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Getting Away from Bangkok

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:23:35 +0000

One of the best things about Bangkok is what's just a few hours away -- some very nice, relaxed, family-friendly beaches. There are no beaches close enough to Bangkok that you could realistically visit them on a day trip, but there are plenty of places that are a short drive away and worth the effort even if you're just going to stay for the weekend. Hua Hin tends to be a favorite among Bangkok residents, probably because it's so easy to get to and so well developed. But if you don't want to go to Hua Hin, there are other options, too. Check out these great Bangkok getaway beaches.

Cha-am Hotels

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:54:13 +0000

Cha-am doesn't have nearly the same number of hotels as Hua Hin, but the hotels it does have tend to be, on average, of higher quality and less expensive. They're also nearly all very family friendly. If you're interested in staying in Cha-am, check out some of Cha-am's top hotels.

Thailand's Family Friendly Beaches

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:36:33 +0000

We're just back from a great weekend in Cha-am. Though my favorite beaches tend to be a little more rugged and out of the way, with two six month old babies, I've had to readjust what I consider the perfect beach. Luckily, Cha-am fit the newly revised description -- easy to get to, family friendly, great accommodations, pleasant and not too crowded. We spent almost all of our time at the beach resort, mostly hanging out at the gorgeous pool with the babies, but we did get to walk the beach a couple of times. The resort we stayed in was tres chic bordering on trendy, but it was packed with kids (much to the surprise of the few young hipsters without) which made it that much more pleasant for us. No need to worry about our babies disturbing other guests!

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:38:25 +0000

It's another new year here in Thailand, which is funny considering we just celebrated another new year on January 1 and we'll celebrate once again in April when Songkran rolls around. Thailand actually has three different New Year celebrations every year, yet another reason it's such a great party place.

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The Mae Sa Loop

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:38:27 +0000

Visitors to Chiang Mai often end up on package tours, shuttled from one place to another with a group of other travelers, checking the boxes for elephant camps, river rafting and hiking. These types of tours can be lots of fun, but if you want a little more control over what you see and do, consider a self-drive trip around the Mae Sa Loop. The drive can be done in one to three days, and there are lots of places to stop along the way. Because it's so close to Chiang Mai and so well traveled, you can do it on your own, at your own pace, without too much challenge.

Favorite Phuket Restaurants

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:04:44 +0000

Phuket has lots of restaurants, and unfortunately not many of them are fantastic (it's not just a Phuket problem, tropical islands generally aren't known for their stellar cuisine). There are a handful of really impressive restaurants on Phuket, though, and each is worth traveling to even if you're not staying on the same beach.

Phuket's Most Popular Beach

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:04:21 +0000

Phuket's west coast is lined with beaches but there's one beach that seems to attract the most visitors -- Patong Beach. The beach, halfway down from the northern tip of Phuket, is expansive and open and is one of the prettiest on the island. It's also one of the most built up. There are dozens (hundreds?) of places to stay, plenty of food and drink options, lots of night life and even a full size shopping mall. In terms of convenience it can't be beat, and that's probably one of the reasons it's so popular.

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Thailand's High Season

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:44:01 +0000

Thailand's high season is here, and with it comes mild weather, less humidity, and lots of other tourists. Is traveling during high season right for you? Depends on your priorities. If you don't want to take a lot of risks with the weather (and why would you, especially if you're flying 20+ hours to get here and only get a few weeks of vacation per year), then traveling to Thailand during high season is right for you. If you like value vacations and don't mind the possibility that at least a day or two (or maybe more) of your vacation will be rainy, then skip high season travel. Find out more about traveling in Thailand during high season.

Chiang Mai's Zoo

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:24:05 +0000

One of Chiang Mai's biggest attractions is its large, well-maintained zoo. The Chiang Mai Zoo is one of the best zoos in the region and is home to over 7,000 animal, reptile, and bird residents. The biggest attraction at the zoo is the giant panda family. An adult couple, on loan from China, gave birth to a baby panda in 2008 and since then it's been a massive draw for both foreign and local tourists.

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Activities in Chiang Mai

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:39:22 +0000

If you're planning a visit to the north of Thailand Chiang Mai has many different activities you'll be able to do. Hiking (trekking) is one of the region's most popular activities, but even if you're not the outdoorsy type you'll find Chiang Mai a lot of fun. Like to shop? There's lots of shopping! Foodie? You'll find plenty to do here, too.