Getting a gal to the Carribean???

[Gator]

Chiang Mai hotels that for sure will not have critters crawling in at night but your money will be flying out:

http://www.fourseasons.com/chiangmai/

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai/

Instaed, for 1/3 the money, you can do:

http://www.tamarindvillage.com/index.htm

For even more fun at an even lower cost, do the following.  This is where we stayed for 3 days October 2005.  However, forget the French manicure - you are there to have time alone with nature:

http://www.khaosanroad.com/chiangdao/chiangmaitrekking.htm

For reviews of the above (ignore the first review, obviously confused as this was not our case):
   
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-3167230-prod-hotel-action-read-ratings_and_reviews-i;_ylt=AgpMtbz5J687JozfX4brITjiphQB

[IAmZon]

Gator, I LOVE your posts!

Now I am driven to get a Russian girlfriend JUST FOR an excuse to go to Thailand:)

For now, I catch a plan to Puna Cana, DR in the AM.  It will be my first time in this part of the Caribbean.  I am going to be meeting/negotiating with several tour operators so I will see a great deal in a short amount of time.

I seem to remember you are going there over the holidays?

[Gator]

Rivardco,

Yes, Decemebr 27 - Jan 8.  Staying at a hotel she booked as part of a tour where she could get a non-stop from Moscow to Punta Cana.  It is a hotel that I would never choose (too big and bad reports); however, Russian tour agencies seem to have only those choices for their non-discriminating clients.  The major point is that it saved about 10 hours of flying and layover time for her, each way.

Many moons ago my ex-wife and I were on the maiden flight out of Punta Cana.  The airport had not opened when we arrived and we had to take a 4-hour bus ride from Santo Domingo.  Stayed at the Club Med which has one of the best beaches - incredible if you enjoy reclining in your chair on sand as soft as a woman's hair, under a palm tree with little waves cooling around your feet and a Mojito in your hand, watching the topless French-Canadian girls wander around.  Few RW will go topless, as in ALMOST NONE.

[Gator]

BACK TO TURBO/GUY AND THAI BEACHES

I agree with William that Koh Samui is nice. It has an airport so it is developed and somewhat crowded (but nothing is like the good ol' days).  My RW and I are adventurers so we flew to Koh Samui (one of the world’s great private airports) and took a ferry to Koh Pha-Nghan (or for diving – Koh Tao).  “Koh” is Thai for isle.  Travel to Koh Pha-Nghan during full moon could be difficult because of backpack party types.

Google on Koh Samui for hotels.  Southern part is less developed.  On Koh Pha-Nghan there is only one good hotel, the Panviman on the east side of the island at Ao Thong Nai Pan, and it is not very expensive for a 4-star hotel:

http://www.hotelthailand.com/koh_phangan/panviman/index.html

If you are doing Chiang Mai and Bangkok, you will not have time in an 8-day trip for much beach.  As William said, there are beaches within a 2-hour bus ride of Bangkok (good buses are fun as in Mexico).  William suggested Pattaya.  I have not heard much good about it (overcrowded).  Hua Hin the opposite direction was great 25 years ago!!!  You will need to do some LonelyPlanet research to choose.

[Gator]

T/G,

If you only have 7 days together with your future bride, maybe it is best to splurge and do the Four Seasons.  It sits on a hilltop above the lush rice fields and other green fields of this fertile land. 

I hear it is wonderful.

From there you can take excursions or just pamper yourself with massages and other therapy.

[William3rd]

I suggest Pattaya because it is really touristy. Actually- Jomtien Beach - over the hill past the big temple- is much nicer with clean beaches and less adult tourist action. Hua Hin and Cha Am are more Thai oriented although ex-pats have made some major inroads over there.

[Turboguy]

As I look throught all these helpful comments I am beginning to think we should stay a year or two to see it all.   I guess we will have to settle for packing a years worth of enjoyment into 7 or 8 days and with VWRW that won't be hard.   It won't be hard even if we don't see much. 

I appreciate all the great suggestions.   You guys are great. 

[Icarus]

Just an idea,

Have you looked at the smaller budget airlines around Europe, like Easyjet.com, and ryanair.com ?

They might be able to connect her flights etc

Hope it helps

Icarus

[Turboguy]

Thanks Icarus.  Darn, you should be an expert of the flying bit.   Sometimes the hard part is knowing what is available.  A lot of times the smaller airlines like Easyjet do not show up on the websites.   I am set on this trip but will keep that in mind for the next.   

[Michelangelo]

But remember that these small carriers usually only allow one 20 pound bag....