Thailand

Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European power. While the British took Burma and Malaya, and the French claimed Indochina, Thailand - then called Siam - played the colonial powers against each other with a combination of diplomatic genius and strategic concessions. The result is a nation with an unbroken cultural identity, a deep pride in its independence, and a monarchy that traces its roots back centuries. The Thai people call their country Prathet Thai, which means Land of the Free.

But most visitors know Thailand for something more immediate: the food. Thai cuisine is widely considered one of the greatest in the world, a precise balancing act of sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter that creates flavors so complex they seem impossible. Bangkok's street food scene alone could occupy a lifetime of eating - pad thai sizzling in giant woks, green curry fragrant with basil and coconut, som tam papaya salad pounded to order in a mortar, mango sticky rice dripping with coconut cream. The street stalls of Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, serve some of the best food on the planet for less than two dollars.

Beyond the food, Thailand offers a staggering range of experiences. Golden Buddhist temples by the thousands. Tropical islands with water so clear it seems to glow. Misty mountains in the north where hill tribes maintain ancient ways of life. Elephant sanctuaries, floating markets, full moon parties, and Muay Thai boxing matches. Thailand is the world's most visited tropical country for very good reasons.