DESTINATIONS - Ibiza vs. Thailand

Ibiza, Balearic Islands
Last visited in 2012, I learnt to appreciate the beauty of this island. It's not all just about the parties, Ibiza has some stunning places to explore and see. Ideal for more of a stag/hen parties if you go to San Antonio, but if you are looking for a more chilled out vibe, then the rest of the island is at your disposable from golden beaches, quite villages to yoga retreats. My aunty had her honeymoon in Ibiza and loved it! I do think another trip is in order for 2019!

Break from the nightlife and super clubs and head to Ibiza's south-coast capital Eivissa (Ibiza Town). There is plenty to do and see in Eivissa from sight seeing, shopping to fine dining. This town is full of history and architecture  with museums and galleries hidden away down narrow cobbled streets.

Where to stay -  There are numerous options depending on which part of the island you chose to reside in and how much time you think you will spend in the hotel.

*Mirador de Dalt Vila at Placa d'Espanya
*Cas Gasi, Santa Gertrudis
*El Corsario, Carrer Ponent
*Ses Pitreras, San Agustin
*Hotel Xereca, Puig d'en Valls

What to do - You can either make the most of the sunshine by laying on the beaches sipping cocktails or you could add a little culture to your trip. The choice is yours! Ibiza has some stunning views, so I would take full advantage of those whilst you're there.

*Museu d'Art Contemporani d' Eivissa
*Lips Reartes at Carrer Porreres
*Visit Dalt Vila (now  a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
*Boat trips ( head to Es Vedra to watch the sunset )
*Beaches (Playa d'en Bossa and Talamanca)
*Scuba Diving (I've done this and it's a worthwhile experience!)

www.ibizasummervillas.com/guide-to-ibizas-museums-and-galleries/
www.sunsetboatsibiza.com
www.bambuddha.com
www2.padi.com
www.casgasi.com
www.ibiza-spotlight.com

Thailand, Asia
Thailand has become a popular tourist attraction over the years known for it's golden tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces and temples. With over 2,000 miles of coastline, 8,000 islands to choose from all with great photo opportunities, what's not to love about this place!

*Bangkok
Bangkok is the cosmopolitan capital of Thailand bursting at the seams with life, buzzing with tuk-tuks and markets and fascinating sightseeing prospects. If you want to get to grips with Thai culture and history then this is your first pit stop. Head for the old town area, known as Ratanakosin for a dose of culture and temples. 
 
*Railay Beach
Accessible only by boat, but just a 15-minute ride from Ao Nang, the busiest parts of Railay are sandwiched between Hat Railay East and Hat Railay West and Hat Tham Phra Nang. As it becomes more popular, it still remains  much less-developed than Ko Phi-Phi. For all those thrill seekers out there if you love rock-climbing, then this is an ideal place for you as long as you don't mind the company of the wildlife on the way up. A back drop that you would expect to see in a film, Railay provides stunning scenery from the beaches to the jungle.

What to do - Hot-air ballooning, kite surfing, walking with elephants, nearly every imaginable activity can be done out in Thailand.

A Thai massage is not for the faint hearted, but if you don't fancy being contorted into various pretzel shapes then you can learn how to inflict the pain on others! There are training centres that you can register at in Chaing May (Northern Thailand) where you can sign up for 5, 2 or 1 day courses. 

Fancy brushing up on your culinary skills to wow your friends back home? Then try your hand at a cooking school. A  the most a lesson can cost is a £46pp (about 1950 Thai Baht) which includes a trip to Thanin market and instruction by a top chef. For a more budget option, check out the Chiang Mai Thai Farm Cooking School which offers hands-on, small-group classes. At £24pp ( just over 1,000 Thai Baht) this includes food and transfers.

Alternatively you can do something more therapeutic and head on out to the Elephant Nature Park some 40 miles from Chiang Mai. The park has been rescuing and rehabilitating elephants since the 1990s. Visitors can spend the day feeding, swimming with and walking alongside the herd in their 200-acre habitat. Now this sounds like my ideal trip.

Food - I'm not much of an adventurous eater, so I think I would struggle a little out in Thailand, but I'd be prepared to try at least one exotic food as long as its not bugs!
The main food of Thailand is Khao niao or  sticky rice which is traditionally steamed and is eaten as a staple food both in the northeast as in the north of Thailand. 

If your staying in the capital then head to China Town ( also known as Yaowarat to the locals) Khao gang (curry rice) is a fixture on Bangkok’s streets. A popular breakfast and lunch option for diners on the go, curry rice is a selection of curries and stir-fries, any combination of which can be piled on to a plate of rice.

Most of the food in Thailand you would be content with eating, its just with an extra spicy kick of flavours! 

Be warned, bugs are eaten as snacks and can be found on numerous market stalls, but once deep fried and heavily salted, I'm sure they taste just like Ready Salted crisps! You only live once so bite the bullet and snack on a few grasshoppers, giant water bugs (huge btw!) crickets and silk worms! It will be something to tell the grandkids one day! 

Where to stay - A vast amount of places to chose from, all depending on which part of the island you are staying at. Hosts on Air bnb offer some great accommodation, prices and availability vary on the time of year you travel. Again depending on location, you can opt for apartments in the capital, hotels by the beach or tents in the jungle (not your average tent may I add!)
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If you really want to go all out and splurge (it's your honeymoon why not!), then treat yourself to a 5* luxury stay at the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. The pictures don't do it justice, so it's definitely a place to go on my bucket list.

www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle/

https://www.gettingstamped.com/thailand-honeymoon-destinations-itinerary/
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www.airbnb.co.uk/a/Thailand

theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/the-21-best-thai-dishes-in-thailand/

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/top-25-things-to-do-in-thailand/
 
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/mar/10/thailahttps://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/nd-village-jungle-lake-river-tourism-khao-sok
 
http://www.phuket.com/phuket-magazine/best-beaches-in-thailand.html