some money to spend to do something memorable, chill and interesting

Hey y'all,

Here's the thing.

Me, my girlfriend, brother and sister are going to Thailand this summer (june). We haven't decided where to go but are wrestling with whehther to go to the area around Krabi or the islands on the east coast (Samui and so on...). Since we're doing this because my brother has been sick to sort of reunite and wind down my grandmother was kind enough to make donation of around 800 dollars. This money can't really be spent on anything but an outing of some sort.

So my question is, if you had 800 dollars to spent on nothing but yourself and the ones you love the most and want to get something truly memorable out of it in Thailand (around samui or krabi), what would you do??

Walking and Cycling the Cotswolds: Advice wanted

Hello everyone,

I am looking for advice on my stay in the cotswolds (end of July/beginning of August). My wife and I will be staying there for 5-6 days. So I thought of walking some parts of the Cotswolds Way (sort of) and cycle from quiet village to quiet village (with a tandem).

This is what I have planned so far:

• A walk from Broadway to Stanton and back
• A walk from Winchcombe to Bellas Knap and Sudeley castle
• Cycling from Chipping Campden to Moreton-In-Marsh and Guiting Power
• Cycling from Cirencester to Biburry

Which wild/national parks are best to visit?

Hi all,

We were planning to the national parks in Zimbabwe because of the high costs, but changed our minds.
We (4 persons) can only visit one though, and we don't have our own transportation.

Which park would you recommend? (and why)
Any indication about the costs would be very welcome as well... (doesn't have to be a very long visit)

Would be nice if there are lions, giraffes and elephants to be seen...

Thanks!

mid-range lodging mabul

been doing some research and it seems that on mabul accomodations are either at the low end of the spectrum or at the very top, with nothing in between (eg "flashpacker"). mainly i am looking for something that has air conditioning 24 hours...shared bathrooms and everything else being basic is not a problem. is there anything like this available? p.s. i know i haven't given a price range; i really just want to know if there's something between US $25 and $600 pp/pn. thanks!

Ethical Elephant Experience in Kanchanaburi - Elephant's World

Kanchanaburi has several places where people can interact with elephants, but Elephant's World is unique in the sense that the place's philosophy is NOT to make the elephants work for tourists.

You will feed the elephants, cut or wash food for them (i.e. cut banana trees with the mahouts or wash cucumbers by the river), cook rice for the older ones, take them to the river and have the time of your life while swimming around them and climbing on their backs (which is only done while you are at the river. Trekking does not happen in Elephants World!).

As a volunteer for one month, I saw several groups leaving the place with a huge smile on their faces, truly happy for the experience. Many said it was their highlight during their time in Thailand.

It is the best option for people that want to spend time with these magnificent animals, but are also concerned with the animals welf... more »

2 week japan itinerary

Hi everyone

My husband and I are flying in to Narita from sydney for our first trip to Japan.

Below us our tentative itinerary. Any comments or suggestions on it are greatly appreciated.

Fly in to Narita airport at 8pm and get rail pass
Get to ryokan in Harajuku 10pm

Tokyo 10th June
Tsukiji fish market
Akihabara - electronic cafe@home
Hama rikyu gardens
River bus sumida river.
Sensoji temple
Walk around Taito
golden gai

11th
Secondhand
Koenji lunch iseya
last have dinner shimokitazawa (eat a peach bar) jiyugaoka

tok 12tg
Imperial palace 3 9
Gardens 1 12
Shinjuku national park 1-2
Jamin roppongi for skewer lunch
Rippongi hills 3-6
Aronia de takazawa

tok 13th
Edo Tokoyo museum
Meiji jingu gates
Tokoyo metro gov office see view
Check out don quixote

14th
Tsumago - magome walk
Stay in tsumago

15th - 17th
takayama stay for 2 ... more »

Riomaggiore (cinque terre) to Venice by Train

Hi There
Does anyone have any information or a website for Riomaggiore to Venice via Pisa & Florence, hoping to stop in Pisa for a few hours.
Have tried Trentalia but have trouble with destinations as it’s a little difficult, think most trains go -
Riomaggiore - La Spezia - Pisa - Florence - Venice..
do i have to book individual tickets for this trip is there any other websites for trains within Italy?
could get rail europe to work searching individually.
any help or advice would be appreciated.
Rachael.

Greenland (Ilulissat) in September?

Hello,

I am planning to travel to Ilulissat next year and would like to choose a date where I can combine nice excursions during daytime with the chance of seeing the northern light at night (subject to a clear sky of course).

From what I found out in the internet so far, beginning of September might be the best time for my purposes, but I couldn't find a clear indication if
a) it is dark enough at night for northern lights
b) if the usual excursions are available, as it is already off season (boat trip to Eqi glacier, ferry to Disko island, whale safaris, helicoper sightseeing flights ...)

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Markus