Our first trip back in 2017- 14 DAYS in Thailand
OUR 14 DAY ITINERARY FLYING IN AND OUT OF THAILANDS CAPITAL OF BANGKOK.
Day 1: Departure
• Travel day: Prepare for the longest 24 hour travel day of your life! Mostly joking, but really it’s a trek!
Day 2: Arrival in Bangkok
• Late Night: Arrive in Bangkok.
• Accommodation: Check into a centrally located hotel. We stayed at the Chillax Resort.
Day 3: Exploring Bangkok
• Morning: Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew.
• Afternoon: Explore Wat Pho and its impressive Reclining Buddha.
Consider this tour: Bangkok: City Highlights Temple and Market Walking Tour
Also, don’t forget to do my favorite thing to do in a new city- a food tour!
Try this one: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour
• Tip: If not using a tour guide, use cautious of unsolicited offers; you might encounter scams like unexpected boat tours.
Day 4: Embracing Bangkok’s Atmosphere
• Activity: Experience the city’s vibrant street life and markets or branch out and visit
Ayutthaya & Ayothaya
Consider this tour: From Bangkok: Ayutthaya & Ayothaya Floating Market Day Trip
• Advice: Embrace the sensory overload; it’s all part of the adventure.
Day 5: Flight to Chiang Mai
• Morning: Fly to Chiang Mai.
Evening: Explore a night market, and consider a food tour!
Consider this tour: Chiang Mai: Evening Local Street Food Market Tour
• Accommodation: Stay in a boutique hotel near the Old City, preferably with a pool.
We stayed here: Baan Ratchiangsaen
Day 6: Exploring Chiang Mai
• Morning: Start your morning with a temple hike, or visit temples within the Old City, such as Wat Chedi Luang.
• Evening: Explore the lively Night Bazaar for shopping and local cuisine.
Consider this Tour: Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple & Wat Pha Lat Hike
Day 7: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
• Activity: Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary and consider some other unique experiences the region has to offer like rafting!
• Tip: Choose sanctuaries that prioritize the well-being of elephants; avoid those offering rides.
Consider this tour: Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting
Day 8: Chiang Mai Markets and Relaxation
• Morning: Explore local markets; consider trying street food, keeping in mind food safety.
• Afternoon: Relax by the pool or enjoy a traditional Thai massage.
Day 9: Flight to Krabi and Transfer to Ao Nang
• Morning: Fly to Krabi.
• Afternoon: Transfer to Ao Nang, a charming beach town nestled among limestone cliffs.
Check into your hotel- we stayed here, Poonsiri Resort Aonang-SHA Extra Plus, on our second visit, and I would recommend! Beautiful rooms, great room service, and peaceful atmosphere. It isn’t walking distance to town, but the hotel does free transfers!
Day 10: Island Hopping Tour
• Activity: Join an island-hopping tour; expect multiple stops and be prepared for crowds.
• Tip: Find quieter spots at each stop to fully enjoy the experience.
Consider these tours:
Day 11: Railay Beach Exploration
• Activity: Take a long-tail boat to Railay Beach, and try your hand at rock climbing!
• Tip: Be cautious of local wildlife; avoid feeding monkeys and watch out for water monitors.
Consider this tour: Krabi: Half-Day Rock Climbing at Railay Beach
Day 12: Beachside Relaxation and Local Cuisine
• Activity: Enjoy affordable beachside massages and explore local night markets.
• Tip: Try southern Thai specialties like Massaman curry.
Day 13: Return to Bangkok
• Morning: Fly back to Bangkok.
• Evening: Experience a rooftop dinner with panoramic city views.
Consider this experience: Bangkok: Mojjo Rooftop Lounge & Bar Food & Beverage Package
As per usual, I recommend staying close to the airport, at a hotel with free airport shuttle. We stayed here: Suvarnabhumi Ville Airport Hotel
Day 14: Departure
• Morning: Prepare for your flight home.
• Advice: Plan for rest after arrival, especially if you have a long drive ahead of need to dive back into reality!
Additional Tips:
• Travel Scams: Stay vigilant; common scams include unsolicited tours or shopping detours.
• Street Food: While it’s a highlight, exercise caution; start with cooked foods and ensure vendors maintain cleanliness.
• Transportation: Consider local transport options like tuk-tuks and long-tail boats for short distances, it’s a unique opportunity, you have to take advantage of!
BANGKOK IS BEAUTIFUL, CHAOTIC, AND DEFINITELY CAN BE OVERWHELMING, BUT IT WAS AN ADVENTURE
Bangkok Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Ao Nang/ Krabi Province Thailand
One of our favorite places on Earth!
AO NANG, RAILEY BEACH, THAILAND
OUR FIRST TRIP
As I am sure you can imagine, as a young couple, new to international travel, we made our fair share of mistakes. Thank god we were young and spry, because we really put ourselves through some INTENSE travel days that first trip. We decided to drive 6 hours, so we could fly out of SFO, as flights were 1/6th the cost and we actually paid for our flights (more on that in the future Hint hint, travel hacking is your friend!). Thankfully on the way out of town, we had the common sense to drive the day before flying, stay in a hotel, and then fly out in the morning. We didn’t really think this through on the way home, and didn’t account for an extra day off, so we had to drive home like zombies after a 24 hour travel day.. AH GOOD TIMES!
Back to the story! We flew out of SFO to Bangkok. During my trip research, I had read that Bangkok was chaotic and overwhelming—people either loved it or thought you should spend as little time there as possible. With our flight landing around midnight, I decided we’d stay two extra nights, giving us two full days to explore. This turned out to be plenty for us.
Bangkok bombards all your senses: loud, smelly, chaotic, and alive with motorbikes, temples, and riverboats. It’s just a lot. I’m still glad we went for the experience, but I don’t think I’d return unless I knew someone local to show us the hidden gems. My advice? Embrace the chaos, use common sense, and find the humor in the less pleasant moments—it’s all part of the adventure!
When we were in Bangkok, we ran into our first scam. We had prepared ourselves for the most common scams, but we took a chance on this TUK TUK driver that was outside our hotel both days, and he had convinced us it was a “great price” for a tour to all the major attractions. Still being jet lagged, we thought, hey, it is a good price and let’s give it a try.
Big Mistake. He ended up dropping us off under a bridge in the middle of the city at a boat tour that was definitely not part of the deal. The people there demanded an additional 3,000 baht—a ton of money for two broke, freshly married college kids. With no idea where we were, we managed to negotiate the price down and reluctantly got on the boat. Thankfully, it ended up being a really cool experience, but honestly, we could have been kidnapped or worse. (Sorry, Mom! LOL)
Let me just say—Chiang Mai has a special place in my heart! We loved seeing all the families and tourists enjoying the city, and we’ll 100% be returning with Kiah and our future babies. We stayed just outside the Walled Old City in a charming boutique hotel with a pool. The greenery and jungle of Chiang Mai are breathtaking, and the weather is milder than in other parts of Thailand, thanks to its location in the North. The region exudes a homey, calm energy—everyone seems to be smiling and genuinely happy to be there.
Chiang Mai is a unique blend of hip and laid-back, with a cool mix of local Thai culture and expats from all over. It almost has a surfer-town vibe, even though there’s no beach nearby. The cafes and restaurants are incredible, and there’s so much to do! With its rich cultural history and stunning landscapes, it’s truly a traveler’s paradise.
While there, we opted to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary, which offered no riding but plenty of learning. We gained a deeper understanding of Thai elephants and their history in this region of the world. Elephants have been domesticated for thousands of years in Southeast Asia, so many in the region come from generations of domesticated elephants, meaning their natural instincts are no longer intact. These sanctuaries, often run by descendants of the tribes who domesticated them, now act as guardians, providing the elephants with a safe haven. The elephants are free to roam while being fed regularly to supplement their diets.
Thankfully, the rising demand for ethical elephant experiences has significantly improved the lives of thousands of elephants descended from domesticated herds. Traditionally used for labor, these elephants now live much happier lives. As our guide put it, “They’re fat and happy now.”
We ran into our second scam in Chiang Mai, but it was an unsuccessful attempt! You’ll notice that some people hang around the temples, trying to make small talk, but ultimately their intention is to lead you to a jewelry shop or similar and get a commission if you buy anything. This scam is common in many countries we’ve visited, and honestly, we found their attempts more entertaining than annoying. The best approach? Be polite, assertive, and find the humor in their persistence. That’s all you can really do!
Speaking of shopping, the street markets in Chiang Mai are a must-visit! The energy is electric, with lively homemade craft vendors, unique foods, and incredibly friendly people. One major regret Jake and I have from our first international trip is being too cautious. We were so nervous about food poisoning that we stuck to restaurants and avoided most street food. On our return trip, we definitely took more risks—and it was so worth it!
Now, let me be clear: DO NOT take this as a recommendation to drink the tap water (or even brush your teeth with it, for that matter) or eat unsafe food. Please, use common sense! But in my experience, if you take probiotics and eat yogurt daily, there’s no need to fear branching out and trying some of the amazing street food.
Jake and I also tend to get a little more adventurous toward the end of our trips. That way, if we do get sick, it doesn’t ruin the whole experience. Just use your judgment and enjoy the adventure!
After Chiang Mai, we flew to Krabi and transferred to our hotel in Ao Nang. We FELL IN LOVE with Ao Nang. It’s the cutest beach town, tucked into stunning limestone cliffs. Back in 2017, it was much less developed than when we returned in 2019, and we were shocked by how much had changed in just two short years. I can only imagine how different it might be now. The beauty of Ao Nang lies in its easy access to incredible beaches and islands. The landscape is breathtaking, with dramatic rocky cliffs, lush jungle greenery, and vibrant wildlife adding so much texture to the scenery.
On our 2017 trip, we were incredibly lucky with the weather. Other travelers we met had endured non-stop rain during their time in Ao Nang, making it hard to enjoy the beaches. We arrived on the last day of a major storm, and it cleared up beautifully for the rest of our stay. Watching the tropical storm from our hotel room was an experience in itself. The view was stunning, and the rain came down so hard! We opened the windows to our room to soak in the sounds of the storm—it was magical.
The next day, the sun was shining, and praise be because we had booked an Island Hopping Tour. It’s like an “experience charcuterie board” of the local islands! While being shuffled from island to island on a speedboat with a large group wasn’t ideal, we made the most of it by finding quiet spots to enjoy at each stop. I do wish the tours were better staggered to avoid crowding, but tides dictate when boats can access the beaches. (On our 2019 return trip, we learned this the hard way, but that’s a story for another time. 😉)
Despite the crowds, our guides were super friendly, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear blue water was epic.
One highlight of the tour was Maya Bay, which I believe has since been closed to tourists due to littering and ecosystem damage. (This is why we can’t have nice things, people!) Maya Bay was a hot spot for sure, but it genuinely lived up to the hype. The buoyant water and dramatic cliffs surrounding the bay made it a surreal experience. I think I floated in the water for a solid 30 minutes—it was gorgeous.
We spent the rest of our visit exploring local beaches using our rented motor bike, or walking and discovered that our favorite was Railay Beach. You can take a quick long-tail boat ride from the main beach to get there, and it’s worth every second. The shore is lined with boat vendors selling fresh coconuts, drinks, and food—think food trucks, but boats! It’s paradise.
Side note: When eating lunch on the beach, watch out for the water monitors! They’re massive, surprisingly fast, and territorial when it comes to food. Also, as tempting as it may be, do not feed the monkeys. They’re adorable (especially the babies), but the locals don’t appreciate it when tourists interfere with the wildlife. Observing them from a safe distance is a much better experience for everyone involved.
Other highlights of our time in Krabi included affordable beachside massages, exploring the vibrant night market, and dining at restaurants with stunning sunset views. Overall, it was an incredible experience, and Ao Nang was my top pick for our return trip in 2019.
Thailand is an amazing country with so much to offer—vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and food that’s to die for! Honestly, the hardest part is just getting yourself there. But once you do, you’ll find an affordable paradise packed with incredible experiences. Whether you’re zipping through the chaos of Bangkok, floating in crystal-clear waters, or soaking up the laid-back vibes of Chiang Mai, Thailand has a way of stealing your heart. If you’ve been daydreaming about Thailand but aren’t sure how to make it happen, I’d love to help you plan the perfect trip! From picking the best spots to figuring out the details, I can help take the stress out of planning so you can focus on soaking up every moment of your adventure. Either way, I just hope you go!
Don’t just dream it—live it! Love, Mel
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