Bangkok & Inselhopping in Thailands Osten

About the destination: Bangkok, a city renowned for its cosmopolitan vibe in Asia, serves as the capital of Thailand. Despite its hot and crowded nature, Bangkok maintains a relative cleanliness and offers a plethora of enjoyable activities. The city boasts excellent shopping opportunities, a rich cultural scene, stunning temples, delectable cuisine, and a respectable art scene. The majority of Bangkok's attractions are located on the island of Rattanakosin, commonly known as the Old City. The Grand Palace is an absolute must-visit location. The Grand Palace complex is also home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Keow, which is the most revered Buddhist temple. Other notable temples in Bangkok include the Wat Pho and Wat Arun temples. Bangkok is a shopper's paradise, with a multitude of shops, shopping centers, and markets to cater to every desire. The nightlife in Bangkok is as diverse as the city itself, ranging from beer bars and exclusive clubs to night shopping markets, discos, and bohemian parties. Bangkok, a vast, bustling metropolis, manages to maintain a sense of tranquility and elegance amidst the noise and crowds. It is one of the world's premier destinations that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

About the destination: Thailand’s second-largest island sits near the Cambodian border and, together with its neighboring islands, forms a marine national park. Koh Chang is very mountainous in the interior, with dense jungle and numerous waterfalls in a rugged, romantic setting. Its fine, sandy beaches lined with palm and casuarina trees usually have gently sloping shores; however, they become narrower at high tide and sandflies can sometimes occur. Over the past years, Koh Chang has transformed from a pure “backpacker’s paradise” into an island with many charming resorts, while still maintaining a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. The beaches of Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach) and Klong Prao offer the most variety, with shops, small supermarkets, casual local restaurants, and bars. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Trat (on the mainland) in about 45 minutes; from there, a minibus and ferry transfer takes on average another 90 minutes. The best time to visit Koh Chang is from November to April or May. During the off-season, the island is quieter, the sea can be rough, and swimming may not always be possible.