> WHEN YOU GO

Do this trip: Canadian-owned Smiling Albino (smilingalbino.com) offers customizable Bangkok, Thailand and Southeast Asia trips starting from $125 a day. Get there: Fly from Toronto to Bangkok via several airlines. Air Canada’s route includes a stopover in Hong Kong. Get around: It’s cheap and easy to travel via bike, train, taxi and motorbike. Khlong boat and tuk tuk are slightly trickier unless you have a guide who can give directions and negotiate fair prices. Stay: At any hotel on the river. Most will have their own personal khlong boat to take you to central areas. If money is no issue, the Mandarin Oriental (mandarinoriental.com) is a good choice. For a reasonable, moderately priced hotel, try the Chatrium (chatrium.com).