Chiang Mai makes for the perfect holiday destination for families with kids. This beautiful walled city in the north of Thailand has endless family activities and is filled with friendly locals who are always happy to help with directions or recommendations. The city is clean and safe, with plenty of things to see and do. You may want to consider ticking some (or all!) of the following family things to do in Chiang Mai for an amazing family getaway in Thailand. 1. Temple hopping Under the gold, glittering sun, the giant Buddha statues, serpent stairs and high rooftops of colourful buildings appear as if out of a fairy tale or an ancient saga; the kids and you will marvel at the attractions because let’s be honest, it’s not every day you see unique temples. There’s only so much walking you can do in a day though, so choose your temples…
What to Do in Siem Reap Siem Reap, located in the northwest side of Cambodia, is home for the famous ruins of Angkor Wat. What makes the city truly interesting are its exciting experiences of culture and history through visiting ancient temples, local markets, and museums. While the Angkor temple remains the most popular attraction, there are still many other unmissable activities in the area that are worth checking out. Here’s a quick rundown of the best 16 things to do in Siem Reap. Read on, take notes, and fill in your itinerary with scenic views, fun adventures, and fascinating cultural tours! Visit the famous Angkor Wat Complex If you’re a first-time visitor, you don’t want to miss this iconic 12th-century temple. The Angkor Wat is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and currently the largest religious monument in the world. There isn’t a day where it’s not packed with…
Check out any Google search or Instagram page and you will see that Bali is a tropical mecca of fun, relaxation, partying, shopping and care-free living. Unfortunately, things don’t always go to plan and if you or a family member become unexpectedly sick or have an unfortunate accident, would you know what to do or where to seek help? Needing medical attention in a foreign country can be a daunting experience so it’s good to have an idea of what kinds of medical issues may arise and what help is available should you need it. Accidents and Emergencies Bali Belly aka Travellers diarrhoea Credit: BIMC Ubud Medical Center An upset stomach is not uncommon whilst holidaying on the island of the gods. Anything from a change in diet and lifestyle to poor hygiene (or even an accident gulp of water in the shower) can increase the chances of contracting an…
Have you been talking to your friends about the woes with your teeth, lately? That’s what I had been doing, not so long ago. A few months back, 2 of my molars suddenly started giving me a hard time. The good old dentist advised me to get root canals but the price he quoted for the procedure was as painful as my aching molars. I was looking at paying around $6800. The check-up cost alone was $305. I tried to handle the pain with home remedies but no luck. While I was researching for cheaper ways to do it, I was surprised to find that the public health system has a four-year wait even on periodontal work. Wow!!! Some of my friends, based on their experience, advised me to go overseas and get my dental work done at a fraction of the price. They suggested Thailand, India or Indonesia (Bali). Bali was closer to Australia…
Teeth whitening is an ever-growing, much sought after treatment that will leave your smile looking better than ever. There are a number of different treatments available, with everything from whitening rises and gels to laser whitening done in the chair at a dental office. Unfortunately, it can drain the bank account quite a bit. Therefore, we’ve decided to bring together the best (and cheapest) clinics in Bali for this sort of work, to take away the hassle for you! Teeth whitening in Bali can range in price from anywhere between $70 – 300 USD, depending on the type of treatment and the clinic. Gone are the days where you need to be worried about getting dental procedures done in Bali, all clinics are now clean with modern technologies and the latest equipment in order to keep up with the demanding tourism market. So Smile Bali This is the newest branch…
Villa Finder: Could you give us a short intro about yourself? Hayley: Hello, I’m Hayley. I’m from a small town south of Sydney, Australia. Now residing in Canggu, Bali. I am the co-founder & designer of Stowe Swim.Villa Finder What brought you to Bali? Hayley: My mum first brought me here when I was 15 to show me the island she also madly is in love with. As soon as I took my first step off that plane and had my head hanging out of the taxi all the way from the airport to the hotel taking in all the new scenery and cultural differences, I knew right then and there that it wouldn’t be my last time here.Villa Finder: What are your favourite places on the island? Hayley: In Bali, I would have to say my soft spot is the Bukit. Bingin & Balangan especially. But I have to…
Villa Finder were lucky enough to get a hold of the incredible Frederique Lessard, founder of the wonderful Les Basics boutique store in Canggu. Here’s a little bit about her life and work!Villa Finder: Could you give us a short intro about yourself? Frederique: I am a 27 year-old French Canadian girl passionate about life and fashion living in Bali. I love simplicity and taking time to enjoy life. I always wanted to discover different ways of living, I am thrilled to discover different cultures and countries. Villa Finder: What brought you to Bali? Frederique: Many things but mostly when I came on vacation I fell in love with Canggu. 5 years ago it was still raw and not busy at all…there were very few restaurants and only 2 stores…. I was in love with the lifestyle and how I felt being there. So I came a few months after…
The Hakuba ski season typically runs from late November to late April or early May. In the different periods across the winter season, there will be changes in key elements that will affect your vacation—like the weather, snow conditions, prices, dining venues, entertainment options and village amenities. To help you better plan for your Hakuba trip, we’ve provided a quick overview of each period below. Start of Hakuba ski season: Late November – mid-December Having little to no crowds to jostle with and getting discounts are the benefits of coming to Hakuba during the early season. If you’re planning to make advanced bookings, we won’t recommend arriving before the second week of December. Any earlier, and it can be hit-and-miss with the weather and snow conditions; you might be able to ski if the snow comes early, but there’s also a chance that you might be shut out due to…
Niseko is widely known as a prime ski destination, thanks to its powder quality, variety of trails, and fantastic options for night skiing and backcountry skiing. It’s located in one of the coldest regions in Japan, so the town enjoys a long ski season that lasts from November till May. Beyond the slopes, Niseko still checks off all the right boxes – it offers incredible outdoor onsens, luxury ski chalets, a lively après-ski scene and abundant dining options. To help you plan for your holiday, we’ve put together a complete Niseko Ski Guide. Check out where to ski in Niseko, information on ski equipment rental, ski passes and more. Where to ski in Niseko The main ski resorts are Niseko Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri and Hanazono (Hanazono and Niseko Hirafu are jointly known as Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu). These four resorts form a collective known as Niseko United and are…
Visiting Niseko soon? There are three main transport options for getting around in Niseko: via rental car, shuttle bus or taxi. In our guide below, we’ll provide an overview of the different transport options, along with tips to help you get around Niseko more easily and safely. Let’s begin: Rent a car in Niseko Hokkaido’s well-maintained roads make for easy driving during the summer. But during wintertime, the road conditions can be hazardous. Plus, there’s also the problem of limited parking during the winter – covered parking lots are limited, and while public parking is available, these spaces may not be easily accessible due to the heavy snowfall (you’ll need to be prepared to shovel a lot too). Driving around Niseko during winter isn’t recommended unless you’re experienced in driving in extreme winter road conditions. Niseko Auto – 37-97 Aza, Yamada, Kutchan, p. +81-80-5586-3490. Open 9am – 6pm Mon -…