Chiang Mai city, Thailand.

Lucky enough to have warm weather and beach time elsewhere (Indonesia, Australia), we didn’t include Bangkok or the islands of Thailand on our itinerary. We focused on getting to where we could be with the elephants, which we all four voted was the best part of our Thailand trip. The city of Chiang Mai was also

so easy to navigate, the people were lovely, there’s a lot to do, and the food was out of this world. Staying within our budget ($100/day each for lodging and food) was a cinch.

Walking through the old city, a rooftop pool, a few tuk-tuk rides, a boat trip up the Ping River, and a half-day Thai cooking class at an organic farm rounded out our Chiang Mai city experience.

Couldn't stop taking photos of these gorgeous sunsets

Excellent (and free!) planetarium and museum

Ginger, tamarind, longan, and lemongrass juices

Holy basil "hangover" chicken (pad krapow)

Family’s first tuk tuk ride

Night market scene

Ari’s 9th birthday cake

Temple candles

Playing with light refraction

Pug at cooking school