Bangkok

A city of 9 million, Thailand’s capital is majestic, chaotic and intriguing. Once newcomers have recovered from the initial shock of the heat and the traffic, they discover an array of treasures from spectacular temples huddling beneath glass skyscrapers to extraordinary cuisine. But perhaps the greatest pleasure is just sitting beside the Chao Phraya River, watching the endlessly fascinating life of this colorful waterway. Stately rice barges make their way down to the Gulf of Thailand alongside purple rafts of water hyacinth, while brightly painted “long tail” water taxis forge upstream in a welter of spray.