Thailand: The Travel Vitals

1. Scuba dive in Koh Tao.
A tiny 21- square-kilometre island off the coast of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, "Turtle Island," is a diver's mecca. With crystalline waters and a visibility of up to 35 metres, it's one of the most popular places in Asia to get PADI-certifed. From caves to canyons to coral reefs, you'll spot stingrays, sharks and swordfsh.

2. Sea kayak in Koh Phi Phi.
Boasting idyllic white-sand beaches, steep limestone cliffs and clear turquoise waters, Koh Phi Phi (divided into two regions: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh) seems plucked from paradise- famously the site where The Beach starring Leo DiCaprio was flmed. Phi Phi Leh's sheltered bays offer a prime sea-kayaking spot, and its remote beaches, perfect for picnic and sunbathing breaks.

3. Rock climb in Railay.
Accessible only by boat, Laem Phra Nang (commonly known as Railay) is a small peninsula on the Andaman coast with a plethora of rock climbing, rappelling and caving sites. The crest of climbing spots with a host of courses, guides and equipment, Railay promises steep challenges and spectacular cliffside vistas.

4. Take culinary courses in Koh samui.
From tom yum to pad Thai, Thai chefs will teach you the secrets of their spices, cooking and intricate presentation. You'll not only learn about picking and buying the ingredients, but also about substituting ingredients with ones readily available in the West. It's a souvenir-a skill you can take home and share with your friends over and over again.

5. Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Just a short trip from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi will transport you decades into the past. Bordering Burma, it's the infamous site of the Bridge over the River Kwai, built by Allied POWs during the Second World War, thousands perishing in the process. Visit Hellfre Pass Museum and walk the four-kilometre memorial trail commemorating a section of the ‘Railroad of Death' where POWs worked gruelling 16-hour days, often by torchlight, to carve a rail pass out of the limestone.

6. Bike through historic ayutthaya.
The second capital of Thailand, located just 80 kilometres north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and was a booming centre of trade for 400 years until being stormed and destroyed in 1767 by the Burmese. Once rich in monuments and temples, the ancient relics now stand in romantic ruins: temple and palace foundations reduced to rubble with overgrown gardens punctuated by headless Buddhas. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, this sprawling outdoor museum is ideal to explore by bike.

7. Homestay with northern hill tribes.
The northern cities of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son are home to the Yao, Karen, Akha, Lahu and Hmong hill tribes (among others), originating from China, Laos, Burma and Tibet. The tiny, remote villages often require arduous treks to access, but welcome tourists, eager to share their own unique religion, language, customs and crafts.

8. Muay Thai training in Phuket.
For an active and educational break from lazy days on the beach, train at a Thai kick-boxing camp in the beach town of Phuket. Thailand's national sport, central to its history and culture, muay Thai is known as "The Science of Eight Limbs" for its use of hands, feet, elbows and knees. Beachside camps offer a variety of packages, from beginner to intermediate.

9. Abseil in Khao Yai.
Khao Yai National Park, Thailand's second-largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a diverse ecosystem and a wealth of waterfalls, ranging from 15 to 50 metres high. Abseil, or rappel, down steep waterfalls, enjoying stunning vistas, while water from above rushes as fast as your adrenalin pumps through your body.