Winter is coming and you might be wondering where to escape to for an exotic winter holiday experience, somewhere to tick off your bucket list.
So we spoke with our travel partners at Idle Travel to spill the tea on two long haul destinations where you can experience amazing cultures and get the best winter sun. The suggestions offer real adventures.
Here’s what they told us.
Thailand:
Azure waters lap the edges of sugar-sand beaches. Sizzling food fills street markets with mouth-watering smells. Palaces glitter and temples inspire. Elephants splash through lakes and waterfalls pockmark spinach-green rainforests. Travel in Thailand offers countless life-changing experiences.
When to go to Thailand
Thailand’s best weather is between November and February, making these months a good time to travel. The Christmas holidays are a very popular time for package tourists, so be wary of this if you want to avoid crowds.
Where to go in Thailand
Culture seekers can explore the glittering palaces, gilded temples and bustling night markets of Bangkok or uncover some of Thailand’s most ancient treats at Sukhothai.
Those looking for something more adventurous can trek through the jungles and hills in the north of the country to meet the tribal villages or head to one of the islands scattered around the mainland to scuba dive or kayak in and out of the karsts piercing through the water’s surface.
Wildlife spotting in Thailand
Sun bear, tiger and leopard can be spied in the thick forest of Khaosok National Park. Monkeys set up home in the crumbling temples. Ethical elephant experiences can be found across the country. Thailand’s wildlife is incredible, and it’s well worth seeking it out on a trip there.
Food and drink in Thailand
Thai food has become increasingly popular over the years, and rightly so. With pad thai (noodles smothered with egg, peanuts and fish sauce), coconut-flavoured curries and a variety of rice dishes to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. A great place to sample authentic Thai cuisine is at the food markets, where you can pick at treats from each stand while soaking up the atmosphere.
Vietnam:
Vietnam boasts stunning landscapes – the karst outcrops of Halong Bay and the hilltribe-settled mountains around Sapa. Beaches, charming colonial towns, the fascinating villages of the Mekong Delta and lush national parks also beckon.
Windsurf at Mui Ne, chill on tropical Phu Quoc Island, roam the historic streets of Hoi An, delve into the Viet Cong tunnels at Cu Chi and settle in for a water-puppet show in capital Hanoi. Explore the hills around Ninh Binh, visit the Cham temples of Quy Non or meet the tribes of Ba Be National Park.
When to go to Vietnam
Climate is complicated by regional differences and two monsoons – the northern three-quarters of Vietnam get wet and cool October-March, while the south is warm and dry; making it a perfect time to visit the south for winter sun.
Where to stay in Vietnam
Hostels, guesthouses and hotels are all part of the accommodation scene (though not, largely, camping). Homestays are increasingly popular, and can offer great opportunities for living among the minority peoples of the central and northern highlands.
Vietnam food and drink
Vietnam’s cuisine is diverse and delicious. Best known flavours include pho bo (beef noodle soup), spring rolls – either translucent or fried – and the ubiquitous nuoc mam, a powerful fermented fish sauce. The French colonial influence means tasty breakfasts with strong coffee and baguettes. Bia hoi – glasses of beer served on tap from barrels – is the most common hooch, tea is the rival to coffee for most-common daytime drink.
This is a mere snapshot of Thailand and Vietnam. For more information and winter sun suggestions you need to speak with Tony and his team of travel experts at Idle Travel
Call Idle Travel today on 01274 619141 and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all the latest travel hot spots and news.
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