Thailand

If Thailand were a lady - or a lady-boy - women would want to be her, men would want be with her, and everybody would feel slightly sick with envy at the thought of her plentiful tourist assets. The backpacker trail here is as well-worn as a battered copy of 'The Beach', making it a little difficult to 'get off the beaten track', though more secluded areas can still be found in the rural North East. Established backpacker haunts are popular for good reasons, and cutting them out would mean missing some great experiences - like hedonistic fun at Koh Phangan's monthly Full Moon Party (or at smaller 'Half Moon' raves in the jungle), or meditation and mojitos in arty-crafty hippy retreat Pai. Elsewhere, backpacker clichés exist alongside a rich, varied culture - as in the fantastic northern city of Chiang Mai, where an enviable combination of quirky nightlife, a beautiful temple at Doi Suthep, and a phenomenal Sunday market make it one of Thailand's most rewarding places to visit.

Thai food, with its irresistible mixtures of chilli, lime and lemongrass, is just as varied and rarely disappoints - it's likely to be delicious whether you eat in luxury hotels or at 20 baht roadside cafes. Thai culture is fascinating; from breathtakingly elaborate temples like Wat Phra Kaew (the temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok, to the vast historical ruins at Attataya. For wildlife, visit one of Thailand's 48 national parks (Ang Thong Marine National Park and Khao Sok National Park, to name but two) or take a day trip to the excellent elephant conservation centre in the Mae-yao National Reserve. Hop on a bright orange, government-run bus service to northerly Mae Hong Son for remote hill tribe communities, sleepy provincial towns and beautiful mountain scenery. In short, a trip to Thailand can be as stereotypical or as varied as you choose, and it's this potential to tailor-make your ideal experience that makes it such a rightfully popular destination.