if you've been to Thailand and Vietnam...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've done both and loved both, but preferred thailand.

Spend some time in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and pick an island with good weather (xmas you'll want to be on the andaman side, so krabi, phuket, koh lanta, koh phi phi, koh lipe).

With 12 days I'd probably do something like 3 nights bangkok, 4 nights CM, 4 nights island + 1 night back in BKK for your flight back.

This. Five days in Bangkok is too many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:which elephant sanctuary do
you recommend in Chiang Mai? there are sooo many!! any
other recs for chiang mai?
thanks!

After much research, we did Elephant Nature Park, and had a great experience. You get fairly close to the animals, but cannot touch, feed, bathe, ride, etc., the elephants, as all of those are considered inhumane or not part of a humane sanctuary experience.

[Anonymous]

It comes down to which food you prefer? Thai food or Vietnamese food. . Spicy or not spicy? Authentic Thai food is very spicy. Thailand definitely has more temples than I've ever visited.
I've been to both and love both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:which elephant sanctuary do
you recommend in Chiang Mai? there are sooo many!! any
other recs for chiang mai?
thanks!

After much research, we did Elephant Nature Park, and had a great experience. You get fairly close to the animals, but cannot touch, feed, bathe, ride, etc., the elephants, as all of those are considered inhumane or not part of a humane sanctuary experience.

ENP has two small group programs where you do feed and touch the elephants, if they want. Elephant Highlands and Sunshine for Elephants - both excellent programs.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to Vietnam, but we did Thailand and Cambodia in roughly 10 days (Bangkok, Koi Samui, Siem Reap (Ankor Wat) and Chang Mai) and Cambodia was actually my favorite stop and is still one of my favorite places. Chang Mai would follow closely behind Siem Reap.