Bangkok is my interpretation of magical, it is eclectic and cosmopolitan; a city of contrasts that never sleeps and always intrigues. Bangkok is an intoxicating mixture of aromas, tastes and visual delights from its people and their hospitality, its enchanting temples and colourful markets to its world class shopping and exotic nightlife.

Bangkok’s heritage and Buddhist traditions remain visible through the bright lights and style-conscious city. Whether you choose to sip tea in a secret garden, drink lychee martinis in the Sky Bar or stay in a beautiful former royal residence by the river, Bangkok has something for everyone. You can have elegant Thai silk, hand-woven to order, bespoke leather cushions handmade for you or have cerise Dendrobium Nobile or white Phalaenopsis Orchids delivered to your hotel suite ready for you to fly home. Bangkok’s contrasts range from cutting edge modern art in a beautiful old teak house and arriving in style at Asia’s most stunning rooftop restaurant in a chauffeur-driven, mint condition classic Mercedes and rediscover some of your lost childhood memories at the Dalat Rot Fai - the retro railway night market, a walk away from Chatuchak and experiencing your own version of a Thai street-food odyssey.

Whatever your preference, Bangkok is guaranteed to deliver... Just add adventure, keep your eyes and mind open and enjoy the journey.

You’ll never see everything in the time available but when you’ve had your fill... catch your connecting flight and head down to your island paradise!

Where to stay:

AriyasomVilla - Stunning heritage architecture set in tropical gardens in the heart of Bangkok

The main house was built by the current owners’ grandparents in 1942 as their private residence during the Second World War. With only 25 rooms and suites, the Hotel has been designed in a 1940’s, 1950’s Bangkok style using old recycled quality teak floors, a mix of antique and reproduction furniture and Thai silk drapes with all the modern facilities and amenities. Set in lush tropical gardens, enjoy your dinner around the pool and relax in an oasis of heritage right in the heart of Bangkok.

The Eugenia: a love for art and culture, a home away from home</p>

The previous owner, an interior designer by profession, moved to Bangkok and his love for art and culture made him decide on Thailand as The Eugenia's destination. The weather, food and especially the people drove him closer to open a home away from home. This was his dream to have all his guestsfeel the same way as he did when he was away. The hotel offers 12 suites with antique furnishings, yet provides latest amenities and modern comfort. There's a swimming pool and a Thai Sala (open pavilion) in the back of the hotel for a leisure swim and relaxation

The Sukothai: A garden paradise, famed service and a timeless sanctuary in the centre of the city

A luxury 5-star hotel retreat in the centre of Bangkok. From the moment you walk in, you feel you’ve entered a timeless place, although quietly dynamic. The hotel thrives on contrasts, each element setting off the next. Spectacular modern facilities and famed service, welcoming you to a green sanctuary that would make you forget that you are in the centre of one of the world’s most dynamic capital cities.

DALAT ROT FAI

SKY BAR, LEBUA AT STATE TOWER

THAI ISLANDS

Gorges du Loup:

Situated at the bottom of the mountain village of Gordon, the Gorges du Loup is a place not for the faint hearted, where the water runs directly down from the mountains above and reaches (during the summer) approximately 18 degrees Celsius.  The only way to get to this place is by parking along the road and then walking down a steep hill for around 10 minutes (accessible to kids and families but shoes are needed to go downhill). Once at the bottom of the hill, the site reveals itself and quickly becomes one of the most serene and beautiful places in the South of France.

Several jumps are available, starting from a very low to an 8-metre jump with no risk of injury. For families, big flat rocks surround the area, making it perfect and easy to sit down and relax.

A rafting team will pass through every 2 hours going down the whole river with a teacher and full protection gear. This is available to book from the village five minutes down the road from the site.

La Pointe de L’aiguille, Theoule-sur-Mer:

La Pointe de L’aiguille is situated behind the main public beaches in Theoule-sur-Mer, as a consequence, the beach isextra quiet, perfect to relax with friends and family. There’s also the possiblity of rock jumping (up to 22 metres).

A path through the heights of the rocks leads to the beach after a good 10 minute walk down natural stairs. Once down on the beach, as the rocks surround you, you get a feeling of seclusion and well-being, cut off from the world behind and taking in the most extraordinary view along the Mediterranean coast. Scooba-divers  can explore the natural caves between rocks in clear water.

How to get there:

Estonian Air or EasyJet from Gatwick or Ryanair from Stanstead

Flight time: Just under 3 hours so make sure you take something to read

About Tallinn:  It is on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, 80 km (50 mi) south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg – all easily accessible from Tallinn. Tallinn's Old Town is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

“Chucs Choices”

Hotels

5 Star Hotel Telegraaf: www.telegraafhotel.com/

5 Star Three Sisters Hotel: http://www.threesistershotel.com/

Or visit http://www.tallinnhotels.ee/ for more options.

Must See

Medieval Old Town:  Simply walk around in the old city centre and see the Town Hall Square, Kohtuotsa viewing platform, museums, Churches etc.

Pirita: For the best sandy beach, go to Pirita. Visit also Pirita Monastery, walk on the Pirita Promenade or rent a boat to go on Pirita river

Rocca al Mare: Estonian Open Air Museum. This museum lets you travel back in time to the rural Estonia of old. The vast, forested park is filled with thatched, 18-20th-century farm buildings, windmills, a wooden chapel and a village school, with staff demonstrating how people lived and worked in times past.

Food

Restaurant “Ö” –http://www.restoran-o.ee/

Tchaikovsky at the Telegraaf Hotel – Russian cuisine

Both restaurants have received numerous awards and have ranked second in the ‘50 Best Restaurant in Estonia’

All pubs in the Old Town serve great meals, try Hell Hunt or Beer House (slightly touristy), but they brew their own variety of beers and often have live music.

Nightclubs

BonBon: BonBon is a well-known boutique nightclub where the best of Tallinn’s society gathers to party! The music varies from house, light R&B to some well loved classics.

Club Privé: As the name implies, this club is deliberately more exclusive than Tallinn's other dance venues.  Inside you'll find a smart crowd and an intriguing cocktail menu.

Club Hollywood: One of the hottest nightclubs in Tallinn, Hollywood is always popular, packed and pulsating with energy.

Adventures

You can hire an ATV to drive through the forests, get Yacht or a boat and explore our rivers, lakes or Baltic Sea, visit Matsalu National Park, hire a bike and enjoy our coast or have fun in Nõmme Adventure Park. If you want someone local to organise your activities, just contact info@matkad.ee or visit www.matkad.ee.

See more ideas from: http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/fpage/goodtime/sport_adventure

General Travel Tips

Official language is Estonian which is similar to Finnish, but don’t worry, everyone speaks English. Don’t forget to take Euros and adapters for European sockets. The weather is fairly good in the summer and it can be up to 25-30 degrees, but bring a raincoat just in case. The days are long in the summer and it won’t get very dark even during night which leaves you plenty of time to explore our city and nightlife.

Time zone: GMT + 2 hours.