Our travelers take in Thailand’s glories, both classic and contemporary. We explore Bangkok, a swirling bustle graced by many sanctuaries of serenity and outsized portions of extravagant, exquisite beauty. A luxurious river cruise down the Chao Praya takes us to Ayutthaya, ancient Thailand’s capital. Moving northward, we harken back many centuries to the birth of the Thai nation in Sukhothai, a city of exquisite architectural splendors and haunting images of the Buddha. (It’s a rare treat to explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites so close to each other.)

Caravan traders from southern China have crisscrossed Thailand’s far north for generations, bringing cargoes of tea, silk, opium, musk, gold, tobacco, and ivory. We find colorful evidence of that enduring trade in Chiang Mai’s famous night market. A trek atop elephants through tropical jungles takes us far from Chiang Mai’s hustle and deep into the northern hills, home to many colorful isolated tribes.

“In Thailand, one’s senses are frequently at risk of being pleasantly overwhelmed,” wrote Theo Cruz. “The finest antidote is to move on—to another temple, another town, another village—where one may be overwhelmed again, but in a way that is entirely different.”