my Bangalore boom boom

About Bangalore
Bangalore, also rendered Bengaluru,is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City for its gardens and parks and was once called a pensioner's paradise.

Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous cityand fifth-most populous urban agglomeration. Bangalore is well known as a hub for India's information technology sector. It is among the top 10 preferred entrepreneurial locations in the world.

History 
The term 'Bangalore' is an anglicized version of "Bengalooru," a Kannad term. The word Bengalooru was in turn derived from the phrase 'bende kaalu ooru', meaning 'the town of boiled beans'. The story behind naming the city as the 'town of boiled beans' is said Once a hunting expedition King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty lost his way in the jungle. Deep inside the jungle, lived an old woman who took pity on the hungry and tired hunter. The old woman was poor and had nothing else to offer but boiled beans. But the king was so pleased with her hospitality that he named the entire city as bele-benda-kalu-ooru.

Climate
Located at an altitude of 920m (3021ft) from the sea level, Bangalore has a moderate and pleasant climate throughout the year. During summer the temparature reach a maximum of 27°  Celcius. Winters are colder when temparature goes down to 20° C. Bangalore enjoys both southwest and northeast monsoons. October and November are the wettest months.The Mon soons are during June - Sept. Bangalore has a domestic airport that connects most of the major cities of the country. A few international flights are also operated from here. The city is connected by rail and roads to all parts of the country


Facts Sheets
Bangalore Is located 3000 MT above the sea level, with the surrounding hills and plateaus; the weather is moderate throughout the year. Some of the most famous and distinct tourist spots in Bangalore are the Bangalore Fort, Cubban Park, Lal Bagh etc.

The word Bangalore itself has some interesting history behind it. It is believed that, Bangalore was also known as Bangalooru during those days. The word Bangalooru originally is a Kannada term, when translated in English which means “The town of boiled beans”. This name was give by Veera Bhalla (the2nd), in 1120.However there have been debates on its existence.

Cubbon Park
On a grassy expanse over a few hundred acres in the centre of Bangalore is Cubbon Park, planned and laid out in 1864 by Sir Richard Sankey, thethen Chief Engineer of Mysore. It is named after Sir Mark Cubbon, Bangalore's longest serving Commissio- ner. Lawns with vibrant flower beds, shady bowers and flowering trees, make this an ideal place for fitness freaks and the elderly to take their morning jogs or evening walks. The Park has elegant classical buildings like Attara Kacheri (the Karnataka High Court) and the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Government Museum, Aquarium, Venkatappa Art Gallery and Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, all of which are well known. Besides these, it also houses Bal Bhavan - an amusement park for children.

Cubbon Park is open to the public at all times, but is closed to traffic from 5 am to 8 am every day. 

Lalbagh 
Surrounding one of the towers erected by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore, is the 240 acre landscaped Lal Bagh gardens. Haider Ali, the warrior-king of Mysore, decided to create this garden in 1740 on the lines of the Mughal Gardens that were popular during his time. 

The park has some rare species of plants brought from Persia, Afghanistan and France. Hyder Ali's son, Tipu Sultan, added to the beauty of the garden by publicising his wish to receive much-sought-after species of plants from visiting dignitaries. 

Cariappa Memorial Park
As a memorial to Field Marshall K.M. Cariappa of Karnataka, the Cariappa Park was laid out in 1996 in a portion of the parade grounds between M.G. Road and Cubbon Road. Spread over 22 acres, the park has six segments, an entrance plaza and a seven-feet monolithic monument of Cariappa. There is a huge man-made waterfall and a pond that attracts birds to the park. At the bandstand which is an elevated lawn, six military bands perform every fortnight. The grassy dunes around the bandstand provide comfortable seating for the public. The garden is maintained by various divisions of the Army. 
A play area has been scientifically created in military style to improve physical strength and mental co-ordination of children. There are sand pits, a spiderweb, Tarzan-swing, Burma bridge, zig-zag tunnels and balance bars. 

Bal Bhavan 
Bangalore Bal Bhavan is a beautifully planned amusement park as well as a recreation center, designed for children. There is a small toy train inside the park that runs on a track of almost 3/4th mile inside the beautiful Cubbon Park. Apart from the train, the other attractions of the Bal Bhavan include a Dolls Museum, which boats of a rich assortment of dolls and toys collected from different parts of the world. Read on further to know more about the Bal Bhawan of Bangalore, India.

A 20 million year old fossilized tree adds to the appeal of the park. The tree was gifted to the Bhawan by the Geological Survey of India. There are also facilities for boating inside the Bhavan, along with a small fair ground and a children's park. The park has swings, horse rides and tree houses to keep the children busy and occupied. Hobby classes, like painting, arts and crafts, etc, are also organized at the Bal Bhavan of Bangalore.

The Vijayaranga Theatre situated inside the park organizes children's film shows and theatre performances on a frequent basis. So, if you are going to Bangalore along with your kids, make sure to visit the Bal Bhavan. 

Bannerghatta National Park
Going to a zoo can be a vastly different experience from seeing animals in the wild. Although the Bannerghatta Park is not on the scale of Jim Corbett National Park, it does give nature lovers a glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat. Situated 25 km from the heart of the city, its main attractions are bisons, lions, bears, elephants and panthers among other wildlife. It also has a Serpentarium and a crocodile farm. Being a picnic spot it is always teeming with people.
The park officials organise a Tiger Safari, Lion Safari and a Grand Safari for those interested. You could also wander through the Zoological Garden, with its canopy of shady and sturdy trees, find a quiet resting spot beside a pond and watch waterfowl frolic. A children's corner provides an added attraction. Trekking enthusiasts will enjoy Uddigebande (3.5 kms.) a natural rock formation called Hajjamana Kallu (3 kms.) and Mirza Hill (1.5 kms.) 

Another major attraction now in the park area is a Butterfly park. It houses a large variety of these colourful creatures that you feel tempted to hold them. But do not touch them and see them flying all over the place. 


Vishweshwariah Industrial and Tecwhnological Museum 
This museum is a tribute to Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah, a statesman who worked untiringly to bring science and technology to the common man.  An airplane and a steam engine are displayed in its compound. Inside there are five galleries, each dedicated to a particular aspect of technology.
Approach the room of electronics and the door opens on its own accord, step in and the lights come on, seat yourself and music fills the room. You can monitor your voice as you speak, and learn how things are made - from motion pictures to alarms.

State Archaeological Museum
The State Archeological Museum (also called Government Museum) is close to the High Court with the same red colour and architectural style. The original block was designed and built by Colonel Sankey in 1876.

Several wings have been added on in the later years, all of which conform to the parent style. The original collection in the museum belonged to B. L. Rice of the Mysore Gazetteer. Being one of the oldest museums in the country, it has an exquisite collection of coins, sculptures, old paintings, inscriptions and excavated items.

Planetarium 
The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is situated at T. Chowdiah Road in Bangalore. Established in the year 1989, it counts amongst the popular tourist attractions of the city. There is a sky theater inside the planetarium, with a huge dome that has a diameter of fifteen meters. It has a seating capacity of 225 and serves as the venue for two shows of astronomy on a daily basis. The timings of the show are 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm, with the exception of Mondays. In the following lines, we have provided more information on the Jawahar Lal Nehru Planetarium of Bangalore, India. 

Venkatappa Art Gallery 
The Venkatappa Art Gallery is situated in the Karnataka Government Museum. It exhibits some of the rich art of Bangalore. The Art Gallery is comprised of two floors and displays 600 paintings. 

The government museum was established in the year 1865. The museum has exhibits of antiquities from Mohenjadaro and terracotta from Mathura. It contains traditional paintings also. The museum is a must visit place for art lovers. It has some of the exclusive collections of scenic displays. The museum also has some of the great works of the famous artist K. Venkatappa. 

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat 
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat was opened on June 25, 1976 in the heart of Bangalore. It has a unique collection of traditional paintings, leather puppets and artefacts of Karnataka. It has a graphic studio, sculpture studio and an open-air theatre. The majority of the works on display, belong to the students of the Parishat. 

The paintings on display here are on different media like Oil on Canvas, Watercolors, Mixed Media, Etching, Lithography and many more. The prices range from Rs 3000/- onwards, and each work of art is categorised individually, displaying the name of the artist, media used, cost and size of the canvas. Some of the paintings are not for sale.

Vidhana Soudha
The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956. The then Prime Minister Sri Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13 July 1951. It was built at an expenditure of Rs 18.4 Million. Marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bengaluru but in India. One of the interesting feature of this building in grand stairs in its front.

The grand stairs has a flight of forty-five steps 62 m (204 ft) wide 21 m (70 ft) deep giving a direct Access to the foyer of first floor leading to an Assembly Chamber. The architecture of the building is Based on Dravidian style, comprising richly carved bases and capitals for pillars, deep friezes, kapotha Cornices, chaithya arches, heavy pediments domical finials, etc; At the same time, the construction has Been on modern designs, making use of the present-day materials like steel, reinforced cement Concrete glass, plastic, etc. 

Bangalore Palace 
It was constructed by the Maharajahs of Mysore. For many years the building was neglected as a tourist Attraction, but is now open to the public. This is a rundown building with paint peeling on the interior and Generally a tourist trap to be avoided. 

The fee is Rs 100/200 Indian/Foreigner and Rs 500 to take photos Even of the exterior. This includes a guide to point out things like the mounted elephant head, though no Mention is made of the numerous nude paintings. 

Tippu Sultan's Palace 
Which dates from about 1790, is the summer retreat for Tipu sultan, the two story structure is made Mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches. 

What remains now is parts of the fort wall with a tablet marking the place where Cornwallis had breached it in 1791. In the courtyard is the Ganesha Temple that is popularly thought to represent Tipu Sultan's religious tolerance. The fort is noted for its beautifully carved arches on the gate walls. 

Sehadri Iyer Memorial Hall
This red building with gables, in Cubbon Park was built to commemorate Sir K.Seshadri Iyer, who was the Dewan of Mysore State from 1883 to 1901. The library housed in the building was set up in 1915.The statue of Seshadri Iyer in a small rose garden, in front of the Hall was put up in 1913. The building with the statue in front forms a focal point of a long avenue coming from Hudson Circle 

The Bull Temple
Its located in Basavanagudi, is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area.

Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude. 

Holy Trinity Church 
Located at Trinity circle at the east end of the MG Rd, is a major landmark in Bangalore. It was built in 1851, for the British Regiment stationed in Bangalore. Built in the English Renaissance style, the church can accommodate 700 people and is regarded as the largest "military" church in southern India. It has a congregation of over 450 families. 

ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple 
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple in Bangalore city is huge cultural complex that was inaugurated in 1997 to carry out the vision of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning.

Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Rd, +91 80 2347 1956, +90 80 2357 8346 (fax: +91 80 2357 8625), 3:45AM-8PM. Temple built on a hillock in Rajajinagar atop scenic surroundings, is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning, and abounds with shops selling devotional items and souvenirs. The annual Krishna and Balarama Rath Yatra is attended by thousands. 

St. Mary's Basilica 
St. Mary's Basilica is a basilica located in the Archdiocese of Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the oldest church in Bangalore and is the only church in the state that has been elevated to the status of a minor basilica. It is famous for the festivities held during the St. Mary's Feast in the month of September each year, an event that attracts a number of devotees from in and around Bangalore.The basilica has been built in Gothic-style with arches, ornamental motifs and stained glass windows.Multiple columns and tall spires of the basilica can be seen from quite a distance. The stained glass windows were removed during World War II and were subsequently restored in 1947. 

Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple 
Located in Gavipuram, adjacent to Basavanagudi, was built by Kempe Gowda. This temple with four remarkable monolithic pillars is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple also has a rare idol of Agni god of fire. 

The annual festival is on Makara Shankranti and thousands of devotees flock to see the suns rays fall on the Shivlinga. The temple timings are: 7AM-12:30PM and 5PM-8:30. 

Shiva Temple 
The unique feature of this Shiva temple is the 65 ft tall Shiva statue with a background of cement carved hills. Lord Shiva is seated in Lotus position and river Ganga is flowing from his hair locks. Entrance is from the left hand side of Total Mall and exit from right hand side. 

It is located right behind Total Mall. In fact the Parking lot is shared.  At the entrance it inform you that the normal queue may take around 1 hour for the darshan and you may pay Rs 10 and go via special entrance which will take 10 mins.In the evening and during festivals like Shivaratri there may be rush. 

Sri Ramakrishna Ashram 
There are many Ramakrishna Ashrams in Bengaluru, but the special and central one is in Gandhi Bazaar - the place of temples in Bengaluru. This mutt contains a vast meditating hall, a beautiful park, a vedic school and many more facilities. Sri Sharada Devi had meditated on a location in the park in this boundary. This location is preserved as a monument. A stone on which Swami Vivekananda had sat when he visited Bengaluru is also kept as a monument. This is a calm and peaceful place for the place who enjoy the meditation.

innovative Film City 
Innovative film city Located 40km from the heart of Bangalore and spread over 50 acres of land, Innovative Film City is an entertainment paradise with world class facilities. It houses 27 different facilities ranging from, Amphitheatre, Retail High Street, Food Courts, Theme Restaurants, Entertainment District with India's first Dinosaur Park, Haunted Mansion, Cartoon City with India's biggest Roller Coaster, Aqua Kingdom, Miniature city, Ripley's Enchanted Mirror Maze, Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum,, Funplex within 4D- Theatre, Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum, Go-Karting, Mini Golf, Innovative Wannado City, Adventure Sports, Roller Skates, Fossil Museum, Fossil Hunt, Double Decker Carrousel, etc. 

Amoeba 
Pamper the child in you at Amoeba, Bangalore's most happening bowling alley and gaming zone. Enjoy the latest in arcade games and exchange the coupons you win for interesting goodies at Amoeba. Besides bike racing and air hockey, there are fun rides for six year olds or roundabouts. Bowling is a favourite, but be prepared to wait if it's a weekend when it is packed and the charges are higher. That's when you snack at the caf while watching ESPN on the enormous screen. Amoeba can be hired for private birthday parties too. Have a fun-filled family day!.

my 36 hrs in Hyderabad the city of pearls

SITUATED in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is a juxtaposition of old and new unlike any other city in India. While Microsoft, Google and other technology giants have offices in the glass and steel structures in the district known as Cyberabad, the history of this more than 400-year-old city is just as alluring as destinations like Jaipur and Agra, with sites like the 13th-century Golconda Fort, once home to the famous Kohinoor diamond, and the iconic Charminar monument in Hyderabad’s teeming Old City. In the past, Hyderabad was often overlooked as a tourism destination. But in recent years, sleek hotels, restaurants and night spots that cater to the 20- and 30-somethings working in the information technology industry have been attracting jet-setters from around the world who come to discover the past and experience the rapidly evolving present.

Friday

5:30 p.m.
1. SUNSET OVER THE CITY

Skip the standard guidebook suggestion of catching the Sound and Light Show at Golconda Fort, and head to the Taramati Baradari (Gandipet Road, Ibrahimbagh), the beautiful pavilion not far from the fort that was supposedly built for the favorite mistress of one of the 17th-century Golconda kings. Legend has it that her singing reached the king as he sat on his throne at the fort less than two miles away. Stand in one of the archways, and watch the sun set over the fort and on the 16th- and 17th-century tombs of the kings.

8 p.m.
2. A TASTE OF ANDHRA

Andhra food has a reputation as the spiciest in India so get ready to face the heat at Southern Spice (Road No. 3, Banjara Hills; 91-40-2335-3802; prices from 150 to 300 rupees, or $2.85 to $5.75 at 52 rupees to the dollar), a perpetually packed casual spot that’s a local standby. The South Indian thali served in a round steel plate is the most popular order, with more than a half-dozen small dishes that might include fried cabbage with peanuts and coconut, rasam (a lentil soup with tamarind), curried eggplant and mounds of rice. Round out your meal with fiery sides like chepala pulusu, a kind of fish stew in tamarind sauce (290 rupees) and gongura mutton (295 rupees), mutton cooked with sorrel leaves.

Saturday

8 a.m.
3. FAITH AND POETRY

Most visitors don’t make it out of the city to Moula-Ali, an area a few miles north that is named after Hazrat Ali, who is believed to be the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. A shrine atop a hill pays homage to him on the spot where he was believed to have left the mark of his palm. The 20-minute climb is well worth the views of the city. On your way back into town, stop at the tombs of Mah Laqa Bai, a highly regarded Urdu poet and a famous courtesan from the 18th century. The tomb and the gardens around it have been recently restored with financing from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.

11 a.m.
4. PEARL SHOPPING

Hyderabad processes many of the world’s pearls, which means the selection is extensive and the buying more wallet friendly than other places. Though there is no shortage of pearl vendors, Mangatrai Pearls and Jewelry (5-9-46, Basheer Bagh, End of the Flyover; 91-40-2323-3305, mangatraipearls.com) has an established reputation for its high-quality pearls. Park yourself on a stool, sip coffee or tea prepared in the back room, and let one of the salespeople present you with necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets and hairpieces (prices range from 250 to 2.5 million rupees).

Noon
5. HIGH-TECH WORLD

Take a drive through Cyberabad with its towering buildings and paved streets and end up at InOrbit Mall (APIIC Software Layout, Cyberabad; inorbit.in). Megamalls aren’t a novel concept in India, but this 800,000-square-foot behemoth with a mix of Indian and Western retailers is one of the largest in the country and is worth strolling through to get a sense of the shopping culture that’s driven by the younger generation and their generous incomes.

1 p.m.
6. TWIST ON SOUTH INDIAN

End your trip in new Hyderabad with lunch at the Indian Art Café (F- 29, first Floor, Inorbit Mall; 91-40-4011-7445; indianartcafe.in), which, as the name hints, is decorated with modern Indian art and sculpture. The menu is a riff on classic South Indian cuisine like a pizza dosa (thin rice crepe) made with Cheddar cheese and served with ginger relish and a peanut dip (145 rupees).

2 p.m.
7. OLD CITY

Surrounding the four minarets of the 16th-century Charminar monument, one of South India’s most recognizable landmarks, is the 400-year-old Old City. You’ll find centuries-old buildings, an overwhelming amount of street noise and huge crowds, including burqa-clad women and men in kurtas. Hundreds of vendors hawk sequined turbans (from 200 rupees) and tunics for men (800 to 5,000 rupees) and scarves and clothing for women (100 to 10,000 rupees). The Laad Bazaar is filled with shops like Irfan Bangles (20-4-1205 Laad Bazaar; 91-40-6535-7411), which sell sparkly bangles (30 to 600 rupees), a Hyderabadi trademark.

3:30 p.m.
8. THE ROYAL LIFE

After shopping, walk over to the Chowmahalla Palace (Khilwat, 20-4-236; 91-40-2452-2032; chowmahalla.com; 150 rupees entrance fee for international visitors, plus 50 rupees for carrying a still camera), more than 200 years old, where the Nizam rulers — specifically the Asaf Jahi dynasty — held court. The structure, which is modeled after the Shah’s palace in Tehran, offers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of these Muslim rulers, with such sights as a 1912 restored Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, elephant howdahs and 19 grand Belgian glass chandeliers.

5 p.m.
9. ENGLISH RITUAL

Continue your journey into old Hyderabad with a trip to the Jade Room in Taj Falaknuma Palace (Engine Bowli, Falaknuma; 91-40-6629-8585; tajhotels.com; 1,500 rupees a person), a former Nizam palace turned luxury hotel that has hosted dignitaries and royalty like King George and Queen Mary. Today, the opulent space, with hand-painted ceilings and chandeliers, serves a decadent afternoon tea that includes salmon sandwiches, lamb samosas and masala scones. It can easily double as an early dinner. On your way out, take in the views of the city from the hotel grounds and listen to the sounds of the sarangi (stringed instrument) player sitting in a passageway.

9 p.m.
10. NIGHT SCENE

Get a taste of the night life that’s become increasingly popular among Hyderabadis by heading to the hip Park Hotel (22 Rajbhavan Road; 91-40-2345-6789;theparkhotels.com/hyderabad/hyderabad.html), which reigns when it comes to after-hours spots. Start by picking from nearly 20 kinds of Scotch at Sicca (450 to 4,000 rupees), a bar that’s reminiscent of an old-fashioned gentleman’s club. Then make your way over to either of two nightclubs for some dancing: Carbon has a more retro feel, while the newer Kismet attracts the city’s glitterati; a glass tunnel leads to the 10,000-square-foot space with its gold and black color scheme and sparkling lights. The soundtrack is Bollywood, house, trance and Western pop. Besides the main dance floor, the club has several side lounges for quieter conversation.

Sunday

10 a.m.
11. ANTIQUES HUNT

Hyderabad doesn’t come to life until midday, and few visitors make it to the weekly antiques market along Pathergatti Road in the Charminar area to experience its morning energy. You’ll find several dozen vendors selling wares like 200-year-old wine bottles, antique cameras, coins and hurricane lamps. Pick up a trinket or two to take home, and don’t forget that bargaining is a prerequisite to buying (most items fall in the range of 100 to 5,000 rupees).

Noon
12. BIRYANI TIME

Haggling builds an appetite, and sampling Hyderabadi biryani — a mix of rice, spices, meat, egg or vegetables — will seal your visit with delicious memories. The city is overrun with biryani spots, but the no-frills restaurant Hotel Shadab (21 High Court Road; 91-40-2456-5949) surpasses the competition. (Lunch is around 250 rupees.)

IF YOU GO

The Park Hyderabad (22 Rajbhavan Road; 91-40-2345-6789; theparkhotels.com) is part of the Indian chain of upscale boutique-style properties. This 270-room spot overlooking Hussain Sagar Lake has four lounges and suites created by prominent fashion designers like Tarun Tahiliani and Manish Arora. Rates from 4,960 rupees ($95).

You can live like a king at Taj Falaknuma Palace (Engine Bowli, Falaknuma; 91-40-6629-8585; tajhotels.com), a former Nizam palace that has been transformed into a 60-room luxury property following a 10-year restoration. The hotel is perched above the city and has 32 acres of immaculate gardens. Prices from 20,500 rupees.

A guide and car and driver is recommended for seeing the city. Detours India(detoursindia.com) is a local company that offers private tours starting around 6,500 rupees


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bangkok heaven

To put it simply, Bangkok can seem like a labyrinth to new arrivals in the city. The sprawling expressways and overpasses, huge new Skytrain and crowded streets full of vendors give the place a distinct Blade Runner-esque feel. Causing even further confusion is the lack of a true "center" to the city, with various districts scattered throughout town. On the positive side, the Skytrain has made it much easier to get around, and taxis, tuk-tuks, buses and motorcycle taxis are plentiful. Get your bearings by reading the following guide and it will not take long for you to be seduced by the glorious chaos and charm of the "City of Angels."

Phra Nakorn

The most heavily visited area, at least during the day, is Ko Rattanakosin (Rattanakosin Island), Bangkok's old city on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. Here you will find fantastic examples of historical architecture such as the glittering Grand Palace , Wat Phra Keo , Wat Pho , Wat Mahathat , the Golden Mount and Wat Suthat . The city's founding pillar, Lak Mueang , is also located in this district, as are the National Museum , National Theater and National Gallery . If you are keen on seeing something completely out of the ordinary, pop across the river to the Museum of the Department of Forensic Medicine. Sanam Luang is about the only green spot on the "island," which is not really an island but would have seemed like one in the old days before the many canals linking the area to the river had not yet been filled in.

Thonburi

Bangkok was once referred to as "The Venice of the East," but today the klongs, or canals, are concentrated in Thonburi, an area lying to the west of the Chao Phraya River. You can take a klong tour, typical stops include Wat Arun and the museum of the Royal Barges . Buses heading south from Bangkok leave from Sai Tai bus terminal, located here.

Banglampoo & Thewet

Backpackers head for the Banglampoo and Thewet districts. Near the Democracy Monument on Khao San Road you can find some good souvenir shopping. This strip is lined with guest houses and cheap restaurants, none of which stand out for their ambiance or cuisine. A mere stone's throw away along Phra Arthit Road, some great restaurants and bars come to life at night. Following the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya, you will come to an area with a laid-back, cosmopolitan feel that is frequented by students from the nearby universities of Thammasat and Silpakorn. 

Dusit

The Dusit district offers plenty of tourist attractions. Vimanmek Palace , Wat Benchamabophit , Suan Pakkard Palace and Dusit Zoo are all found here. There is not much in the way of hotels or restaurants, but a small artsy area popular with local students has sprung up on Rachawithee Soi 34.

Phayathai/Chatuchak

Northern Bangkok's touristic highlight is Chatuchak Weekend Market , best reached by catching the Skytrain. Mor Chit bus terminal is located near the same stop, which is handy to know if you want to catch an inter-provincial bus heading north or northeast. This is also a major transport hub, with the Skytrain and plenty of buses passing through. Mah Boon Krong is the largest shopping center in the district, and serves as a local transit hub and good orientation point. 

Pathumwan

Young Thais and keen shoppers head for the area around Siam Square , a shopping paradise - unless you are a tall Western woman looking for off-the-rack clothes or shoes. The huge array of dining options along this stretch include Auberge Daband and the Erawan Tea Room .

There is plenty of selection in malls such as Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center , Centerpoint (the most popular teenage hangout), and the World Trade Center . A walk away from the latter stands Panthip Plaza, also known as heaven for computer geeks, and possibly the best place to get deals on computers in Southeast Asia. The non-shopper can retreat to the sanctuary of Jim Thompson's House and Museum . There is a cluster of hotels in this area, and popular restaurants such as the Hard Rock Cafe are also found here. Heading east along Ploenchit Road and Sukhumvit Road, you can orchestrate a shopping extravaganza at either the street stalls that spring up at the beginning of Sukhumvit and stretch to Soi Asoke or at department stores such as Central Chidlom .

Sathorn/Silom/Bangrak

The Sathorn/Silom area forms the core of Bangkok's Central Business District, although the Stock Exchange of Thailand is located some distance away on Ratchadaphisek Road. The area encompasses a number of embassies and hotels, such as the Banyan Tree, Sukhothai and Dusit Thani . Silom Road offers more shopping opportunities, including the Patpong Night Market . Sri Maha Uma Devi Temple is also located in this district. Restaurants abound, particularly around Convent Road. Head for nearby Lumpini Park for a break in a rare patch of green.

If you head west along Sathorn or Silom Road, you will come to Charoen Krung ("New") Road and back to the Chao Phraya River. A tram used to run along this road, but these days hardly anything does - the traffic is too thick! This is another popular hotel area, with such luxurious hotels as The Oriental , The Peninsula , the Shangri-La , the Royal Orchid Sheraton and the Marriott Spa Resort all overlooking the river. Take a sunset cruise or dine in one of the many restaurants along the majestic river, such as Yok Yor Marina and Restaurant . The River City Shopping Complex sells a huge array of antiques and is worth a browse. 

Chinatown & Pahurat

North along the river lies hectic Chinatown and Pahurat, an Indian district. Here you will find Wat Traimit , but the area is best known for its shopping. Yaowarat Road has loads of gold shops, while Sampeng Lane has everything from hair accessories to shoes, all at bargain prices. Farther north you will come to Pak Klong Talat with its colorful fresh flowers.

Outside the City

There are also a number of attractions to be found in the outlying areas of Bangkok and adjacent provinces, including King Rama IX Royal Park , Nonthaburi, the Ancient City , Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Ayutthaya , a trip to which usually incorporates a visit to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace 

things to do

1. Spend quality time with Buddha

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Buddhist temples (wats), spotting swanlike chofa finials, ornate gables, roofs of green and orange tiles, crown-like windows, conical chedi (stupas) clad in gold, stucco or ceramic mosaic, or leaf-shaped sema boundary stones around the bot (chapel).

Most communities have at least one wat, but a few are stand out must-sees.

Wat Kalayanamit houses Thailand's largest indoor sitting Buddha (15 metres/49 feet high) – it also boasts its highest chofa (roof finial) and biggest bell. Wat Suthat, Bangkok’s tallest vihaan, houses another awe-inducing Buddha, the 8m (26ft) Phra Sri Sakyamuni Buddha. At Wat Benchamabophit all stylistic periods of Buddha images can be seen in the cloister.

Wats host periodic festivals (see festivals & events in Bangkok) and may perform secular roles as schools, hospitals or orphanages to fairgrounds, lodgings or cinemas, as well as tourist sights.

See all religious sites & buildings in Bangkok

2. Cruise the ‘Venice of the East’

Visitors often regard boating as their most rewarding city experience, even though the ‘Venice of the East’ label barely applies any longer, since most Bangkok canals have been lost to road-building. Yet khlongs still thread through the Thonburi west bank and branch into the plantations of Nonthaburi, stretching on throughout Thailand’s Central Plains, connecting rivers, rice farms, towns, temples and floating markets (see Floating markets below).

Exploring the waterways requires some strategy. The rule to bear in mind is that the longer you spend, the greater the value and rewards. A half-day enables you to see the mostly urban canals of Thonburi, now heavily scarred by concrete flood barriers, because this delta instinctively wants to overflow. A full day takes you upriver and into a rustic canalscape barely modernised – though riparian lifestyles are changing fast.

Read more about Bangkok’s areas

3. Eat local

Escape the de-spiced tourist menus. Eat local. Bangkok’s position, between India and China, encouraged its cooks to borrow from both – and beyond. And yet, the Central Plains cuisine remains singular in its style and complexity, and is served by most upscale Thai restaurants. This is Thailand’s most elevated culinary form – making use of fresh local herbs, seafood and meats in piquant salads, spicy soups and that famed green curry.

Regional menus have their niches, especially the salads, grilled meats and sticky rice of Isaan, Thailand’s northeast, at places like Isaan Rot Det. Southern Thai dishes exhibit their pungent spiciness at Ruen Mallika. Lanna (northern) food, influenced by Burma and Yunnan, is found at food markets, notably Or Tor Kor.

The owner of suave Thai restaurant Ruen Urai suggests exploring Bangkok’s culinary scene by context, from streetfood up to fine dining. Resembling a 1950s Tokyo diner, Bo.lan serves small but good value meals. At Chote Chitr dishes are as close as you’ll get to honest home cooking in a restaurant setting, while the homely, buzzing Taling Pling combines bright decor with tasty rural cooking.

See all restaurants & cafés in Bangkok

4. Get togged up in tailor-made threads

Haberdasheries crowd tourist areas, especially Sukhumvit Sois 3-11, Thanon Khao San, Thanon Charoen Krung (between Silom and River City) and malls. Typically run by Thai-Indians, they can tailor bespoke suits and dresses for bargain prices. For optimum quality and service, dismiss the ‘24-hour with free kimono’ packages. Most respond professionally to customers who are thorough about cut, cloth and detailing. Give them a pattern or choose from their catalogues and magazine cuttings. Insist on at least two fittings over several days.

See all shops in Bangkok

5. Succumb to the spirit of Thai dance-drama

Classical dance-drama embodies sacred rites and Thai thespians believe they must succumb to their characters’ spirit. Before every show, cast and crew convene for a wai khru rite to honour their masters. Many times daily, devotees thank the spirits at Lak Muang and the Erawan Shrine by commissioning resident dancers to do an excerpt of Lakhon Chatri, a typically slow, mannered dance derived from the Malay-influence Manohra repertoire. No wonder Thai dance is so beguiling; it channels the gods.

Catch one of the following:

Khon The most intricate and venerated genre, masked dance. Episodes are seen at weekly shows in Sala Chalermkrung, with excerpts at Sala Thai restaurant.

Phichet Kluncheun Internationally lauded it modernises Khon at festivals and Chang Theatre (Pracha Uthit Soi 59, 08 1985 0281, www.pklifework.com). There’s a Khon Museum at Suan Pakkard Palace.

Lakhon (drama) has two main threads:

Lakhon Nok Rousing, melodramatic, and formerly all-male. 

Lakhon Nai More refined, and once an all-female court repertoire.

Peeramon Chomthavat’s authentic troupe Aporn Ngam appears at Bangkok Theatre Festival (see festivals & events in Bankok) and Origin.

Likay A brash folk opera, which blends literature, fables and comedy. It’s now limited to temple fairs, fusions with morlam music and topical interpretations 
by Makhampom at BTF (see festivals & events in Bangkok) and its Makhampom Studio (Saphan Kwai intersection, 0 2616 8473, www.makhampom.net).

See all theatre and dance venues in Bangkok

6. Gallery hop

New ideas and individualism are weaning Thai art from religious subjects and revered masters’ templates. 

Curators at progressive galleries showcase a new generation of artists with reputations for conceptual art driven by folk, ethnic and pop culture. Photography gets exposure at Kathmandu, Phranakorn Bar, and the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (0 2652 0580-1, www.fccthai.com).

The long-heralded Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), while not without problems, now acts as a much-needed focus for exhibitions and festivals. More impressive still, the Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC) holds world-class exhibitions and events. The free map Art Connection (monthly) covers all art happenings.

See all art venues in Bangkok

7. Club like a local

At local clubs revellers jiggle around tall tables, snacking and topping up their whisky-cokes while DJs talk over pop-dance requests. Downtown playlists are edgier, if often samey. Stalwarts like Club Culture or Narcissus diversify with themed nights, annual dance parties (www.culture-one-bkk.com) and import DJs (Tiësto, Qbert, Goldie, Oakenfold), boosting Bangkok’s credibility as an international party hub.

Top local and international DJs also spin at 808, Bed Supperclub and Q Bar.

Among homespun DJs, listen out for Spydamonkee, Dragon, Joeki, Arsit, Octo, indie veteran Seed, and DJ spin champions Oatawa and Kolor One.

See all clubs in Bangkok

8. Relax!

Thailand has become a world holistic centre with an Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine (0 2965 9683) supplementing the know-how of Wat Pho, a vast, mellow temple, where visitors can learn Thai massage in English.

 Meditation is taught at centres like Wat Mahathat. Contact the World Fellowship of Buddhists (616 Soi Methiniwet, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 0 2661 1284-7, www.wfb-hq.org), where monks also give meditation talks in English (2-6pm, first Sunday of the month).

An unrivalled breadth of swish hotel spas (see hotels in Bangkok overview) and budget massage houses dispense indigenous and imported therapies

Try Arima Onsen for reflexology and Thai massage, Bodhi for hi-tech diagnostics and workouts, Divana Spa for couples and families, Nicolie Asian Massage, and Sareerarom Tropical Spa for massage and Dharma yoga.



See all sport, health & fitness venues in Bangkok

9. Be fabulous at Bangkok’s kitschest cabaret

Many cabarets are no more than a commercial spectacle offering lip-synching ladyboys (kathoey), however, a few are stand out: Calypso is Bangkok’s original ladyboy cabaret with Vegas-ish routines; at Mambo's ladyboys primp and grin through feathered extravaganzas designed to tick the nationality boxes of each coach party present; and at Miss AC/DC spoof drag queens ‘represent’ some 70 countries in ‘national costumes’ (see festivals & events in Bangkok).

Gritty, witty and inventive drag shows are performed at gay clubs.

See all adult entertainment and cabaret in Bangkok

10. Dance to a Thai beat

Taxis play morlam, the infectious, upbeat folk music from Isaan, Thailand’s northeast, but try it live at Isaan Tawandaeng. Meanwhile, Raintree hosts ‘songs for life’, a mix of Thai riffs and country rock. Jazz merges into blues here, as at Saxophone, Brown Sugar, Bamboo Bar or sometimes Rain Dogs. Brick Bar and Bu-ngah serve up energetic ska. Even heavy metal has a home in Bangkok, at the Rock Pub. Many clubs have house bands or gigs by Thai pop or indie acts.

See all music venues in Bangkok

11. Tuck into a kerbside gourmet feast

The sidewalk is Bangkok’s de facto dining room. Much vendor cuisine has Chinese ancestry – from Hainan chicken rice (khao man kai) to duck noodles. So Chinatown, with its sensory blur of vendors at Thanon Yaowarat and Soi Texas makes a great place to graze. But first get some context at Nang Leong Market, a pretty clean market serving classics from sweet kanom to savoury pork shank rice (khao ka moo), along with Ngua Doong Nang Leong’s steaming beef offal soup and other oddities. Try Talad Or Tor Kor for upscale regional specialities, or Sukhumvit Soi 38 in Thonglor. Other one-dish destinations include Kai Thord Soi Polo (Isaan-style fried chicken); Khrua Aroi Aroi (curry over fresh rice noodles); Mid Night Kai Ton (Hainan chicken rice); Pet Tun Jao Tha (duck and goose); Roti Mataba (stuffed flatbread and curries); and Thip Samai (pad Thai).

Street eating is a voyage of discovery. If something looks good just try it – there are countless more streetfood shrines hiding in plain sight.

See all restaurants & cafés in Bangkok

12. Slip into the shadow

Thai dance and puppetry are indivisible. Khon derives its flat-stanced aesthetic from Nang (shadow puppetry); later, Hun (marionettes) emulated the glittery stylisation of Khon. At festivals you may see Nang Yai, outsize shadow puppets with no moving parts manoeuvred by dancers, or smaller, hinged Nang Talung animated by a satirical narrator. Small, painted Hun Krabok glove puppets have hands moved by sticks. At the Thai Puppet Theater and Aksra Theatre, uncannily lifelike Hun Lakhon Lek involve toddler-sized puppets, each manipulated by three dancers.

See all theatre in Bangkok

13. Buy into neo-Thai aesthetics

Once famed for its exotic crafts, silk and copy goods, Bangkok has reconfigured traditional crafts into a neo-Thai design aesthetic with indigenous materials, tropical colours and pared-down Thai forms. You can see this elegant style applied across clothing, decor, accessories and home spa products. ‘Original’ is gradually displacing ‘copy’ as Bangkok’s retail mantra.

Head to River City and Chatuchak Weekend Market for antique Asian objet d’art; to Chatuchak, Khao San Road and Sukhumvit’s Nana areas for souvenir crafts; Paragon Passage at Siam Paragon and Exotique Thai at Emporium for higher quality Siamese collectibles.

Items bearing the OTOP logo are state-marketed village goods. Traditional crafts include: forged steel cutlery by knifemaker NV Aranyik; woodcarving; brassware; puppets (at Thai Puppet Theater); and Thai silk, a heavy, coarse, lustrous fibre made famous by Jim Thompson and now made to order by Almeta.

You can still buy crafts from their source. Artisans working in and around Bangkok include weavers at Ban Khrua Thai Silk (837 Baan Krua Soi 9, 08 1243 9089, 7am-6pm daily), metalbeaters at the Monk’s Bowl Village, goldsmiths at Tang Toh Kang and bronze foundry workers in the lane beside Wat Suwannaram.

See all shops in Bangkok

14. Take a beach break

When Bangkokians go on long beach weekends, the more conservative head for Hua Hin, while the sparkier, younger set zooms southeast to Ko Samet, a dagger-shaped islet in Rayong province. Without getting on a plane, this is the easiest place to test the brochures’ ‘forested isle in an emerald sea’ claims. The sand is fine and the water is clear.

Read more about excursions from Bangkok

15. Have a good old rummage

Talad (markets) and rot khen (roving carts) garnish Bangkok in the purest expression of the sensual Thai culture, with their kaleidoscope of scents (jasmine garlands, musty puddles, durian), sounds (yelping hawkers, booming techno), sights (sleeping children, slithering eels, temple fairs), touch (antique silk, fake fur) and tastes (many unique to Thailand).

Markets often integrate into their community, like Talad Banglamphu or Sampeng Lane Market in Chinatown.

Traders vary in shifts at particular spots: Chatuchak Weekend Market sells just about everything; Pahurat Market (Talad Pahurat) is awash with fabrics and textiles; visit this remnant of Bangkok’s original fresh market, Pak Khlong Talad to fully grasp the Thai love of flowers; Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Sampeng Lane and Thanon Khao San for souvenirs and decor items; and Trok Itsaranuphap for foodie treat.

See all markets in Bangkok

Read more about Bangkok’s floating markets and other excusrions from Bangkok.

16. Get high

Rooftops restaurants and bars have gained cachet in this cramped, humid soi-scape – they offer escapism, a view and a breeze.

The narrow Vertigo and its casual Moon Bar inspire queasiness as you step onto the 61st-floor deck. Its strict dress code is surpassed by the highfalutin’ LeBua – not even knapsacks allowed. Sirocco places greater emphasis on the food, with an upscale Italian menu served against a backdrop of extraordinary views. The Sky Bar, a crowded cusp with glass rails overhanging a 65-storey drop, provides Bangkok’s coolest snapshot.

New vistas open up as skyscrapers in-build this concept. Central World has two. Red Sky offers fine dining and a wine bar from a 55th-floor perch. Slightly cheaper, Zense, on the 17th floor of Zen department store, is a something-for-everyone eaterie.

To avoid the hundred-dollar-a-head bills many people go to these bars just for sundowner drinks. Those with lower budgets still have less elevated rooftop alternatives, like the Gazebo Moroccan bar-restaurants in the areas of Banglamphu and Sukhumvit, and Phranakorn Bar, where in-the-know hipsters have a private panorama of the Golden Mount.

See all bars in Bangkok

17. Appreciate phiphat music

Hearing the discombobulating rhythms of a Phiphat Wong (Thai classical orchestra) is fascinating, but hard to find except at tourist dances. Scheduled recitals occur at BTF, Naris Day, and the National Theatre (5-7pm Sat, music; Sun, dance, Dec-Apr, B20; see festivals & events in Bangkok). You can hear (and join) weekend practice at Luang Pradit Phairoh Foundation. The leading phiphat ensemble Fong Nam regularly plays at Tawandang German Brewhouse.

See all music venues in Bangkok

18. Become a sporting hero

Muay Thai kick boxing has become a global sport managed by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Muay Thai Council (0 2369 2213-5, www.wmcmuaythai.com). Many foreigners train with Thais at Fairtex, some winning titles at Lumphini Stadium or Ratchadamnoen Stadium.

All fighters must wear the sacred headband and armlet during the ritual dance to honour teachers before every fight, which a live band accompanies. Loinclothed, bound-fisted old styles have also revived, as at Baan Chang Thai.

See all sport, health & fitness venues in Bangkok

19. Get the Thai look

Siam Square has for decades been a laboratory for Thai fashion. The sartorially inventive teens promenading here take their cue from Japan but delight in Thai whimsy. Young designers start in tiny shoplets threading between the sois, or at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Some open boutiques in Siam Center opposite, with Theatre and Baking Soda among the most fondly enduring. Although global chains have muscled in, indie labels still cater to the trendiest of tastes.

Those that ‘go inter’ (gain international success) graduate to Gaysorn or Siam Paragon. Few have proven to be as savvy at design, marketing and logistics as the pioneering Fly Now, which has twice opened London Fashion Week. Its designer Chamnan Phakdeesuk traditionally ends Bangkok International Fashion Week. Held each March at Siam Paragon, BIFW inherited the mantle of Bangkok Fashion City, but long pre-dating this, Elle Fashion Week helps emergent designers and is now held twice a year at Central World.

See festivals & events in Bangkok

See all shops in Bangkok

20. Find love... luck, healing and prosperity

Angelina Jolie famously sports a Thai tattoo, and it’s not just any image. The cabalistic diagram etched onto skin by monks derives from auspicious yantra designs that also come on cloth or taxi ceilings. Its powers – luck, protection, prosperity, healing, love – are activated by a mantra (spell). Angelina’s tattoo is an amulet.

Thai amulets appear everywhere and in myriad forms, tied around necks or waists, on dashboards, wrapped in boxers’ armbands, taken to Iraq by soldiers.

Europe's Secret Hot Spots

hese under-the-radar European beach towns, wine regions, and lake districts are just waiting to be discovered.

Americans can’t get enough of Paris, as becomes painfully clear each summer, when it swarms with tourists. Relief waits a train ride away in Île de Noirmoutier: You’ll be greeted by the scent of mimosa and the sight of bobbing yachts and families picnicking on the beach.  

Thankfully, Europe is still full of under-the-radar gems like this French retreat. And we can’t resist spreading the word about the latest emerging hot spots, from Eastern Europe’s hippest art scene to a sleepy district of lakes and castles. 

The continent is so varied that even with 17 countries sharing the euro currency, it can barely keep from splintering back into thousands of microcultures. While this complicates the financial markets, it has an upside for travelers: continued opportunities for discovery. You’ll never walk into a beach bar in Bergen, Holland, and one on the Aegean Islands and have the same experience.

So while the hunt is always on for the next Tuscany, you’ll find that Spain’s answer—the little-touristed northeast Matarranya region—has its own distinctive accent. Its patchwork of vineyards, rivers, and olive groves lies at the confluence of the ancient Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia kingdoms. The feeling is still a bit regal, especially at the Hotel Torre del Visco, a surprisingly affordable 15th-century palace in Fuentespalda (population: 368).

Further afield, in Estonia, there’s a secret island of juniper forests, fishing villages, and small farms that was the last stronghold of Estonian pagans until the 13th century. Looking for a windmill? You’ll get your photo-op with the country’s last working wooden version here.

For more of a scene, look to the Netherlands and a beach town that’s recently made waves. Like the Hamptons, but with clogs, Bergen is becoming a second-home haven for newly monied Germans and Dutch who prefer bike rides and outdoor cafés to power lunches.

It takes extra effort, sure, to reach these European spots, but the reward comes with that sense of being let in on a fantastic secret—and the opportunity to experience a place rooted in local tradition before it’s really discovered and altered.

And if you just can’t forget Paris, consider you’ll probably get to transit through one such glittering European hub along the way.

Matera, Italy

Tourists are taking their sweet time to get the message about this starkly beautiful, monochromatic town of ancient architecture. Yet Matera has been a favorite of film directors (Pier Paolo Pasolini, Mel Gibson) for decades, and Francis Ford Coppola is opening his sixth hotel in nearby Bernalda, where his grandfather was born. Carved out of a limestone gorge, the millennia-old town in the southern region of Basilicata—the arch of Italy’s boot—was abandoned for decades, until artists and hippies began repopulating it in the 1950s and UNESCO declared the old town a World Heritage Site in 1993. From the natural-rock pool at the Locanda di San Martino, you can float while surveying the sassi (ancient cave dwellings) and hundreds of rock churches that date back to the Byzantine era.

Fermanagh Lakelands, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s self-styled lake district isn’t as dramatic as its English sister, which has given it reprieve from the millions of visitors who come to the region’s shores. Here, instead of membership-only clubs and helipads, you get crenellated castles from the 17th and 18th centuries, misty loughs (lakes), and views of the distant Donegal Mountains. For a truly Irish experience, stay in the west wing of Crom Castle, the historic seat of the earls of Erne for more than 350 years. Its 1,900 rolling acres are filled with every possible amenity to fulfill your outdoor Gaelic fantasies—and reachable within a two-hour drive from Belfast or Dublin.

Muhu Island, Estonia

On the tiny island of Muhu—accessed by an ice road in winter—you’ll find working windmills, thatched cottages, and a 13th-century pagan church. The population is only around 2,000, but this island 100 miles from Tallinn is rich with tradition, dating back to 1227 when an army of Christians crossed the ice and ended the Estonian Crusade.Padaste Manor may not be that old, but it still has some 700 years of history under its Danish-style eaves. Experience what a descendant of one of those crusaders (the last private owner, Baron Axel von Buxhoeveden) thought of as impeccable taste in the hotel, whose outbuildings merge the old world styles of St. Petersburg (to the east) and Denmark (to the west).

Matarranya Region, Southern Aragon, Spain

Spain’s answer to Tuscany is striped with vineyards and rivers, then dotted with olive groves and tree-lined peaks. It rests at the confluence of the ancient Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia kingdoms, and the feeling is still a bit regal (one can imagine a king, on horseback, hunting for buck). The pace of life is typically slow, leaving plenty of time for long walks in the hills, mountain-bike rides, and visits to vineyards. The center of it all is at Hotel Torre del Visco, a 15th-century palace in Fuentespalda (population: 368) that is often host to Europe’s remaining royalty; its remoteness is hard to match elsewhere. And it’s surprisingly affordable—about $200 per night including breakfast; seems even landed gentry like a good deal. Wander the labyrinthine fortress and pretend you’re on the set of the Spanish version of Game of Thrones.

Lewis Island, Outer Hebrides,Scotland

Thrown into the North Sea, out past Skye, is a tiny island that only the hearty Scottish could conjure. Lewis is part of the Outer Hebrides, but it’s also a world of its own. Its beaches look straight out of the Caribbean—careful, that water is cold. The language is still Gaelic, and Harris Tweed (from the island adjacent) is worn even in summer. You can breathe in the smell of peat being cut and head out for a fishing jaunt in the choppy waters. For a little socializing, there’sAuberge Carnish, a five-room farm retreat with a restaurant overlooking the rocky bay. Owners Richard and Jo Leparoux grow their own produce and breed chicken and lamb to create the best meals this side of Skibo Castle.

Île de Noirmoutier, France

Lovingly called the Poor Man’s Île de Ré, this nature destination on the Vendée coast is rife with wildlife: on the beaches, in the marshes and dunes, and in the forest. Take the TGV from Paris, and four hours later you’ll be greeted by the scent of mimosa blossoms, even in winter, and the sight of yachts grabbing the wind for white-knuckle races. For families, this is French paradise—picture your kids harvesting oysters and their own salt for a beach picnic, exploring the aquarium and the nature reserve teeming with birds, then curling up with a good book back in the villa. As if they’d even think of cracking open that iPad here.

Lodz, Poland

The third biggest town in Poland comes from industrial roots (it was called the Manchester of the East), but lately, for culture, few evolving Eastern European cities can compare. Art in all forms is everywhere—from Hollylodz, the center of Polish cinematography (its film school has three Oscar-winning alumni, including Roman Polanski) to the Lodz Atlas Arena, where Elton John will perform in Summer 2012. Along Piotrkowska Street, one of the longest in Europe, there are more than 100 bars, often heaving with live music, and restaurants serving fantastic Polish and Jewish dishes (try Anatewka, where a violinist serenades guests). All roads eventually lead to Manufaktura, a 74-acre 19th-century industrial campus now filled with shops, museums, a carousel, cinemas, party spaces, and everyone you need to meet in Lodz.

Bergen, Holland

Historically, artists and writers came here to be inspired by the coastline, just a 45-minute ride from Amsterdam, but Bergen has seen a recent influx of the newly monied, creating a scene that suggests the Hamptons with clogs. The good news is that if you’re not lucky enough to own a local vacation home, you can rent one of the funky, if basic, villas scattered around for a few hundred dollars a week (try holiday-rentals.co.uk). The luncheon spot SB Noord, whose weatherworn wooden terrace is strewn with chairs, overlooks the sunniest spot in the Netherlands. Rent a bike to cycle to the beach (three miles from town) and the pine forest, then head for microbrews and calamari at Fabel’s, all done up in oak and bluestone and set beside a ruined church and cobblestoned streets.

Ikaria, Greece

Thanks to its remote placement six hours by ferry from Athens, the island of Ikaria has all the beauty of the Aegean Islands, without the crowds. Perhaps it’s the fresh air, crystal waters, and abundant food, but Ikarians mysteriously live long (and full) lives. They are four times more likely to pass their 90th birthdays than Americans, despite eating heaps of fried fish and rich dips, not to mention smoking and drinking wine by the carafe-load. Check into the six-level Cavos Bay Hotel, where every pared-down room overlooks the sea. Don’t bother bringing a watch; nothing happens “on time” here. So go for a leisurely swim at Seychelles Beach and stroll along the ancient stone walls that date back to the 5th century B.C.

East Anglia, United Kingdom

Built up by the wool trade centuries ago, East Anglia fell off most travelers’ maps when that industry declined. Cambridge, at the heart of the region, has been one exception, but if you can look beyond the university town’s ivy-strewn stone buildings, you’ll be rewarded with thatch villages; Holkham Hall, the first Earl of Leicester’s Palladian mansion; and Sandringham, where the queen and her ancestors have holidayed for generations. Along winding roads dotted with sheep, you’ll also find the antiques’-lovers towns of Lavenham and Long Melford, the 640 medieval churches of Norfolk, and the only two-Michelin-starred restaurant around,Midsummer House. Unless twee B&B owners and their cats are your cup of tea, explore by day and return at night to Cambridge’sVarsity Hotel & Spa, where Londoners come for weekend breaks to row along the River Cam and relive their glory days at “uni.”

Rovinj, Istria

The Istrian Peninsula is the best of Tuscany and Venice rolled into one languid destination. Hillsides nurture vineyards, preservation-minded towns lie just steps from the beach, and Croatians live off the same land their great-great-grandparents did. Though some towns are overhyped (see Porec and Pula), the most built-up of Istrian tourist destinations can actually be its most atmospheric—if you time it right. During the off-season, the crenellated town of Rovinj feels like a quiet Siena writ small, its 18th-century bell tower of the Church of St. Euphemy standing guard above the spartan cobblestoned streets below. Try the local vintages at the romantic Wine Vault restaurant, then spend the night in the region’s first design hotel, The Lone, whose swooping nautical shape commands prime real estate in a deep forest beside the Adriatic.

Ticino, Switzerland

The capital city of Lugano is also the spiritual home of Italians in Switzerland, which adds a sexy slouch to an otherwise buttoned-up country. True, there is a Michelin-starred restaurant (the Galleria Arté al Lago), and Ticino is only a motorboat ride from the paparazzi-happy Lake Como region, but because this is technically Switzerland, the trains always run on time (to the ticking of Patek Philippe watches), and a politeness and white-glove service perseveres. Spend your nights in the Villa Castagnola, the former residence of the czars on the shores of Lake Lugano, and you’ll be instantly initiated into the lifestyle of long lunches, boat trips to the lake, and perfectly toned guests sunning themselves in the private gardens. Hiking and biking are popular activities, and there just happens to be Alpine skiing up the hill.

Formentera, Spain

True, Kate Moss and Jade Jagger have been spotted on Formentera, but this Balearic Island is still far removed from the tabloid headlines and flash of its sister, Ibiza. A ban on beachfront building has kept the thumping clubs and flophouses that serve them from coming ashore, leaving the unspoiled beaches and the rustle of palm trees as backdrop and soundscape to a holiday of sunset cocktails and afternoon siestas. Still, if you’re looking to sunbathe with Leo and his ilk, you’ll find them at Gecko Beach Club; just avoid August, when the Spaniards somehow manage to bring the party to this bohemian haven on earth.