Bangkok Vacation Packages
A Bangkok vacation will show you a side of this popular country, besides it’s famous beaches on Phuket and Koh Samui, and plenty of cheap hotels from Travel Clearance scattered all across the city. Being the capital city it offers an exciting mix of ancient and modern; combining traditional culture and religion with all the luxury trappings of a modern city. Bangkok’s rulers in 1782 were keen to build upon the splendour of the previous two capitals, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya so they created landmarks that still form an integral part of Bangkok tourism today. Its splendid temples reflect this vision grandly, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo), the most sacred Buddhist temple of Thailand at the top of the list. Unlike other temples, it is not one building, nor are there living spaces for monks. Instead, it is a collection of highly decorated holy buildings and monuments. The Emerald Buddha itself is the most sacred Buddha image of Thailand.
Nearby is Wat Pho, home to the world's largest reclining Buddha image and a famed massage school. Take the ferry across the Chao Phraya River for the outstanding Wat Arun. The main structure is about 60 to 88 m high and it is surrounded by four smaller prangs. It is one of Thailand's most picturesque temples, and is engraved on the inner part of all ten baht coins. Then there is the Marble Temple (Wat Benjamaopit), which is an impressive blend of Italian marble, Chinese terracotta tile and gold-lacquer.
For a peak into the authentic life of Bangkok, guided boat rides are another way to enjoy your Bangkok vacation. Cruising through Bangkok’s winding canals, you will float past residential homes and experience the incredible floating markets that can be found on the canals selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to full meals of noodles and rice treats. Bangkok traffic is notorious, but you really should experience at least one ride in a tuk-tuk – a motorized three-wheeled rickshaw. The tuk-tuk is not much faster than a standard taxi, but it’s a fun way to ride around this hectic town. Lumphini Park in Silom is the largest park in central Bangkok, and a good way to escape the fumes.
There are many museums in Bangkok too showing traditional Thai-style residences including Jim Thompson's House, combining six traditional Thai-style houses, Ban Kamthieng, M.R. Kukrit's Heritage Home,and the Suan Pakkad Palace, or for some history and culture the National Museum (about Thai history and archaeological remains), the Museum of Siam and the King Prajadhipok Museum will be your best bet.
As for Bangkok shopping, the choice is endless, but areas that are not to be missed are the city's Chinatown and Siam Square. Chinatown's bustling maze of tiny lanes offers something for everyone with tempting restaurants and a huge variety of goods from everyday necessities to gold shops and electronics. Then you can take the Skytrain to Siam Square and to the glitz and glamour of Siam Paragon, Bangkok’s latest addition to luxury shopping centres. You'll find a range of high-end shopping malls in this area, all extremely popular draws for the fashionable set.
For some serious haggling and bartering the place to go isThe Weekend Market (Chatuchak Market) in the northern part of the city, an experience not to be missed. Touted as the biggest weekend market in the world, the market boasts literally thousands of stalls with antiques, silks, handicrafts and more.This market is made for haggling – so you bargain hard for the best buys.
Bangkok is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities with magnificent temples and palaces, authentic canals, busy markets and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone.