vibrant nightlife and water sports), see the Big Buddha (a 45-meter-tall marble statue with panoramic views), wander through Old Phuket Town (historic Sino-Portuguese architecture and colorful shophouses), and take a boat trip to Phi Phi Islands (stunning limestone cliffs and clear turquoise waters).

Visit Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of northern Thailand. Explore the Old City with its moat and ancient temples like Wat Phra Singh (housing a revered Buddha image) and Wat Chedi Luang (ruined 15th-century chedi). Experience the Yi Peng Lantern Festival (thousands of paper lanterns released into the sky) and browse the Sunday Walking Street Market (handicrafts and local street food).

The White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.

Limestone cliffs at Railay for climbing, longtail boats to Phi Phi and the Four Islands.