Let The Land Of Smiles Light Up Your Face With These Bucketlist Activities
With some of the most gorgeous vistas you’re likely to find in the world, not just Asia, a melting pot of rich and historical traditions, and a reputation for excellent hospitality, there’s a good reason that Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles. Here, we’re going to look at some of the ways to better enjoy your time there, with five things that simply must be on your bucket list.
You can’t miss the capital
It might seem like an obvious place to start, but that’s for a good reason. Aside from being the gateway to the rest of the country, it has world-class cuisine across multiple cultures, iconic attractions like the Grand Palace, and temples such as Wat Arun, not to mention exciting street markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market. What’s more, it’s simply the best place to try authentic Thai street food.
Retreat to the mountains
When you feel like you have had enough of the hustle and bustle, then where better to recharge your batteries than when surrounded by a horizon of gorgeous mountain peaks and temples? Chang Mai is another great and popular stop, with an expansive Old City that is well worth exploring for its host of historic temples. Not too far away, you can find the Golden Triangle, which is where Thailand borders Laos and Myanmar, as well.
Head out into that gorgeous blue
The waters around Thailand are, in a word, mesmerizing. Not only do they shine a particular shade of blue that makes them extra inviting, but the beaches and islands of the southern region can make for excellent R&R spots. With a Luxury Long Tail rental, you can sail out to many of them at your own whim. Krabi is a must-see spot, with its impressive limestone cliffs and the gorgeous Railay beach.
See the less travelled side of Thailand
There is no shortage of hidden gems to be found in Thailand. One of the best places to start with is Pai, which is just off the river which is its namesake. Tropical weather meets small-town comfort in this cozy and idyllic spot. However, it’s not without its hospitality as well, with a host of specialist food stalls, not to mention a range of boutique shops that can make it the perfect day trip.
Dive into Thailand’s history
If you’re basing your travels out of Bangkok, then you should head north from the city. Not too far from there you will find the standing remnants of the once-great King of Siam. Ayutthaya was once the capital of the historic kingdom and has a wide range of immense ruins and historical temples. Not too far from there is Sukhothai, which is thought to be where the Thai culture originated and flourished.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, you might struggle to fit absolutely everything mentioned above in one visit, but you should certainly try to hit up at least a couple of them. You certainly won’t be left with a frown on your face.