Totally Thailand

One of the best places in the world that I love recommending for holidays or the once in a lifetime experience of a honeymoon, has to be Thailand.  Having travelled there myself and visited a lot of the country, I can enthusiastically talk about this part of the Far East and share my own experiences too! Thailand is in South East Asia and bordered by Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.  Journey time from the UK is approximately 12 hours and for stays up to 30 days, UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter the country for tourist purposes. Thailand’s peak season is between the months of November and February when the climate is drier and slightly cooler, whilst the hottest time of year to visit is April and May.  You tend to find May to October has higher rainfall but you will still find plenty of sunshine and is a great time to benefit from less crowded beaches!  Saying that, there are seasonal variations between the beach resorts and Koh Samui and Koh Phangan generally have more sun and less rain during our summer months. When you think of Thailand the place that pops into your mind first is bound to be the capital city Bangkok.  Here you will find a bustling, vibrant and exhilarating city which offers captivating sights, sounds and smells. In Bangkok you will experience all aspects of Thai culture, including the richly decorated 18^th century Grand Palace and Thailand’s only remaining authentic floating market.  Getting around Thailand is easy thanks to the SkyTrain which is a new underground system making it easy and quick to explore the city.  Or for a more traditional journey, take a thrilling ride in a tuk-tuk or board a public long tail boat.  Make sure you don’t leave Bangkok without visiting the Grand Palace, going on a sunset cruise on the Chao Phraya River, visiting Wat Po where you can see the longest reclining Buddha and Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. If you want to connect with the real Thailand, trek through the jungle of the North to discover amazing wildlife and visit the nomadic hill tribes whose lifestyles have barely changed in over 700 years. Forming part of the Golden Triangle, Chiang Mai is located on the banks of the Ping River and has gained the label ‘Rose of the North’.  Chiang Rai borders Myanmar and Laos and is where the three countries come together and is renowned for its hill tribes and the famous Mekong River which meanders into Laos.  Here at the Golden Triange you will find bamboo forests and orchid blooms, elephant treks and nature trails, longtail boat trips and genuine Thai tradition. Bathing in the clear waters of the Andaman Sea is where you will find the island of Phuket with its jungle-covered hills, rubber plantations, paddy fields, soft powdery beaches, stunning waterfalls, limestone cliffs and is a haven for watersports enthusiasts. Make sure when staying in Phuket you do not leave without seeing the sun set from Laem Phromthep on the very southern tip of the island or taking a day trip to the fabulous Phi-Phi Islands which is real tropical paradise. Set in an unspoilt region of outstanding natural beauty and along the coast of the Andaman Sea is Thailand’s most idyllic beach resorts - Krabi.  Here you will find a gentle, laid back feel and has some of the finest beaches in the whole of Asia with its trademark magnificent limestone rock formations towering above them.  Ideal for watersport lovers, it also has two national parks, waterfalls, mangrove forests and caves.  The main beaches in this area are best accessed by longtail boat taxi.  Make sure you don’t leave Krabi without cruising to the Railay Bay area which is only accessible from the sea and has a superb beach. Although still so much to cover in Thailand, another fantastic island in the South China Sea is Koh Samui.  Located off of Thailand’s east coast Koh Samui has developed from being a popular backpacker’s destination to now being a trendy, upmarket resort for the discerning traveller and yet still keeps its laid back atmosphere.  The island has beautiful crescent shaped beaches, coconut plantations, tiny fishing villages and ornate Buddhist shrines.  Just 10mins away from the island is Koh Madsum which has a magnificent coral reef and perfect for snorkelling. Koh Samui is the perfect beach location for holidays or honeymoons in our summer months as it has the reverse weather pattern to Phuket and other beach resorts in the Andaman Sea.  Make sure you don’t leave Koh Samui without paying your respects to the Big Buddha temple on the north of the island or taking a day trip to the beautiful islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park.