Best Thailand destinations for a family trip

Thailand’s affordability, weather and array of activities make it a hot family-getaway destination. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best family-friendly places to visit in Thailand.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Thailand’s mountainous cultural hub is a fantastic place to travel with the whole family. Chiang Mai has a calm and relaxed atmosphere and is small enough to easily gain your orientation. Chiang Mai offers a host of fun and exciting activities for all ages, including engaging museums, a great zoo, local markets, cooking schools, and much more! Chiang Mai’s surrounding countryside offers trekking, rafting, zip lining, elephant sanctuaries and the opportunity to visit remote hill tribe communities.

Pai

For those looking for an alternative option, look no further than Pai. Pai not only is a great place for a family holiday it also has a great resident community of local Thai and expat families. Pai has a circus training school, jungle trekking, rafting and plenty of healthy places to eat. Pai is best reached by renting a car in Chiang Mai and driving. Chiang Dao is a great place to stop en route to explore the caves and stunning temple.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a bustling hub of exciting and fun things to explore. The city has a huge number of family-friendly activities from theme parks, snake farms and museums to indoor playgrounds for the little ones. Sometimes the best travel memories are created by small activities, for example, trying new foods, exploring local markets or simply playing in one of Bangkok’s many green parks.

Krabi

The beach lovers destination of Krabi is the perfect place to relax on a family-friendly holiday in Thailand. Not only are there some of the country’s best beaches in Krabi, it is also a fantastic place to pick up a snorkel and mask and become acquainted with Thailand’s beautiful underwater world. In the surrounding area, there is also plenty of options for fun day trips to national parks, waterfalls, elephant sanctuaries or, for the older kids, a chance to try rock climbing on some of the world’s best climbing spots.

Phuket

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular destinations. Phuket has it all from gorgeous beaches and a fascinating old town to aquariums and horseback riding. Many of the island’s resorts offer kids clubs and babysitting services enabling mum and dad to get a well-earned break too. Phuket is easily reached from most parts of Thailand and has direct flights from many other countries making getting there hassle-free.

Koh Chang

For a more local laid-back beach option head to Koh Chang. Koh Chang is a popular destination for backpackers and families alike. Koh Chang has every accommodation option available from cheap bungalows on the beach to boutique dream-like resorts. Koh Chang offers simple genuine family fun including swimming, snorkelling, building sandcastles and exploring waterfalls.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui has long been one of Thailand’s favourite family holiday destinations. Not only is Koh Samui easy to get to, it also has everything one would want and more packed onto the island. If you prefer to be in the thick of it head to Chaweng beach or for a quieter beach getaway base yourself in Mae Nam. Many resorts have kids’ programs on offer and there are plenty of family-friendly activities to choose from. For something, a little different take your tribe to make new furry friends by volunteering at the animal rescue centre for the day.

See more: The most romantic resorts for a honeymoon in Thailand

Source: Internet

The best places to cycle in Myanmar

Exploring cities on foot can be exhausting, taxis expensive, and public transportation confusing. There is one device, however, that allows visitors to explore with ease. Grab your helmets and explore the most spectacular places to cycle in Myanmar.

Bagan

The plains of Bagan are simply spectacular. With jaw-dropping scenery and flat roads that wind past and around countless pagodas, hopping on the humble bicycle is the best way to appreciate this unique landscape.

The freedom of two wheels means you can hop off and explore any one of the thousands of stupas that take your fancy. Take regular shady breaks and the occasional spontaneous detour to make the most of this experience. Often e-bikes are also touted. A welcome alternative to a push bike on a hot day that are more akin to scooters than electric bikes. Double check your travel insurance to make sure you recovered, just in case.

Kalaw

Kalaw is simply a stop-off point to many visitors, on the trek from the city to Inle Lake. If you have time on your hands, however, a day spent cycling around this cool town is worth it. With mountainous terrain hugging Kalaw on all sides, cyclists will certainly need to concentrate on where they are going.

Situated on the Shan Plateau, Kalaw can be navigated on foot although it is much easier and faster to simply rent a bicycle. Cyclists should be sure to stop off at the city’s most noteworthy feature, the Aung Chan Tha Zedi. Known as one of the most stunning of stupas in the entire country, the religious structure is made up of mosaic tiles that are especially attractive to photographers.

Dhala and Twante

Starting from the bustling city of Yangon, take to the water on a ferry to the quiet village of Dhala. From here you can jump on two wheels in search of Twante, a township that was once home to George Orwell. Cycle through rural villages, past rice paddies and spot houses tucked away in the heart of bamboo forests.

Rest your legs with a break at the Yadana Labamuni Hsu-taungpye Paya, otherwise known as the Snake Temple. Pilgrims travel from far and wide to see Burmese pythons – thought to be reincarnations of local monks – sprawl through the temple. Lovingly cared for and completely harmless, you will not forget meeting the snakes in a hurry. After become acquainted with these new scaly friends, cycle on to Twante and grab some lunch before boarding a boat back to Yangon.

Inle Lake

There is so much to see and do around Inle Lake as Island monasteries, Buddha-filled caves and stunning viewpoints. You would certainly miss out on a top sight or two if you did not have a set of wheels to get around on. Many shops renting out bicycles can be found near the Mingalar Market. Make this the starting point and first explore the vibrant and thriving market before heading off to the Pindaya Caves. These are about a 30-minute cycle from the market, and the ride back is much easier than the way there, so try not to get discouraged when your legs start burning.

From the caves, head back towards the market to explore the exterior of Inle Lake, heading to the hot springs, stopping along the way at viewpoints, grabbing a bite to eat at the Tofu Palace, visiting the Khaung Daing village for a unique experience, and more.

Read more: Admire the incredible beauty of Inle Lake, Myanmar

Mandalay

The ancient capital of Mandalay is best explored on two wheels. As the second largest city in the country, one would have a hard time seeing the city on foot, and the cost of getting a taxi around would add up. Mandalay is also one of the easiest cities to cycle in, as it is quite flat. There are many of top sights that must be included on a cycling route, including the Mahamuni Paya, Jade Market, and any of the gold leaf making factories around town.

Source Internet

Must-try local snacks when traveling to Vietnam

There are many snacks and street foods in Vietnam for your trip. Trying the food from vendors and eating them when sitting down on the street are the great experiences when coming to Vietnam. Let’s find them and then fill in your stomach with those wonderful dishes.

Durian crepe

There are many kinds of pancakes in Asia in general and Vietnam in particular. These pancakes include Banh Xeo (from Mekong Delta), Banh Khot (from Vung Tau) and Banh Can (from Ninh Thuan). They should be eaten right after cook so their flavors and textures still remain unchanged. On the other hand, durian crepes are made and then kept in the refrigerator to make sure they will be fresh to eat and ready to serve in the hot weather.

Durian crepe is not crispy and crunchy compared to hot pancakes, it is a soft and creamy cake with a bit of sweet taste. If you are durian lovers, durian crepe is for you.

Mixed rice paper

This is a favorite junk food of teenager even adults. They tend to enjoy the banh trang tron at vendor stores with friends and gossip after working or studying time.

There are normally 10 ingredients which are rice paper, dry beef, dry shrimp, dry squid, mango, quail eggs, herb, shrimp salt, peanut and chili oil. It is easy to find at some places nearby schools and parks.

Banh da xuc hen

Banh da xuc hen is a delicious snack made from crisped rice paper covering a dish of small clams fried in lemongrass, coriander, chili, onions, and garlic. The dish is simple, but the taste is complex, and is profoundly different to any other street food in Vietnam. The dish also comes in a heavier version known as banh da com hen, which includes rice and clam broth for those who are especially hungry.

Grilled chestnuts

Grilled chestnuts are not the specialty of Ha Noi but they are sold on many streets in Hanoi particularly when it's cold. Though it is named grilled chestnuts, they are roasted - not grilled. Some places also add honey to create a unique and vibrant taste. A pack will cost you around VND 10,000 (50 cents).

Tofu with coconut milk 

Tofu is well-known for its widely used ingredient in Asian cuisine. It appears in many savory dishes in Vietnamese table, however, they do use tofu for dessert.

Tofu in dessert is soft tofu with white color due to a different technique in preparing the soya beans. It serves with ginger sauce and coconut milk. With the authentic Tao Pho, you should taste the sweetness, richness from coconut milk, feel the warmth from ginger in your stomach and softness of tofu in your mouth.

Banh trang nuong

Demonstrating the myriad of culinary ideas that have been applied to the humble rice grain, banh trang nuong is the result of grilling rice paper, creating something akin to an incredibly crisp pancake. A convenient snack for a street market stroll, expect to find a fried filling of spring onions, minced pork, dried shrimps and shallots, liberally squirted with sweet soy sauce and sriracha.

Read more: Facts you may not know about Vietnamese cuisine

Source Internet