Weddingguide


	THAILAND – THE LAND OF SMILES
	by eXplore Plus Travel and Tours

	THAILAND – the very name conjures up picture postcard images of golden,
	sun-drenched beaches, exotic spas, shops, spices, awe-inspiring temples and
	hill tribe villages.

	The most popular islands on the Andaman Coast are Phuket, Phi Phi and
	Lanta and on the coast, and the Krabi and Phang Nga Provinces.

	Phuket is Thailand's largest island. It offers wonderful food, a vibrant
	nightlife, an excellent range of accommodation and great beaches – this is
	Thailand’s most popular beach destination. The island has everything you
	could possibly dream of for a holiday: endless beaches, some of the finest
	resort hotels, water sports, exquisite seafood, tempting international and Thai
	cuisine, mountains, forest, coral reefs, turquoise seas and tropical sunshine….
	all in plentiful proportions. Whether you are looking for a quiet corner to
	enjoy a romantic retreat or an action-packed time with a colourful nightlife,
	Phuket truly has it all. Its gentle rolling hills are covered by tropical
	vegetation; and kilometres of white sandy beaches flanked by palms and
	washed with delightfully warm water make the island a paradise for water
	sport enthusiasts and sun lovers.

	Phuket's main appeal lies in the beauty of the island and the variety of
	relatively inexpensive activities on offer. Diving, fishing, eco-adventure tours
	in the forests, touring the amazing area around Phang Nga Bay, trips to the
	outlying islands and elephant trekking are just a few of these...

	If you are a diving enthusiast, you really have found paradise. For many, the
	real beauty of the Andaman Sea lies hidden below the surface, in the varied
	colours and the coral embracing large schools of tropical fish darting by in
	the clear, warm water. This abundant sea life captures the imagination and
	ranks Phuket among best diving spots anywhere.

	The main beach on Phuket is Patong. It hosts a profusion of bars,
	discotheques and night venues. Seafood is in abundance here at some of
	the region’s best dining establishments. Accommodation choices range from
	the simple to the extravagant. If you prefer peace and quiet, we recommend
	Karon and Kata Beach. Karon Beach is a long stretch of unspoilt white sand
	and is quiet and relaxed. Kata village and beach is within walking from
	Karon and the more exotic Patong is only a short drive away.





	This island of fun and leisure provides an unbeatable combination of perfect
	silky soft beaches, superb hospitality and great value-for-money
	accommodation.

	Lanta Island, named among "the world's sexiest islands", is delightfully
	exotic, thanks to its remote location, pristine beaches and balmy weather. A
	long-time favourite with the intrepid backpacking crowd, Lanta is changing
	steadily, with up-market resorts replacing the cheaper bungalows. The
	carefree, hip backpacker vibe still prevails for now, although the laid-back
	atmosphere has been kicked up a notch, and you'll find plenty of bars and a
	string of restaurants. Lanta Island is a district in the Krabi Province that
	consists of 52 islands, twelve of which are inhabited. The island is about
	25km long, with a hilly central section and superb sandy beaches along its
	western coastline.

	The most popular beach on Lanta is Long beach – a stunning crescent of
	sand about four kilometres long. The beach is steeper and the water is not so
	sheltered, which makes it great for swimming. The resorts here are spread out
	over a great distance, mainly clustered at the north and south ends. Most
	visitors find Long Beach almost deserted, even in peak season.

	The Phi Phi Islands are some of the most beautiful in South-East Asia.
	Imagine towering green cliffs, rising up from a glittering turquoise sea, and
	endless white sandy bays dotted along the shore, and you begin to have
	some idea of what awaits you. Add crystal clear water, no roads and a
	tropical laid-back lifestyle, and it is easy to see why Phi Phi is one of
	southern Thailand's most popular destinations. About 48km off Phuket’s shore
	are the scenic two limestone islands of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi
	Don, the larger island, has a complete tourist infrastructure, including resorts,
	restaurants, bars, tour agencies and diving schools. About 6km to the south,
	Phi Phi Leh is an undeveloped soaring chunk of limestone rock. The best
	way to explore the Phi Phi Islands is by boat, since much of the fun comes
	from motoring about in the cobalt blue waters, alongside or even underneath
	eroded cliff faces that climb to a height equivalent to the length of a football
	field. The awe-inspiring cliffs, lively coral reefs and caves echoing with the
	calls of sea swallows combine in the course of a day into a fantastic memory.