Love Thailand: Chiang Mai
Choosing a destination for your honeymoon is not easy. Some couples want to unwind and relax at an all-inclusive beach resort. Some want to explore and set off on an adventure to discover unfamiliar destinations. If you are the latter, we always recommend places with a little bit of everything - culture, history, food, shopping, nightlife, adventure, and of course, beaches for when you’re ready to lay out on sandy shores with swaying palm trees and sparkling turquoise waters.
Our recommendation? Thailand.
Earlier this week we began our blog series to highlight some of our favourite destinations in Thailand for the most perfect honeymoon. The first destination in our blog series was the buzzling and vibrant city of Bangkok, but now we’re heading somewhere slightly more serene and easy-going: Chiang Mai.
A flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about an hour and a half, but once you land, you’ll experience a world of a difference. Chiang Mai, in contrast to Bangkok, has an easy-going and relaxed vibe, but by no means is it less exciting. Chiang Mai is a cultural hub with ancient temples, a mountainous and green landscape, and home to local artists with a passion for creating unique artwork using traditional techniques.
Much like the rest of Thailand, there are a plethora of things to do in Chiang Mai, but we’re highlighting three must-do activities to inspire you for your future honeymoon to Thailand.
Spend a day at an elephant sanctuary
We can try our best to explain what it’s like being around Thailand’s gentle giants, but this is a unique experience that you can only understand once you see for yourself. One elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai that we recommend is Patara - a safe place for elephants of all ages, including babies! Here you can book an experience that will allow you to interact with an elephant one-on-one, alongside it’s mahout (en elephant’s personal keeper).You will get to feed and bathe these magical creatures, but most importantly, you’ll get to learn about their health, well-being and historical role in Thailand’s society. It’s a humbling experience to say the least and we guarantee that it will be one of the highlights of your trip.
Due to COVID-19, it’s been difficult for elephant sanctuaries in Thailand to cover the high costs of taking care of elephants. If interested, we encourage you to support by donating or booking a voucher for future use at Patara. More information can be found here.
Night Market
Chiang Mai may be a laid-back city, but it’s one that comes alive in the evening, especially at night markets. You can visit the Night Bazaar, which is open every night, or if you’re lucky enough to be there on a Saturday, you can head over to the Saturday Night Market, which is only open on Saturdays between 4pm-11pm. You’ll pass by friendly vendors selling everything from clothing, souvenirs, jewelry and delicious fragrant street food. It’s a shopping experience like no other with unique local crafts and all moderately priced, so your wallet will be both surprised and grateful.
Chiang Mai Old City
Chiang Mai is home to a historic Old City, which you’ll recognize right away once you pass the sacred brick walls that surround it. Inside the walled city, you’ll come across ancient ruins and temples dating back to the 12th century. You’ll feel like you travelled back in time, especially when entering the historic complex that’s home to one of the Old City’s iconic temples, Wat Chedi Luang. There are also charming cafes and local shops, which are great for when you want to take a break from the heat or temples.
Want to learn more about Chiang Mai and/or Thailand? This only gives you a quick snapshot of what you can experience on your honeymoon, but if you want to learn more, book a free consultation with us, so we can help you plan and work within your budget!
Stay tuned for our next blog post of the Thailand series where we end the trip in the stunning island of Phuket!