Thailand

Thailand has been welcoming travelers for so long that hospitality is coded into its DNA. From the ornate spires of Bangkok's Grand Palace to the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay, from the night markets of Chiang Mai to the full moon parties of Koh Phangan, this country serves up experiences as varied as its legendary street food. Bangkok alone could occupy a week. It's a city where ancient temples exist next to state-of-the-art shopping malls, where monks collect alms at dawn on the same streets that host the world's most chaotic nightlife by midnight. The Chao Phraya River stitches it all together -- temples on one bank, towers on the other, and longtail boats weaving between them with the casual skill of two centuries of practice. The islands are why Thailand appears on every beach lover's list. Phuket offers everything from resort luxury to cliffside beach bars. Koh Samui wraps coconut groves around a ring road of waterfalls and viewpoints. Koh Lanta stays quiet enough that the loudest sound is the tide changing. And the Phi Phi Islands -- despite the crowds -- still deliver water so turquoise it looks digitally enhanced. Up north, Chiang Mai trades beaches for mountains, street food for cooking classes, and party vibes for temple contemplation. The old city's 30+ temples sit within a moat-surrounded square mile, the Sunday night market stretches for over a kilometer, and the surrounding hills hold elephant sanctuaries, hill tribe villages, and waterfalls that few tourists reach.