dublin theatre festival tickets fr 20 take your seats sept 24 - oct 11 2009 FlytoBudapestonourhottenyearbirthdayfare Celebrate10yearsofMalvinDublin, travelfromonly83*return! from Dublin-Budapest return* MalvhasflownfromDublinfortenyears. Celebratewithusforjust10returnplustaxes andenjoyourspecialfares! *Price includes 10 return fare from Dublin, taxes, charges andissubjecttoavailability.Termsandconditionsapply.Sale endson25thSeptember2009.Travelperiod:1stSeptember- 23rdOctober2009. Booknowon 66destinations 0818555577 TravelGetaway Tuesday, September 15, 2009 metrolifeextra 19 1k get away for Gillian Pearsall from Intrepid Travel tells us why she would go to Thailand if she had 1,000 to spare This week: Thailand Where in the world would you go for 1,000 and why? Id choose Thailand for the sheer variety of experiences on offer and for the great value for money. When you can get some of the best food youve ever tasted for just a couple of euro, you know your 1,000 is going to get you a long way. Whats the best way to get there? Ethihad fly from Dublin into Bangkok via Abu Dhabi. What makes it so special? So many things the incredible people, the beautifully intricate temples, the delicious food and the beaches that make you feel like youve arrived in paradise. Whats the best thing about it? For me its the people. I always try and spend time with the local people to get under the skin of a country, and the Thai people are some of the friendliest and welcoming on the planet. What activities are available? Something to suit just about every- one. Of course theres fantastic shopping in Bangkok, and amazing snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the southern islands, but you could also find yourself riding an elephant through the jungle, learning how to rustle up local dishes on a Thai cooking course, trekking through the northern hills, relaxing with a Thai massage or even kayaking up the River Kwai. Is it a tourist trap? It depends on where you go if you hit the Khaosan Road in Bangkok and then head south to the popular island beach resorts then youre going to meet a fair few tourists along the way. Thats not to say that you should avoid these areas though its all part of the Thailand experience. And when the Chang Beer t-shirts start to get all too much, escape to the northern towns and villages to discover the real Thailand. Is there anywhere to go nearby to escape the hustle and bustle? I found the beautiful 12th century city of Sukhothai, Thailands first capital, such an incredible contrast to the bright lights of Bangkok and only a few hours away by train. Our Intrepid group explored the crumbling temples and giant Buddhas by bike and barely saw another person along the way. What made your visit so memorable? I travelled on Intrepids eight-day Treasures of the North trip, which includes a homestay with a local family it was definitely the highlight of my trip. Somewhere between Lampang and Chaing Mai our songthaew turned off into the beautiful Thai countryside and we watched the rice fields dotted with traditional wooden houses pass by for two hours before arriving at our hosts home. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, we were treated to some incredible home-cooked Thai dishes before heading outside to light a Thai lantern and watch it drift off into the night. The next day we got up early to give alms to the monks at the village temple, before jumping onto bikes and heading off to explore the village. Popping into the local primary school, the excited children tried out a few words of English before we got back in the saddle to meet a local lady who produces the rice for the whole village. It was an amazing privilege to be given such an insight into rural life and see a side of Thailand that tourists very rarely get to see. How long could you afford to spend there on a grand? Intrepids 24-day Siam Sunset trip costs 500 plus a local payment of 20,000 Thai Baht (around 400) and includes all accommodation and transport, the services of a tour leader and loads of activities. So even after youve spent almost a month cruising down the River Kwai, exploring the ruins of Ayuthaya, discovering new cultures on a hilltribe trek, temple hopping in Chiang Rai and Chaing Mai and relaxing on the white sandy beaches of Ko Samui and Ko Tao, youll still have 100 left over to bargain-hunt in Bangkoks night markets. OutofOffice Toadvertise call(01)637 5979 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html