Honeymooning in the Land of Smiles: A 14-Day Thai Adventure

Falling in love with Bangkok:

Our adventure began in the frenetic capital of Bangkok. After settling into our plush riverfront digs at Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel, we embraced the city's intoxicating energy. One highlight was experiencing Bangkok's public transit system like locals, riding the skytrain and underground. We took a boat across the Chao Phraya River to the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) before visiting Wat Pho to marvel at the gigantic Reclining Buddha.

The dazzling Grand Palace complex left us in awe of its ornate temples and the famous Emerald Buddha. To experience a more local side of Bangkok, we boarded a long-tail boat along the "Venice of the East" canals, weaving through waterside communities before disembarking in Chinatown. There, we gorged on the legendary street food like fiery som tam papaya salad and skewers of moo ping grilled pork from the neon-lit stalls lining Yaowarat Road. I still think about the $5 pad thai and my favorite, the mango sticky rice, for dessert. I only consumed Thai Iced Tea for 14 days and let me tell you... it is delicious!

Chiang Mai's cultural charms:

After the big city excitement, we retreated to the laidback ancient capital of Chiang Mai. Our home for five nights was the elegant Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. One of the most profound experiences was rising before dawn to witness the sacred alms-giving ceremony, where the locals offered food to Buddhist monks in a silent procession of saffron-robed monks. Explore the Old City's ancient chedis (stupas) and wats (temples) like Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.

We spent our days exploring Chiang Mai's rich cultural tapestry — from the centuries-old chedis within the Old City walls to visiting Wat Ton Kwen, an ancient teak temple surrounded by lush gardens.

A memorable day was spent hiking in Doi Inthanon National Park to admire the cascading Pha Dok Seaw waterfall. Another highlight was taking a Thai cooking class where we learned to prepare classic dishes like khao soi noodles and massaman curry.

The romantic beaches of Phuket:

No honeymoon is complete without beach bliss, so we headed to the island paradise of Phuket. Our home for six nights was the luxurious Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, where our private villa offered direct access to the powdery sands and azure waters.

We spent our days exploring Phuket's dramatic scenery — taking a long-tail boat to the famous Phi Phi Islands for snorkeling in the crystal clear bays, and exploring the magical hongs (enclosed lagoons) of Phang Nga Bay via sea canoe through the towering limestone karsts. Evenings were made for indulging in fresh seafood, beachside massage treatments and watching the legendary sunsets hand-in-hand with a cocktail in hand. We even did a "Loy Krathong" ceremony, lowering water lanterns at the ocean to pray for our relationship.

From Bangkok's urban buzz to Chiang Mai's cultural heart and Phuket's romantic shores, our Thai honeymoon was everything we dreamt of and more. We were dazzled by the ornate temples, warm hospitality, incredible cuisine and stunning natural scenery at every turn. Thailand's moniker as the "Land of Smiles" is well-earned — this is a place that will captivate you from the moment you arrive.

Tips for traveling to Thailand:

• Pack lightweight, breathable clothing and don't forget modest outfits to cover up at temples

• Be prepared for very spicy food, especially in the north. Ask for "pet nit noi" if you can't handle the heat.

• Get familiar with the Thai wai — prayer-like palm gesture — as it's the polite greeting.

• Bring plenty of Thai baht as USD is not widely accepted outside major cities.

• For a more secluded beach experience in Phuket, head to the northern beaches.

• Don't forget to obtain a tourist visa if staying over 30 days.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Thailand. In need of further inspiration? Check out Alyssa Gordon’s guide, Milos, Greece: Boating and Beach Paradise.