Krabi

Krabi, the main town of Krabi Province, lies at the heart of one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular regions, which is renowned for its craggy limestone cliffs, sweeping sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Krabi has long been a jumping off point for the region's islands, national parks and mainland beaches, but now it is attracting visitors as a resort in its own right. Day trip options are manifold, from excursions out paddling around the limestone scenery in a sea kayak, through to fast boat rides out to the islands. Add in some excellent Thai restaurants and its relaxed ambience and Krabi is an enjoyable Thai resort. In recent years the luxurious resorts out of town have attracted visiting celebrities and A -listers.

The majority of visitors tend to be 18-35 year-old Western Europeans looking for relaxed sunshine holidays with plenty of activities and day trips as well. Over the last few years Krabi has also being growing in popularity as a resort for families.

The resort town of Krabi, the capital of the province of the same name, lies in the southwest of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea, which is a branch of the Indian Ocean. The centre of Krabi is compact and is set just back from the waterfront. The resort has a small airport.

The best beaches lie a boat ride away from the resort town of Krabi. Krabi Province overflows with white sand beaches, with plenty of choice for those looking to unfurl their towel in a quiet spot. Facilities tend to be quite low key, though a variety of watersports can be arranged with operators in Krabi.

In town the main attraction is Wat Kaew, a captivating wat (temple) and a relaxed place to while away a few hours. For a bird's eye view of town scramble up one of the brace of craggy hills that overlook Krabi. The town unfurls below as the milky blue stretch of the Andaman Sea shimmers off into the distance.

For families staying at the resort hotels there are often good facilities on site to help keep demanding younger visitors happy. In the longer run holidaymakers will probably want to hop on a boat and skip off to a beach. The long tail boat rides are all part of the fun and tend to elicit whoops of delight from children as they bump across the waves.

Krabi's range of retail opportunities is quite limited, though there are some interesting options. The town has a sprinkling of modest shops, many of them these days catering to the passing tourist trade with a range of souvenirs on offer. Look out also for street stalls where the souvenirs tend to be cheaper and often more authentic for holidaymakers. Typical souvenirs include wooden carvings and cheesy paintings of the limestone scenery around Krabi.

Krabi's nightlife is very relaxed and geared around the backpackers who tend to be passing through on their way to the Andaman Islands or coming in the other direction towards Bangkok. There are a few bars including an Irish bar that bustle into the early hours. Many families choose just to spend their evenings with a meal at their hotels.

Most of the better hotels boast their own restaurants where a range of international cuisines are available. Many holidaymakers also choose to sample the local cuisine with the most interesting place to try it at the street food stalls that are found particularly around the waterfront in the centre. Locals eat here too so standards are high and many dishes are not watered down for tourist palates. Here fresh seafood and various Thai treats are cooked right in front of your eyes. Ruan Mai (Thon Maharat) offers a range of Thai specialities like red and green curries and has been long been regarded as the best restaurant in town.

The resort town of Krabi is generally compact enough to get around on foot unless you are staying far from the town centre. For travelling longer distances there are atmospheric little tuk-tuks (the local motorbike taxis) or the rough and ready sawngthaew (the truck-like local minibuses they use all over Thailand). It is also possible to hire motorbikes and cars through some hotels.

A variety of operators offer sea kayaking trips that really open up the stunning scenery of Krabi Province. Sea Kayak Krabi (40 Maharat Soi, 2 Road Paknam) (website: www.seakayak-krabi.com) run a number of trips, usually including the chance to swim, relax on a beach and have lunch, as well as paddle around the limestone landscapes taking in the scenery. They can cater for everyone from complete beginners through to experienced paddlers.

The Krabi Maritime Park and Spa Resort (1 Tungfa Road) (website: www.maritimeparkandspa.com) is well worth the journey out of the resort town centre. The Adora Spa retreat offers a range of different treatments, from traditional Thai massage (an experience not for the fainthearted) through to clay masks and Dead Sea salt rubs.

Krabi Airport (KBV)