If you're in the process of planning your first holiday to Thailand, you're likely wrestling with the decision over which cities to visit. This task needn't be a difficult one, as it is really just a matter of asking yourself what you like to do. Are you someone who enjoys a holiday filled with activities that make your heart race, or is your goal to find a nice place to unwind? Do you enjoy losing yourself in another culture, or simply losing yourself in seclusion and natural beauty? No matter which of these things you're looking for, Thailand offers the very best of each to its visitors.
An occasional resident, but long-time traveler to Thailand, I recommend that first-time visitors to the Land of Smiles visit at least one of three cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. While this recommendation probably comes as no surprise (these are the three primary tourist destinations in Thailand), I believe that it is worth reiterating what makes each place so very special.
Ideally, you'd be able to visit all three over the course of your holiday to Thailand but, if that isn't in the cards, so to speak, then my hope is that this article will help you choose the destination(s) best suited to you and your travel companions. Thailand truly has something to offer everyone if you know where to look. Hopefully this article will help you find your holiday paradise in the Land of Smiles.
Bangkok
Bangkok is not just Thailand's capital and largest city, but the bustling metropolis of 11 million is also its heart and soul. The majority of foreign visitors both start, and finish, their holidays here because the nearby international airport is the country's primary port of entry. This convenience makes it probably that you'll wind up spending some part of your visit to Thailand in the capital, which is the perfect chance to immerse yourself in one of the world's highest-rated tourist destinations.
Visiting Bangkok gives you a glimpse into all of the unique elements that make up Thailand. Towering high rises, modern super malls, and state-of-the-art architecture stand side-by-side with ancient Buddhist temples, and traditional Thai street markets selling everything from cheap souvenirs to authentic local dishes. It provides an unmistakable view of all that Thailand was, is, and will be.
Whether you pass your day shopping at Siam Square, touring the Royal Palace, or seeing the city by boat from the Chao Praya, Bangkok is sure to fascinate you with its many charms. The city's wild nightlife is also famous the world over, and consists of some of Asia's most-energized pubs, dance clubs, and other entertainment venues. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, you'll probably find it fairly easily in Bangkok.
Chiang Mai
One of Thailand's most-significant cultural centers, and the nation's second-most-populous city, Chiang Mai lives up to its nickname of the "Rose of the North". Situated in the country's highest mountain range near the borders with Laos and Myanmar (Burma), the city has wonderfully preserved the remnants of its historic past as the capital of the 13th Century Lanna Kingdom, continues to contribute to Thailand's current culture by housing a thriving art scene and several of the nation's best-known universities.
Apart from its cultural attractions, Chiang Mai is also significant for its proximity to an abundance of wildlife and action sports venues. The surrounding jungles and highlands offer some of Asia's best backpacking and hiking trails, several gorgeous nature preserves, elephant farms that allow visitors to feed, pet and even ride Thailand's most-famous animals for the day, and enough rock climbing, rafting, and biking options to keep any adrenaline junkie happy for days on end.
Phuket
The island of Phuket is famous around the globe for its unmatched natural beauty. Just hours away from the Malaysian border, Phuket is in the deep south of Thailand, and presents travelers with a landscape unlike anything else you'll find in the country. Not surprisingly, its pristine beaches and breathtaking vistas have conspired to make Phuket one of the nation's most-pricey tourist destinations, but most visitors agree that it is worth every dollar, pound, or euro.
Your days in Phuket can include lounging on the beach, golfing on world-class courses, scuba diving, snorkeling, or exploring the island's interior by all-terrain vehicle. By night, the island matches any other resort in the world with a variety of entertainment options guaranteed to keep you awake until the sun comes up.
As beautiful as Phuket is, it is just a short boat ride away from somewhere even more remarkable - the Phi Phi Islands. If spending a night or two in a beach bungalow on a nearly-deserted tropical island appeals to you, then Koh Phi Phi is the place to make it happen. Be sure to bring along your camera though, as these islands are some of the most-photogenic anywhere in the world.
Summary
As was mentioned earlier in this article, it would be an ideal holiday to Thailand if you were able to visit all three of the destinations discussed above. If that is not possible, however, then my hope is that this article was helpful as you decided upon the location best for you and your travel companions. Just remember, even though you may not make it to all three places on this particular holiday, they'll be there waiting to be discovered in the future.
An occasional resident, but long-time traveler to Thailand, I recommend that first-time visitors to the Land of Smiles visit at least one of three cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. While this recommendation probably comes as no surprise (these are the three primary tourist destinations in Thailand), I believe that it is worth reiterating what makes each place so very special.
Ideally, you'd be able to visit all three over the course of your holiday to Thailand but, if that isn't in the cards, so to speak, then my hope is that this article will help you choose the destination(s) best suited to you and your travel companions. Thailand truly has something to offer everyone if you know where to look. Hopefully this article will help you find your holiday paradise in the Land of Smiles.
Bangkok
Bangkok is not just Thailand's capital and largest city, but the bustling metropolis of 11 million is also its heart and soul. The majority of foreign visitors both start, and finish, their holidays here because the nearby international airport is the country's primary port of entry. This convenience makes it probably that you'll wind up spending some part of your visit to Thailand in the capital, which is the perfect chance to immerse yourself in one of the world's highest-rated tourist destinations.
Visiting Bangkok gives you a glimpse into all of the unique elements that make up Thailand. Towering high rises, modern super malls, and state-of-the-art architecture stand side-by-side with ancient Buddhist temples, and traditional Thai street markets selling everything from cheap souvenirs to authentic local dishes. It provides an unmistakable view of all that Thailand was, is, and will be.
Whether you pass your day shopping at Siam Square, touring the Royal Palace, or seeing the city by boat from the Chao Praya, Bangkok is sure to fascinate you with its many charms. The city's wild nightlife is also famous the world over, and consists of some of Asia's most-energized pubs, dance clubs, and other entertainment venues. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, you'll probably find it fairly easily in Bangkok.
Chiang Mai
One of Thailand's most-significant cultural centers, and the nation's second-most-populous city, Chiang Mai lives up to its nickname of the "Rose of the North". Situated in the country's highest mountain range near the borders with Laos and Myanmar (Burma), the city has wonderfully preserved the remnants of its historic past as the capital of the 13th Century Lanna Kingdom, continues to contribute to Thailand's current culture by housing a thriving art scene and several of the nation's best-known universities.
Apart from its cultural attractions, Chiang Mai is also significant for its proximity to an abundance of wildlife and action sports venues. The surrounding jungles and highlands offer some of Asia's best backpacking and hiking trails, several gorgeous nature preserves, elephant farms that allow visitors to feed, pet and even ride Thailand's most-famous animals for the day, and enough rock climbing, rafting, and biking options to keep any adrenaline junkie happy for days on end.
Phuket
The island of Phuket is famous around the globe for its unmatched natural beauty. Just hours away from the Malaysian border, Phuket is in the deep south of Thailand, and presents travelers with a landscape unlike anything else you'll find in the country. Not surprisingly, its pristine beaches and breathtaking vistas have conspired to make Phuket one of the nation's most-pricey tourist destinations, but most visitors agree that it is worth every dollar, pound, or euro.
Your days in Phuket can include lounging on the beach, golfing on world-class courses, scuba diving, snorkeling, or exploring the island's interior by all-terrain vehicle. By night, the island matches any other resort in the world with a variety of entertainment options guaranteed to keep you awake until the sun comes up.
As beautiful as Phuket is, it is just a short boat ride away from somewhere even more remarkable - the Phi Phi Islands. If spending a night or two in a beach bungalow on a nearly-deserted tropical island appeals to you, then Koh Phi Phi is the place to make it happen. Be sure to bring along your camera though, as these islands are some of the most-photogenic anywhere in the world.
Summary
As was mentioned earlier in this article, it would be an ideal holiday to Thailand if you were able to visit all three of the destinations discussed above. If that is not possible, however, then my hope is that this article was helpful as you decided upon the location best for you and your travel companions. Just remember, even though you may not make it to all three places on this particular holiday, they'll be there waiting to be discovered in the future.
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