Beaches in Mexico

When in Mexico, one must make it a priority to spend some quality time on at least one of the many beaches in Mexico. The Mexican coastlines and harbor areas have numerous stretches of beautiful beaches that are visited frequently by sun bathers, tourists, and any visitors seeking a great relaxing getaway.

Located on the Yucatan peninsula, Cancun is a very popular Mexican beach vacation destination. It is a resort town that is very popular among university students especially during the week of spring break. Offshore, there is Isla Mujeres a beautiful beach island. There is also Isla Holbox which is also a beautiful getaway resort.

The Pacific coast resort town of Acapulco also is a very popular resort. This resort attracts many rich and famous people and over the years has become overrun with tourists. There are man large hotels that line the beautiful beaches of Acapulco. Many travellers are attracted by a popular Acapulco activity, cliff diving. There are several locations for one to jump many metres off cliffs into beautiful clear blue waters.

Further south of Acapulco there is Puerto Escondido. This beach area is ideal for surfing and snorkeling. There are many different beaches in Mexico and some offer different activities because of geological and geographical factors. Some other notable beaches include: Ixtapa, Guerrero, Ensenada, Baja, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur California, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Playa Miramar. Cd. Madero, Tamaulipas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Guaymas, Sonora, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Acapulco, Guerrero, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca.  Harry Preston

A Family Holiday in Melbourne

Melbourne is a beautiful and fun city to visit with the family. With lots of fun activities for kids and couples, Melbourne is a city full of great places to visit, stay and explore. Founded in 1835, during the reign of King William IV, Melbourne has some of the most interesting and diverse cultures. From their art scene to sports events, Melbourne is popular for just about everything and something for everyone.

To find cheap flights to Melbourne try to book the flight at least a few weeks in advance. If you do not already have a travel agent or a website you have been using to buy your tickets, then simply search for cheap flights Melbourne online and it will give you the top websites offering travel services. Be sure to check at least 4 different sites to compare costs end up with the cheapest tickets.

When taking a family holiday it is very vital to pick a place that has affordable and easy local travel. Melbourne has one of the most organized bus systems that will take passengers around the city. For longer journeys, they have the greyhound and the Southern Cross Railway Station, so a trip to Sydney can also be incorporated into your family holiday.

If visiting Melbourne in the summer, it's a great place to spend time with the family on the Brighton beach. With lots of fast food outlets, bars, restaurants and small shops, it is a fun place to take the kids and kick off your own shoes and soak up some sun. If you do not enjoy the beach scene, then head to Melbourne's many parks for a picnic and enjoy the local culture, with lots of history each picturesque park, like the Alexandra Gardens or the Birrarung Mar will be an experience.

With one of the most happening art scenes in the world, Melbourne has some great and child-friendly art galleries. The Melbourne Museum has eight galleries, an IMAX theatre and is located in Carlton Gardens. With one gallery dedicated to children, a live rainforest and a cultural centre there is plenty to explore for the entire family. Melbourne is also home to ArtPlay, a creative arts studio for children, where for a small fee children can create mosaics, paintings and other crafts.

With a Chinatown and Greek Precinct, Melbourne offers a wide range of experiences. Lonsdale and Russells street are full of delightful Greek dining, galleries and shops. Melbourne is definitely a really amazing city that is expanding in more than one ways, with lots of exciting places to visit and exciting events happening around the clock, it is a new family favourite because of its tourist friendly transport and affordable local hotels.  Carl Liver and Barry S Summers

What to Pack When Visiting Thailand

How do you prepare for your Thailand holiday? There are items you will definitely want in your suitcase, if not before boarding your flight then at least after you've checked in at your hotel and found a nice convenience store to buy these things from, especially since not all these items are readily available in an average K-Mart at home. Whether or not you need them all depends on the weather conditions in Thailand at the time (or the region of Thailand you are visiting), but for the most part they are necessary around the year.

•  Mosquito repellent: This is absolutely a must! More so if you are traveling during Thailand's summer season, and also one of the many, many reasons that should dissuade you from choosing bottom-of-the-barrel accommodation: no air-conditioning means you will be opening the window just to breathe and then it's open blood-sucking season. Mosquito repellents in forms of lotions are good, but you could consider insect-repellent bands as well, worn either on the ankle or wrist: creams and lotions are liable to be diluted by sweat. And in the tropics, you are going to be sweating a lot!
• Sunblock: Do you happen to come from the United Kingdom? Be warned: in Thailand the sun is going to scorch your skin off and it's all sunny, all the time barring the monsoon season (though even then you will still see more sunlight than you do in an entire British year). Bring sunscreen and apply it generously whenever you want to take a walk around Bangkok or Chiang Mai; else you are going to find yourself limited to evening and very early morning strolls.

• Power adapter: Unless you are from Hong Kong or any other countries which use 220V 50Hz power sockets, you will want a power adapter or two to keep your smartphones, electric shavers, and iPods going. Power sockets in Thailand accept two flat prongs, or two flat prongs with one ground pin. Prepare accordingly. (You can rent one from hotels above a certain price range, but if you're backpacking through guesthouses you should consider bringing your own.)
• Bottles of water: This is something of a no-brainer: when you are on a tour through Chiang Mai or Koh Samui you may find yourself dehydrated, which can have all kinds of side-effects you don't want: dizziness, nausea, and digestive complications. Buy a bottle of water or bring a canteen, and keep drinking.

• Clothes: You will want the lightest wear you have got. Short jeans, sleeveless tops, and similar should be the order of the day. Keep in mind, however, that if you plan to visit Buddhist temples as part of your jaunt through Thailand, you should elect to dress fairly sensibly in keeping with respect for the local faith. So the shorts don't need to be showing your underwear and the tops don't need to let the entire world count your every chest hair one by one. Think going to church, but less stuffy.
• Wheeled bag/suitcase: Bring an empty one, if you can, and keep it with you just for shopping, because chances are good you will be buying a lot of interesting keepsakes, souvenirs and gifts from the Night Market or Walking Street in Chiang Mai and similar arts-and-crafts centers.

• Umbrellas: Not so much for the rain as for the sun. Alternatively, wide-brimmed hats and caps will do just as well to keep your brain from boiling over and streaming out your ears. Just kidding: it's not that hot, but it's warm enough that having something over your head is going to be something you will quickly learn to appreciate (unless you're from Australia or sunny California and already used to it). Sunglasses may be a good idea, as well.
• Footwear: Like the clothes you should pack, this ought to be light as well. Heavy formal shoes and stiletto heels are going to kill your feet in no time and the footpath isn't exactly baby-skin smooth. Light sneakers, sans socks, and slippers are good. Buying disposable flip-flops once you've arrived at your destination is sensible too.

• Deodorant: Unless you honestly smell like Chanel No. 5 while sweating like a pig, you will want deodorant. A lot of it. Oh, and take something for your feet too, because that sweat will stink up more than your armpits.  Joanne Chong

Goa - A Wonderful Honeymoon Destination

Goa has always been a favorite destination for honeymoon, this place has its own charm and it is something special that makes people return for more. Beautiful and gorgeous Goa is honeymooner's dream, a land with amazing beaches. The accommodation ranges from expansive seaside resort to an all-inclusive, fashionable full-service hotel.

Visitors are attracted to Goa's green hills and cool blue waters, Churches, spice farm and paddy fields, sun, sand and sea etc; it is also surrounded by warm and friendly people. You will fall for Goa's lovely food, good music, spectacular beaches and hidden cove, lazy rivers for canoeing, birdsong and sparkling nights.

For sightseeing Goa has lots to show for example, The Church of Immaculate Conception is Panaji's main place of worship for the Catholics, also visit the impressive Se Cathedral of St. Catherine, the largest church in Asia, which has 14 altars, an 80m long aisle and 5 bells including the Golden Bell, supposed to be one of the best in the world. The remarkable Goa beaches Miramar Beach, closest to the capital Panaji (3 km), is conveniently located in the heart of the state capital which you would find a lot of crowd here, Dona Paula is a small, relaxing beach with the Dona Paula Beach Resort, Caranzalem (between Miramar and Dona Paula) is calm and safe for swimming, it has water scooters and other water sports facilities as there is no undercurrent.

North Goa has the hustling and bustling market town of Mapusa is the biggest city/town of North Goa. Calangute is the busiest town in Goa and now the centre of the 'package' tourist trade and has a long beach of coarse golden sand but there is a dangerous undertow that restricts swimming time. There are plenty of accommodations available here as well.-fringed Sinquerim beach is popular with tourist. You should visit the flea market at Baga where you can beat some fancy bargains in Kashmiri and other Indian handicrafts then you have Wednesday flea market, which Anjuna is famous for allover Goa. South Goa, the main cities of this part of Goa are the towns of Margao and Vasca da Gama. This is quiet area than North Goa and has numerous beaches as well as up market resorts, best for couples.

Goan food is something to relish on, the coconut based curries and stews using pork and beef and rich cakes and pastries are one of the popular dishes. If you can handle the spicy food, then do try a plate of the local food of fish curry and rice. For people who are foodie and like to try new taste, Goa is just the place to be. In local Pork Vindaloo is famous as well, its spicy and tangy taste is amazing and many more famous dishes you should try when you are in Goa. Also when in Goa drinks are not to be missed, should try the world famous Feni then you also have red and white wines. For refreshing coconut water is best, Alcohol is always available at an affordable price at all restaurants and even the cottages around the beach.  Aalia Khan

Finding the Ideal Beach Destination in Florida

Florida is an ever-popular destination for beach holidays, boasting a beautiful coastline and plenty of fun things to see and do. While the state is certainly famous for its sunshine and stretches of sand, you may be wondering what else there is do there - and where exactly would be best for your dream getaway.

The state is home to an array of wonderful beach destinations and you'll find that booking Florida holidays holds the promise of exciting activities and places to visit in addition to the renowned coastline.

A St Petersburg beach holiday is just one of the great breaks on offer in the state. This seductive suntrap holds the Guinness World Record for having the highest number of consecutive days of sunshine, which cannot fail to impress sun-seekers! Alongside that wonderful weather, St Petersburg plays host to 35 miles of white sand beaches, which provide the perfect place for relaxing and soaking up those rays.

While it may be hard to tear yourself away from the beach here, if you manage to do so you'll find the destination has plenty more to offer visitors. Golfing fans will discover they have some 50 top courses to choose from, while cyclists will be treated to a range of exciting trails to explore on two wheels.

Those keen to challenge themselves may want to give the Pinellas Trail a go. Spanning some 43 miles, this cycling trail is ideal for blazing through the Florida landscape.

Alternatively, why not make the most of the water and indulge in a spot of kayaking or canoeing? Swimming with manatees in Crystal River is another of the fantastic water-based experiences on offer - and certainly one of the most magical and memorable.

If you're eager to experience St Petersburg's cultural landscape, however, there are a number of fascinating places you can visit. Art lovers may be particularly interested in the Salvador Dali Museum, which houses more than 1,000 pieces by the Spanish surrealist. Simply browse the works in your own time or, to learn more about the artist, take a guided tour.

For an altogether different experience of St Petersburg, head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This quiet-sounding destination is actually a combination of exhilarating attractions, ranging from incredible wildlife to thrilling rollercoasters!

Indeed, here you can see awe-inspiring creatures such as the Bengal tiger and orangutans, as well as go on some of the most impressive rides in the US. One of these - the SheiKra - holds the title of the being the country's first floorless rollercoaster.

Taking holidays to Sarasota is another great way to experience Florida and you'll find some absolutely fantastic beaches here. Indeed, many of these have won awards for their gorgeous clear water and soft white sand.

Sarasota's islands are also well worth a visit - especially if you are seeking some quirky experiences during your break. By heading to Anna Maria Island, you can try the latest adventure sport - horse surfing. Local experts will take you through the motions, which are sure to make for holiday memories you will never forgot!

However, if horse surfing doesn't take your fancy, why not spend some time getting to know some of Sarasota's most important history? The destination is known as the home of the American circus - something that stuck in the 1920s after top circuses moved their acts there.

Among these were Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Ringling Bros, who are known not just for their acts but for their impact on the local economy too. Today, you can browse the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to learn more.

While you can find out something of the circus's history here, you can also see a staggering number of important artistic works. The collection was donated by John Ringling upon his death and comprises 21 galleries, featuring paintings, sculptures and sketches from across the globe.

You'll also have the chance to see the world's largest miniature circus, as well as stroll around the beautiful rose garden.

USA holidays are great for those seeking beach breaks - and for getaways in the sun, Florida cannot be beaten. No matter where you choose to spend your time in the state, you're certain to have a wonderful trip.  Dipika Patel

The Caribbean Islands Are A Must-Visit Destination

When the phrase tropical paradise gets mentioned one automatically starts to think about lush beaches with crystal clear waters, huge palm trees dotting the shore, and an endless stretch of powdery white sand that is such a joy to behold. If you are thinking about having a vacation in a tropical paradise then you should consider booking a ticket to the Caribbean.

What many tourists do not know is that the Caribbean Islands have a rich and colorful history. It was the great explorer Christopher Columbus who was said to discover the islands therefore it became the springboard for European invasion and domination of the Americas. The reason why the Caribbean has a very unique culture is because of the influences of the Spanish and Portuguese in the beginning and continued later by the arrival of the Europeans. Their arrival brought about what tourists see today as an eclectic mix of American and European influences on food, architecture, and way of life that is now considered as their own. During the sixteenth century the entire Caribbean region was dominated by the Spanish empire and during the seventeenth century the English, Dutch, and French also established colonies. It was in 1962 when the colonies became independent because of the rise of popular movements and labor organizations and the emergence of a generation of politicians who assumed leadership roles.

Today the Caribbean Islands boasts of a culture that is a melting pot of influences from the different colonies that settled in the beginning of their history. Tourists admire the laid back lifestyle of the people in these islands and they just enjoy hanging out with the locals sharing a few drinks with them and talking about their beautiful islands.

If you are unsure which island to visit first, consider Jamaica. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean and provides a home for about 2.6 million people; this beautiful island is where you will find the Blue Mountain Range. It is surrounded by a narrow coastal plain making it perfect for building beach resorts and hotels. Jamaica considers tourism as one of the biggest contributors to their economy. Because of its stunning white beaches, lush foliage, and warm, tropical weather all-year round, people from all over the world flock to Jamaica for several days or weeks of fun in the sun and total relaxation.

Regardless of which island you choose for your vacation, with the gorgeous beaches, comfortable and functional island resorts and hotels, and warm and welcoming people, the Caribbean is definitely one of those place you would not want to miss in your lifetime.  Dawn Schraeder

Five Travel Tips For Florence

The Uffizi Gallery Tip

The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the most important and greatest art collections in the world. It is also the world's oldest museum. Most tour guide books and online travel sites will urge you to ensure that a visit to the Uffiizi is included as part of any Florence vacation, no matter how short. What most of them fail to tell you, or at least stress with sufficient emphasis, is that without a pre-booked ticket, you may not be able to visit the Uffizi at all!

My wife and I had a three day holiday in Florence at the beginning of April 2005. We had planned on visiting the Uffizi Gallery and as soon as we checked in at our hotel we telephoned the gallery to purchase tickets. After several attempts without our calls being answered, we asked the hotel reception to do the booking for us. They explained that it was nearly always difficult to get through on the booking line and that our three day stay might not provide sufficient notice to make a booking possible. Despite this, the hotel staff were most happy to keep trying whilst we enjoyed the other wonders of Florence.

We decided to check out the situation for ourselves the next day but discovered queues that hardly seemed to move, stretching for an enormous distance around the area of the Uffizi. Queuing all day was certainly not the way we wanted to spend our time in Florence, so we decided to leave things in the capable hands of the reception staff whilst we enjoyed the other attractions that we had come to see. The following evening, we were informed that after many fruitless attempts at getting through on the booking line, success had finally been achieved but only to receive information that all tickets were sold for the following day. We consequently missed out on seeing many of Florence's greatest art treasures and our top travel tip for anyone visiting Florence on a short stay vacation is to book tickets for the Uffizi Gallery online some time before their holiday.

 The Inside Tip for the Duomo

Another of the wonders of Florence not to be missed is the Duomo. Actually, it is impossible to miss this magnificent building because it dominates the city and can be seen from virtually everywhere. Savour the views of it whilst enjoying a coffee at one of the cafes in the surrounding piazza. Walk around it, pausing every now and then to appreciate it from every aspect. View it from more distant, elevated, positions around the city. This was once the largest cathedral in the world and even now, nearly six hundred years after it was built, it is the fourth largest. Florence always insisted on everything being the biggest and the best but what really makes the Duomo unique is its dome or "Cupola". When Fillipo Brunelleschi undertook this masterpiece of renaissance architecture, no one believed that such a dome was possible. The secret had been lost for over a thousand years but Brunelleschi traveled to Rome to unravel it by examining the dome of the ancient Pantheon.

My tip for the Duomo is to ascend this incredible feat of engineering. You can do so by entering a stairway that leads up inside the dome, between its inner and outer shells. When you reach the top, you can step outside onto an external gallery that provides magnificent views of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. This gallery was never finished however, so your views are restricted to northerly and westerly directions.

Palazzo Vecchio - David's Copy Tip

Perhaps the next most famous landmark of Florence is the Palazzo Vecchio. Once again, it is a building worth enjoying from every aspect on the outside before entering to explore its fascinating, art filled, interior.

My tip for the Palazzo Vecchio is to spare a few minutes looking at the pollution-streaked COPY of the world's most famous statue, realizing that although the original Michelangelo's David is safely inside the Accademia, the copy is standing just where the original once stood.

 River Arno Cross Over Tip

This tip is to retreat from the busiest tourist attractions of the city centre and to cross the Arno river via the Ponte Vecchio. The crowds on this wonderful, historic bridge will probably be even more tightly packed than in the central Piazzas you have just left but within a hundred metres of the other side, they will have thinned out and you can explore the delights of the Boboli gardens and the Palazzo Pitti before walking up the meandering paths to the Piazzo Michelangelo which stands on a beautiful hill overlooking Florence and its surrounds.

A final Florence travel tip - Avoiding "Stendhal Sydrome"

Florence has so much beauty that every year, there are a few tourists who have to be treated at local hospitals for a condition known as "Stendhal Syndrome". Symptoms range from feeling faint to complete exhaustion. Stendhal was a French tourist whose nineteenth century tour of Florence overloaded his senses so much that he collapsed with these symptoms.  Stewart Palmer

The Best Way to Travel: Group or Solo?

It depends! There is no one size fits all answer. The best way to travel depends on many things, but here are a few key factors.

• Your REASONS for travelling.
• Are you going solo or with friends from home?
• The duration of the trip.
• Your personality.
• The location.

Reasons!

If you are going to travel to finally take a long deserved break from your 60 hours weeks in a stressful job. Then I highly doubt you want to spend your break cramming your brain with loads and loads of new information. This can be in the form of a new language, new ways to function, new food, and figuring out a new public transit system every other day. In this case you would be far better off going somewhere you are semi-familiar with or travelling with a group. In a group you'll get to chill out. The company guide will take care of all the logistics, bargaining, scams, hotels, bus tickets and taxi rides. You are just there to clear your mind, not play Indiana Jones.

Are you going solo or with friends from home?

If going solo, nothing is stopping you from meeting people on the road. While traveling, you'll meet tons of people but they aren't always going your way. You could meet new people in Bangkok that seem like they are an awesome bunch but they are going to Chiang Mai... the city you just came from. That can be kind of a drag. Unless you are lucky and meet the perfect traveling partner, you'll have to get used to short term friendships. If you want to stay with the same people for the duration of the trip, develop better, longer lasting relationships and start developing inside jokes and all that fun stuff, group travel is definitely the better option.

The duration of the trip

If you are leaving for a very short period of time like 1 or 2 weeks. It would be better to go with a tour because they have years of experience in making the perfect itineraries. You might go solo, hoping to see this and that during your week only to find out that the bus only leaves every other day to that destination. The group travel businesses know this! And they plan for it way in advance allowing you the opportunity to see everything they said you would see... GUARANTEED! On the other hand if you have 4 months, go solo! Take your time, missed the bus? Oh well. Now you know, you have months ahead of you.

Your personality

If you're a very stressed out individual, dislike being out of your element, not a huge fan of change but still want to see beautiful places, going solo might just give you a long headache. You don't want to come back home with anger and new prejudices! Obviously, the group tour option would be a good one for you. If you are easy going, don't mind looking stupid in public, think that getting lost or scammed is part of life and love the growth you'll get out of bad experiences, go solo.

Location

If you are going to hard to reach places where you either need a car (or worse a 4x4 truck) to get to. Going solo is pretty much out of the question (unless you have tons of cash on hand!). Some national parks require a 4x4 vehicle to get around. If you show up with just a tent, and hiking boots, you won't see much! I speak from first hand experience. I tried to visit Kaeng Krachan national park in Thailand by foot. I thought they had hiking trails. I was wrong! I had to turn back. Think also of things like safaris, some last for a few days, some for a few weeks!.

Now if you are heading to an easy access location where you know you'll find someone that can understand you, find English menus etc. Nothing wrong with going by yourself!

So take this into consideration when daydreaming about your next trip. So many things are a factor in determining the perfect vacation. But these are the main issues that should help you figure out what the best way to travel is for you.  Cedric Cobban

Fun Adventures in Bali

The beautiful island of Bali conjures up dreamy images of a tropical paradise, and despite being fairly compact it's the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia. Its appeal is drawn from many sources including the blissful climate, gorgeous beaches, unique culture, delicious food, and relatively inexpensive living costs. Beach lovers could easily while away their entire stay simply soaking up the rays, sipping cocktails out of coconuts, and splashing about in the warm sea, but there's also plenty on offer for more adventurous travellers...

Volcano trekking

A two-hour climb to the summit of active volcano Mount Batur to watch the sun rise is an incredibly memorable experience, and your local guide may add to the fun by cracking and cooking an egg on some lava-heated rock - reminding you just how active the volcano really is. It's a fairly accessible hike if you're reasonably fit, and you're rewarded with views of the sunrise over Bali's tallest mountain, Mount Agung, while to the north you see several steaming, active cones. Registered guides should be members of the Association of Mount Batur Trekking Guides, which has an office in Toyo Bungkah village where the treks begin.

Diving and snorkelling

The best time of year for snorkelling and diving around Bali is from May until September, when the water tends to be clearest and you can see the live coral and tropical marine life in all its glory. At Tulamben, one of Bali's most famous dive sites, you can even explore a sunken World War II ship - the 120-metre-long USS Liberty wreck. On Bali's far east coast there are also some great locations such as Candidasa and the nearby islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. For more experienced divers there are excellent sites around the rocky islets of Gili Kambing, Gili Biaha and Gili Mimpang.

White water rafting

In central Bali, the island's cultural heart, Ubud offers a good base for white water rafting excursions outside of the dry season. After exploring the town's historical sites and temples, including some of the most beautiful on the island, you can head west to Sayan near the lush Ayung gorge. Whitewater rafting operators will take you for a day on the Class II and Class III rapids, which aren't the most challenging in the world but are set against a spectacularly beautiful backdrop.

Surfing

One of the island's best-known resorts is Kuta, once a sleepy fishing village but today a popular backpacking spot, particularly amongst Australian surfers. The village can get very busy and the surf overcrowded at some times of the year, though, so surfers may prefer to venture to quieter spots elsewhere. With more than 30 surf locations across Bali, once you get chatting to fellow surfers you'll soon hear about favourites such as Ulu Watu for more experienced surfers, and nearby Padang Padang.

These are just a handful of the activities on offer across Bali, and with a bit of research you can have a go at para-sailing, riding an elephant, jungle or rice paddy trekking, fishing, wakeboarding or water skiing.  Joseph Z Williams

A Guide to Chiang Mai Temples

Chiang Mai, Thailand, should be your prime destination if you are a traveler looking to experience Thai culture to the full: not only is it a city that retains much of its pre-modernization charm and shows minimal influences of industrialization, it is also home to over three hundred Buddhist temples. Most of these temples are centuries old, dating back to the early days of the Kingdom of Lanna, which was founded in 1292 and became part of Thailand in 1774. More than religious centers, the wat are sites of culture that have accumulated different architecture styles, relics, and artworks over hundreds of years. You may find yourself overwhelmed, however, by the sheer number of temples (also known as wat in Thai) to see in Chiang Mai; the following guide gives you a starting point of which ones you shouldn't miss.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is located on the mountain Doi Suthep and is one of the most prominent historical sites in the province; as such it is a must-see in any traveler's trip to Chiang Mai. Roughly 15 kilometers from the city center, it consists of a beautiful gold-plated chedi (pagoda), the famous white elephant shrine, countless murals, and an exquisitely made naga stairway-with 309 steps-leading you up to the top (though you can always opt to take the cable instead for a small fee, 60 bht at the time of writing). At the lofty height of 1,053 meters above sea level, it also offers a fantastic and panoramic view of Chiang Mai that'd be perfect on any postcard. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep began in 1371 as a single chedi, but was expanded several times by various Chiang Mai monarchs and is still being added to today. The most recent addition, a glass tip for the golden lotus on one of the pagodas, was donated by the current king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Wat Chedi Luang presents a different style of architecture, being of a purely Lanna origin. Built in the late 14th century to enshrine a king's remains, Wat Chedi Luang had the distinction of being the tallest structure in all of Chiang Mai for five centuries until an earthquake in the 16th century reduced its former height of ninety meters to the present-day sixty. Its compound encompasses the Mahamakut Buddhist University, a monks' campus. This temple is located in the Old City area, near the Thapae Gate. From here, many other temples can be reached within walking distance, among them the famous Wat Phra Singh.

Wat Chaimongkol is a riverside temple located on Chareon Prathet Road in the city center, north of the Night Bazaar. The temple is over six centuries old and quite remarkable for its shrines and collection of relics; the style of its architecture shows influences from ancient Lanna as well as those of Myanmar and Laos. One of the most popular temples in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong (Lantern Festival) and the Buddhist tradition of freeing animals into the Mae Ping River, Wat Chaimongkol perfectly complements a sightseeing stroll through the city.

Wat Suan Dok distinguishes itself by having a dedicated "Monk Chat" center (technically that hosts lectures and talks for English-speaking foreigners who are interested in Buddhism and/or conversion to Buddhism. Monks also make themselves available for less formal dialogue and discussions; there are also courses provided by the University of Chiang Mai. Even apart from this feature, however, the temple is set in a large compound that houses many pagodas, one of which is said to contain one half of the relic that founded Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Wat Suan Dok is located on Suthep Road to the west of the Old City, close to the Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital.  Joanne Chong