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Bangladesh

Once part of British India’s Bengal province, Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, was born from the tumultuous independence and subsequent partition of India. Following a ruinous, year-long war of independence against Pakistan, in 1971, Bangladesh split away and became its own independent nation.

Today, Bangladesh, tucked between India and Myanmar, is one of Asia’s undiscovered jewels; it boasts incredible physical beauty, with emerald rice paddies, lush rainforests, and the world’s longest natural beach. Additionally, Bangladesh is one of Asia’s least visited countries, and is thus an excellent choice for travelers seeking to travel off the well-worn path.

Bangladesh is home to Muslims and Hindus who speak Bengali, the same dialect spoken across the border in eastern India. Additionally, the country also hosts a small population of Buddhists and Animist tribal peoples.

In contrast to many other nations, Bangladesh is, despite its poverty, a forward-thinking nation, eager to protect its natural heritage and even encouraging green energy, microcredit financing to help impoverished citizens start businesses, and banning plastic bags. While Bangladesh is known to many in the West as a nation of monsoons, floods, and social inequality, it is also a stimulating, remote destination that teems with wildlife and flora, and is heir to a rich cultural and historic heritage.

Classic Bangladesh starting at $4,700 per person

Bangladesh Regions

MAJOR AREAS

Top Bangladesh Interests

PREFERRED HOTEL

Intercontinental Dhaka

Located in the urban heart of Dhaka, the economic and cultural nucleus of Bangladesh, the Intercontinental Dhaka is one of the city’s finest examples of luxury hospitality. The hotel is located near some of the capital’s most prestigious cultural sites and attractions, and its chic, modern room stylings and state-of-the-art facilities rank among the world’s best international accommodations. Where dining is concerned, several options – including a poolside restaurant with live music, a club lounge with privately appointed rooms, and a café decorated in classic European style – round out a diverse selection that is complemented by many opportunities to sample Bangladeshi fine dining and street food beyond the hotel. The Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom is especially notable and features high ceilings, designer chandeliers, and a view of the adjacent hotel garden – a guest favorite with many varieties of exotic and local flowers and plants on display. The Intercontinental Dhaka is also gaining a reputation in the city for its concierge service staff members, who exhibit great care and attention to detail when tending to the needs of guests.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Le Meridien Dhaka

Located just over a mile from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the clean modern lines of the Le Méridien Dhaka make perfect accommodations for discerning travelers wishing to discover the numerous attractions of Bangladesh’s capital city. All 304 of the exquisitely appointed rooms feature grand, yet restrained, contemporary interiors set off by a striking achromatic color scheme, with floor-to-ceiling windows, plush bathrooms and rainfall showers. The suites feature separate bedrooms, with options for dining rooms and butler service to add an extra layer of luxury. Along with a 24-hour business center, the hotel also provides a choice of six different restaurants and bars, fully-equipped gym and the ultra-exclusive Le Méridien Club Lounge for suite and Club Room guests. The 14th-floor spa offers guests a place to relax against a soothing back drop of soft hues and inspiring views of the city, a combination guaranteed to bring solace to any traveler.

Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

Within close proximity to some of Dhaka’s major sights – the downtown business district, Dhaka’s famous Ramna Park, the Prime Minister's office, and the National Art Museum – the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel is home to 272 guest rooms and five categories of suites, each with Internet access and satellite television. The hotel provides a wide array of services, including 24-hour room service, an on-site barber and beauty salon, massage treatments, babysitting, a business center with Internet access and translation and secretarial services, currency exchange, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, jogging track and tennis and squash courts. There are five restaurants and bars, including the highly regarded Vintage Restaurant, with a fine wine list to match its exquisite cuisine.

Westin Dhaka

Centrally located in the business district of Gulshan, the 241-room Westin Dhaka is steps away from shopping malls, restaurants, museums, and foreign embassies. Like most Westins, the accommodations have an agreeable, though ultimately forgettable, design. Rooms feature signature Westin comforts like the Heavenly Bed and the Heavenly Shower (a double-headed shower), and modern amenities like an LCD flat-screen TV and high-speed Internet access (for a fee). A 24-hour business center provides a full range of business services. Leisure facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a full-service spa. Six restaurants and bars make up the dining scene. These include Prego, an Italian restaurant on the 23rd floor, and Seasonal Tastes, serving Pan-Asian cuisine. The hotel is just five miles away from the Zia International Airport.

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TRAVELOGUES

5 Rare Animals to Look for in Bangladesh

Author : Travelogues

Bangladesh is not normally known for its wildlife, but hidden among the swamps and forests are animals hanging on to the disappearing ecology.

Dhaka and the Symmetry in the Swarm

Author : Jay Tindall

Traffic without end, water that never stills, and a market straddling a railroad – the chaos of Bangladesh’s Dhaka is unending and arresting.

The Contemporary and Ancient Architectural Wonders of Bangladesh

Author : Remote Lands

Aland with a fascinating and sometimes tragic history, Bangladesh is an undiscovered travel gem still well off the beaten tourist trail and yet home to so many cultural treasures just waiting to be uncovered.