This new boutique hotel nestled into the rolling foothills of Khao Yai is not for everyone. Its seclusion and ambience make it ideal for a romantic interlude or intimate weekend with friends. As you are greeted in the high ceiling lobby with its collection of wood framed paintings and antique birdcages above, you might think you’ve stepped back in time. The hotel’s interior, though, is a blend of classic, retro and contemporary with beautiful paintings decorating the walls of each room. The mountain air is crisp and refreshing, and there is a lengthy swimming pool for when it warms up. It’s also a wonderful environment for walking hand in hand amidst the lush foliage. (www.agaligo.com)
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November
Belle Villa, Pai
Let's Relax, 11.17.09Just a 10-minute walk from town, the Bella Villa is an ideal hideaway. This relatively new boutique mountain retreat comprises 24 deluxe wooden cottages with shake shingle roofs. There are another 20 deluxe rooms with private balconies overlooking the swimming pool and three standard rooms with balconies affording panoramic views of the countryside. All provide a full compliment of amenities. For those who want some exercise, there is a jogging track and mountain bikes to explore the area, which includes the Tha Pai Hot Springs and Mo Paeng Waterfall, just 10 kilometers away. If you feel a little stiff when you return, the resort offers traditional massage as well. (113 Moo 6, Huay Poo- Wiang Nua Rd., Wiang Tai Sub-district, Pai District, Mae Hong Son Tel: +66 (0) 53698 226-7 www.bellevillaresort.com)
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November
Night Market, Pai
Let’s Go Shopping, 11.17.09This once quaint and cozy village has blossomed into one of the hot spots for budget travelers. Set in a mountain pass along a river, it can be warm during the day, but when night comes and the temperature drops, the Night Market is the place to go with a few streets closed off and lots of stalls selling about any kind of handicraft you can think of as well as tasty treat to nimble or feast on. A troupe of dancers and musicians also perform traditional song and dance while nearby pubs continue the entertainment.
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November
RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort, Chiang Mai
Let's Relax, 11.17.09Situated by the Ping River in the heart of Chiang Mai, RarinJinda is where people come when they want to be pampered. A 140-year-old traditional teak house is the centerpiece of this beautiful wellness retreat that includes 35 luxury rooms and suites with private verandas and WiFi as well as the 2009 Asia Spa and Wellness Festival Best Day Spa Gold Award Winner. Before starting any therapy, guests can consult the alternative medicine practitioner to determine which massages and treatments would be best for them. This boutique resort is also known for its trendy restaurant, D1 Exotic Scene and Cuisine, that’s everything its name, says it is. (1, 14 Chareonraj Rd., Wat Gate, Muang District, Chiang Mai Tel: +66 (0) 5324 7000, +66 (0) 5330 3030 www.rarinjinda.com)
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November
Khomapastr Fabric Arts, Hua Hin
Let’s Go Shopping, 11.17.09After 50 years, Khomapastr fabrics and designs are recognized far and wide. Through age-old silk-screening techniques, the fabrics depict the stories of Thai literary characters and mythological creatures on top quality cottons and silks in beautiful colors. In addition to the fabrics, the shop offers a wide selection of clothing, skirts and scarves, shirts and ties as well as pillowcases, cloth dolls and many other products. There’s no better way to take home a piece of Hua Hin than with a gift for yourself or someone you care about from Khomapastr Fabric Arts. (218 Petchkasem Rd., Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Tel: +66 (0) 3251 1250, +66 (0) 3251 3506 www.khomapastrfabrics.com)
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November
Primo Posto del Khao Yai
Let’s Taste, 11.17.09If you want to visit a mountain villa serving Italian cuisine and don’t have the time for a quick flight to Rome, then Primo Posto del Khao Yai is a terrific alternative. It’s an easy two-hour drive into the dense mountain range north of Bangkok. Here, nestled along Phankhuk-Kutkhla Road, the turn off for Khao Yai from Friendship Highway, you come to a small cluster of Italian-style buildings painted in earthy yellows and oranges. The cuisine is authentic Italian and there is also a café and ice cream parlor for those who don’t want to sit down to a full-course meal. The only way to describe Primo Posto would be, “bella e delizioso.” (Tel: +66 (0) 8 4035 8554, www.primo-posto.net)
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November
Waroros Market, Chiang Mai
Let’s Taste, 11.17.09While virtually every visitor to Chiang Mai has heard about Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar, not so many know anything about Chiang Mai’s oldest shopping arcade, Waroros Market. This is where the locals go, and it is a sight to behold. The maze of stalls leads you to every product imaginable. It runs from the Ping riverfront back towards the old city’s moat. Some say it’s overwhelming, even disorientating, but the sights, scents and flavors are something to behold. Of particular note are the many fresh cut flowers and selection of local silk and cotton fabrics. You will also find a whole menu of noodle stalls downstairs, and rice dishes on the second floor. (Corner of Chang Moi and Wichayanon roads, Kad Luang, Chiang Mai City)
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November
Chatchai Market, Hua Hin
Let’s Taste, 11.17.09Day or night, Chatchai Market seems to be hopping. It’s the market that never sleeps. When the last customers head home just before dawn, venders are setting up for the new day. The market is located under an arched roof erected in 1926 after being commissioned by Prince Burachat Chaiyakorn. Thus, it gives visitors who look up a glimpse of Hua Hin in its early years as a seaside resort for Thai Royalty and Bangkok aristocracy. The scents are enticing and the selection of traditional Thai snacks and sweets make the mouth water. Make sure to try the noodles, known to be some of the best you can find in this resort town.
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November
Cycling Tour, Sukhothai
Let’s Play, 11.16.09A fun and easy way to see Sukhothai Historical Park is on a bicycle. You can rent one for 20 – 30 baht per day. Peddling is faster than walking, but you still don’t miss any of the ancient palaces or temples. For the more adventurous and hardy, there are 7-day bike tours travel from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai, affording the chance to trace Thailand’s northern history and culture from the central plains into the northern foothills. Tours can include the ancient city of Si-Satchanai and Thailand’s Grand Canyon, Ob Luang before arriving at to the base of country’s tallest peak, Doi Intanon and your final destination, Chiang Mai. (SpiceRoads, 14/1-B Soi Promsi 2, Sukhumvit 39, Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0) 2712 5305 Mobile: +66 (0) 8 9895 5680 Fax: +66 (0) 2712 5306 Email: info@spiceroads.com or another agent at info@traveller2000.com)
