Bangkok: A Vacation Destination?

For many people, Bangkok forms one small stop on a long and wide ranging South East Asia tour. There is no doubt about it, South East Asia is a part of the world so rich in travel possibilities that millions of tourists are now making their way to Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand every year. But what if you were to choose just one destination, as most of us usually would when planning a holiday? Would Bangkok really cut it as a vacation destination?

To cover practical matters first, getting to Bangkok is usually relatively stress free. Bangkok Airport is one of the best connected in the whole of South East Asia, offering direct flights to a range of different airports across the UK. Furthermore, Thai Airways and other Thai airlines have a solid reputation for providing comfortable service and attractive ticket prices.

Though Bangkok might be a little further than your usual city break destinations, and you'll certainly want to spend more than a weekend there, you can usually cover the cost of your long haul travel through the savings you will make on quality accommodation upon arrival. 4 and 5* hotels are scattered throughout the city, many in beautiful buildings and in prime central locations. When compared with common European hotel rates, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised by how far your money will stretch in Bangkok.

Bangkok is not a relaxing destination. It is a chaotic city, constantly buzzing with life, teeming with people, surprises round every corner. It is, however, incredibly refreshing. Immersing yourself in a new culture, new both in terms of being different from our own and in its heady rate of development in present times, is a form of relaxation in itself. A chance to take a step back. A change is as good as a rest, after all.

Bangkok is also a fabulous place to indulge in a few luxury spa treatments, so if the change isn't proving quite as restful as hoped, an hour long Thai massage or a jasmine scented Jacuzzi ought to do the trick.

So while a trip to Bangkok might not be a weekend in Paris or a week on the Algarve, it will certainly give you vacation to remember.