Colourful, temple-laden Chiang Mai is worlds away from the bustling beaches of the south. Calm, laid back and almost otherworldly spiritual, it’s the perfect place to relax after a time in Bangkok. Set among forested foothills in the rugged north, the city was once hewn from the land by teak hauled by elephants. Despite its development, the surrounding rainforest is still remarkably intact and accessible on trips. The monasteries and stupas remain in a range of shapes and sizes, while the centre feels like a sleepy village rather than a regional capital.