Hi, We did this trip a few years ago in our 50's.
4 nights BKK Fly to Siem R
2 nights SR ( We saw everything we wanted in a day with a private car and driver) Fly to
2 nights Sukothai (or to Phitlanasuk one hour from there) Fly to
3 nights CM (they have day trips to Chiang Rai etc.) Fly to (one hour)
3 Luang Prabang, Laos
Back to CM to BKK (try the overnight train first class for fun) it stops at Don Muang Airport and fly to Phuket
5 nights Phuket They have many day trips to Phi Phi etc.

I would do it again in this order. We needed 2 days rest in BKK as we came from FL.

I agree with the above^ however, you may way to look into flights from Northern Vietnam back to Thailand. Buses from Hanoi to Luang Prabang are 25 hours, and Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai are 15, and those buses aren't terribly comfortable (I know because I did this exact thing, and it was awful). However, they do say it is about the journey, not the destination...
Look into Hanoi>Chiang Mai flights for the end of February. I like skyscanner and google flights

If you love nature, Phong Nha Ke Bang national park in Quang Binh would be a good option. You can take a night train from Hanoi to get there. Hai Phong is also nice, but Cat Ba island is very crowded in the summer, so one of my friends (Russian) lives in Hanoi and just came back from Cat Ba suggested me not go there.

Hi, can you suggest any nice hotels in Chiang Mai. We are going to be there for 4 days in April.

2 days in Chiang Mai isn't much. Only enough time for a few temples which you will be doing in Bangkok.

I see no point in staying 1 night on Phi Phi. Ao Nang is a better base for tours.

Your transfers will eat up a lot of time. I would look at changing them if possible.

If possible going to Krabi same day on day 1 then fly bangkok for 3 nights at end. Skip CM. You really can't do much in 2 days there.

Have only been in Chiang Rai for a few hours but liking the atmosphere much more than Chiang Mai. Off to the border tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the help. Could you only, please take another look at the trip-schedule we've created.
I do have doubts about our last destination, but any other opinion about the other days/destination mentioned in this schedule is just as welcome.

As told, my friend and I will go on a 4 week backpacking trip to Laos, starting at the 13th of November. For now I’ve planned the trip schedule below, on which I would love to get your advice. We LOVE to stray from the beaten touristic path and meet with the behind-the-scenes world of Laos, something we would love to get help with in advance.

Beside that we still doubt whether to stay at one of the Thai Islands during the last few days of our trip or on Don Det.

My previous trip-scedule:

1. Amsterdam → Chiang Mai

2. Chang Mai aarival at night

3. Chang Mai

4. Express bus to Luang Namtha

5. From Luang Namtha to Muang Sing (early morning)

6. Muang Sing

7. Muang Sing

8. Muang Sing to Muang Khua (early morning)

9. Muang Khua

10. By boat Muang Khua to Muang Ngoi Neua (early morning)

11. Muang Ngoi Neua

12. Muang Ngoi to Nong Khiaw (early morning)

13. Nong Khiaw

14. Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang

15. Luang Ptabang

16. Luang Prabang

17. Luang Prabang

18. Luang Prabang to Vientiane

19. Vientiane

2 Vientane to Bolaven

1. Bolaven

2. Bolaven

3. Bolavent o Champasak

4. Champasak

5. Pakse – Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok-Island

6. Island (Thai Island or Don Det)

7. Island (or Don Det)

10.Island (or Don Det)

11.Island to Bangkok (early morning)

1. Bangkok

2. Bangkok-Amsterdam

Hope any one can give us advice. Thank you in advance.

Sylvia

I'm not sure if it's any consolation but we extended our Tourist Visas in Chiang Mai yesterday and it was remarkably pain-free. We were in and out in 50 minutes. I know it's extending a Tourist Visa as opposed to an Exemption but the process looked similar from what I saw briefly in the immigration office. Hopefully wherever you go will be the same!

Its been done for more than decades . But that's not the point . Conditions recently have been more extreme than usual. I have been in Chiang Mai and the north a number of times and didn't have to wear face mask. Its been measured for years but most years it doesn't get to the stage where its the most polluted city in the world briefly.

As for being prepared and knowing what they getting into - fine words in theory but things don't always work like that it reality.