A visit to Luang Prabang

Some visitors to Thailand want to visit Luang Prabang during their two-week trip to Thailand. But is it worth the hassle?

Luang Prabang is only a two-hour flight from Bangkok (Austin Bush) My girlfriend and I have booked flights for a two-week holiday in Thailand. Friends have been raving about Luang Prabang, in Laos, and we’d like to book a side trip there. Is this a sensible idea or, with visas and hassle, would it be better to forget it?

With a flight time from Bangkok of two hours, and buying a visa on arrival a cinch (with a couple of passport photos and $37 in cash), Laos’s former royal capital — a Unesco World Heritage Site — is hugely worth the effort.

Staying in the centre is best, and at the quiet end of the main street is the 3 Nagas hotel (3-nagas-by-alila.com). Its 15 rooms are in two beautiful century-old houses, one on either side of the street. All have traditional wooden furniture, colourful local handicrafts and smart, modern bathrooms, with a patio or shady balcony. There’s an outdoor courtyard for breakfast and the restaurant over the road does a great set menu from £5.

Getting there

Etihad Airways has international flights to Thailand from Europe and the Middle East.

Silk Steps silksteps.co.uk can organise a three-night stay here from £405pp, B&B, including flights from Bangkok with Bangkok Airways. Or try Wendy Wu Tours.