Dhaka

Noisy, chaotic, and bustling are just three words to describe this traffic-jammed, energetic city - - one that can easily overwhelm the unprepared visitor. But to fit in , you must dive into. Embrace the chaos: jump on the back of a rickshaw, take a boat ride along the Buriganga River (where water traffic is nearly as congested as the roads) , and step into the first overflowing restaurant you saw. To escape (a bit ) , You can lounge around one of the city's impressively green parks, tap into your own spirituality at a mosque or Hindu temple, or explore a museum - - the city's arts and history scene is thriving and beautifully reflective of Bengali culture.