One of the many knots you have to untangle in Bangkok transport is taxis: You’ll see a variety of options zipping down the road, including regular-vehicle taxis, motorbike taxis and the iconic tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motor carriages) with their ‘taxi’ signs all lit up. To help you with that, you can now arm yourself with some little-known truths about taxis and tuk-tuks in Bangkok.

The long-tail boat featured here is a super-sized version of what is now becoming a traditional means of water transport in Thailand. Long-tail boats are named for their unusual appearance, with the propeller mounted on a drive shaft that extends several metres beyond the rear of the boat, giving it a ‘long-tailed’ appearance.

The Wahiba Sands of Oman, also called the Sharqiyah Sands, are a geological and ecological wonder. This 12,500-square-kilometre carpet of rolling and shifting dunes is home to an astonishing 16,000 species of invertebrates, flora and fauna, and a rich mix of nomadic Bedouin people, all of which had adapted to living in the desert, a seemingly inhospitable place. Experience these wonders through desert camps, which offer travellers a daytime of adventure and a nighttime of comfort.

Through the Inside Word, local travel experts share their top tips on what to do, what to eat, where to party and where to shop in their neck of the woods. This month, we find our way to the heart of Siem Reap, Cambodia, at the threshold of Angkor Wat.

Like most folk tunes, Moldavian music is deeply rooted in national traditions, characterised by the use of traditional musical instruments such as the ‘nai’. Nowadays, young people are getting their folk fix with the likes of internationally famous bands such as Zdob şi Zdub, a name that roughly translates as ‘the sound of impact on the drum’.

Luang Prabang, the focus of this month’s Inside Word, was once the royal capital of ‘The Kingdom of a Million Elephants,’ retains the beauty of its regal and French colonial past. Well-preserved buildings and a plethora of glittering Buddhist temples nestle at the confluence of two picturesque rivers and against a backdrop of densely forested mountains.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, ARABIC AND FRENCH. A window to the world of Europe but still very much a part of Africa, the renowned port city of Tangier, Morocco, has a hard-won reputation for guarding its unique cultural individuality, a quality that draws travellers to it and its diverse markets (souks), buzzing nightlife and characteristic whitewashed buildings.

Budva, Montenegro is much more than an average beach escape. With its centuries-old architecture, exceptional natural scenery and exciting entertainment, this getaway is the newest ‘it’ spot. Budva is one of those rare gems that offer true cultural immersion away from the standard tourist trail. The city’s classic summer vibe, music festivals, impromptu theatre, beach parties and more make Budva a must-see destination in the heart of the Balkans.