A fantastical land with a rich tapestry of culture and history.

Here’s a fun factoid for you: what we know today as Thailand was formerly known around the world as the kingdom of Siam. Yes, the place from The King and I! Historical implications aside, if there’s one thing I remember from The King and I, it was beautiful, opulent palaces and sun-swept vistas. I can’t say how accurate that play was to real life, but that part was definitely for reals.

Thailand is home to some of the world’s most fascinating architecture, from the aforementioned magnificent palaces to breathtaking shrines and religious sites. If you’re looking to expand your view of world culture, there are few places I recommend you visit more. Don’t let the prevalence of old stuff color your expectations, though; in addition to maintaining their heritage sites, Thailand has kept up just fine with the rest of the world’s advancements, showcasing some truly incredible tourist attractions.

Bangkok alone features five massive shopping malls selling just about any name brand you can think of. If you’re in the market for something a little more personal, though, you can visit Khlong San Market for some great bargains on locally made clothes and accessories (though I hope you’re good at haggling, because it’s very much encouraged here). Once you’ve got bags of stuff, you can grab a snack at one of the great local eateries. One of the delicacies is bua loy khai khem, rice flour balls made with salted egg and coconut milk.

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If the city’s too crowded for your taste, pay a visit to sunny Pattaya Beach in Chon Buri. This massive, 3 kilometer coast is home to sparkling blue waters and white beach sands. They say if you want to have a nice, quiet time, you should head to the north side of the beach to relax in the sun.

So if you’re looking for a destination packed with fascinating history and modern tourist convenience, you sure as heck can’t go wrong with Thailand, the Land of Smiles. Maybe you’ll get lucky and meet Patrick Stewart! I mean, probably not, but you never know!