Southeast Asia

If you’re looking for an exotic Spring Break destination, consider the tropical paradise of Thailand. Whatever your age or disposition, you’ll find plenty to do from the adventurous to the downright decadent. Unwind on the picturesque beaches where you can pamper yourself with massages and pedicures, snorkel and canoe around the many gorgeous islands, or live it up with countless strangers at the famous monthly “Full Moon” parties.

Many of our RealTravelers have traveled to all corners of this beautiful country, chronicling their adventures along the way. Here are a few small excerpts of their trips to help inspire you when planning your own:

KevHolls had a blast stopping in many places around Thailand. Here are their impressions of Chiang Mai:

“It’s early morning and I’m writing this while watching the sun rise over the Ping River from an outside computer at our amazing little guesthouse we found tucked down a small little street away from the bustling streets of the city…yesterday we ordered pad thai (of course) and Singha (the beer of Thailand) and when we realized how cheap it was ($4.00 US) we added in an order of banana pancakes too. These were TO DIE FOR! We are now on a constant mission to find them, which really isn’t hard seeing that they serve them at pretty much every restaurant in Chiang Mai.”

Then they took advantage of the famous Thai massages:

“150 baht ($3) for a 60 minute Thai massage…we had our first Thai massage and foot reflexology - $6 for both of us. Thai massage is wonderful! They put pretty much all of their body weight onto you and there is a lot of stretching and cracking. It is the best type of massage both Kevin and I have ever had. You feel like a new person afterward.” (more…)

Kyle and Dan dove into the pristine Thailand waters to scuba dive and snorkel:

“Maya Beach is located on Koh Phi Phi Leh and was made famous by the film ‘The Beach’ with Leonardo Di Caprio. There are also several smaller islands nearby including Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island. All of these islands are located in the Andaman Sea which at this moment in time is possibly our favourite body of water. The water was very clear and a beautiful shade of turquoise and there were many living coral reefs located around the islands…the ferry trip to the islands presented us with wonderful views of the islands, with many limestone rock formations jutting up out of the sea. We were astounded by the beauty as we approached the two main islands. The hot and sunny weather was perfect all week and helped fulfill our desire for tropical paradise.” (more…)

For more inspiration, explore our Thailand Travel Guide where you will find plenty of travel blogs and stunning photos.

Resources:

Phuket Hotels
Bangkok Hotels
Shopping in Bangkok
Beach Holidays in Thailand

Bookmark to:

Looking to sidestep the well-worn footpaths of Westerners on your journey to the East? Pack your bags and head for Vietnam. With its years of war far behind it, this dynamic country is an emerging travel destination far less frequented than neighboring Thailand, and has much to delight and astound visitors, particularly its surging metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City.

Midway between India and China on the old ocean trade routes, Southeast Asia can trace its diverse and unique cultures to its position as a global crossroads. A rainbow of religious, artistic, and culinary forms has emerged in Vietnam over its long history. From Buddhist temples to Muslim mosques and Catholic cathedrals, from Indian and French cuisine to spectacular water puppet shows, Vietnam offers surprising variety.

It is recommended that travelers try to focus their trip either on Hanoi in the north or Ho Chi Minh City in the south if they are on a limited time-frame. North-south travel is lengthy in this long, skinny nation and can be time consuming. Ho Chi Minh City, in the south, is nearer to Phnom Penh in Cambodia than it is to Hanoi, while Hanoi is closer to the border Vietnam shares with China.

Vietnam boasts over three thousand kilometers of coastline and two enormous wetland areas. The Mekong Delta near Ho Chi Minh City and the Red River Delta near Hanoi offer ecologically minded travelers much to explore. The jutting limestone at Ha Long Bay brings to mind classical Chinese painting, and islands off the coast include Hon Ong (Whale Island) known for its views of humpbacks and whale sharks. Inland wonders include the 50-meter Dambri waterfalls and mountains where rural villages are home to Vietnam’s distinctive ethnic minority communities.

Rural explorations aside, no visit to Vietnam should be without a plunge into its thriving cities: the capital of Hanoi in the north and in the south, Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and most cosmopolitan. Boiling with activity, the city is filled with street markets and cyclos, mopeds and jeeps, sidewalk cafes and fruit vendors. You’ll find fresh and spicy Vietnamese cuisine everywhere, as well as French and Indian restaurants, sushi, or shish kebab. Stunning pagodas such as the Jade Emperor Pagoda provide a glimpse into Vietnam’s distant past, while more recent history is documented in sobering detail at the War Remnants Museum. The Hotel de Ville and Post Office are remnants of French colonial architecture, and the vibrant present of Vietnam is on display at the Ben Thanh Market. Finally, don’t miss the traditional entertainment of mua roi nuoc – water puppets – as dragons and kings dance on water to live music and narration.

To plan your trip to Vietnam, visit:

Ho Chi Minh City Hotels
Adventure in Dalat, Vietnam

Bookmark to: