One Night In Bangkok - Recommendations For Women Travelers

Bangkok, or the City of Angels, is a popular stopover destination for many thousands of air travelers every year. It is famed for its historical temples and its male oriented nightlife, as the song from Chess, the musical, implies. But what are the options for women travelers if you find yourself with a day and a night to spare in this vibrant city?

A lot depends on whether this is your first visit or indeed you first time in Asia. If so then you need to get a real flavor of the city by visiting some if its famed temples, historical sights and shopping opportunities.

If your time is limited to a 24-48 hour stopover the best way to do this is by taking two half day tours - a morning tour of the Grand Palace with its famed Emerald Buddha and an afternoon boat trip down the Chao Phraya River on a traditional rice barge. There are many similar tours available and can be booked either from your hotel or the plethora of tour operators scattered along the main streets. These tours usually last around 4 hours, giving you time to rest before taking on more of Bangkok's exciting sights and sounds (and shops.)

The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha

The Grand Palace, a former home of the Thai Royal family has been portrayed in many a Hollywood movie and is breathtakingly beautiful, with its Golden Cheidi, Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and Eight Colored Towers. In the palace grounds is the Wat Phra Kaew temple, which houses the much revered Emerald Buddha, considered to be the protector of the kingdom and is the holiest Buddhist site in the country.

Make sure you have your camera with you and dress respectfully. You can be refused entry if you are wearing slip on sandals, shorts or sleeveless tops, as the Grand Palace has a strict dress code policy. Should you be refused entry then go across the road to the many tourist shops and they will rent out shoes etc, or you can buy cheap clothing to cover up any offending parts! The same applies for men, no sandals, vests or shorts.

If you have time, then walk around the corner to Wat Po, Bangkok's oldest temple with its huge reclining Buddha - a great photo opportunity. It is also the home of the famed Thai massage school, where on a longer stay you can take their course in Thai massage, a Wat Po massage certificate is one of the most widely respected in the world.

A Rice Barge on the Chao Phraya River

An afternoon boat trip, setting off from the River City complex on the banks of the Chao Phraya gives you a great chance to see some of Bangkok's historical monuments in the shortest space of time, whilst giving you an authentic slice of Bangkok life, weaving in between the many houses along the city's klongs (waterways) and passing some of the amazing temples including the magical Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn, the most photographed temple in Bangkok. The tour will take you up river by long tail boat and you will return on the more sedate rice barge, where you will get the chance to sample some of Thailand's delicious spicy cuisine. Be warned, the long tail boats can go at quite a pace, especially if your pilot is intent on racing other boats up river!

Shop Til U Drop

Following our 24 hour stopover theme this then leaves you plenty of time in the evening to explore Bangkok's many shopping malls and markets. Shopping in the city can continue until late into the night with most shopping malls closing around 9pm but smaller stores and markets will remain open longer, especially in tourist areas.

Depending on your taste then a trip to the tourist night market in Patpong is an experience. You might have to run the gauntlet of touts try to entice you into the many girlie bars in this area, but this can be fun if you are a first time visitor to Bangkok, as you get the chance to experience its more infamous side. For a quieter, more sedate VIP night market try the Suan Lam Night Bazaar, near Lumpini Park. There are also many eateries here and if you are lucky you can take in some live music.

Some of the best of the shopping malls are The Siam Paragon and Central World Shopping Complex. Or, if you prefer a more upmarket choice then Gaysorn Plaza and The Emporium are at the exclusive end, with their world famous fashion house stores. The Siam Paragon also houses a huge aquarium, which is also worth a visit. If it's Thai silk you are after then visit one of the exclusive Jim Thompson Stores or the popular Thai chain called Naraya Phand, which is famous for Thai handicrafts.

If you are fortunate enough to have your visit co-incide with a weekend, then the Chauchak weekend market by Mo Chit Skytrain station is a "must see". With over 15,000 stalls, this market is thought to be the largest in the world. Prices are cheaper here than the shopping malls and this market sells everything imaginable, from simple cotton T-shirt to exotic pets and plants.

Restaurants and Bars

After your shopping trip you many want to sample some of the many restaurants and bars. Food is everywhere in Bangkok, all hours of the day and night - eating seems to be the Thai national pastime. Some good eateries can be found around the shopping mall areas of Siam Square (Siam Paragon), Sukhumvit (The Emporium) and Chidlom (Central World) so pick your area and then do a bit of reading up. Famous bars and nightclubs with a more exclusive feel include Sukhumvit's Bed Supper Club, with, as its name suggests, beds suspended from the walls. This amazing designer lounge has an all white interior and plays funk and techno music. The Q Bar, also in Sukhumvit is themed around a New York style club and plays the latest sounds from the west. Instead, you may be interested in sampling some Thai culture with a formal Dinner and Thai traditional dance show; this can be booked through a tour operator.

Extra Time

If you have more time to spare then a visit to Jim Thompson's House near the National Stadium skytrain stop is a good way to experience some traditional Thai architecture and learn more about the father of the Thai silk industry and his mysterious disappearance in the Malaysian jungle in 1967. There is a lovely quiet café here where you can sit and enjoy the garden. Then of course there are the myriad of Thai spa's - take in a Thai massage before your ongoing flight and pamper yourself with some herbal beauty treatments, all at a fraction of the cost of back home.

Bangkok is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, rich in history. Whilst a short stop over is nowhere near enough time to take in all its temples, cultural sites and shopping opportunities, some of these suggestions will give you a taster for your return trip next time!

Gill Hart is a freelance article writer and journalist in her spare time. She is also an English teacher and has worked in many countries including Thailand, Turkey and the Middle East.

Bangkok - General Information For the Travelers

Bangkok- The capital city of Thailand has emerged as a popular tourist attraction. If you also want to spend a memorable vacation, Bangkok is the best place for you. Travelers from around the globe are in search of cheap flights to Bangkok. Throughout the year people flock here for different reasons. Beautiful temples, museums, art galleries and shopping centers have attracted many tourists to this city.

If you also want to visit Bangkok for a vacation, you have to follow certain tips.

It is very hot in the month of April in Bangkok. So, avoid traveling to Bangkok in this month. Since the city offers many visiting places, you will find it difficult to roam around in the heat summer. Therefore avoid traveling in this month. Book your cheap flight to Bangkok and visit all the beautiful temples, galleries, museums and other scenic beauties of Bangkok.

If you want to avail cheap flights to Bangkok, try to travel in an off season. Also book a round trip with a good travel services company to get huge discounts. If you save your money on travel then you can spend that extra money while you are in Bangkok.

If food is your concern, you need not have to worry at all. Take the help of the local guides who will take you to the best of the food joints. You would get an amazing variety of gourmets and cuisines in Bangkok. You can taste the best food at different food joints located at major places like 100 Th Ratchadamri, where you can get Italian Thai food, Arawy - best known for Thai vegetarian, Thai breakfast in Atlanta Coffee Shop and other Thai specialties at Aw Taw Kaw Market and Baan Khanitha & Gallery. You can also get varietiesa of food of different tastes from all over the world at Bed Supperclub. And if you are addicted to French Creepier, you can get into Crepes & Co. Also do not forget to taste the food prepared by street vendors to taste the local delicacies. If you want to taste such fabulous food in Bangkok, you have to just book find out the flights to Bangkok and book your cheap flight ticket.

You might be thinking of the accommodation in Bangkok. That is quite obvious for any traveler to think of accommodation. In Bangkok there are a number of resorts and hotels where you can check in. You can find both luxurious and cheap hotels in Bangkok. The hospitality of the staff in these hotels is praise worthy. You can also pamper yourself in a spa and make your trip much more enjoyable. Travelers around the world cut down their expenses in traveling by booking cheap flights to Bangkok and check in a good hotel here in Bangkok.

Symonds Brawn provides cheap flights to popular U.S.A and International Destinations around the world. You can search your cheap flights to Bangkok online and get detailed information about cheap flights to Asia and plan your trip ahead. All you need pack your bags to explore best regions which you have not seen.

Travel Tips - Bangkok Flight Travelers

Bangkok is a beautiful city and Thailand's capital. It is a much visited tourist place with millions of tourists thronging to this place throughout the year. If you are also planning to visit Bangkok, then, there are few things you should know that would help you have a memorable vacation. As for the appropriate visiting time, you can visit the city of Bangkok as per your preferences. Avoid going to Bangkok in April because of the extreme heat. From July till October because of heavy rains your trip can get affected.

The ideal time to visit Bangkok is during December and August as the period sees major tourist influx and if you wish to avoid the heavy crowds you may go in May, June or September. Travel around Bangkok in the best of seasons and make the most out of your vacation. A little bit of guidance and research would surely make your way easier. No more worrying about high prices of airline tickets to Bangkok as there are many websites where you can search and book really cheap flights to Bangkok and get great last minute airfare deals.

Another major concern while visiting any place for the first time is getting good food. The locals or the tourist guides would surely help you in getting to the best food joints. In Bangkok, you would find the best and tastiest cuisines of your choice. You would get an astounding variety of cuisines and gourmets in Bangkok. Check out the best food at various food joints at major place like 100 Th Ratchadamri well known for its Italian thai food, Arawy is best known for Thai vegetarian, Atlanta Coffee Shop for exotic Thai breakfast, Aw Taw Kaw Market and Baan Khanitha & Gallery for Thai specialties, Bed Supperclub for the best food from all over the world, Crepes & Co for exclusive French Creepier. While you are in Bangkok, you would not find any problem in getting the tastiest and best quality food as you would find many food joints and food vendors in the streets. Apart from the mentioned ones, you can also try out the tastiest Thai cuisine at the street vendors who offer a fine blend of taste that too in awesome prices.

You must also not worry about staying in Bangkok as the place has ample hotels and resorts. You would have a good bunch of hotels in Bangkok to choose from. Check out the all time favorite Grand Hyatt Erawan, Siam Square, Majestic Suites, Sukhumvit, Artist's Place, HI Bangkok Centre Sukhumvit 25 and enjoy the generous hospitality of the people from Bangkok. You can also try out the best of all from Viengtai Hotel, Banglamphu, Grand President, Landmark Hotel, Swiss Lodge and many others. Enjoy the generous hospitality of the Bangkok people while you enjoy your visit in the high and best quality hotels which are renowned around the world for their exclusive suites and competitive prices, too. Another best thing about Bangkok is that you would find ample ATMs suitably located all around the place. You can also redeem your traveler's cheques at many outlets. So, travel around the beautiful Bangkok with a little help from your travel guide, after all it's your hard earned money, isn't it?

If you have planning to visit Bangkok then visit Globester.com for cheap airline tickets and discounted airfares to International cities. You can book last minute Cheap Flights to Bangkok and save more money on your air tickets.