Mist swirls around the peaks of the Hoang Lien Son mountains. Rice paddies cascade in 10,000 shades of green to valley bottoms speckled with longhouses and farms. It can only be Sapa – Vietnam’s northern trekking mecca. Being remote and isolated is part of the fun here, but don’t worry, there are oodles of ways … Read more
Once all the delights of the Laotian city of Luang Prabang have been explored, choosing your next destination may be a difficult choice to make. The Vietnamese capital of Hanoi lies directly east of Luang Prabang and with its perfect blend of history, untouched culture, and gastronomical prowess, and is seen as one of the … Read more
There’s nothing worse than the feeling of missing out. So, if you make it all the way to El Nido in Palawan, don’t hesitate to make the extra hop, skip, and a jump to a small island that’s teeming with hidden beauty, otherwise known as Coron. It’s not the small villages and towns that bring … Read more
Manila and Coron paint two completely pictures of the Philippines – which isn’t surprising considering they’re around 450km apart. In Manila, colonial architecture sits next to modern skyscrapers, the streets are busy with people, and the traffic rules the pace of the city. Over in Coron, life is slow. Surrounded by turquoise waters and snorkeling … Read more
While Yangon is no longer the capital of Myanmar, it remains the largest city in the country, and is a popular starting point for many visitors. Also known as Rangoon, travelers flock to the city to take in its colonial architecture, which sits side by side with stunning, ancient Buddhist temples and pagodas, some of … Read more
Sitting just off the coast of Trat, Koh Kood, otherwise known as Ko Kut, is a great alternative to the overcrowded islands you’ll find off Thailand’s southern peninsula. It’s part of the Koh Chang group, a cluster of islands that are frequented more by locals than tourists. For this reason, getting to Koh Kood from … Read more
The trip from Krabi to Koh Lipe is a real odyssey. It takes you across more than 180 kilometres of the Andaman Sea, where deserted islands and jutting rocks tower over coral reefs and swathes of mangrove swamp. You’ll go from a bustling town where tuk-tuks and beach hotels gaze across the water all the … Read more
Prep the scuba gear, ready the snorkels, and dust down the bikini – Koh Tao awaits. One of the three most famous islands of the Chumphon Archipelago (a group that also includes Koh Phangan and Koh Samui), it’s known for the cotton-white isthmus beach at Ko Hang Tao, its fish-teeming dive sites, and inland hills … Read more
The trip from Phuket to Koh Phangan is a trip from Thailand’s largest island to its biggest party destination. You’ll swap the pastel-painted cottages and chili-sizzling food markets of Phuket Town for sands that pump with spinning DJs until sunup over the Thai Gulf. In a straight line, the distance between the two spots is … Read more
Home to more than 1,400 islands, deciding where to spend your time in southern Thailand can be slightly overwhelming. To make the most of your vacation, and reduce travel time in-between islands, you might choose to stick to either the east or west of Thailand’s peninsula. Floating in the Andaman Sea on the west, just … Read more
Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai are the two main urban hubs of northern Thailand. They both huddle beneath rugged mountains, watched over by elephant-trodden rainforests and the gold-tipped stupas of Buddhist temples. But each still brings its own unique vibe and attractions. Chiang Mai is lively night bazaars and a UNESCO old quarter; Chiang Rai … Read more
Shaped like a corkscrew and sat out in the glistening waters of the Thai Gulf, Koh Samet is a stunning dose of powdery sand and turquoise sea. Because it’s one of the closest islands to Bangkok, it’s gradually become one of the more popular getaways for Thai locals living in the capital. Partiers and sun … Read more
After escaping the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and finding yourself in the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Ayutthaya, the great expanse of Thailand’s north awaits. Yet before you set your sights too far ahead, the little gem of Lopburi is only a short journey away. Similar in historical significance to Ayutthaya, Lopburi has … Read more
These two much-loved beach towns face each other on opposite ends of famous Phang Nga Bay. It’s hardly a wonder they are among the most popular destinations in Thailand. The whole region is speckled with islands where cotton-coloured beaches dash under lazy palm trees and dramatic mountains lurch from cerulean seas. To the east is … Read more