Thailand

Thailand is famous for its beaches, and you'll find all of the best ones here: Phuket and Koh Samui, as well as many others popular with Thais. Author Phil Macdonald makes sure you see all of the famous sights, and lesser-known ones as well. Self-guided tours with maps include a riverside walk in Bangkok and a boat trip down the Chao Phraya River. Special features include a guided boat trip down the Chao Phraya River and a riverside walk in Bangkok. Experiential sidebars abound, including one on staying overnight with a hill-tribe family, another on meditating with monks in Buddhist temples throughout Thailand, and another on culinary courses to learn how to make exquisite Thai dishes. A hefty Travelwise section includes information on how to get there and how to get around, as well as author-picked hotels and restaurants.