Experience the culture and shopping of Thailand’s Chiang Mai before heading for an affordable beach break in Phuket

Looking for an escape that won't break the bank? Then Thailand should be at the top of your list, with affordable prices, beautiful resorts and brilliant shopping.

You'll have everything you wished for if you take a tropical trip to Thailand's second largest city Chiang Mai, which is famous for its handicrafts and shopping, then enjoy a luxurious but within-budget beach sojourn on the stunning island of Phuket.

Chiang Mai | See travellers' pics on Flickr

Chiang Mai is a bustling, vibrant city rich in culture and tradition. From Auckland it's an approximately 12-hour flight to Bangkok, and from there a short one-hour flight northward.

Chiang Mai is the perfect place to shop up a storm. Start with a spot of bartering at one of the many markets and get a taste of local culture.

The colourful Walking Street Market on Ratchadamnoen Road is open every Sunday from 4pm to 10pm. Head there for handmade bargains, clothing and jewellery, plus authentic and unusual local delicacies to feast on. Here you will have the chance to
brush up on your bartering skills in preparation for later in the evening.

Stretching over three blocks in the heart of the city is a tourist favourite, the Night Bazaar market. Open nightly from 6pm to midnight, it's the place to go for inexpensive clothing, jewellery, watches and DVDs.

It will take you at least a few hours to tackle, so make sure you set up a meeting spot before heading off on your spending spree. You can barter down as low as you think is fair, as there's so much competition. You're sure to have loads of fun as well as pick up some great bargains.

For serious shopping, base yourself in a self-contained apartment at the Kantary Hills Hotel, a classy new establishment located on the famous Nimmanhaemin Road in Chiang Mai's most chic and stylish district. This area boasts many trendy bars, restaurants, cafes and boutiques. The hotel puts on a fabulous breakfast each day and it's a great place to have a post-shopping Singha beer or cocktail.

Your shopping experience starts right outside your hotel door - the place to shop for boutique clothing and gorgeous homewares to give your house an authentic Thai feel. It's a wonderful place to pick up unique knick-knacks for family and friends.

Phuket pleasures | See travellers' pics on Flickr

After gallivanting around Chiang Mai, enjoy some rest and relaxation on the island of Phuket. Pure bliss can be found at the Cape Panwa Hotel and Spa, which is nestled among palm trees and has an private beach.

It's a truly spectacular escape where you can eat, sleep and play without having to leave the resort grounds.
It's no wonder celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gordon Ramsay and Toni Collette choose to stay there while in Phuket.

With all this decadence, you'd expect to see a price tag to match, but the hotel offers a selection of rooms at affordable prices.

The first task on your to-do list after you check in should be an authentic 70-minute Thai massage. The deeply therapeutic treatment aims to prevent pain, and is an age-old Thai tradition. Cape Spa is conveniently located within the hotel grounds, and there's an array of treatments to choose from including facials, massages and scrubs. The therapists are so amazing, you're guaranteed to go back for more.

Cape Spa's premier therapy rooms have views of the tropical gardens and ocean, and combined with the smell of hibiscus flowers in the air and the sound of trickling water from the surrounding fountains, it's unlike any spa experience at home.

Another very special activity available to guests at Cape Panwa is a Thai cooking class with executive chef Phudom. The classes take place every Friday and Saturday in the Top of the Reef restaurant, and are an interesting and enjoyable experience.

The chef will take you step-by-step through a range of delicious recipes, and the best part is that once you've cooked up a storm, you get to feast on your creations for lunch. to go

Thai Airways flies to Bangkok from Auckland  four times per week, with connecting flights to Chiang Mai. Call 0800 100 992 or visit http://www.thaiair.com/

In Chiang Mai, stay at Kantary Hills Hotel. Visit http://www.kantarygroup.com/

Cape Panwa Hotel and Spa room rates start at $150 per night twin-share for a superior room. To book, visit http://www.capepanwa.com/

For more information on travelling to Thailand, visit Yahoo!Xtra Travel or

Chiang Mai must-sees

Elephant trek

Visit the Maesa Elephant Camp, where you can ride one of the beautiful animals up into the mountains to meet the Palong and Padong tribes. This absolutely amazing experience costs around $60. Check out www.maesaelephantcamp.com
for information.

Phra Sing Temple

With more than 95 per cent of Thailand's population being Buddhist, a must-see in Chiang Mai is the Phra Sing Temple, which has been an important part of the city for more than 700 years. Watch local Buddhists pray while surrounded by shimmering temples. Entry is free for an experience you won't forget.

Umbrella making

Head to the San Kamphaeng district and duck into the Umbrella Village, where you can see umbrella makers and artists crafting their amazing works. You can pick up one of these traditional pieces of art for less than $4, a steal for such a beautiful handmade memento.