About 35 km southeast of Bangkok, the Ancient City is an open-air museum where Thailand’s most important historical sites have been recreated at a smaller scale. Spread over 200 acres, you can explore miniatures of temples, palaces, and monuments from every corner of the country at your own pace. Many visitors hire bicycles or electric carts to cover more ground, but strolling lets you linger on the intricate details and take plenty of photos. It’s a convenient day trip from Bangkok for anyone interested in Thai history and architecture without travelling too far.

To immerse yourself into China's age-old tea tradition, visit the Longjing Tea Fields (or any of the other tea fields further to the west). Longjing is an exquisite variety of tea native to the region, and visitors will get a chance to sample the noble drink during a tea ceremony.

Once privy only to the royal court of the King, Thailand's Khon's masked dance is a real treat for the culturally savvy. Don't miss the chance to enjoy this classical masked dance, regarded as one of the most refined styles of performing art in the world.

Not only does Costa Maya have excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling, it also boasts a true rarity: Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve is a coral reef located around 18 miles off the coast of Mahahual. As part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest coral reef system in the world, it is home to a diverse array of marine life as well as dozens of sunken ships, some of which date back to the 16th century. You can find a multitude of dive centers along Mahahual's boardwalk, Malecón.