Thailand is one of the most beautiful, charming and diverse
countries you can visit. It's also one of Asia's best-value holiday
destinations, says Mark Haughton of Wanstead travel agent Escape Worldwide.
Escape Worldwide - Home of Long Haul Holidays
http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk
Thailand's diversity makes it a fascinating place to visit,
where you can take in ancient temples and modern cities, deserted beaches and
non-stop nightlife, stunning countryside and plenty more – all in one trip.
Holidays to Thailand are very flexible, so it's not just a
two-weeks-on-the-beach kind of place, you can do as much – or as little – as
you wish.
Most visitors start their Thai adventure in Bangkok, the
capital and by far the largest city, with the best flight connections from the
UK. It's a hectic place with lots to experience – there's everything from
ancient temples and grand palaces to vibrant markets and lively bars, and while
it's a full-on city that's not to everyone's taste, it's an easy place to fall
in love with. It also offers some of the best-value, high-quality hotels of any
city in the world, so you can start your holiday to Thailand with a spot of
luxury without breaking the bank. A few days in Bangkok will give a good
overview of the city, but trying to do things too quickly can be draining.
If you find Bangkok to be too chaotic, head north to Chiang
Mai, Thailand's second city, or to the hills and mountains around the border of
Burma and Laos – the fabled Golden Triangle region. Chiang Mai has some of the
best markets in Thailand, it's a great location for cookery courses and is also
home to some of its most beautiful temples – climb the 309 steps to Wat Suthep,
the city's most important temple and one that seems to be made out of pure
gold. Further north from Chiang Mai the Golden Triangle marks the area where
Thailand meets Burma and Laos, with stunning scenery along the banks of the
Mekong. This is a great area for getting off the beaten track, visiting local
hill tribes and seeing another side of this diverse country.
Thailand is renowned for its beaches, and no trip to the
Land of Smiles would be complete without a relaxing stay on a stunning stretch
of sand. All of Thailand's beach resorts are quite different, which adds to the
diversity and charm of the country. Head to Pattaya, Chaweng or Patong if you
want plenty of nightlife, or to one of the islands, such as Koh Samet or Koh
Lanta, if you're in search of total relaxation. The traditional resorts of Hua
Hin and Khao Lak offer
a less commercialised alternative to the larger resorts and are great locations
for sampling some traditional Thai cuisine. Phuket is the largest and most
visited resort, but even on this one island you have everything from late-night
clubs to deserted beaches.
The food in Thailand is one of the best parts of a trip
there – mouth-watering seafood, fiery curries and sublime fresh fruit are some
of the highlights. Keep an eye out for seasonal fruit, such as rambutan and
mangosteen, the biggest prawns you're likely to come across and a use of chilli
that will make your eyes water just thinking about it.
Escape Worldwide - Home of Long Haul Holidays
http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk
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