Thailand -- An exotic destination which has everything: gorgeous scenery, fantastic beaches, fascinating culture, and of course, shopping!

Thailand is a popular tourist destination. It's suitable for every kind of traveller, whether they are penniless backpackers, romantic couples on their honeymoon, or travelling families. The range of attractions and options is so wide that you have to chose the attractions most suitable to your preferences, your budget, and the season. 

 Sigalit Bar, this site owner, is a travel advisor and licensed travel agent. She has written several Hebrew travel books about various destinations around the world. 

The Islands of Thailand

To a tourist, the islands of Thailand mean more than just white beaches, coconut trees and tropical fruit. It seems like the names 'Phuket' and 'Koh Samui' have become synonyms for hedonism and pleasure.

Hundreds of islands are scattered along the southern shores of Thailand, on the cusp of Siam Bay and the Andaman Sea. Most of them are too tiny to accommodate strangers, but dozens of them serve as a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The islands are generally divided into three geographic and climatic areas: the largest and most impressive collection of islands can be found in the Andaman Sea in the South-Western part of Thailand, around the island of Phuket.

Family Fun in Phuket

One of the main points of attraction in Thailand is the islands of the South. Everyone dreams of white sandy beaches, coconut trees, warm turquoise waters... Thailand effortlessly makes this dream come true. It has many islands, each with its own character and style; plenty of attractions; and many options for fascinating tours and lazy indulgences. Where else could you get a foot massage on the beach for under 10 dollars an hour? A seaside meal fit for kings for 3-8 dollars per person? A private tour via boat and cab just for you, including lunch for the whole family, for 80-100 dollars for everyone altogether for half a day? And all this in a modern country with amazing hotels and resorts, with high class facilities such as pools, tennis courts, shops (with decent prices, where you can actually shop and not just look...), a variety of restaurants and great breakfasts.

 Family Holiday in Koh Samui

Koh Samui (Samui Island), also known as “the coconut island” is the third biggest island in Thailand. Unlike Phuket, which is linked to the mainland by bridge, Koh Samui is a real island which can only be reached by plane or boat. It is the best destination in Thailand for families interested in travelling to the islands in July-August, when (in many parts of the world) the kids are on a break from school.

Animal Encounters in Thailand for Families

One of the greatest highlights of a family trip overseas is seeing lots of exotic animals which you can’t see in your own country. It’s even better if you can pet them, feed them, ride them and watch them appear in shows. Adding animals to a holiday with children is a recipe for success, and so, in nearly every big touristy city in the world you will find a zoo or aquarium. Thailand in particular is full of options for friendly face-to-face encounters with animals of every type, shape and size.

Many families have discovered Thailand and its wonders – a winning combination of exotic culture, unique foods, magical islands and of course, shopping. Surprisingly, however, the tiny island country of Singapore only two hours’ flight away from Bangkok has not yet become a popular family destination, and is frequented mostly by businessmen.

The Jungles of Bangkok and the surrounding area

Bangkok is a city of opposites: High-class shopping malls side-by-side with crowded marketplaces, 5-star restaurants shaking a block with run-down shacks, temples and spirit houses right next to stripper clubs and ladyboys. It’s an amazing mix of sights, colours, sounds and smells. Many love it, some dislike it, but what’s certain is that no one can remain indifferent to it.

A Trip from Bangkok to Khao Yai Reserve

Khorat Province and Ayutthaya Province 

Fascinating and diverse tourist destinations can be found a mere three to four hours’ drive away from Bangkok.

There is no need to fly to the North in order to hike among waterfalls and rainforests. There is also no need to go all the way to Cambodia to see ancient temples, and it is really not necessary to go far in order to ride elephants in the jungle or visit artist villages.

All this and much more can be discovered and seen in a two to three day trip without any flying, for a surprisingly low cost and under quite luxurious conditions: A big air-conditioned car, a personal driver and guide, four-star hotels and amazing meals.

Vacationing in Koh Chang

Most people travelling to Thailand go en masse to Phuket, Koh Samui, and islands near them, for example Koh Phi Phi or Koh Pha Ngan. But much closer to Bangkok, only 6 hours away by bus and less than an hour away by plane, lies the island of Koh Chang, which is part of a national park by the same name that is made up of over 50 islands -- Koh Chang itself being the largest. This island is a popular tourist destination among the Thai themselves. Only in recent years have foreign tourists begun to discover it and fall in love with its wonders.

Guided tours to non-touristy provinces in Thailand

If you are interested in a trip to Thailand consisting of the “Holy Trinity”: Shopping and temples in Bangkok, a jeep tour in the north between the Golden Triangle and the Long-necks, and relaxation in the south – the classic, over-trodden road that everyone else has travelled – you’re reading the wrong article.

But if you are interested in discovering a different Thailand, one only Thai people themselves know, one that isn’t overrun with tourists – This is definitely the article for you.

Family holiday in Northern Thailand with a Local Personal Guide

Northern Thailand is a fantastic place for a family holiday. This is the place to see rainforests, waterfalls, the mountain tribes (The long-necked, the long-eared, and so on) and special temples. There are also factories of many handmade things: Umbrella-making, woodcraft, silk factories, etc. Of course, there are also many kinds of animals to see, and you can ride elephants in the jungle there, too.