Luxury travel means that you’re going to see more, experience more, and spend more. You will want to be more comfortable, see bigger sights, eat better foods, drink better drinks, and be able to do as much or as little as you desire on any particular day. No matter why you are travelling, whether it be a family holiday, your honeymoon, or a getaway with your friends, there are some places that are on any luxury traveller's bucket list. If you need some inspiration for your next trip, then keep on reading.

1. The Caribbean

The Caribbean has the power to make any other holiday destination seem a tad plain in comparison. This is because of a number of factors, but is largely because of the glorious beaches; The crystal blue water and pale, sparkling sand stretch out for miles and miles, which is perfect, because the weather is great almost all year round too, with only the occasional storm breaking the heavenly image. The Caribbean is also filled to the brim with marine life, including turtles, dolphins, and tropical fish, which is perfect if you’ve always dreamed of snorkelling or deep-sea diving.

2. New York

If you’re more of a city gal, then New York may be more your style. The skyscrapers are particularly awe-inspiring, especially the ones as magnificent as the Empire State Building. New York is known as a melting pot, which is no wonder, consider the number of cultures and foods that you can experience visiting there. While you may not necessarily see the luxury in Chinese food back home, there is something exquisite about it being prepared authentically. If you’re still not convinced, then perhaps a hotel as beautiful as the Four Seasons could convince you.

3. Paris

Paris is one of the most astonishing and romantic cities on the entire planet and is perfect for anyone that wants to experience art, history, and culture. No matter where you look, you are sure to find a marvellous building, monument, museum, attraction, restaurant, or hotel for you to explore. It’s also perfect even if you don’t speak the language, as most Parisians are more than happy to talk to you in English (although you shouldn’t assume). As well as being the city of love, Paris is also the city of fashion and has a huge amount of shopping centres, department stores, and boutiques for you to sink your teeth into, as well as some great fashion shows.

4. Africa

Are you even a true luxury traveller if a deluxe safari in Africa isn’t near the top of your travelling bucket list? While you’re there, you can see some of the most majestic creatures on the planet, including lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, gorillas, rhinos, and crocodiles, all from the comfort of a Range Rover. You could even see the glorious landscape and creatures from a helicopter or could hike or bike yourself. The weather is wonderful, which means you have the perfect excuse to buy a new dress from Anthony's Ladies Apparel, and go and see the sights. You also can’t forget that Africa is home to The Great Sphinx, The Great Pyramids, and The River Nile, so if you’re looking for looking for luxury and wonder, then Africa is the place for you.

5. Thailand

If you’re a lover of food, then Thailand is the place for you. In fact, the food is so delicious and diverse that you shouldn’t ever have to eat the same dish twice. If you’re intending on visiting more than one city, then the food will change as the city does. However, it’s not just the great food that you have to experience in Thailand. There they mix tradition with tourists comforts, so you can have an authentic Thai experience, while still enjoying comfort and luxury. Night owls will also love Thailand, as it’s got every type of nightlife that a tourist could possibly want, including jazz bars. Travel is also fairly cheap in Thailand, which means that you’ll have extra money to spend on a wonderful accommodation, great food, and even greater experiences.

Seeing the world with your own two eyes is one of the best ways of spending your time, especially if you have the money to visit the most luxurious cities, countries, and continents on the planet. Travelling is all about relaxing and experiencing new sights, foods, and cultures, and any one of these locations would be absolutely perfect to do that, so consider one of them when planning your next trip.

With all the obvious South East Asia destinations ticked off the list, I'm all about seeking out the lesser-known options now. If you dare to go a little more 'off-piste', you can often end up in a city double the charm and half the crowds. If Chiang Mai is Thailand's famous Plan A, then its sister Chiang Rai most definitely its lesser-known Plan B. I got to spend one full day in Chiang Rai as part of our partnership with Travel Hub Chiang Mai during our South East Asia adventure which took me through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. I immediately fell in love with Chiang Rai, so much that I wanted to dedicate an entire blog post to it. So here's my 12 hours guide from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.

INTRODUCING CHIANG RAI

The drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is definitely a scenic one with rolling hills, streams of crystal clear water flowing alongside the road, and the trees speckled in bright yellow, cadmium red, and emerald greens. This Northern Thailand delight felt like as if it was Autumn. If you aren't in a hurry, there are some great places to stop along the way.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN CHIANG RAI

1. Pamper yourself at the Mae Khajan Hot Springs

The Mae Khajaan Hot Springs was located about halfway between Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai making it the perfect spot to stop and stretch your legs, grab something to eat, and dip your feet in the hot spring pools.


The waters of Mae Khajan Hot Springs were really scalding, so we dip our feet little by little until we adapted to the heat and our feet was fully submerged. It was surprisingly soothing and as we're done, our feet was surprisingly smooth like a baby's skin. There are locals selling chicken eggs that you can boil in the hot springs yourselves.


2. Ethically hang-out with the Elephants at Elephant Valley Chiang Rai

We wanted to do something with elephants, but we were afraid of something which perpetuates the misery. Elephants are so often put through for the public's benefit without taking into consideration the welfare of these gentle giants.


Elephant Valley Chiang Rai is an Elephant Sanctuary true to its name. They seek to remove elephants from performing for public's entertainment, or doing hard manual labour. This is the first of hopefully many places that will provide a safe sanctuary for elephants. Everyone (including the elephants) seems really happy and laid back. It was so entertaining watching the elephants just by themselves. This is an excellent place, with great values and worthy of support.


3. Be amazed by Chiang Rai's White Temple

Wat Rong Khun, also known by most foreigners as the White Temple, was the number one priority on our list. I think its safe to say this is the biggest draw to Chiang Rai for most tourists. Even if you are getting a little "templed out", this temple is like no other and is absolutely a must-see if you are in the area. The architecture and landscaping are stunning. Some people claim to spend hours at the temple, but about 40 minutes was plenty for us to do a walk through, snap some photos and take in the beauty of it all. If you are heading to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, its located about 10-15 kilos off Route 1 before you get into town so you might want to make a stop on your way in if you are driving yourself.


4. Visit the Wat Rong Sear Tean (Blue Temple)

The Wat Rong Sear Tan, fondly called the Blue Temple is absolutely stunning. Travel Hub Chiang Mai, took us to the Blue Temple and it was a wonderful addition on our trip. It only takes a few minutes to take in all its beauty. Unlike anything else in Thailand it was extremely unique as the White Temple.



Our next stop was what could be considered the complete contrast of the White Temple, the Black House Museum, also known as Baan Dam. However, the Black House is not a temple nor a religious site, but it is actually a museum. The whole area were much larger than we expected, and we spent over an hour wandering the extraordinary and intricate carvings housed with skulls, animal hides, and other odds. If you are into peculiarity with a touch of eerie, it's definitely worth checking out.


6. Grab a tea at Choi Fong Tea Plantation

Our last stop before we head back to Chiang Mai was the Choui Fong Tea Plantation. It is terraced land with tea of all sorts. It is about 2 hours from Chiang Rai airport, but it is definitely worth the trip there. Other than tea, there are other plantations going on, like some types of berries. I think the terraced lands are such a beautiful landscape of Asia, and I would definitely say that it is a must go.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at Buri Siri Boutique Hotel in Chiang Mai during our trip and would highly recommend it for just a day tour to Chiang Rai then back, or a Chiang Mai city break. The hotel is stylishly posh, boutique, and surprisingly affordable. It only has a few rooms so the service is very personal and the location is fantastic.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Here's our actual itinerary arranged by Travel Hub Thailand:

• Pick up from Chiang Mai hotel
• Visit Mae Khajan Hot Springs
• Visit Elephant Valley Chiang Rai
• Introduction to the Asian elephant
• Explanation of the work at Elephant Valley
• One hour elephant observation and feeding
• Wat Rong Khun (White temple) 
• Riverside Lunch in Chiang Rai
• Visit Wat Rong Sear Tean (Blue Temple) 
• Visit Baan Dam (Black House museum)
• Visit Choui Fong Tea, Mae Chan Tea House & Plantation
• Option - Karen Long Neck 
• Back to hotel around 19:00

The tour includes:

• Licensed English speaking tour guide
• Private transport by air con minibus/car
• All listed activities
• All entrance fees
• Lunch 
• Pick up and drop off at your hotel

This tour excludes:

• Option - Karen Long Neck option (500 Baht/person)

About Travel Hub Chiang Mai

Our trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai was all arranged by Travel Hub Chiang Mai. Our bubbly tour guide, Ms. Rainbow, and our skillful driver put so much efforts to make the whole trip exemplary. They made sure that we are having a lot of fun, and most of all, they made sure that we are always settled okay. Travel Hub Chiang Mai did an absolute great job for making our whole Chiang Rai tour truly a remarkable and a memorable one, and if I'll go back to Thailand again, I would really love if Travel Hub Chiang Mai will be once more my tour operator. I couldn't recommend them more.

For more useful information about the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Day Tour visit Travel Hub Chiang Mai.


What did you think of my 12 Hours Guide to Chiang Rai? Have you been to Chiang Rai or do you feel inspired to visit? Would you consider booking a Chiang Rai day tour with Travel Hub Chiang Mai? If you like this post do let me know by leaving some love in the comment box below.

Want to read more about my time in Northern Thailand? Check out:

• Boutique Bliss at Buri Suri Hotel - Chiang Mai, Thailand

This blog post has been sponsored by Travel Hub Chiang Mai as part of the #SEAtrip2017 campaign. All recommendations and views are my own.

One of my favourite things about being a travel blogger is getting to discover corners of the world that truly feel like hidden gems. They don't come around on every trip, but when they do, I'm always so excited to share them on the blog. My latest hidden gem came in the form of Buri Siri, a mixture of contemporary and colonial base in the heart of Nimmanhaemin area in Chiang Mai. I was lucky enough to spend two nights here as a part of my South East Asia adventure. This place was my most extraordinary discovery of the whole trip.

Introducing Buri Siri Boutique Hotel

Tucked away in the heart of hip Nimmanhaemin area on Sirimankalajarn road, is a relaxing base - the exquisite Buri Siri Boutique Hotel - from which to explore the beautiful city of Chiang Mai. The rustic identity and rural charm combined with contemporary and colonial is one of the unique showcased rejuvenation of Buri Siri.

It's a 5.7km and a 10 to 15 minutes from Chiang Mai Airport. It is perfectly located, just walking distance to Nimmanhaemin's shops and restaurants, Maya Lifestyle Shopping Mall, Chiang Mai's moat and only a few minutes from  from the Chiang Mai Sunday Walking Street. There are also temples that is just a stone-throw away from the hotel, such as Wat Suan Dok, Wat U-Mong, Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chedi Luang, a must see for visitors to Chiang Mai.

First Impressions

Touching down Chiang Mai Airport from Bangkok, Lee, Mhay, and I hurriedly looked for the exit and grabbed a taxi cab. After a few road turns we finally arrived at the hotel. We couldn't find the main entrance, so our taxi driver pulled up at the hotel's parking area inside the building. We took our baggage off and went through a door to the grand lobby of Buri Siri. Little did I know, that I wasn't just entering a hotel, I was entering an experience.

Rustic Charm

The moment I walked into the lobby of Buri Siri it felt like I was transported into a magical place. Every details were curated to exquisite perfection, and the top to bottom open windows amplified the whole perfection - the crème de la crème. The lobby walls were adorned with beautiful paintings of Chiang Mai - these historical points of interest made it feel totally unique. We received a warm welcome from the reception team and it was even made more perfect as we sipped the refreshing welcome drink.

My Deluxe Double Room

The three of us have each our own rooms and we stayed in different room types. I was lucky enough to get the highest room type during our stay - a Deluxe Double Studio Room. I was shown to my room, which is located in the main building. The lovely hotel staff, gladly explained the features of my room and I was pretty much blown-away by the whole room itself. It was spacious and lovely, with 2 double heavenly-like-clouds bed, a lounge area, a bathroom, a mini kitchen complete with a mini bar.





The room felt like a rustic charm with incredible attention to detail. So cute and so quaint! It reminds me of my own room back home because of the minimal style splashed with dark and dominating colors of white. One of the best things? The private balcony. My room is not only overlooking the pool and the area of Buri Siri but it even had the best majestic views of Chiang Mai.




The bathroom was equally as breath-taking as my whole room. It has a bath tub, a magnificent rainshower, and a his and hers sink. But, one of my favorite part of the whole room is the bath tub. Every night, I soaked at the tub for a relaxing bubble bath for an hour or two while watching my favorite shows on Netflix.




Price: Deluxe Double & Studio Rooms start at around $90. You may check the latest price in: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com | Expedia or read reviews on TripAdvisor. For inquiries and other information, you may visit their official website. For other hotel reviews, click here.

A Lovely Pool

The non-chlorinated swimming pool has been perfectly designed in the center of the whole property to fit in with the impeccable style of Buri Siri. The pairs of sun loungers are dotted underneath white parasols, while the perfectly trimmed tall emerald shrubs added flair to the whole surroundings. We spent the rest of our afternoon by the pool and soaked up the golden hour on hour first day.

Buristro Bar & Café

The Buristro Bar & Cafe looks like something from an interior magazine photoshoot and I loved how the rural and contemporary theme effortlessly transcended throughout. It's here where we enjoyed our breakfast every morning and chill at the end of the day. The delectable breakfast buffet offerings included the best of both western and eastern fares. Truly delectable!

The Verdict

From the Conde Nast Traveller-worthy interiors to the spectacular views and rustic-like charm; you couldn’t even imagine this place in your wildest dreams. It’s a little slice of contemporary and colonial paradise that defines laid-back luxury. Buri Siri Boutique Hotel is one of the most special properties I have ever stayed at throughout my blogging adventures and it will remain vividly etched in my mind for years to come. I am 100% sure I will return again.

Perfect for; romantic breaks, special occasions, and a great base to explore the most enchanting towns of Chiang Mai.



Book your stay at Buri Siri Boutique Hotel: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com | Expedia or read reviews on TripAdvisor.

What did you think of my experience at Buri Siri Boutique Hotel? Are you planning a trip to Chiang Mai? Is this the kind of hotel you love to stay at? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment box below.


Want to read more about Chiang Mai? Check out: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai.

Disclaimer: My stay at Buri Siri Boutique Hotel was provided complimentary in exchange for coverage on my blog. All views are my own.

Beneath the dust and chaos, Bangkok is packed with things to do and places to see. The city is vibrant and colorful and has something to please all visitors. It makes sense to stay in a hotel that is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Let me introduce Adelphi Forty-Nine; a modern apartment hotel in the heart of downtown Bangkok. Situated between trendy Thonglor and the international vibe of Prom Phong guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment, shopping and dining. I recently flew to Bangkok as a part of my recent South East Asia trip and made Adelphi Forty-Nine my base for 1 night before flying to Chiang Mai. Here's the lowdown on this Service Apartment Bangkok hotel...