Hello Reader!
We hope you're off to a great start to the year! I know for many of us in the northeast, it's been in a cold one but hopefully you've been able to stay warm or perhaps even escape the cold. There's at least been the Olympics to watch, right?
βοΈ In this issue:
- π All About Bangkok
- Our latest posts and updates - keeping it fresh!
If you haven't yet, make sure to check out the latest on our social channels: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.
What We Learned In Bangkok
If you followed our Instagram stories, you'll know that we spent 10 nights in Bangkok this time around so you could say we got a really good grasp for the city.
Instead of just showing you all of the great places we visited, I thought we'd try to be a helpful and answer common questions and things that we think you should know before you go.
What's In Bangkok And Why Go?
We certainly have our own style of travel but if we were to distill the best parts of Bangkok, you'd go for these things:
- Food - You definitely won't go hungry. The amount of food options is vast and better yet so many that are or have been Michelin guide rated. This extends over to drinks as well with tons of cocktail bars and rooftop bars.
- Temples - With the likes of Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Golden Mount, and others.
- Malls - You don't have to be a shopaholic to appreciate how beautiful the malls are in Bangkok. There are so many too so you know you can always count on a place with a great food hall, and unbelievable designs/decor.
- Spas - They have the full range of spots for massages and they are everywhere. They're really an attraction on its own where you could easily go to one each day you're there.
- Affordability - A big reason why it's easy to enjoy travel in Thailand is because of how much your money goes here, allowing you to do more with less.
I know, this isn't our usual in terms of outdoor adventure but the city manages to draw you in with its chaos, quirks, and bustling energy.
With every trip, it's what you make of it and going in with a sense of curiosity. With 10 nights, this was one of the first times where we really got to slow it down and see more of a city instead of our usual whirlwind.
Top Tips For Bangkok
We came back from our trip with a fresh perspective on what it's like to travel in Thailand's capital.
- Cash still wins - Yes, I loved that I could use my Wise card in many establishments but we encountered so many restaurants and shops (think local markets and street food) where it was cash-only. Don't forget the tipping as well. As a result, we used way more than we anticipated and needed to convert our back-up USD part-way through. Bring more than you think you need and account for the shopping.
- Mixed bag with Grab - It was a love-hate relationship for sure. Getting one to/from the airport always seemed so easy but on a weekday during rush hour, it seemed impossible. It got to the point where we almost had to call one 30 minutes before to account for a driver to pick up our request and then more time to just get to us.
- Grab motorcycle is fast - We also tested this out and we were blown away by how cheap and fast it is but as some of our fans mentioned to us, it can be dangerous. My driver didn't even offer me a helmet but I'll know next time to do that. Motorcycles are the fastest way to get from A to B but I'm not sure if it's for everyone.
- Group temples/palace together - It's a heavy day but it's nice to only have to wear temple-friendly clothing on one day instead of spreading it out. I definitely much-preferred wearing shorts in the hot weather.
- About tips - There isn't tipping culture so there certainly isn't pressure for it but from our research it seemed like 10% was a good amount for spas and we stuck to our customary tips for hotel housekeeping. Once in awhile, we also tipped on the Grab app for good drivers. For the cash tips, it's best to have a bunch of $1 USD bills in your wallet.
- It's just always hot - Despite going in a cooler season, we still found it to be quite hot and humid so it's important to have light and breathable clothing such as from Unbound Merino.
- Pin your favourite spots - The city is massive and you'll quickly learn that everything is quite spread out between various neighbourhoods. Depending on what you're into, such as vintage stores, cafes, night markets, or local restaurants, those are the kind of places you don't just stumble onto so make sure you mark them down and build your trip around them.
- Food halls are amazing - When in doubt, if you're hungry, go to one of the mega malls. The food halls are a treasure trove of eateries. Siam Paragon in particular was impressive because they had many of the ones we specific travelled to in Bangkok.
Have any questions for us about Bangkok, don't hesitate and just reply!
πΈ Travel Deals
It's no longer the holidays but still lots of deals coming through this month.
- Avis Winter Savings: Free Upgrade + Save Up To 35% Off on Pay Now. Rental must begin on or before June 30, 2026. Deal expires March 31, 2026.
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- Patagonia: Their winter sale features past-season items of up to 40% off.
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- AloSIM: Their StackSocial deal that allows you to use their eSIMs at 50% is still live!
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- Homes & Villas: 10% off select home rentals and earn up to 10,000 bonus points for stays between Apr 1 β Jul 31. Sale runs until April 5, 2026.
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- GetYourGuide: Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES5 on the app to save 5% when booking experiences on GetYourGuide.
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- MagicalTrip: Use code GOINGAWESOME1024 to save 8% on their tours in Thailand!
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To get notified of all travel deals we discover, go to our deals group on Facebook.
βIt's free to join!
Save On Stays
We've compiled all of the coupons and codes you need to know for all of the major hotel brands.
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βοΈWhat's New on the Site
In case you're not subscribed to our 'let us know whenever you publish something new' list, here are our new posts. We aim to publish posts twice a week so if you subscribe you are always kept in the loop!
9 Tasty Snacks In Japan That Make Great Souvenirs
Discover the must-buy Japanese food souvenirs that are perfect for gifts or to enjoy at home. From unique Kit Kat flavors and Hokkaido chocolates to matcha treats and savory snacks, this guide covers the tastiest snacks you can bring back from Japan, where to buy them, and what makes them special.
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Best Place To Stay In The Smoky Mountains
Discover the best place to stay in the Smoky Mountains with our guide to the top towns, unique cabins, resorts, and hotels. From family-friendly Gatlinburg and lively Pigeon Forge to adventure-packed Bryson City and charming Waynesville, we break down where to stay, what to do, and how to plan your perfect Smoky Mountains getaway.
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βοΈ What's Next at Going Awesome Places
We mentioned this in our last newsletter and yes, we're headed back to the Conrad Maldives!
This is the first time we'll be going back to stay at a fancy hotel property on points. We're exited to be headed back and can't wait to share with you that experience. Look out for an updated property walkthrough video!
In addition to the Maldives, we're book-ending the trip with stops in Singapore and Bangkok in Thailand. We can't wait!
πͺ Travel Tidbits
Here's the latest from the industry with a few articles that we think you'll enjoy and make your 2026 travel even more exciting:
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Winter in the Northern Hemisphere has been ROUGH!!
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Have any travel questions for us? Just reply to this e-mail!
Until next month!
Will
Your Chief of Awesome
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