so very clueless

My husband and i decided very last minute ( last night) to go to Thailand/Siem Reap in late December/early january. I know this is the high season and things will be more expensive. We are both 31, love outdoor adventure stuff but want a few days on a beautiful beach. I have overwhelmed myself trying to pick the beach area. We do not have a long time to plan ( i usually start planning a year ahead) and i just need some direction. We want to go to Bangkok for maybe one day, Siem Reap and then the beaches. Any suggestions would be great. Thank you for any help

so very clueless

Gracie, let%26#39;s assume you use Bangkok (BKK) as you hub and that you%26#39;d prefer to do the active stuff first then hang out on a beach before you head home.

That suggests that your first stop should be Siem Reap (transiting in Bangkok). Two or three days in the most common period to visit. Hire a tuk tuk on a daily basis (about $12) or hire bicycles and cruise around.

Then down to the beach. Use this forum and your friend google to look at Phuket (most developed), Krabi, Kho Samui and Ko Lanta as starting points.

Then back to Bangkok. I think one day is a bit limiting but that%26#39;s just me. I%26#39;m also suggesting Bangkok at the end since no worries about transit timing. You don%26#39;t mention your budget expectations, however I think for such a short trip I would suggest staying at one of the hotels on the Chao Praya river. The Oriental if you%26#39;re going upscale for your last night. Otherwise the Sheraton and Shangri-La are on the same side of the river. The Peninsula is on the other side. Sit by the river over a few dacquiris and watch the world go by before heading out for dinner.

Many (but by no means all) good sites can be accessed from the river. Just hop on one of the river busses. They%26#39;re great fun, incredibly cheap and you can just get off where you want to see a temple or the Grand Palace or just some restaurant you like the look of.

If you%26#39;re up for a spa treatment then the Oriental Spa is hard to beat (boat ride across the river). If you%26#39;ve never tried a Thai massage then consider that (its quite different to other forms of massage).

Then get the hotel to arrange a car to take you to the airport so you arrive nice and relaxed for the horribly long flight home.

I haven%26#39;t described the most budget conscious options for BKK, but who knows when you%26#39;ll come back again....

Cheers, --Kip

high school next year