There are those who believe it is not summer until one has visited the beach. It makes for an even better summer if that beach is in another country.
This June, my family decided to plan a summer vacation; we visited the infamous Phuket Island, Thailand.
Phuket, Thailand is not far away from my home country. It took us the time of a football game to reach the island’s international airport by plane.
As expected, Phuket is a tourist’s capital. Any visitor can easily find other travelers from 10 different countries by simply looking across the busy streets in the Phuket Town.
One could say the tourists are the soul of the island.
The Phuket residents are mainly Thai; yet, most of them are fluent in English. Fortunately, communication is not a huge issue for most tourists.
Continue Reading this wonderful review of Phuket
Phuket, Thailand offers beautiful beaches for relaxing vacation
Free Drinks for All Ladies Every Thursday at Saboey Beach Resort
Thursday is the ladies' day at Saboey resort and Villas, come and join! Relax and have a good time. Enjoy one of Saboey's delicious cocktail in chillout and sunset ambiance. Drinks are free for all ladies from 6.00pm to 8.30pm.
SABOEY
Saboey is a beautiful, secluded resort in the beautiful island of Koh Samui in Thailand, designed to maximise serenity, space and privacy.
Definitely one of the best boutique hotels in Koh Samui.
Koh Samui Airport Car Hire Guide
The Koh Samui Airport is named as the most beautiful airport of all, mostly by the travelers who have gone all around the world. This airport can be found in the island of the same name in Thailand. The city center is the Chaweng Village and it is a two-kilometre ride from the airport. This airport seems different because it doesn't have any indoors. The only building with a roof around here is a gift shop.
The main attraction of the island is of course, the beautiful Koh Samui beach resorts d all the natural wonders surrounding it. The whole place is a paradise perfect for royalties. To travel around the island, you can rent different kinds of vehicles such as a jeep, a car, or a motorcycle. Taxis are easily available as well, but haggling is the key to arrive at the best possible price. The whole area is indeed a great travel destination. However, given that fact, you can quite assume that things could get a little pricey around here.
There are buses running around the island all day. But they stop the service at 11pm. If you are going to travel at a later time, you have to take the taxi. The buses here are trucks with roofs and you sit right there on the top for that perfect view of the city.
Tourists are most advised to get their own vehicle while here. There are many car hire providers available such as Sixt, Avis, and Budget. It is relatively cheaper to hire a car than to use the public transport all the time. Try to book a vehicle before your estimate time of arrival so that the company can prepare your car at the airport's parking lot.
The Koh Samui Island is referred to as most beautiful tropical island of Southeast Asia. From the airplane view, you will easily see all the nice things that the island can offer its guests. Koh Samui is surrounded by smaller groups of islands and it has a good a surfing area. Fishing crafts are parked across the ports along the enticing and calm aquamarine sea, which is mostly the reason why tourists fly over here. Koh Samui is located off the Thailand Gulf.
Compiled by Eamonn Turley
Koh Samui, Thailand - The Best Destination
Considering a backpacking trip to Thailand? Here are some ideas for your itinerary.
One Week: If you only have one week in Thailand, you will have to make sacrifices on what you will be able to see. The most common route would be to spend a few days in Bangkok, checking out the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and getting familiar with the Thai culture. The remainder of the trip could be spent on one of the numerous beach locations Thailand has to offer.
Catch a cheap flight to Either Phuket or Ko Samui to relax on the beach for a few days. From Ko Samui you could spend a few days at Ko Pha Ngan if you wanted to attend the full moon party (book accommodation well in advance if you are trying to go to the full moon party). From Phuket, you could spend a few days on the beautiful island of Ko Phi Phi, relaxing on the beach or going snorkeling.
Two weeks: With two weeks in Thailand, you will be able to the vast majority of what Thailand has to offer. Again your trip will most likely start in Bangkok.
If you want to do the beach circuit, catch the bus or a cheap flight to Phuket. Spend a day in Phuket, before heading to Ko Phi Phi. From Ko Phi Phi, catch a ferry to the Krabi region and spend some spend rock climbing and snorkeling. From Krabi take the bus to Surat Thani, to catch the Ferry to head to Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, before heading back to Bangkok to conclude your trip.
Another option is to visit Northern Thailand, but still spend some time on the beach. Again start in Bangkok before catching the train to Chiang Mai. While in Chiang Mai, visit local native hill tribes, go on elephant rides, go bamboo rafting, take Thai cooking classes, and visit the Sunday Market. From Chiang Mai you can choose to either visit Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, or Phuket, Ko Phi Phi and Krabi. The easiest way is to catch a cheap flight from Chiang Mai to either Ko Samui or Phuket.
One Month: With one month in Thailand you can visit almost every corner of the country. Along with all the destinations previously mentioned, you can also visit the white sand beaches of Ko Samet and Ko Chang. To the East of Bangkok, these destinations are much quieter than the beach destinations in Southern Thailand. Ko Chang is a good place to visit if you are into scuba diving. Or view more beach resorts in Thailand
Another destination that is possible to visit is Ko Tao. A short ferry ride from Ko Pha Ngan, this sleepy island also has some excellent scuba diving, and can be a peaceful break from the craziness of the full moon party.
Unfortunately, due to Bangkok's central location and the fact that it is the transportation hub of Thailand, you will have to backtrack if you want to see all corners of the country. If you are willing to take some discount flights, it can help to eliminate the long backtracking journeys.
Credits: Matt Blaschuk
Foreign Office advises Britons to avoid Thailand travel
Britons have been warned by the Foreign Office to avoid all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand.
It said the advice "reflects the increasing tension" and fears that violent incidents are occurring across the country, not just in Bangkok.
It follows a series of blasts near a large encampment of anti-government protesters in Bangkok last week, which was already the subject of a warning.
Britons already in Thailand are advised to stay indoors and monitor the media.
And they have been urged to regularly check Foreign Office travel advice.
Britons already in the country have also been advised to consider whether it is essential to travel within Bangkok, the country's capital, and to take alternative routes where possible.
Many rail and coach services to Suvarnabhumi airport pass through the city's centre.
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Koh Samui Beach Resort Review
A Review of Saboey Resort and Villas
Saboey is a beautiful, secluded resort in the beautiful island of Koh Samui in Thailand, designed to maximise serenity, space and privacy.
Let's hear what the travelers have to say about Koh Samui Beach Resorts particularly Saboey.
Courtesy of tripadvisor.com
“A relaxing and beautiful resort in a great location on Koh Samui” - London
The Saboey is a great hotel, and we had a brilliant few days there. The rooms are large and beautifully laid out and the gardens are picture perfect. The view from the infinity pool is really lovely, and I would highly recommend the massage ladies on the beach round the corner from the hotel - very cheap amazing massages.
“A little gem....” - Nottingham
Having stayed previously on Samui we knew that we wanted to stay near Big Buddha, as we were also going to take some time over on Koh Phanang. We booked a suite and were not dissapointed. Our elevated balcony looked out directly towards Koh Phanang - the view was amazing - and our room was large, clean and airey.
For us the location was great - although the airport is nearby this wasn't a problem - and the resort was very peaceful, with direct access to the beach.
Breakfast was hearty and could be taken by the pool bar (watch out for the mozzies) or down on the beach.
Staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. A great little resort to relax.
Seattle TourismFeatures unbiased travel reviews ofhotels, restaurants, and tourist attraction along with articles about history, culture and weather.
Koh Samui Spa - The Ultimate Relaxation
Koh Samui has always attracted people looking for a place to unwind and relax. Even before spas came into existence, several new age centers were already established. In Thailand there are alternative venues which offer opportunities for meditation, but still the demand for sophisticated luxurious spa resorts are increasing day by day. However, this is the perfect place where you can explore all kinds of de-stressing body treatments, traditional massage, and Asian beauty secrets.
Spa treatments have become the ideal option to unwind and get rejuvenated. With the ever increasing work pressure and hectic schedules, people are now going on holidays for spa treatments. Koh Samui spa resorts that promise its guests a wide range of therapies and beauty treatments. You can pamper yourself with everything ranging from traditional Thai massage to different kinds of exotic treatments and massages with special scrubs and oils that are imported from many places across the globe.
Experience the spas of Koh Samui Beach Resorts
While planning your holiday in Thailand, you can ask your travel agent to help you in getting the best spa holiday packages. All such packages generally include health management, detoxification of the body, rejuvenation, fasting and weight-loss programs. The spa resorts offer excellent massage services in a green and calm setting.
Billionaire Playgrounds 2010
Where the world's super-rich go for fun.
Stressful times typically call for big vacations, but the tough economic climate has forced some families to find enjoyment closer to home this year. The same isn't true for the world's billionaires. Although some have seen their net worth shrink, many continue to visit their personal getaways to escape from their high-profile lives.
The location of these luxury destinations is a matter of personal taste.
Some, like Oprah Winfrey, enjoy the Caribbean heat. Despite owning a 60-acre Maui getaway and a 42-acre estate in Montecito, Calif., Oprah occasionally yearns for the serenity created by the crystal-clear Caribbean water and the region's perfect palm trees. To calm this urge she visits her coastline playground on Antigua, where Eric Clapton and Giorgio Armani are among her famous neighbors.
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Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand
Meaningful weddings start with choosing an astonishing and stunning wedding destination. When it comes to wedding destinations, people daydream of far off places like Thailand. Weddings in Thailand are becoming more and more popular and this offers something a bit unusual for those who want to escape the stress and pressure involved in many conventional weddings. Weddings in Thailand make the exchange of “I dos” a truly unforgettable moment. After all, isn’t that the happy ending couples have been waiting for all along?
Weddings in Thailand- When?
A particularly popular time to get wedded in Thailand is during Valentine’s Day on a tropical island beach. The whisk of the warm afternoon sand between your toes; the natural harmony of the sea as it gently cuddles the shore; standing hand-in-hand, with the one you love, committing to one another completely. Sound like a passionate dream? As you will discover on Koh Samui weddings, wedding dreams do come true.
Continue Reading Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand
The Top Destinations of The Year
As we continue to reel from the effects of the recession and dig deep as our travel budgets have moved from minted to skinted, we ask ourselves some difficult questions.
- Should we shorten our holiday?
- Should we become more cost savvy and consider an all inclusive option?
- Should we even consider staying in the UK with the horrific thought of cowering against the relentless rain?
- Or are there ways to cheat the bad Euro while cashing in on a totally different travel experience?
Most of us are willing to travel further to escape the eurozone, so we have compiled our Top 10 Destinations by researching destinations outside the eurozone that offer a totally different travel experience, in some of the most amazing corners of our planet.
Read on The Top Destinations of The Year
Koh Samui Beach Resorts: Things to do in and around
Koh Samui beach resorts are only behind Phuket in terms of popularity and visitor numbers for Thai resorts. And there is good reason for that, despite years of chronic over-development the island retains much of its natural beauty and picture postcard beaches. Travel to and from the island is easy with regular international and domestic flights direct to the island as well as regular ferry crossings from Surat Thani.
There is a huge choice of accommodation around the island to suit varying budgets, although the trend is to develop more and more upscale resorts. The main beach is Chaweng, which is a long stretch of beautiful white sand. Chaweng town is very built up with resorts stretching most of the length of the beach and shops, bars and restaurants line the streets behind. Quieter beaches can be found along the north of the island. Bophut has a more rustic, family atmosphere, although the beaches aren't so good.
There is a lot to do to occupy yourself in Koh Samui, whether you choose to hire a car, bike or use local transportation. (WARNING - If you chose to hire any equipment be it a car, motorbike, jet ski etc do your research beforehand and only use reputable hirers. There are known to be many scams operating in Thailand where the hirer will try to charge you an extortionate amount to repair minor scratches that you probably didn't put there. Such situations have been known to turn nasty. Do a Google search to read more about this).
So here's a rundown of the main activities:
Visiting temples - One of the highlights of most people's visits to Thailand is visiting a few temples, and Samui is no exception. The most famous is Big Buddha at Big Buddha beach. A short climb to the top of the temple offers some good views out to sea. There are also some rather gimmicky fortune telling machines and you can buy a brick to contribute towards the construction of new temple buildings. Another well known temple is Wat Khunaram which contains the mummified body of a local monk. Located along the southern stretch of the ring road, this is worth a quick stop off.
Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand
A particularly popular time to get married in Thailand is on Valentine's Day on a tropical island beach. The stir of the warm afternoon sand between your toes; the natural harmony of the sea as it gently cuddles the shore; standing hand-in-hand, with the one you love, committing to one another completely. Sound like a passionate dream? As you will discover on Koh Samui weddings, dreams can come true.As posted on Articleoutpost : Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand
Christine Saboey is a food and travel enthusiast for over 14 years. She began her travel adventures at the age of 14 with a round the world trip across ten countries. Recently she joined and spearheaded events related to Weddings in Thailand.
