Thailand

Thailand - The land of smiles, having been to Thailand over 20 times it’s always a firm favourite of mine and my go to place. I love recommending the country to people as it has a bit of everything for all ages and budgets. Beaches, islands, amazing food, templates, national parks and a capital which has everything you need including great, if not a little crazy nightlife.

Thai people are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness, making visitors feel welcome and at ease. The welcoming nature of the locals adds to the overall charm of the country and puts you at ease when traveling there. I have always felt very safe traveling all over Thailand, even as a solo female traveler.

Thai food is possibly the only cuisine I could live on, it’s renowned worldwide for its flavors, freshness, and variety. From street food stalls to high-end restaurants, you can enjoy a wide array of dishes all over the country which costs wise does not break the bank.

On flying into Bangkok the transportation links around the country and to the islands are easy to navigate. Plane, train and bus transport is relatively cheap, especially if booked in advance, which will suit even the budget traveler. Daily flights go several times a day down to the East islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the West islands of  Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta.

Each island brings its own charm so it’s worth doing some island hopping to find out which one you like. If you're after relaxation, full moon parties, long tail boats round Phi, Phi, scuba diving or a family oriented relaxing holiday, the islands have it all. Personally my favourite is Koh Samui as I got married there, followed by Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta. I always make sure I have a few foot massages on the beach to ease me into a relaxing holiday.

It’s not just about beaches and islands though. Within a few hours West of Bangkok there are several other regions that can be explored such as Kanchanaburi famous for the bridge of the river Kwai and the Erawan national park and waterfalls. Heading North from Bangkok you can take a day trip to the original Thai capital of Aythaya and spend a day exploring the temples or visit the famous floating markets of Damnoen Saduak about an hour outside the capital.

Heading an hour north by plane you can visit Chiang Mai, nicknamed the “Rose of the north” it’s certainly one for nature and temple lovers. A must when in the region is a visit to one of the ethical elephant sanctuaries where you cannot ride on an elephant, but you do get the chance to feed, bathe and hang out with these lovable animals. A much nicer experience for these giant animals.

All in all Thailand is a really all round travel destination, it has a huge range of hotels for every budget from backpackers, family friendly hotels or top of the range 5 star glam. It’s a great place for a twin center holiday which is what I usually do by flying into Bangkok and have a few nights there before selecting which islands to go to and relax.

Weather wise Thailand has three main seasons: Cool - (November to February) Hot - (March to June) and Rainy - (July to October). It’s important to understand though that although these are general weather patterns the climate can vary within the different regions. For example the islands have different weather patterns to each other and Chaing mai in the north is generally cooler than Bangkok and the South. It’s always best to check before you go.

Thinking about visiting Thailand then contact me at info@ninapricetravel.co.uk