Legendary traditions, awe-inspiring temples and tiger encounters

Looking past the almost unavoidable allure of scenic beach resorts, Thailand has a diversity of attractions to keep every kind of traveller deeply interested.
There are gleaming temples no one on a visit here should overlook, with huge golden Buddhas framing the modern and rural landscapes with exuberance and flair. In Bangkok you will find many temples, also known locally as "wats", from tiny ones removed out of tourist areas to massive complexes that feature in every guide book. Wat Pho is one of the most impressive with its huge golden reclining buddy standing at 26 metres tall.

Religious affairs here are a colourful spectacle where devotion brings locals to engage in an ongoing dialogue with their divinities. You will find ancient banyan trees decorated as improvised shrines, wrapped in sacred clothes to honour the spirits, fortune-bringing shrines decorating the humblest of noodle houses and decorated dashboards help protect the roads from traffic accidents.

Then there's colourful traditions such as the Thai dance, a dramatic art form performed by beautifully costumed girls. It has many forms, from high art, also known as classical dance, to low art or folk dance, both enchanting in their unique ways. Don't miss the opportunity to watch one of these; it'll be one of the highlights of your trip.
For something different and slightly adventurous why not go for a personal encounter with one of the most majestic and imposing creatures of the animal world? It's possible, only in Thailand to visit a monk inhabited sanctuary where tame tigers wander about and where you can get the one-in-a-lifetime chance of bathing them, watching them feed up close en even petting them! This is for real thrill-seekers though and we don't recommend this activity unless you're a real dare-devil (travel insurance companies won't cover you for this). Now if that doesn't have the wow factor, we don't know what has!

Nature and going off the beaten path

Yes, there's much of Thailand that's been heavily trodden but that shouldn't put you off if you're seeking some remote corner where you can get to the real way of life of Thai people, from humble peasants to charming rural villages. You don't have to be a backpacker to experience raw Thailand at its purest; you can escape your comfortable accommodation in the heart of the city and get back to the bare necessities of life by visiting rural villages during the day and get to heart of the nation's rural life.

Go a step further the organised tours and wander off for yourself to find some rather unique places, carve your path along some jungle, stray from the beaten track and make your holiday more unique.

You can trek along many undiscovered trails after visiting famous ones, such as the Kahao Yai National Park (teeming with wildlife), the Ti Lor Su Waterfall, home to the nation's biggest and most beautiful waterfall and the Doi Inthanon National Park, where well-marked paths will take you to find rare birds and where you can rent a log cabin or a tent and spend the night breathing in the fresh alpine air.

Some things to experience off the beaten path include rock climbing or learning to slack-line walk in Tonsai, where you can also learn how to fire dance, participate in yoga sessions and enjoy freshly-prepared chai tea and coffee that's been locally grown.

If you're a motorbike lover then there's no better place to engage in this sport than in Pai, a beautiful scenic countryside region with some spectacular landscapes and the plus of encountering very few cars on its roads.

If you're in for a body-changing experience you could even get a Sak Yant tattoo from a Buddhist monk, they cost a mere $1.50 donation and consist of tailor-made blessings that the monks decide for you according to what they believe you need most.