Experiencing the Essence of Thailand: A Day-by-Day Guide

Beautifully stunning and exotically renown, Thailand is a myriad of everything from culture and nature at a moderate pace to the pulsating, non-stop pace of the modern cities and cosmopolitan, newly erected shopping structures. From beautiful beaches lined with silky sand and lush emerald green mountains and hills, to the magnificent gilded temples and throbbing nightlife, Thailand is both exotic and familiar on a number of degrees. With such desirable characteristics, it's no wonder that Thailand is a top-notch destination for millions of travelers. The immense number of travelers, however, can be intimidating and partially obscure some of the initial enthusiasm for travel to this Southeast Asian jewel, especially for those who have never prior traveled there. So is it possible for such travelers to execute a first-time plan to Thailand and experience the nostalgias of this nation? Yes, it is! Not only may first-time travelers journey there, but you can also experience a Thailand rarely seen by the majority of travelers, let alone first-timers. With this guide, you'll be able to immerse yourself into the depths of this riveting realm to experience it as natives would - from the utmost obscure locations off typical travelers' maps to the best deals. So let's begin the journey, shall we?

Day 1: Hometown flight to Bangkok, Thailand (aka Krung Thep): Sawadee kha/krap! It's 8 a.m. and you're sitting at the Oriental Bangkok Hotel (mandarinoriental.com; doubles: $390-400) in the not-yet-stifling heat, eating a plate of pad thai and watching the longboats cut slowly through the water. It's difficult to imagine that only 15 hours prior, you were traveling from Bangkok's newly constructed Suvarnabhumi Airport and being driven in a taxi (approximately 30 minutes to the Oriental) to your hotel before collapsing. Bangkok is a fascinating place to begin your journey, since so much of what you experience here - from the general friendliness of the people and the efficiency of the infrastructure to the particular blend of heat and sugar that distinguishes the flavors of this region. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by the West. For another, it alone among its neighbors is still ruled by a King. One of the great pleasures of this trip will be charting not only the similarities but also the differences - sometimes subtle, sometimes surprisingly profound - among these countries and cultures that lie in such close proximity to one another and whose histories are so inextricable.

The foremost thing you'll probably notice about this city of 9 million is its apparently seamless marriage of the old and the new. If last night's trip from the airport had you zooming over pristine elevated highways, this morning's ten-minute drive to your first stop, the Wat Traimitr complex, send you creeping through Chinatown, whose streets are faced with examples of beautiful old architecture, often with a distinctive Portuguese flair. The complex is home to a number of temples, the largest of which houses one of Thailand's most prized national treasures, the Golden Buddha, a five and a half ton icon that was constructed in the 13^th century and rediscovered only in 1955, encased in a crust of stucco. Crowds of tourists mill past the great statue, talking and laughing as if at a cocktail party. Before entering the temple, purchase a stalk of heavy-headed, freshly picked lotus flowers to lay in front of the statue. Muscle your way through the thick crowd and to the front and spend a few moments in the gleam of the long-limbed, graceful Buddha (Thailand is mainly a Buddhist nation). Experience the awe and prestige of this nation's religious symbol, and perhaps purchase a few sticks of incense to light in front of the Buddha prior to your leave.

By 9:45 a.m. you're en route to the flower and vegetable market, which provides a crash course in the diversity of Thailand's colors, scents, and flavors, not to mention its fecundity. Go through the main thoroughfare of the flower market, where the breadth of offerings is so extravagant that it seems almost comical: Every few paces there are vendors stringing thick garlands of achingly fragrant, pearly Arabian jasmine or jamming clumps of furled, shell-pink lotus flowers into overstuffed plastic buckets - which, as you'll see, are as plentiful throughout the region as dandelions. A 15 minute stroll takes you to the produce end of the market, where the visual feast begins all over again: baskets of fiery bird's-eye chiles; containers of pale-green cabbages; eggplant and watercress arranged like jewels on plastic sheets. Spend time in the midst of the stalls and enjoy this casual familiarity of Thai natives. As transfixing as the bustling market is, however, tear yourself away by 10:45 for the 15 minute drive to your next stop, the Grand Palace, a vast compound of palaces and temples, one of which holds the country's most important image, the Emerald Buddha. At 11:00 a.m., the crowd isn't as concentrated as in the early morning, but intensifying heat is to be anticipated. Go to the Wat Phra Kaeo Museum,, wherein resides a small, well-presented collection of royal treasures, including intricately worked betel-juice bowls and coins from the kingdom of Siam, the precursor to modern Thailand. Take in the luxuries of this collection and the vast, ornate architecture of the Grand Palace. After exiting the museum, walk down a short pathway to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is busy with more than 100 buildings and stupas, most of them blindingly gold and all of them fantastically vibrant. Make your way under the scaffolding into the Emerald Buddha Pavilion (cameras aren't allowed, but at any rate, you'll most likely be too caught up in the dazzle and splendor to care). This is a stop that a visitor, first-time or not, won't want to skip, due to the marble-lined floor, glossy red lacquered ceiling, and walls painted with scenes from the Buddha's life. At the front of the room, upon a shining throne, is the 2 feet tall Buddha, made not of emerald, but rather of jade in a dark forest green hue. Wander the grounds a few more minutes before leaving, in search of something to substantiate your, by that time, ravishing hunger, and to quench your parched throat. Go to the nearby S&P, where entrees are only $6-$12, and where you'll be given the opportunity to try the extremely delectable sticky rice and mango dessert and a refreshing glass of icy lemongrass juice.

Once you've had a chance to fill up on the number of delicious items at the S&P and watch Thai life go by, make your way towards an unforgettable boat ride down the renowned Chao Phraya river (Bangkok's wide and busy waterway). Clamber into one of the long, flat boats and buzz down either Bangkok Noi or Dao Kanong canals for a tour of the city's water streets, neighborhoods of houses whose facades front the street and whose back porches face the water. As you cut through these narrow channels, past wooden houses on stilts and plumeria trees made colorful by great bursts of vandal orchids, you'll be reminded of how much Southeast Asia prizes and depends on proximity to great bodies of water. Stop by the Royal Barges Museum, where you can admire the ceremonial boats before climbing back into the boat to complete a 40 minute ride. After this serene ride down the Chao Phraya, it'll be nearly 3 p.m., a time when the heat is nearly unbearable. Take a taxi to one of Bangkok's numerous (and legal) spas, such as the affordable Ruen Nuad (42 Convent Rd.) for a massage and facial. Most hotels also offer spas, such as the Oriental Bangkok, but it's recommended that you book those the evening before as they do fill up quickly. The spa will take up anywhere between one and a half to two hours, so that by the time you've experienced a calming and soothing pampering treatment, dinner time would have arrived (Thais, as in most other Southeast Asian cultures, eat dinner around 6). Go to the Suan Lum Night Market, one of Bangkok's most popular bazaars, or the more frenetic Chatuchak Bazaar. There, you'll encounter a range of sights and lively scenes, where the evidence of local art and entrepreneurship is everywhere. Grab a plate at one of the innumerable food stalls near the entrance where you'll be able in indulge in savory dishes for low prices (an entire meal, including drinks is less than $8, on average!). Try the absolutely delicious, spicy Som Tum salad (it consists of papaya, black crabs, chilis, and fish sauce; a local favorite) or Nam Tok (palate-riveting sliced strips of beef and sinew in a sauce with shredded papaya and lettuce). Perhaps, if you're daring, try some of the rare delicacies so popular in Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations - fried and sugared/honeyed crickets and other insects. These are surprisingly crunchy and tasty with a high coconut flavor. If you prefer a more formal dinner, delay your visit to the bazaar and make your way instead to one of the multiple restaurants in Siam Square (these are usually $25-35 per person for an entire meal, but prices may range up from there depending on the restaurant). If you do choose to go to these restaurants, but would also desire to experience the lively sights of the night bazaars, don't worry - the bazaars' stores are open well past midnight!

Day 2: Experiencing Bangkok Even Further: Last night, your first night in Bangkok, the City of Angels, was certainly a busy and tiring, albeit highly reverberating one. It's a good thing that you had about 7 or 8 hours of sleep to rejuvenate your senses and energy, because day 2 in Bangkok is jam-packed with just as much, if not more, awe-inspiring sights and scenes, not to mention culture. After all, that's only to be expected of a city composed of 50 districts, exquisite temples, resplendent palaces, and luxurious plazas and shopping centers, right? Start your day early (around 7:45 or 8 a.m. is ideal), because there are a number of locations to journey to and indulge yourself in - and you're not the only one who will be aiming for a place in the excitement of the city! If the previous day was filled to the brim with ancient culture and historic sights of Thailand, this second day will be saturated with a taste of this cosmopolitan metropolis' contemporary aspects - facets that will have most raving and gawking no less than if they were in Paris or Dubai, especially if you're one for shopping and ultimate extravagance. Take a taxi to Siam Square, where very modern boutiques line the walkways, featuring well-decorated and tailored interiors that are just as captivating as the items each boutique feature. Don't spend too much time here, though, because there's much more shopping, or window-shopping if you're not one to spend too much, to be done at one of the 11 extravagant shopping complexes surrounding Siam Square. Take your pick from the 21-acres Siam Paragon (complete with a cinema and massive aquarium), 6 floored Emporium, newly remodeled and enlarged 7 floored Central World Plaza, high-end "designer" Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin Plaza, Erawan Plaza, Peninsular Plaza, immense Siam Discovery Center (which contains the utmost luxurious cinema complete with reclining seats and tables inset with ice buckets!), MBK Centre, Central Plaza, and 5 floored Central City Shopping Complex. Yes, those are only the most popular shopping centers in Bangkok, and all of them feature high-end, luxury shops to rival other renowned international cosmopolitan cities' shops (Celine, Chanel, Christian Dior, Hermes, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Mont Blanc, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gianni Versace, Cartier, Rolex, Ungaro, Prada, Nautica, Lacoste, Jim Thompson's Thai Silk, and Jaspal to name a few); not only that, but all of the plazas are within minutes, if not directly across, from each other! That should make choosing one to go to nothing short of a dilemma. But be sure to make your decision quickly, because all of those centers fill up with crowds quickly! Set aside about 2 (or 3, if you, like me, love to shop) hours to browse, because, even those who aren't ones to shop find themselves caught up in the midst of the brightly lit boutiques, cinemas, in-door gardens, and up-scale restaurants, which often take up more time than anticipated. Have lunch (preferably at 11 a.m.) at one of the many available restaurants (which range from affordable and chic to expensive and trendy), but make sure to get out before noon or 1 p.m. because the office crowds from nearby are sure to fill up the restaurants quickly.

Once you've had your fill of the shops, which will be about noon or 1 p.m., head out of the then-crowded Siam Square area and take a taxi to a small soi off Rama I Road, where you'll be able to enter Jim Thompson's Silk House (now a museum) for a mere, well-spent $2.30. Here you'll encounter a beautiful house constructed in the traditional Thai fashion out of teak wood built on stilts. The inside is lined with marble and his collection features a collection of silk as well as antiques from Cambodia, China, Burma, and, of course, Thai scroll paintings. This excursion will take about half an hour to a full hour, making it nearly 2 p.m. by the time you exit. Now buff yourself on knowledge of Thai culture by visiting the Kamthieng House (also referred to as the Siam Society) on Soi 21, just north of Sukhumvit, where you'll be able to enjoy a glimpse into daily life by way of exhibits and the garden designed like that of the North (which you will visit later on this vacation). They also feature an extensive library and gallery featuring regional culture. This will take another hour of your day, making it 3 p.m. upon your departure towards your hotel. It's now unbearably hot, and the mist of heat has laid itself upon Bangkok's city scene, so make your escape to your air-conditioned hotel, where you may spend the next hour and a half or 2 hours learning to create traditional Thai culinary dishes for just $40 (hotels like the Oriental Bangkok offer such classes). You'll go with about 9-14 others and a guide to shop first-hand for produce and ingredients before returning to the hotel and learning to prepare an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. This provides a couple of nice, relaxing hours parallel to the previous day's spa, or traditional Thai massage. By 6 p.m. you'll be ready to hit the town yet again. Tonight, however, you won't be wandering the night markets, but rather, you'll be attending the infamous, and light-hearted (family-friendly) Tiffany Show where an array of men dressed as women perform popular, well-known songs that will surely get the entire audience caught up in the extravagant costumes, choreography, and dancing. If you prefer something more in-touch with traditional Thai culture, however, opt for the Siam Niramit stage performance, which is just as riveting as any A-rate broadway performance, with its gorgeous Thai costumes and spectacular scenes (this show will remind you of Cirque du Soleil), along with world-class staging, heart-stopping colors and pulsating performances. Either way, anticipate on dedicating two and a half hours to the shows. The end of the performance does NOT signal an end to the night for you though! The night is still young and yours is just beginning. Go to the Rooftop Bar, which sits 88 stories above the Bangkok skyline, where you'll encounter a nostalgic sight of all of Bangkok lit up against the dusky sky. Professional bands and singers perform nightly and there's also a Revolving roof deck. Spend perhaps an hour and leave for a night of clubbing away to pulsating beats and throbs of music at the Glow Club (think alternating fluorescent lights, colorful cocktails, table lit from beneath to give it a "glow", and lounge beds, minimal décor) or the Bed Supperclub (one of Bangkok's trendiest night spots with its elliptical structure, dining lounge with oversized pillows and mattresses, and mezzanine overlooking the dance floor). These clubs are open late, so enjoy the music, drinks, and pulsating rhythm of this side of Thailand that's so far off from the more subdued daytime scene of floating markets and ancient temples. Keep in mind, though, to exit the club at no later than 1:30 a.m., because the next day promises to be an early one, and you'll need all the rest you can get!

Day 3: Last Day in Bangkok: At this point in your Thai vacation, you've seen, firsthand, Bangkok in its opulence and grandeur in relation to ancient temples, palaces, and nature, as well as the completely opposite Bangkok that consists of eccentric clubs with gyrating music and more shops and newly constructed skyscrapers that it's often difficult to tell you're not in New York. The drinks and clubbing just six or seven hours before should have left you in a thrill - and exhaustion. Start this day early; be sure to wake up at 5:20 a.m. and be ready to be out of the hotel by 6 a.m. You should be fairly rested and ready to make the most of your third day in Thailand, and last day in the City of Angels. Alternate yesterday's throbbing pace with a more soothing one to match that of your first day in Bangkok; there isn't a better way to do that than to go on a day-long excursion to the grand site of Thailand's kingdom from 1350 to 1767 A.D. - Ayutthaya (this day excursion should be arranged prior to your flight to Thailand!). A labeled minivan will be at your hotel (if you stay at a major chain, such as the Oriental Bangkok, the Hilton Bangkok, etc.) to pick you up and drive you to a bus station. By 7:30, you'll be on board an air-conditioned and comfortable coach (just 45 Baht, or $1.42!) to the Ayutthaya Province, which is approximately 85 km (52.8 miles) north of Bangkok, a journey that will take about two hours (due to traffic possibilities and frequent stops), making your arrival time about 10 a.m. Depart the bus at Bangpa, which is a nostalgically beautiful site surrounded by botanical gardens, and take a short walk with the other travelers to Ayutthaya's historical sites, such as Wat Prarisanphet. Here you'll have an hour to spare, which is perfect for enjoying the ancient monuments and structures. Make your way around 11 to Wat Pai Lom Pier to await the 11:30 a.m. departure of the King River Cruise (it has an English-speaking staff, but as everywhere else on this vacation, attempt to communicate with hand gestures and basic Thai, which is sure to coax smiles, and more help, from all Thais). The cruise is lengthy, but unarguably leisurely, allowing you a smooth journey down the river, which is lined with Ayutthaya's greatest sites and architecture, as well as the Ram 8 Bridge, Grand Palace, and Graceful Temple of Dawn. Food, beverages, and music will be provided as you take in the breathtaking sights and scenes. This excursion will allow you to float care-freely from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., traveling all the way from Ayutthaya back to The River City Pier in Bangkok, where you will reluctantly depart the cruise with a fiery glow washing the sky in orange hues. A minivan will again transfer you back to your hotel to refresh (and perhaps catch up on a few hours' sleep).

By 7 p.m., you'll be more than ready to take on another evening in the city yet again. At this point, you've seen all sides of Bangkok, moreso than most first-time travelers, and you'll know what you want to spend this last evening doing. So whether you decide to again float the night markets (perhaps you want to frequent another one?), see a different stage performance, or start clubbing the night away, remember to enjoy the thrill of Bangkok's nightlife - something that will trigger wonderful, albeit sometimes odd, memories.

Day 4: Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Awake bright and early around 8 a.m. in order to breathe in just a bit more of the essence of Bangkok before you depart for the northern province of Chiang Mai. Designate approximately 2 hours to visit some of your favorite places in Bangkok (as you'll surely come to realize from the past few days). Perhaps you would like to take some shots of the floating market as it, too, just awakes. Or you could go back and re-experience the undoubted awe of Siam Paragon or the other mega shopping centers so central to Bangkok. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you make the most of the last few hours in this amazing City of Angels.

When you feel that you have sufficiently covered Bangkok and soaked up its riveting nature (though you will most likely feel as if you could spend another week in the city!), make your way back to the hotel in a taxi cab (or if you feel a little daring, take a motorcycle driven by a skilled motorist for about 2/3 the price of cab; the motorcycle could get you to your destination quicker than the taxi). Take a soothing shower, grab your items, and check out of the hotel by 11:30 a.m. Make your way to Suvarnabhumi Airport to catch your 12:45 flight (book it in advance, before you even arrive in Thailand) to Chiang Mai (a short flight of approximately 2 hours), where you can take a shuttle or taxi to your hotel. Chiang Mai is a small city of 210,000 residents, but it has an enormous amount of culture to be experienced, and just about as many hotels. I personally recommend the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi hotel (doubles: $385-$450), which is a marvelous re-creation of a Thai palace, complete with a refreshing pool and wandering water buffalos (don't worry! these gentle animals are safe, and are a natural aspect of the region) in man-made rice paddies. The hotel will provide a true and authentic sense of Chiang Mai!

You have an entire evening ahead of you, since you should arrive in Chiang Mai no later than 3 p.m. Give yourself 2 hours to rest up in the hotel room before you go exploring. I advise you to not go walking around outside around the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. time frame as the sun will be high up and you'll find yourself caught in the midst of a typical heat wave. Instead, enjoy the hotel's air conditioning. Go downtown in the evening, when it'll be slightly cooler, and explore the premises. Downtown Chiang Mai, like Bangkok, has stylish little boutiques, one of which is Ginger, which is side-by-side with a pleasant little café, where you could have dinner for a mere $6-$7 per mouth-watering entrée. If you'd prefer to merely browse the shops, but have dinner elsewhere, no worries. You could always return to a nice dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Le Grand Lanna, where entrees range between $5 - $22. Enjoy your dinner and rest up!

Day 5: Exploring the Lushness of Chiang Mai: Wake up fully rested at 5 a.m. and make your way to the Buddhist temple Wat Sri Soda where you could, if early, catch the monks in their early morning rituals of sweeping the grounds and chanting. A taxicab is the ideal way to make the 30 minute journey there. Prior to making your way to the temple, however, have the taxi drop you off at the local market (the taxi will know a number of markets for your purpose: purchasing items for offerings). At the temple, you will leave offerings of food for one of the monks (any will do), who will, in turn, chant a blessing. If you are female, remember not to touch the monk! Remember to continue your wai during the chant. Afterwards, make your way down the mountain upon which the temple majestically sits, and encounter multiple small food stands to the sides of the stairs down the mountain. You may purchase packets of rice to distribute to the lines of young monks also descending the mountainside. Feeding the monks (distributing the packets of rice as alms) is a method of accumulating merit that has been practiced by the people of Chiang Mai (and the rest of Thailand, for the most part) for ages, in both good and bad times. It is a daily morning ritual to the devout. Since you will be there early, you'll have the opportunity to just stand and view this tranquil scene of numerous residents quietly giving alms to a line of monks, whose chanting provides a calming and pure soundtrack to the scene before your eyes. Perhaps a few photos to capture the moment and memory?

Return to the hotel by around 7 a.m. or 8, just in time for a scrumptious Thai breakfast. The fried rice is delicious, or you may want to opt for the rice porridge, often steaming hot and savory with shrimp and herbs. After breakfast, shower, then head to meet a tour guide (booked in advance, say, when you were in Bangkok) at 9:30 a.m., who will take you along for a 45 minute drive to the renown tribal villages of Chiang Mai. You just can't visit Chiang Mai without visiting these tribal villages (arguably the core essence of this northern province)! The landscape that will greet you during your drive is a beautiful and breathtaking one - velvety mountains, dense teak trees, and endless flowers. You won't want the drive, itself, to end, but alas, it must, as you will shortly arrive in the hill tribes of the Lisu and the Karen (just 2 of 6 hill tribes in northern Thailand). Your first destination for what will be an undoubtedly unforgettable day is Mae Mae (home of the Karen people). Along the way there, you will see roadside stands selling savory snacks, which, despite your breakfast not even 3 hours ago, you won't want to pass up. One of the snacks up for sale (which I highly recommend) is a long bamboo tube filled with steaming and sweet sticky rice that will surely leave you craving more (so buy two!). You will shortly reach the Karen village where you will see women and girls sitting at looms, making beautiful and praise-worthy loose-woven, bi-color shawls and scarves (they will be sold for a mere $10; definitely souvenirs you would want to take home with you). The Karen are also well-known for their metallurgy (gorgeous silver jewelry). Next, make your way down to the Lisu tribe (about 20 minutes away from the Karen tribe), where the residents wear the tribe's colors of green, blue, and black. The children are known for selling woven-thread bracelets, which make wonderful gifts.

By around 1 p.m., head back to town and make a quick stop along the way at Mae Malai Market, which is where the locals shop for food. Papayas the length of a person's forearm, freshly harvested honeycomb, and roasted insects (again we see this Thai delicacy snack food: grubs, grasshoppers, ant's egg sacs, beetles) are all up for sale. Perhaps you may want to just browse around without making a purchase. Don't worry about having to settle for insects for lunch if your stomach isn't up for it! Tap Tim Grub Ja Oun (a casual restaurant on the edge of town) may have meals more suited for your palette (think pad thai and mango with sticky rice). After lunch, go for an afternoon nap at the hotel or a leisurely swim in the pool until evening (6 p.m.) when you can head to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep which is upon the mountain Doi Suthep. You can reach the temple by its 304 steps staircase, or by a small cable car. I suggest trying both (take the cable car going up, and the stairs going down). In the evening when you'll visit the temple, it'll be quiet with few visitors, so the monks' nightly chanting can be heard uninterrupted. The chanting will be sure to draw you in until its end after an hour, when you can head back at 8 p.m., just in time for dinner. A nice place frequented by the young is Dalaabaa, where entrees are only $3 - $8. The restaurant will gladly call you a cab to anywhere, so ask for Fashion House. Most think of Chiang Mai as tribal villages and cultural handi-crafts, but, as most natives will tell you, Chiang Mai, like the rest of Thailand, is quickly maturing. Clubs are just as abundant. Fashion House, where you're headed, is a two-room club (hip-hop room and techno room) featuring a good DJ and live music.

Day 6: Last Day in Chiang Mai: Wake up anytime before 8 a.m. and grab a leisurely breakfast. After all, this is your last day in Chiang Mai. This day is your last opportunity to make the most of Chiang Mai, taking in the most prominent sights and really immersing yourself in the region. However, don't jampack your day to the fullest extent; instead, plan a maximum of 3 destinations (all of which should be in relatively close proximity to one another) and make it a leisurely day. I recommend going to the Tribal Museum, Sbun-Nga Textile Museum, and the Night Bazaar. After breakfast, take a taxicab to the Tribal Museum in Northern Chiang Mai, on the outskirts of the city. There the octagonal museum houses a multitude of handicrafts, jewelry, costumes, musical instruments, and other items rich in culture and history. This is an excellent opportunity to gain more knowledge of the many tribes of Northern Thailand, as provided by the informative displays showing each tribe's cultural features and background. The informative video only runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., so you'll be in perfect timing to view it. No worries there! The museum will take up approximately 2 hours of your time, more or less depending on your interest in the matter. You can probably leave the museum fully satisfied by about 11:30 or noon, after which you can grab lunch. Perhaps you already have a favorite eatery in mind? It will be extremely hot by 1 p.m., as you will have surely come to realize by this time in your travel through Thailand, so head back to the hotel to cool off until about 3 p.m. Though it will still be hot, it won't be as unbearable as before, so you will be able to head to the Th Wualai Area to see the Sbun-Nga Textile Museum. The museum is not to be missed by anyone, especially those interested in art, culture, and history, not to mention fashion. Though the museum is only 3 years old, it houses 20 years worth of northern Thai textiles! The stunning displays of actual textiles, as well as photographs, accessories, and furniture will surely have you whipping out your camera at least once. You will be out of the museum by 5 p.m., or 6 p.m. at the latest, so you can head straight for the hotel for a change of outfit (which is highly recommended due to the extreme weather conditions you've been exposed to) before heading out for a night on the town. You will spend your last night in Chiang Mai in the Night Bazaar Area, where (go figure) the thriving Night Bazaar is located. The several blocks that is the market features a myriad of roofed concession areas, regular shops, and street vendors - just the atmosphere in which you can purchase anything, from designer goods (both real and - shush! - fake) to Thai goods such as northern Thai hand-woven fabrics, opium scales (no opium though!), silver jewelry (remember the Karen people?), woodcarvings, iron and bronze Buddha statues, and plenty more. Whether or not you purchase anything, the sights will surely be satisfactory enough; most travelers to the Night Bazaar, however, find it difficult not to splurge on at least one item! Here you can find stalls selling delicious (and cheap) foods for dinner. However, don't get too caught up and forget the time! You have another flight ahead of you the next day, so you'll need your rest. Be back at the hotel by 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. at the very latest.

Day 7: Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Upon waking up, you will immediately think of plans for further sightseeing in Chiang Mai until you realize that Hua Hin awaits. Get up, have breakfast, and check out - steps getting you closer to the relaxing beaches of Thailand's royal beach resort. Throughout this trip, you have been using the air as your method of transportation. Now is the perfect time for a change of pace. There are a number of ways to get from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin, but it's nice to opt for the railway. Chiang Mai in the north to Hua Hin in the central region is a bit far apart, however, so let's combine transportation methods here. Take a short flight from Chiang Mai back to Bangkok (take a 10 a.m. flight to get there by noon) and then take one of the several daily trains from Bangkok to Hua Hin (a combination that will be much quicker than taking a train directly from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin). Train remains a highly popular and well-regulated transportation method for Thais of all classes, and is a perfectly safe and scenic method for locals and travelers alike. Head to Hua Lamphong Station (the major train station in Bangkok) to purchase a ticket for 1st, 2^nd (380 Baht or $11.35), or 3^rd (100 Baht or $3.00) class. I recommend taking 2^nd class which is air-conditioned and on the Express train. This shouldn't take more than an hour, so you can be in Hua Hin by 1:30 p.m.

Hua Hin is a luxurious and extremely beautiful resort town since the 1920s when it was discovered by King Rama VII. Since then, Hua Hin has been a royal favorite and a frequent destination of the upper class. Now, it also welcomes a number of travelers from all over, as well. With a 5-mile long beach and countless resorts and excellent seafood, Hua Hin will be an easy favorite of your vacation. After arriving in Hua Hin, take one of the many awaiting taxis to the hotel you booked in advance (prior to arriving in Thailand). The Anantara Resort Hua Hin (complete with a spa) is a 5-star choice with pleasant service and amenities (rooms: $130 - $794), perfect for every budget due to its wide range of rates. Check in, take a quick shower, and rest up. You still have time to fit in a quick excursion before dinner. Take a cab to visit the majestic Phra Nakhon Khiri Park, located in the Amphroe Muang Phetchaburi vicinity. The park consists of a mountain upon which are royal palaces, halls, wats, and buildings. A museum is also available. The park is just absolutely stunning and indescribable - not to be missed! You could spend hours in Phra Nakhon Khiri Park, but make sure to be back at the resort by 8 p.m., because you're sure to be hungry. The resort has delicious meals on hand, but it would be an ideal experience to walk along the beach, where there are several restaurants.

Day 8: Last Day in Hua Hin: Wake up bright and early (say 7 a.m. at the latest, which won't be difficult due to the lovely sunshine and breezes from the nearby ocean!) and get ready for a relaxing massage at the resort's spa. Afterwards, take a pre-lunch walk along the beach. You can even rent a jetski or banana boat to ride in the water! Afterwards, have lunch and prepare to get in touch with the water! You didn't expect to go to Hua Hin and just stay on land, did you? After all, Hua Hin is known for its shimmering turquoise waters! There are a number of day trips available in Hua Hin, including fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling/diving. If you really want to cool off and get an unforgettable memory of Hua Hin, opt for the diving and snorkeling trip. Local travel agencies can arrange this for you (in advance of course!). A popular location to initiate this day trip is Ko Thalu which is a small island consisting of two caves with several points for viewing corals and sea flowers. The island is beautiful in that it has a hole through its limestone rocks - from which the name is derived. The tour will take you around and through the island, allowing you the perfect opportunity to don your scuba gear and jump in! Upon returning to the resort, take a shower and head out for some evening shopping! Hua Hin, being a resort town, doesn't have any major shopping centers or malls, but that's where its charm comes in. Despite its lack of malls, Hua Hin has several lively markets, such as the Hua Hin Bazaar, which, unlike many of the other markets, is there daily. It sits 100 meters west of the beach and features several shops offering everything local, from shells to dried fish. From Naresdamri Road to Chomsin Road, you will find restaurants and tailors offering prime window shopping experiences, even if you don't purchase anything. An evening stroll along the beach is an ideal way to end the night and to say good-bye to Hua Hin.

Day 8: Hua Hin to Bangkok to Hometown: Take the train back up to Bangkok and arrive there by 10:30 a.m. Head to Suvarnabhumi Airport for you international flight back to your hometown. Hopefully, your vacation has been smooth. As the flight ascends into the air, you leave Bangkok feeling nostalgic for the serene temples, luxurious malls, and leisurely beach, but you also leave satisfied - perhaps a luggage of souvenirs, a camera full of photos, and above all, a mind full of memories. Sawatdee ka/krup (good-bye Thailand)!