Highlights of Indochina

Bangkok is Thailand's huge and bustling capital, a chaotic and cosmopolitan city with many attractions. The most spectacular of these is the opulent and magnificent Grand Palace, reached on one of Bangkok's renowned waterways or klongs. Built in the late 18th century when Thailand was re-emerging from Burmese oppression, the complex is a vast collection of palaces, golden stupas, ornately decorative statues and wats, of which Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is the most impressive. Wat Po, home of the famous 46 metre long gold-plated Reclining Buddha, is another must-see. Elsewhere in the city, Jim Thompson's House is a museum containing superb examples of Thai art and furniture, collected by the former CIA officer and silk magnate. Shops and markets such as Chatuchak Market sell a huge range of Thai goods while at night Bangkok comes alive with a huge variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

The northern town of Lampang is home to the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, one of the most beautiful temples in northern Thailand, and the Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre. This is the largest elephant conservation centre in the country which takes care of sick and abandoned elephants and details their importance in Thai culture.

The northern city of Chiang Mai is one of the most attractive in Thailand, less frenetic than Bangkok and the altitude means it's much cooler and less humid than the capital. Chiang Mai has over 300 temples, the most impressive and revered being Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located on the peak of Doi Suthep at 1,676 metres, which offers superb views of the city and surrounding countryside. The city is home to some of the best food in Thailand and is a great place to have a Thai cooking lesson. Chiang Mai is also famous for its Night Bazaar, where you can buy local Lanna handicrafts and the traditional goods of the hilltribe people. The Tribal Museum is well worth a visit, to gain an insight into the cultures and customs of the hilltribe peoples of northern Thailand.

Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is a relaxed and laid-back city. Its attractions include the Patuxai (or Victory) Monument - Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe, Wat Sisaket - the oldest temple in the city packed with silver and ceramic Buddhas, Wat Prakeo - the temple which used to house the Emerald Buddha, and the That Luang stupa - Laos's most famous religious and national monument, said to contain a bone of the Buddha.

The Tam Ting Caves at Pak Ou, near the confluence of the Mekong and Ou rivers, are a Buddhist holy site which contain thousands of Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes, many brought here over 400 years ago when Luang Prabang was under threat from the Chinese.