Thailand, 'the land of smiles', is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Asia. One of the few countries in this region never to be colonised, Thailand has retained a unique and fascinating culture, blending bustling commercialism with age old traditions.

It is also a land of incredibly diverse landscapes, from the warm, tropical south with its endless beaches, clear blue water and towering jungles to the beautiful ancient ruins of Ayuthaya and Sukhothai in central Thailand, and finally the mountainous north with its diverse hilltribes.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and an obvious gateway to the rest of the country. It is seen by many as the epitome of the modern, sprawling Asian metropolis. It is a diverse and engaging city with the Chao Phraya river ('River of Kings') dissecting the city and offers a myriad of shopping, temples, palaces, markets and cuisine. Now easy to navigate on the efficient skytrain system, Bangkok is a popular city with plenty of wonderful sights close by.

Getting There: You can fly to Bangkok in Thailand direct from some cities in the region.Click on 'Asian Ad-Ons' and choose the flight sectors that suit you and simply add them to your International flight package.