Samui or Chiang Mai?
 

We really need the expert Fodorites' help on finalizing our Dec/Jan itinerary.

Finally booked our air on Eva, not a bad rate, $802/pp leaving 12/26 from LAX. I'm now working on the domestic air but can't seem to decide how many nights for Chiang Mai (1st time there) and Samui (2nd time). Bangkok was easy to decide. Though we were there in '01, there are many things we missed. The Fodorites are so right! There are many things to do in Bangkok and environs...so we'll spend 5 nights there.

I'm trying to decide: 4CM/3Samui, or 3CM/4Samui. We loved Samui but I think there aren't too many things to do there but to relax, sleep, eat, read...(which we love too)! We've never been to CM and it sounds exciting and new with lots of opportunities for sightseeing and such.

Help please!

4 days in CM and 3 in Samui sounds perfect to me.

I have not been to Samui but I have spent 3 nights in Chang Mai and 6 nights in Bangkok. I much prefer Chang Mai. More history, better shopping, and less expensive. In Bangkok make sure you take a day trip to Ayutha. From Chang Mai take a day trip to Chang Rai to see more spectacular temple ruins. Deninitely go to the elephant sanctuary in near Chang Mai. My trip highlight was riding bareback behind the elephants ears through the jungle. An unforgettable experience. Bring lots of money for shopping. Prices are unbeleivable. Look out for scams in Bangkok where strangers come up to you to say major tourist sites are closed and you should come to a store instead to buy things.

Thanks Gloria! I remembered you said you loved CM :o). 4 nights in CM sounds good to me too!

Besides Baan Orapin, Tamarind, River View Lodge(I can't reach them!), are there other quaint non-hotel places that are in the heart of old city that you can recommend?

I'm sorry...didn't see your post earlier LeeMickus. Thank you for the great info!

I wish I know how to make my cute little smiley face not look like a weird, kinda-creepy looking clown...(sigh)

there is no question in my mind...skip CM and go for the relaxing of samui....or 2 nites CM maximum and then samui....

And I'm the opposite. I just don't understand traveling for 20 plus hours to go to a beach. If a beach is what you want go to Hawaii or one of the caribbean islands. Or if it's part of a long thailand trip a couple of days is more than enough.

There's no place like Samui though...so beautiful w/ all the coconut trees, bungalow in garden setting but faces the ocean, beautiful, relaxing...and there's the great food!

gloria, what trek company do u recommend in CM. Have read a lot about Eagle house. And I only have 2 days for a trek.

Thanks!

I've never used a treking company.

From your post, not sure how much time you really have. Two days is definitely enough for Chiang Mai but would you have time for two more days in northernmost Thailand? The Anantara has been recommended on this board many times and it is in a very scenic and interesting area of the country. I have no desire to return to Samui - not much different from many tropical resort areas around the world.

We (8 of us) have booked 4 nights in Chiang Mai in mid to late November. We would really like to see Chiang Rai as well. Is it possible to do a day trip there?

You can do it but it's a very long day. What is it you want to see? The city itself? A hilltribe? The scenery? What you want to see/experience will determine whether the trip is worth it or not.

Good question! I'd better ask the 7 others!!

the drive alone from CM to CR is about 3 hours one way....why bother...