May 2026’s Essential Round-Ups

True travel transcends the mere act of arrival; it is an initiation into the rituals and legacies that bestow a place with its soul. This May, we curate five global landmarks where antiquity and modernity coalesce. By exploring the hallowed halls of a museum or witnessing the evocative cadence of a cultural performance, the traveler moves beyond the role of a spectator. These experiences offer a rare bridge between eras, allowing one to grasp the living provenance of a civilization. The journey transforms into an invitation to engage with a world where history is vividly performed, reaching from the artisanal workshops of Venice to the theatrical tides of Bangkok.

A NEW VENETIAN RENAISSANCE

Venice, Italy

A 15th-century palazzo on Venice’s Grand Canal has found a new purpose as a living workshop. Acclaimed Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten is now welcoming creators and creatives of all kinds to Fondazione Dries Van Noten , a new cultural institution where craft is celebrated, not preserved behind glass. Amid the Rococo interiors of the storied Palazzo Pisani Moretta, emerging talents learn alongside masters of art, fashion, design, and food – experts at bridging past and future. Given that Venice has been shaped by cross-pollinations between different disciplines, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting home.

Celebrate the spirit of craft and bridge the divide between antiquity and modernity within Venice’s living workshops. Fly to Venice with Thai Airways.

ART UPON THE SEA

Penang, Malaysia

Rising eight stories above the Penang Strait, Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery is six decades in the making. An artist and scholar in his eighties, Professor Lin Xiang Xiong wanted a home for his life’s work – a place where cultures converge and art can be a bridge that promotes peace. Appearing to hover over the sea, the different galleries of this new cultural platform will house around 400 works by the internationally renowned artist and other artists from around the world.

Traverse the conduit between cultures at this hovering masterpiece. Fly to Penang with Thai Airways.

A THEATRICAL TIDE

Bangkok, Thailand

Head to Sala Lakorn – a new riverside restaurant at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort – to enjoy an evening centered around a dazzling theater performance. Conceived and directed by award-winning artist Manop Meejamrat, The Eternal Siam traces the history of Thailand and its river-based civilization, from its ancient origins through to today. Expect to see shadow puppets, a tribute to the water goddess Mae Khongkha, and a golden royal barge glide past, as well as night views of the Chao Phraya River. By the time dessert arrives, you’ll feel a lot closer to Thailand.

Inspired by the theatrical splendor of the riverside feast? Fly to Bangkok with Thai Airways!

ART THAT TAKES FLIGHT

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Imagine walking into a space where art floats, flies, and pulses with life. That’s exactly what awaits you at DRIFT Museum , a hi-tech and sustainable cultural attraction set to open this year in Amsterdam’s renovated Van Gendt Hallen. Five historic factory halls dating back to 1898 – and once destined for demolition – will house dynamic art installations that appear to breathe and interact with the period architecture surrounding them, courtesy of Dutch artists Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta.

Encounter art in motion, transcending the limits of kinetic installation. Fly to Amsterdam with Thai Airways

THE OLD TOWN CHRONICLES

Italy

Thai lifestyle writer Ploy Chariyaves has a thing for old towns. The second book in her series of travel guides, Old Town Vacanza: Italy leads the reader through seven cities across Italy’s north and south, from Milan to Palermo. On her annual visits, she seeks out inspiration – the history, art, architecture, food, and centuries-old shops that define Italian life. Perfect for anyone who believes travel is about discovery, not checking boxes.

Discover the art of the Italian Vacanza. Fly to Italy with Thai Airways!