Thailand and Maldives, 13 Days: Bangkok, Phuket, Maldives

About the destination: Bangkok, one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities, is the capital of Thailand. Bangkok is hot and crowded, but it's fairly clean and offers loads of craic. Bangkok has brilliant shopping, loads of culture, stunning temples, tasty food and a decent art scene. Most of Bangkok's sights are concentrated on the island of Rattanakosin, often referred to as the Old City. The Grand Palace is the absolute must see site. The Grand Palace complex also houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Keow, the most sacred Buddhist temple. Other famous temples in Bangkok are the Wat Pho and Wat Arun temples. Bangkok is a grand spot for shopping. There are many shops, shopping centres and markets to satisfy every wish. The nightlife scene in Bangkok is as varied as the city itself, from beer bars to exclusive clubs, night shopping markets, discos to hippie parties. Bangkok is a large sprawling metropolis, noisy and crowded yet peaceful and delicate. It is one of the world’s top destinations that one has to visit at least once in life.

About the destination: Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and one of its top holiday destinations. There's a heap of things to do in Phuket, particularly if you're a fan of beaches and islands. Phuket is a brilliant spot to get out and explore. It really has everything, from white sandy beaches and clear blue waters to lush green countryside, stunning temples and breathtaking views. Throw in the shopping, nightlife and tasty seafood and you've got just about everything you could want on a holiday. Hopping from island to island is the best way to see and explore some of Phuket's gorgeous islands. You'll come across loads of massive rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. Phi Phi and Khai Islands are the most popular islands of the archipelago. The Phi Phi View Point offers a fantastic view of the Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam Bay. Patong Beach is the most visited beach and it can get a bit crowded, but it has the best nightlife in the area. For more chilled out beaches, check out the beautiful Kamala, Surin, Laem Singh, Karon and Kata Beaches. Phuket is truly a wonderful place for a relaxing trip. There's a load of fantastic resorts, great restaurants, white sandy beaches, amazing surrounding islands and lively nightlife. Everything you need for a proper holiday.

About the destination: The Maldives, situated in the Indian Ocean, are an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls. From these wee islands, only 203 are populated. Kaafu is where the capital, Male, and the airport are located and it's home to most tourist resorts. The Maldives truly are the dream destination they're made out to be in the holiday brochures, the water really is that crystal-clear and turquoise, the sand really is that white, and the sunsets really are all the shades of red and orange you could imagine. The Maldives are famous for blissful surroundings, its top-notch snorkeling and diving opportunities, its beach villas, its dark-blue sea with turquoise-coloured lagoons and its exquisite food. A trip to the Maldives is always an unforgettable experience, a satisfaction for the soul and a pleasure for the eyes, crystal clear waters, tropical white sand beaches, colourful flora and untouched nature. But be warned, paradise isn't cheap.