I'm heading to Phuket in southern Thailand for a wedding and planning to go to Krabi for a 10-day ho

Krabi is a big province with many island paradises like Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Ao Nang on the mainland is also a great place to stay, with plenty of hotels, restaurants and shops. The tourist area has now expanded northwards to Nopparat Tara, a long sandy beach that is part of the national park. For sea trip off Krabi, Ao Nang is the hub of boat transport for nearby islands, and also to Railey beach and Phra Nang Cave. 

However, Krabi and Ao Nang in particular, can be difficult for the budget-conscious traveller, From now until February, accommodation prices are rather steep.

It's very difficult to find super cheap rooms like in Khao San Road or quality rooms at attractive prices like those in Chiang Mai. There are guest houses and hotels off the main road between Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara beaches with accommodation to offer but if you don’t like the area, take a long-tailed boat and to Ton Sai Bay, located between Ao Nang and Railey for more budget rooms. Rock climbing is the main activity for travellers in Ton Sai while the others spend their time in beach bars and watching the rock climbers. 

There are also some dive schools, as well as kayak rental firms, so you can also paddle to Railay if you feel active. Diving is great around Krabi and Phi Phi with spectacular underwater scenery. Most local dive operators are based at Ao Nang so just shop around. Dive sites in Krabi include Koh Yawabon, Koh See Koh Ha and many dive operators also take divers to King Cruiser Wreck and nearby Anemone Reef. If you have time, go diving at Phi Phi and say hello to the lazy leopard sharks. 

 

 

Hi, I will be travelling to India in February and would like to known the best way to manage my itinerary for Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Bodhgaya. I know there is a direct flight to Gaya and Delhi, but which airport is best for me? I have 10 days to do them all. Can you recommend an itinerary? Thank you in advance. Chandima

 

Many Thais travel to the Buddhist sites in India's Bihar state especially Bodhgaya, Nalanda and Rajgir, as well as Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi in Uttra Pradesh is also a holy city by the bank of the Ganges, located very near Sarnath where the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.

I think you should take an advantage of the comprehensive flight networks. Fly from Bangkok to Delhi then take a trip to Agra. Most visitors make this a day trip, by road or by train, arriving in Agra around 10am and returning to Delhi late at night. I would recommend spending one day and one night there, arriving Agra in the late afternoon to view the sunset at the Taj Mahal and returning before sunrise the next day, when it’s at its very bdest. The distance between Delhi and Agra is 200km, but the Delhi-Agra Yamuna Expressway shortens it to 165km. Reckon on four hours: the traffic on the last stretch is horrendous.

From Delhi to Varanasi is 800 km and for this leg, it is easier to fly. Spicejet, JetKonnect and Air India all have flights, making it convenient to go there first before going to Bodhgaya, which is connected to Delhi only by Air India. You can have three days in Varanasi and then head to Bodhgaya, which is 247 km away. After visiting the sacred Buddhist sites, you can fly back to Bangkok directly from Gaya airport. If you are happy with this suggested itinerary, try to find a travel agency in Bangkok that specialises in Indian travel to find you air tickets at a reasonable price. 

Enjoy the trip!