Not a fan of winter? Here's why a long stay vacation in Thailand is the perfect solution.
Long stay vacations (extended vacations of 2 or more weeks in the same place) are gaining popularity, particularly for Canadians looking to escape the long winter. With a long stay vacation you'll have a home away from home, which gives you a solid base for discovering the local culture, exploring nearby attractions, and truly relaxing. The best locations for long stay vacations are places with:
- Good weather (nice beaches are a bonus)
- Interesting new cultures to experience
- Local attractions to explore
- Great food
Luckily, Thailand has all of these things and more and with an extended vacation you'll have the opportunity to explore an exotic culture at your own pace. One thing you'll never need to worry about in Thailand is finding wonderful and fascinating new places to visit. Even if your current job description reads "Travelling around Thailand", and you've been doing it for years, you'll eventually come to realise that going everywhere, and seeing everything, in this amazingly diverse Kingdom is simply impossible. So where should you start?
Phuket
Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular and famous retirement destinations. With its beautiful beaches, vast range of activities, vibrant nightlife, stunning scenery and clear blue sea, the island is home to an enormous community of retired expats from virtually every corner of the globe.
Popular activities:
- Explore the nearby islands: As well as relaxing beaches, Phuket is ideally located to explore an array of idyllic beaches and islands surrounded by turquoise waters, including the famous Phi Phi islands.
- Golf: Practice your swing against a backdrop of tropical hills and the spectacular scenery of the Andaman ocean. Phuket has become one of the leading golf destinations in Asia and boasts a number of first-rate golf courses.
Chiang Mai
The charming city of Chiang Mai is the principal religious center in northern Thailand and home to many temples and monasteries. The moat surrounding the historic center is still intact, but the walls were largely destroyed during World War II – although their impressive four gates remain.
Popular activities:
- Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep: This spectacular temple is 3,500 feet above sea-level and is the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here.
- Thai Cookery: With years of experience, teaching thousands of people from all over the world, the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School was the first, and is still the leading, cookery school in Chiang Mai.
- Elephant Sanctuary: Chiang Mai is home to many ethical elephant sanctuaries that allow you to have hands-on experience taking care of an elephant at sanctuaries that promote sustainable welfare of these majestic animals.
Check out our long stay packages in Phuket and Chiang Mai here.