Thailand and Cambodia – the first exotic trip with a baby
If you think that tropical holidays with an infant are a crazy idea – I have great news. Such trips can be planned to make them unforgettable for the whole family. Sit back, relax, and check out my sample itinerary for a trip to Thailand and Cambodia!
Why Asia?
Asia is a perfect destination for the first exotic family holiday, because everyone there loves kids, who are welcome in virtually all public places. Moreover, Thailand has complex, advanced infrastructure which caters for all tourists, even the most demanding ones. Additionally, the neighboring Cambodia is cheaper, but still very exotic. It would be a pity not to pay a visit if you are in that region.
When and for how long?
The best time to visit Thailand and/or Cambodia is the Polish winter, when everything is sad, cold, and grey. I recommend to go in November, although any time from November to February – i.e. the “cool” season, when it doesn’t rain – will do. November is perfect, because it is not the high season yet, temperatures are nice and warm, and swimming in the sea is a pleasure. My advice is to go for 15-20 days.
Step 1: Bangkok
Bangkok is a must-see city, easily accessible from Europe. Its vibrant energy may be a bit overwhelming at first, but the cuisine, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions are definitely worth your while. I think it’s a great idea to stay there for a few days to get used to the climate. I recommend to look for accommodation near China Town, which is a great base camp for exploring the city and trips in the area, and whose wonderful street food is truly an affordable feast. China Town is also a walking distance from the most important temples of Bangkok, with plenty of atmospheric rooftop restaurants and café overlooking the city. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, located 100 km from Bangkok, offers a great, unique experience.
Step 2 - Angkor
Cambodian Siem Reap is a short flight away from Bangkok. The city is a typical base camp for visitors to the temples of Angkor. Their very location – in the middle of a jungle – is breathtaking and spectacular, beautiful both during sunrise (my recommendation!) and sunset. The capital and the world’s biggest religious monument are a famous tourist destination, which in no way affects their magic. It’s very atmospheric. However, avoid it during the hottest hours of the day, as it may be too much, especially for children. If you hire a tuk tuk with a driver, you can spend one day on the so-called Big Circle, with Angkor Wat, its most famous temple. The whole area is stroller-friendly, and if you want to speed things up, you can also hire bikes. Tuk tuk will take you to Ta Phrom, known from e.g. Tomb Raider. The whole complex is incredibly photogenic, so apart from beautiful memories you can also take some spectacular photographs. When it comes to accommodation, Siem Reap has plenty to choose from, and prices are very attractive. For example, we stayed near the local primary school, in the middle of a beautiful, tropical garden. Our landlord would bring us breakfast to the terrace, and he gave us a ride to the airport, which gives you some idea of the local hospitality ❤️
Step three – Thai islands
The last part of the trip should be sheer idleness and relaxation. You can fly to Phuket from Cambodia, and reach other islands in that area from there, e.g. Koh Lanta (read my post about this island here) or Koh Phi Phi. The archipelago offers plenty of islands, from very touristy (such as Phuket), to mid-size (Koh Lanta), to tiny, paradise-like ones, such as Koh Lipe and Koh Ngai, to desert, wild islands such as Koh Adang and Koh Rok. Each one is a guarantee of warm sea, sun, delicious food, and closeness to nature. If we add the locals’ love for children, the only question that remains is: when are we going?
Planning
I always say that good planning and a well-packed backpack are a strong foundation of distant trips with children (see this post). Every parent knows that children are full of surprises, so an itinerary is a must (you can order one here) in order to avoid problems and worrying about easily avoidable issues. However, planning combined with flexibility does not exclude spontaneity. If you don’t want to waste your time and money (both are limited), but mostly – if you don’t want to risk any potential problems, it’s best to be spontaneous and smart. Obviously, such trips need to be tailor-made; as a mom of two girls, one who strongly prefers overnight flights, and the other one, who can only travel during the day, I surely appreciate it.
But do not fret! Kids are ideal travel companions, especially to exotic, distant places. A good, tailor-made itinerary will guarantee a wonderful time for the whole family. I have never met anyone who regretted such a trip, and I bet you won’t change that!