Medway Travel eNewsletter September 2009
Thailand - Land of smiles
A few words from our own partner Tour Operator, Wellbeing Holidays
Wellbeing Holidays offers a stunning range of Spa holidays, in a wide variety of destinations across the globe. This month, we head to the Far East to discover what Thailand has to offer.
Thailand's appeal as a holiday destinations lies in its sheer abundance of history, heritage, charming people, exotic beaches and opulent culture. The scenery is rich and stunning from the jungles and the mountains in the north, the flat rice fields of the central plains to the sandy beaches and idyllic islands of the south. Thailand is also able to cater for sporting vacations, whether it is golf, scuba diving, yachting or mountain biking. A visit to northern Thailand is particularly rewarding and affords plenty of scope for both cultural sightseeing and escapes into the countryside. As the most traditional part of Thailand it can best be toured by car of bus. Chiang Mai is the best base for exploring the region, offering numerous hiking and trekking options. Do not miss Mae Hong Sorn of Chiang Rai, if you have more time.
Bangkok is an exciting mix of old and new, traditional and modern, where east meets west. The city, built on the banks of the Chao Phrao River, had a wonderful maze of waterways, magnificent temples and palaces, bustling markets and glittering night life. If it's your taste buds that need tantalising, Bangkok has a wonderful array of gastronomic delights to tempt anyone's palette, from authentic Thai cuisine to Indian, Chinese, Japanese and even western cuisine. The city is divided into two parts by the Chao Phrao river with Bangkok proper on the east side and Thonburi on the west. Between the river and Hua Lampong Railway Station is "old" Bangkok and the Chinatown district. To the west of Hua Lampong are the tourist, business and residential areas. Ultra modern stores stand cheek by jowl with little shops selling the necessities of life. Air conditioned cinemas screen the latest blockbusters. Restaurants and coffee shops offer cuisine that caters to everyone's palate, truly a gourmet's paradise. Sophisticated nightclubs with stunning hostesses provide international floorshows and mood setting music. Little discotheques offer modern rock and soul music. Luxury hotels with every amenity grace the scene, whilst less imposing hostelries, spotlessly clean, cater for the less affluent. Behind all of this lies the old Bangkok of venerable temples filled with the peace of ages. A crowd of people can watch television in the open air under the shadow of a Buddha's image. The skyline of modern Bangkok is a blend of concrete high rise buildings and the gilded spires of temples.
Krabi lies south of Bangkok, set on the beautiful Andaman coastline with a truly humbling landscape. Where the ocean and sky meet, coral reefs teem with amazing marine life and the magnificent limestone karsts emerging from the sea are just waiting to be explored. Originally a small fishing town, Krabi now boasts a wide variety of attractions and accommodation from luxury hotels and resorts to simple bungalows that bring you closer to nature. Discover Krabi’s cultural attractions including a number of temples, agricultural and village tours and local craft centres or take advantage of the stunning natural scenery – try your hand at kayaking, diving, cruising or rock climbing. Krabi offers a wealth of things to see and do, soak up the rays on the glorious shores, indulge in some rejuvenating therapies in a Spa, head off trekking in the nearby national parks or to get a real feel for Thailand take yourself off Island hopping
Koh Samui, set like an exquisite emerald in a sapphire blue sea, is a gem. This tranquil island, an hour's flight from Bangkok, lies off the east coast. Here the monsoon pattern is different from the west coast and the rains can be heavy from November to January. Outside these months the weather is generally glorious. Lovely beaches form a necklace around the island, their powder white sand lapped by clear tropic seas.
Phuket is an hour's flight from Bangkok, traditional Thailand holds sway, a land blessed with more than its fair share of awesome beach resorts. Phuket has low forested mountains and a series of fine white beaches mostly on the west coast. The one remaining significant strand of virgin rainforest, Khao Phra Thaeo Park, is certainly worth a visit. At Phuket island, best visited from November to April, hillsides rich in tropical vegetation tumble down to the white soft, power sand beaches and the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea.
To book your own selected holiday in Thailand or the Far East, just contact us and we will do the rest.
