Are you ready to go and explore the island of Samui in the Gulf of Thailand? You’ve only got a week of time so you need to do some planning ahead to make the most of your trip. Here are five fabulous ideas on how to spend seven days on Samui Island. Let them be an inspiration for your holiday itinerary.  You don’t have to see all the temples or all of the beaches, you just need to make a few choices and then go and enjoy these precious holidays!

1. Rent a Villa to Fully Relax, Recharge & Reload

One of the main reasons why you flew to a tropical island is to relax, right?  You need to get yourself a private pool villa, with a garden, a private living space, air-conditioned bedrooms and loving staff to pamper you inside and out! Drinks, food, a swimming pool in the garden, entertainment, a kitchen and a fridge stocked with cold drinks – this is your island base from where you will go to the beach and explore the island’s highlights.

2. Beach Time, Sunsets, Coconuts & Cocktails

Baan Mika, a luxury 6 bedroom beach front villa located on Plai Laem Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand

Yes, beach time on Samui! Where to go? Well, this island is completely surrounded by stunning beaches. Some are perfectly desolate and quiet, others feature beachfront restaurants and beach clubs, no matter what type of beach lover you are – you will find it on Samui! If you love action and entertainment, find a villa near Chaweng or more laid-back Lamai. Want something quieter? Go for Bophut or Maenam.

3.  Sniff Up Some Culture on Samui

After swimming, sunbathing and soaking up the tropical island vibes, it is time to visit some of the cultural landmarks on Samui – there are plenty and they are really impressive to see. For starters, there is the massive, golden Big Buddha Temple in Lamai – the most famous tourist attraction on the island.

From the bottom, you can take some amazing photos and you can also climb to the top for some breathtaking views of the surroundings. Then, there is Wat Plai Laem, another Buddhist temple dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of mercy and compassion. Less famous, but also a very special sacred place is the Secret Buddha Garden, located up in the hills in the heart of Samui Island (perfect to combine with a trip to the island’s waterfalls).

4.  Explore the Waters on & Around Samui

You have already seen the beaches on Samui, and every morning you are enjoying a swim in your private swimming pool. But there are more amazing waters to be explored on and around the island.

Landinwards, in the lush tropical jungle and hills, there are beautiful waterfalls to be seen, creating natural pools at the bottom where you can go for a swim. The beautiful surroundings and the very cool, refreshing water make you feel like having found an oasis of peacefulness – a slice of heaven on Samui.

More amazing natural beauty is found up north, in Ang Thong National Marine Park. Hop in a kayak and go explore – it is an archipelago of 42 islands, featuring virgin white sand beaches, stunning marine life and coral gardens, lakes, waterfalls and much more. This will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip!

5.  Shop & Eat on Samui

Night bazaars are the best in Thailand! You can shop for cheap local souvenirs, get a massage and munch on the best local street food all at the same place. The night market in Bophut is one of the famous ones located by the beach. Be sure to visit this place on Friday evening if you happen to be staying in this area of the island. Other good night markets around the island are Chaweng Walking Street and Lamai Night Plaza.

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Building a Stronger Relationship

Travel is widely regarded as the one thing money can buy that makes you richer, and that’s a true statement. Not only does travel allow you to see the world and experience cultures different than your own, it also allows you to learn more about yourself and build a stronger relationship.

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Everyone needs to experience Las Vegas, at least once in their lifetime.  It’s like no other city in the US, rising up toward the sky from the desert sands, where glitz and glitter are the norm.  From the show rooms to the casinos, to the resort style pools and family friendly options, Las Vegas offers it all.

Whether going away from home for a long period of time, or even just for a weekend, it’s important to be prepared. That means making sure your place is tidy, packing sensibly and getting all the latest info on your destination.

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This post is shared in collaboration with One Road at a Time

There are plenty of places listed within the summer holiday brochures offered online at Traveloka.com, or even at your local travel agency, that serve up those all important holiday ingredients of sun and fun in exotic locations. One destination in particular that fulfills the summer holiday dream list is Indonesia, specifically, Bandung – the capital city of West Java.