7 day trip to Southern Thailand

The southern part of Thailand is a beautiful place, full of splendid beaches, bays, and temples. These fab places to visit in South Thailand have transformed in the last two decades into a hub for tourism and nightlife.

If you are looking for a great vacation spot for your next tropical holiday, there are several popular as well as remote places for you to consider. Ranging from resort towns to remote islands, these places represent the best that Thailand has to offer.

Krabi

Krabi has plenty going for it, the stunning coastline of Ao Nang that most visitors see, plus beautifully secluded beaches on the Railay peninsular, which includes Railay East, Railay West and, most hidden away of all, Ao Tonsai. There are also countless smaller islands offshore with jaw-dropping beauty that makes them perfect for memorable day trips.

And back in Krabi town, a destination much overlooked by tourists keen to feel the sand between their toes, there is a killer food scene influenced by southern Thai cuisine’s reliance on spices of Malaysian and Indian origin, as well as a general easy-going vibe that makes it a more than pleasant place to spend a few days relaxing.

Phuket

Phuket is a tiny province in the southern part of Thailand and one of the busiest tourist places to visit in South Thailand. You can find the liveliest nightlife here on the stretch along the Patong beach, and also elsewhere in Phuket.

This is the place to come if you are looking for wild parties, the most amazingly beautiful South Thailand beaches as well as great diving spots where you can go snorkeling as well as scuba diving. There are also some amazing temples at Wat Chalong and Wat Luang Pu Supha for a more diverse experience of Thailand.

Mu Ko Ang Thong

In the Gulf of Thailand close to Koh Samui is the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park. This archipelago is made up of 42 islands, most of which are located close to one another. That makes it a breathtaking place to tour by boat, because the close proximity of these lush green islands makes for amazing photographs. One island you cannot miss is Ko Wua Talap where you can dine at a seafront restaurant, explore the Buaboke Cave, relax on one of two amazing beaches or walk across the island in 30 minutes through a jungle trail.

Koh Tao

The island of Koh Tao, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is a favorite of divers who come here for the exotic marine life and coral formations. The island is only accessible from a ferry from the town of Chumphon. If you are not a diver, you will be able to find PADI certification courses at various places on the island. The Chumphon Pinnacle on the island is where most people go to see the famous bull sharks, but the evolutionary sculptures in the Val Tong Tao Bay are also popular with tourists.

Railay

Whether you are searching for the next adrenaline rush or unparalleled scenic beauty, Railay may be the answer. Railay is a peninsula surrounded by oceans and mountains, which means that it is primarily accessible by boat. On stunning white-sand beaches, tall limestone formations tower over the water.

At Phra Nang Beach on Railay, you can swim underneath incredible limestone structures. At Rai Leh West Beach, the vibe is a little quieter but the scenic beauty is just as appealing. You will have the chance to explore caves in Railay, and the truly adventurous can also try out some of the ample rock climbing available.

Trang

Though arguably still better known for its pristine islands like Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai and Koh Muk, Trang is home to a ridiculously photogenic provincial capital that is well worth visiting all by itself. If you are a fan of strong coffee and fried pork, you will fit right in here, throw fiery southern Thai food into the mix along with some dim sum and plenty of beautiful colonial-style Sino-Portuguese architecture, and you have got a combination to rave about.

Trang city is largely walkable, or else its one-of-a-kind green frog-like tuk tuks make getting around easy and, if you have got wheels or fancy a minivan ride, Pak Meng Beach is a pretty stretch of sand that makes for a pleasant day trip.

See more: How to have breakfast like a local in Thailand

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Explore Doha, Qatar in one day

Doha is a popular transit hub connecting west to east, but, reportedly, some 71 percent of passengers going through Hamad International Airport never leave the airport. So, next time you are connecting to a flight through Hamad International Airport, take the time to spend at least 24 hours outside of the airport. Here's how to do it.

Morning

If you want to experience what a desert is all about, book a half-day desert safari. You will be driven in a four-wheel drive through the sand dunes in the south of Qatar, do some dune-bashing, i.e., driving at crazy angles across the sand dunes, and have a brief stop in a desert camp. You will understand why people love the emptiness and vastness of the desert, even if it is all just sand.

Midday

Either persuade the driver to let you get off earlier, or, upon returning to the airport, take a taxi to Souq Waqif, the traditional bazaar, and after a walkabout, have an early light lunch at the small Bandar Aden restaurant, a typical restaurant which serves local and Yemeni food, giving you a good idea of the local cuisine. Then take your time to meander and shop your way through the traditional market which offers a vast selection of weird and wonderful items, from spices to cooking utensils, from cloth to handicrafts. Look out for the Falcon Souq, where you can buy falcons and falconry items, and where regular displays take place, and the camel pen for an encounter with one of Arabia’s favorite animals.

Early Afternoon

Walk past the swirly tower of the Islamic Cultural Centre across to the Museum of Islamic Art, an impressive I.M. Pei building that houses Islamic art dating back more than 1,000 years. Take your time to explore the treasures inside and out, including the sculpture "7," by Richard Serra, and the lovely park with views of the Doha skyline.

As an alternative, turn right on the Corniche and head to the National Museum, which looks like a gigantic desert rose. You will learn about Qatar’s past and present in an interactive setting. If you prefer contemporary art over history, check if at the time of your visit there might be an exhibition on at Al Riwaq Gallery, just opposite the museum. Many top international artists regularly exhibit here, but there is no permanent collection.

Then go for a walk along the Doha Corniche, taking in the mix of old and new architecture, the views across the bay, and the bustle of locals and expatriates taking advantage of the four-mile walkway leading along the bay. Small juice stands and cafes are dotted along the promenade, giving you an excuse to stop and simply enjoy the views.

Early Evening

For a sunset drink you have several choices, but two favourites are at either end of the Corniche: Iris, a contemporary outdoor venue offering superb sunset views in a relaxed manner, or chic Nobu, the bar connected to the high-end restaurant, which has probably the best happy hour in town, and a rooftop setting with views across the bay. Both offer a snack and dining menu, depending whether you want to hunker down for a while, or if you want to move on for a proper dinner.

Alternatively, you could book yourself in for a dinner dhow cruise, with a buffet of Arabian food, great views and a relaxed tour through the Arabian Gulf. (But do note that there will be only soft-drinks available on board.)

Evening

In Doha, a lot of the shopping is done at night, often after dinner, and malls are open until 10 p.m., even later during Ramadan. Malls in Doha have been designed to provide an alternative to a day out in town, because a lot of the year it is simply too hot to walk about. So, the malls are sprawling, filled with recreation and entertainment spaces, shops and restaurants, sport facilities and cinemas, all under cover and air-conditioned.

You have plenty of choices, but one that ticks all boxes is the impressive Villagio Mall. Take a taxi to this Venice-themed mall that has a good mix of high street and high-end shops. Once done shopping, you may take a gondola ride through the canals past the faux-palazzi or even go ice-skating on the indoor ice rink.

See more: Top destinations in Doha, Qatar

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24 hours in Thimphu: What to see and do

This city is the heart of the country in every aspect possible. Thimphu is not only the capital city of Bhutan, but it is also its economic hub. The capital is also home to Bhutan’s royal family along with some 100,000 local residents. Thimphu is the ideal travel destination for tourists who are looking for places to explore and want to experience strong cultural vibes with the comfort of modern amenities. It is the perfect blend of new and old. 

Go to Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass is one of the most spectacular places to visit while in Thimphu, located at 10,000ft. It not only has breathtaking scenery but is also a place, which will lend you a surreal experience of being in a memorial place for 108 Bhutanese soldiers who died in an armed conflict in 2003.

These soldiers are commemorated by 108 stupas (Wangyal Chortens). This pass is enveloped in lush greenery, cool mountain air, and gives an amazing view of some of the seven-thousanders in the Himalayan range. The pass also has the magnificent Druk Wangyal Lhakhang Temple, which is a must-see.

Take in Spectacular Views at the Buddha Dordenma Statue

Overlooking Thimphu is one of the largest Buddha's in the world, the Buddha Dordenma statue. It is almost 170 feet tall (it sits on top of a giant meditation hall) and houses 125,000 other Buddhas inside it. All of them are made of bronze and then gilded in gold. This Buddha was erected to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth king of Bhutan. You can see it from a distance when you are exploring the capital, but definitely drive up the mountain and visit it up close. The details and views are spectacular.

Attend a Concert at Clock Tower Square

The clock tower, located in the heart of the city of Thimphu, features four different clocks on the four sides of the rectangular column. The walls are carved with beautiful hand carved dragons and also some beautiful floral designs, keeping in mind Bhutan’s reputation as the Land of the Thunder Dragon and also its many floral valleys. Most open-air concerts in the city are held here at the Clock Tower Square. Catching a show here is one of the best things to do in Thimphu tour!

Visit National Textile Museum

Thimphu's best museum is part of the Royal Textile Academy. It features a stunning display of ancient and modern textiles, and explores the rich traditions of Bhutan's national arts of thagzo (weaving) and tshemzo (embroidery). The ground floor focuses on royal ghos, including the wedding clothes worn by the fourth king and his four wives. The upper floor introduces the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and types of textiles made by women and men. No photography is allowed.

See Bhutan's Government in Action at the Tashichho Dzong

Since 1952 Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of Bhutan's government. It houses the throne room and offices of the king as well as the ministries of home affairs and finances. Other government offices are in the surrounding buildings. The building itself dates back to 1216 A.D. and is surrounded by serene gardens and the Wang Chhu River. It is open to visitors after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.

See more: Discover Bhutan through the amazing cuisine

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