Shot of the Day

We’re big fans of Trey Ratcliff’s blog Stuck in Customs. Here’s a shot of Wat Arun in Bangkok.

Of this shot, Trey says, “This picture is of Wat Arun, a famous Buddhist temple in Thailand. I took it from a really cool little Italian restaurant across the way that is attached to a boutique hotel named “Arun Residence”. I will stay at this place next time – be sure to get the balcony room at the top if you come… it’s just over $100 a night.”

We also highly recommend the Arun Residence for lunch (especially their papaya salad) and it looked like a great hotel too. Sadly our photos of Wat Arun from the hotel’s deck aren’t a patch on this one.

For more photos of Wat Arun click here.

Bangkok crowned “World’s Best City” 2008

The Big Mango has been voted the best city in the world in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine. Bangkok edged out last year’s winner Florence, Italy.

The “World’s Best” poll, which is in its 13th year, covers hotels, islands, cruise lines and airlines as well as cities.

Travel + Leisure’s 10 best cities in the world are:

1. Bangkok
2. Buenos Aires
3. Cape Town
4. Sydney
5. Florence
6. Cuzco (Peru)
7. Rome
8. New York
9. Istanbul
10. San Francisco

2008 is the first year Bangkok has topped the list of world’s best cities.

Other highlights from the poll, as compiled by Reuters, include:

Best hotel: Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa

Best island: Galapagos, Ecuador

Best cruise line (large ships): Crystal Cruises

Best cruise line (small ships): Silversea Cruises

Best international airline: Singapore Airlines

Best domestic airline: Virgin America

Best tour operator: Micato Safaris

Best car-rental agency: Hertz

Best hotel for $250 or less: Domaine des Hauts de Loire, France