Buses in Thailand are incredibly cheap and a great way to get around the country. For intercity travel, you’ll pay more for better services like sleeper buses and air-conditioning. A bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes 10 hours and costs about 620-750 THB, while a first-class ticket for the same journey costs 997 THB.

Chiang Mai is a city filled with lots of temples, incredible food markets, night markets, cafes, and a chill vibe. It’s a good launching pad for multi-day jungle tours, adventure activities, or visits to the nearby elephant sanctuaries where you can volunteer to help rescued elephants. And be sure to head to Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most famous temple (the pagoda supposedly contains relics of Buddha himself). Chiang Mai is also considered one of the foodie capitals of the country (which says a lot!) so be sure to get your fill of food. There’s also a big jazz scene here and you can find a lot of jazz bars in the old city.

Every April, Thais celebrate their new year by holding an enormous, three-day water fight. Songkran is meant to wash away the old and begin the year anew. This once-in-a-lifetime water party is the biggest in Bangkok and Chiang Mai so book your hostel ahead of time. In Bangkok, there’s an opening ceremony at Wat Pho temple where they bathe the Buddha. The whole country turns into a big water fight and everyone plays along. If you’re around Songkran, be prepared to get wet everywhere you go those days (so keep your electronics sealed in plastic). Everyone outside is fair game.

Thailand’s royal palace, built at the end of the 18th century by King Rama I, is the official residence of the current monarch (though he doesn’t live there anymore; now it’s just used for ceremonies). It’s a striking place filled with numerous temples, including Wat Pra Kaeo, which houses the 15th-century Emerald Buddha. The architecture here is absolutely stunning. I highly recommend taking a guided tour as the signage here is minimal. Nearby Wat Pho is famous for two things: a 150 foot (46 meters) reclining Buddha statue and a very relaxing massage school. The temple is wonderful and the statue really impressive. Both can be done back-to-back and should not be missed.

Chiang Mai, a respite from the heavy duty travelling one experiences in South Thailand, is a haven for backpackers and travellers. With an ancient city nestled between a sprawling modern city, flaked by lush green fields of the countryside, Chiang Mai will engage all senses in the one hungry for travel stories and experiences.

The old town of Phuket is a place that takes one to the cultural walk amid all the beautiful traditional architectures and markets. Located on the east side of the Phuket Island, Phuket Old Town is capital of the island with coloured wit various shades of culture. One can enjoy the traditional and Sino-Portuguese architecture of the town that was built during 19th century. However, not many tourists have the town on their itinerary that flourished from the tin trade. The aroma of spices wafting from various cafes and restaurants may water your mouth as you stroll across the streets including Dubik, Ranong, Rasada, Yaowarat, Krabi and Thalang. The place is also a paradise for history lovers and photography buffs.

Sukhothai is home to approximately 190 ancient sites and temple ruins. It is known to mark the beginning of the Thai civilisation. Most of the monuments and ruins are restored at the Sukhothai Historical Park, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.