Bangkok, Thailand
Best time to visit: All year round, except September and October
You need: 3 to 4 days

Two muscular Thai men with abs of steel, dressed in fluorescent pink and lime green shorts mount the ring with fierce expressions, as traditional music plays in the background. As they slam their fists and feet into each other, my daughter catches my eye and indicates she has had enough. We are at a Muay Thai boxing match. With basic plastic seating and a packed audience, we reach just in time for the final bout, and they've saved the best for us.


The iconic Sky Bar. Pics/Kalpana Sunder