Southeast Asia adventure: Urban escapes and tropical dreams

The long wait is over. Thailand's calling! You give your luggage a once-over. Sense of adventure? Check! Spirit of discovery? Check! Curiosity? Check! And it's time to go. You grab your bags, make your way through the airport and before you know it, the sound of your trolley rolling to the check-in desk is replaced by the rush of turbines as your plane speeds off into the night sky. Street food, temples, dream beaches – one last time, you dream of all the adventures that await you before they finally come true.

When you catch your first glimpse of Bangkok's lights, your spine starts to tingle and your heart leaps in your chest. As soon as you arrive, you snatch up your baggage and get set for your first stop: your homebase in Thailand's capital.

City vibes on max – welcome to the colourful chaos of Bangkok! Totally hypnotised, you watch the wild commotion outside and can hardly wait to dive into the action yourself. Motor scooters, neon lights, street food stalls – it's a pure sensory overload. You drop your bags in your room, do a quick fit check and then hit the streets! The sound of sizzling woks and the flood of head-turning aromas lead you to a night market, where you become one with the crowd in a sea of colourful, shining lights, locals and backpacker vibes. Yaowarat Road in Chinatown or Khao San Road? Where you head next is totally up to you, but one thing's for sure: here, you can find it all, from next-level pad thai to mango sticky rice and even fried insects (for the truly bold). Pro tip: If it's the weekend, make sure to hit up Chatuchak Market! The place is wild, huge and an experience in itself.

The early bird gets the worm! So in the glow of dawn, you set off to discover the city's must-sees. The famous three golden spires of the Grand Palace shimmer at you in the distance, and it's absolutely royal. Not far from there, you see the blazing colours and fairytale towers of Wat Pho. Meditative chants resonate from the temple's interior, and for a moment, you forget that you're in the capital’s bustling heart. But the highlight has to be the enormous Buddha, laden in burnished gold and calmly reclining on its side. Now you want to see even more! As you climb the over 300 steps to Wat Saket, the temple's golden chedi towers before you and the view leaves you breathless. After that, it's time to get floral. You make your way to the Flower Market and suddenly find yourself in an aromatic explosion of pinks, whites and yellows, basking in a sea of heavenly fragrance. Bangkok's got you hooked!

It's time for a change of perspective! And the best place for that is the King Power Mahanakhon Tower (optional, admission payable on site)! Visit the Observatory on the 74th floor and let your gaze wander over the city and skyline. From there, you can truly grasp how huge Bangkok really is – nothing but city as far as the eye can see! And if you're looking for something even more spectacular, then head to the 78th floor. Step out on the glass floor and behold the metropolis at a dizzying height of 1,017 feet, transforming it into a veritable Lego world beneath you! When you're done, how about a trip to Bangkok's green oasis, Lumphini Park? When you're there, the only reminder that you're still in the midst of city are the skyscrapers that surround you. And keep your eyes peeled, because with a bit of luck, you might even spot a few monitor lizards – especially around the ponds.