If you’re looking for an exotic Spring Break destination, consider the tropical paradise of Thailand. Whatever your age or disposition, you’ll find plenty to do from the adventurous to the downright decadent. Unwind on the picturesque beaches where you can pamper yourself with massages and pedicures, snorkel and canoe around the many gorgeous islands, or live it up with countless strangers at the famous monthly “Full Moon” parties.

Many of our RealTravelers have traveled to all corners of this beautiful country, chronicling their adventures along the way. Here are a few small excerpts of their trips to help inspire you when planning your own:

KevHolls had a blast stopping in many places around Thailand. Here are their impressions of Chiang Mai:

“It’s early morning and I’m writing this while watching the sun rise over the Ping River from an outside computer at our amazing little guesthouse we found tucked down a small little street away from the bustling streets of the city…yesterday we ordered pad thai (of course) and Singha (the beer of Thailand) and when we realized how cheap it was ($4.00 US) we added in an order of banana pancakes too. These were TO DIE FOR! We are now on a constant mission to find them, which really isn’t hard seeing that they serve them at pretty much every restaurant in Chiang Mai.”

Then they took advantage of the famous Thai massages:

“150 baht ($3) for a 60 minute Thai massage…we had our first Thai massage and foot reflexology - $6 for both of us. Thai massage is wonderful! They put pretty much all of their body weight onto you and there is a lot of stretching and cracking. It is the best type of massage both Kevin and I have ever had. You feel like a new person afterward.” (more…)

Kyle and Dan dove into the pristine Thailand waters to scuba dive and snorkel:

“Maya Beach is located on Koh Phi Phi Leh and was made famous by the film ‘The Beach’ with Leonardo Di Caprio. There are also several smaller islands nearby including Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island. All of these islands are located in the Andaman Sea which at this moment in time is possibly our favourite body of water. The water was very clear and a beautiful shade of turquoise and there were many living coral reefs located around the islands…the ferry trip to the islands presented us with wonderful views of the islands, with many limestone rock formations jutting up out of the sea. We were astounded by the beauty as we approached the two main islands. The hot and sunny weather was perfect all week and helped fulfill our desire for tropical paradise.” (more…)

For more inspiration, explore our Thailand Travel Guide where you will find plenty of travel blogs and stunning photos.

Resources:

Phuket Hotels
Bangkok Hotels
Shopping in Bangkok
Beach Holidays in Thailand

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As spring break approaches, and you take that much needed sigh of relief, one major question looms: how are you going to spend your time off? Normally, the thought of spring break brings to mind typical destinations—Florida, California, Mexico and a whole slew of others—and usually the thought is to get a big group of friends together to plan a trip full of non-stop partying and fun in the sun. But does it always have to be this way? Of course not. So why not consider flying solo this spring break, and checking out a destination beyond the normal scope of what we think when we think about that magical week off before the onslaught of the rest of the semester? Why not check out Bali.

Just one of 13,000 islands in the Indonesian Archipelago, Bali is by far the country’s number one vacation destination, and rightfully so. At only 90 miles wide, Bali has an incredibly beautiful terrain that varies widely from barren volcanic hillsides, to sprawling, terraced rice fields, to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Without a doubt, this is a visual paradise, but that’s definitely only the beginning of what there is to love about it, and what makes it a great destination if you’re planning on going it alone this spring break.

Apart from the obvious draws of the gorgeous scenery, cheap prices and relaxing atmosphere, the people are a huge piece of what makes this such a great place to visit. The Balinese people are well known for their incredible kindness and hospitality, whether your at a resort or wandering amongst the locals. This means two things. One, Bali is a place where travelers have an almost unparalleled opportunity to get an authentic feel for the local flavor, despite the resorts and huge tourist industry. Two, solo travel is no problem in Bali, no matter what part of the island you’re on.

Realtraveler MickyS experienced this local hospitality firsthand during her trip to Kuta in Bali late last year. Here’s what happened:

“One would imagine that one of the hardest things in a place armed to the teeth with western delights is really tapping into local culture. But in Kuta… this has never been easier. Purists maintain that an overly ‘touristic’ destination will never reveal the countries true cultural colours. But if you really make an effort, the Balinese readily dispense with the typical tourist niceties and welcome you into their extended families.

Such was my experience when I hired a clapped-out Yamaha bike one day and found myself buzzing through traffic in search of petrol.

“Where you going?” came the ubiquitous question, launched at me from the other side of the road, through an army of bikes and taxis.

“Petrol!” I blurted out.

“Follow me.”

Three minutes later, I found myself as the local Shell, surrounded by an enthusiastic team of attendants, unscrewing caps, filing nozzles into tanks and taking monies. Having paid for mine, I offered my guide a 5000 rupea note.

“Absolutely not,” he frowned. “But… I have nothing to do today - would you like me to show you round?”

I smiled my agreement and we were off. Friends are rarely made this easily, but when you have the chance, it’s a risk worth taking.

Over two days, my new friend Ardy - a softly spoken Balinese Muslim living and working in Kuta showed me round all the local spots including two places nearby, Thanah Lot, the fabled temple by the beach, and the sleepy hill station of Ubud with its mystical monkey forest…

On the evening of our second day together, I insisted on giving him a gift, whereupon we went in search of a cheap and functional mobile phone.

That night, with the genuine and unconditional happiness that comes from giving someone a present (not to mention riding around a good portion of southern Bali and soaking up the ambiance!) I felt that I’d truly taken myself out the trap, at least for a little while.” (more…)

I think it’s safe to say that’s one travel experience anyone would love to have as a memory. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing week on the beach, the comforts of an all-inclusive resort, or an adventure to an unfamiliar and exotic place this spring break, Bali has it all. There’s no reason not to check it out. Here are some useful resources to help you plan your trip:

Denpasar Hotels
Kuta Hotels
Jimbaran Hotels

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