Bangkok shopping pick : Chatuchak Weekend Market : One of the largest markets in the world: Its land size is huge, covering an area of 35 acres. The number of stall is vast with 8000 stalls. The place brims over products of all kinds as a result. While Chatuchak covers everything you can ever imagine, unique sections worth checking out are rare to find antiques, ceramics, home furniture, and souvenirs. Best place to buy Thai handicrafts in Bangkok: Get some beautiful handicrafts while touring Chatuchak market if you plan to bring home something truly Thai. The product range is huge; the quality is high; the prices are competitive among shops. These are simply the reasons.
Just by the name itself, you might have guessed that Terminal 21 has a certain theme to it and what else would it be but everything related to travel! The design starting from the airport-esque feel of the glass and steel front to the electronic display boards to the Golden Gate Bridge spanning across an entire floor, Terminal 21 truly resonates the traveller spirit in you. Each floor resembles a famous world city. There’s Tokyo City, Carnaby Street in London , an Istanbul Souk, and Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Here you can shop anything from clothes to accessories to home decor. Read extra travel advices about Paris, Bangkok or Los Angeles at Places to see in Bangkok.
Wat Arun, or the Temple of the Dawn, sits on the western banks of the Chao Phraya River in the old capital of Thonburi. It was given this name by King Taksin, who came upon the structure at dawn. The temple is home to five towering prangs, or towers, which can be seen from the river. These are covered with vibrant porcelain and colorful ceramic tiles, many of which are made to look like pieces of foliage. The reclining Buddha found in Wat Pho used to be in Wat Arun. Admission into the temple is B50.
Siam Center’s design is a clever marriage between nature and technology. Who would’ve guessed wooden panels and LED screens would look so good together? Here you really must check out all the unusual shop designs! Siam Center houses international brands such as the largest Forever 21, Nike, Steve Maddex, Levis and more. It also boasts national Thai labels such as Jaspal, Baking Soda, Kloset and Greyhound Original.
A triumph of Gothic architecture, the Notre-Dame stands in the heart of Paris on the Ile de la Cite near the attractions of the Latin Quarter. An island in the Seine River, the Ile de la Cite is the historical and geographical center of Paris. On this small plot of land, the Romans built the Gallo-Roman city of Lutetia, and from the 6th century to the 14th century, the Kings of France resided here. The Notre-Dame Cathedral was founded in 1163 by King Louis IX (Saint Louis) and Bishop Maurice de Sully, and the construction took more than 150 years. The cathedral was first created in Early Gothic style, while later additions (the west front and the nave) show the transition to High Gothic style. Tourists are immediately struck by the ornamental design of the facade, with its profusion of sculptures and gargoyles, while elaborate flying buttresses provide structural integrity for the enormous building. Look out for the 21 figures above the doorway in the Gallery of Kings, who lost their heads during the Revolution. (The heads are now on display in the Musee de Cluny.)
Sheer luck (or lack thereof) makes this attraction special. During the 1950s, the East Asiatic Company purchased the land around the temple. A condition of the sale was the removal of a plaster statue of Buddha, but the statue proved too heavy for the crane being used. The cable parted and the figure was dropped, being left overnight where it fell. It happened to be in the rainy season, and when next morning some monks walked past, they noticed a glint of gold shining through the plaster. The coating was removed, revealing a 3.5 m Buddha cast from 5.5 tons of solid gold. All attempts to trace the origin of this priceless statue have so far failed, but it is assumed to date from the Sukhothai period, when marauding invaders threatened the country and its treasures, and it became common practice to conceal valuable Buddha figures beneath a coating of plaster. No one knows how it came to Bangkok, but here it stands available for the admiration of visitors from all over the world. Source: hotel booking tricks.
Paris shopping pick : Rue du Commerce We’ve named Rue du Commerce the Best Hidden Shopping Street in Paris for its excellent selection of popular brand shops, small boutiques and traditional Parisian charm. Located in the 15th arrondissement just a short stroll from the Eiffel Tower, this is where Parisians head when looking for the latest trends without the expensive price tags. There’s something for everyone along Rue du Commerce with over 100 shops along the way! With limited traffic along the narrow one-way street, you can easily crisscross your way down the street hitting your favorite shops.
To truly soak up the alluring ambience of Paris, tourists should try taking a boat cruise along the Seine River. Besides being one of the most enjoyable things to do while visiting the city, Seine River Cruises allow tourists to see the sights from a different perspective. The Seine River bridges, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum look stunning from the viewpoint of a riverboat. While a daytime cruise allows tourists to appreciate the glory of the monuments brightened by sunshine, the most romantic experience is an evening cruise. After sunset, the city’s landmarks are illuminated, which creates a special effect, and somehow the city seems more magical. For a cruise that includes dinner, try the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Cruise. This four-hour sightseeing journey departs near the Eiffel Tour, and guests are treated to a gourmet three-course meal.
Paris restaurant pick : The one haute-cuisine restaurant in Paris that’s really, truly worth it? L’Astrance. Chef Pascal Barbot has the most elegantly lyrical gastronomic imagination of any chef working in Paris today, and it’s expressed by dishes that are often spectacularly simple, like his buttermilk and burnt toast crumb soup. The dish is not always on the menu, but if you tell them you’re desperate for it when you make your reservation, Barbot and maitre d’hotel Christophe Rohat are such nice guys, they might make it for you. Otherwise, you should beg for the mille-feuille of white mushrooms, apple, and foie gras.
