Fly to Bangkok

Contrast is what makes Bangkok tick. Gilded Buddhist temples stand in the shadow of glass towers, humble street stalls turn out food good enough to challenge Michelin-starred kitchens, and centuries-old floating markets carry on a short ride from enormous shopping malls. The result is noisy, vivid and impossible to forget.

No visit is complete without the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, where the reclining Buddha lies, yet the city is at its best once you leave the checklist behind. Head into Chinatown at night for some of Asia's finest street food, or hire a longtail boat along the Thonburi canals to glimpse everyday life on the water. At weekends, Chatuchak Market sprawls across more than 15,000 stalls, making it one of the biggest open-air markets on earth.

Two airports handle Bangkok traffic: most long-haul carriers use Suvarnabhumi (BKK), and low-cost airlines fly from Don Mueang (DMK). Flights from the US usually connect in Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo or one of the Middle Eastern hubs, and door-to-door journeys typically run 17 to 22 hours depending on the stopover.

Visit between November and February, when conditions are drier and a little cooler. March to May is the hot season and the humidity can be punishing. From June to October the rains arrive almost daily, but crowds thin out and prices drop. Throughout the year, the Thai baht stretches a long way for American visitors.