So, I've been to Thailand before, and of course as a seasoned budget traveler in such a touristy country, I had no trouble getting around at all. If anything, it was a bit too easy, and I spent some time trying to get away from Bangkok and Phuket and off into the mountains.

Point is, for most of us there is no reason for any sort of help. But then my mom really wanted to go. She doesn't travel much, and is always afraid of 5 billion different things, and to be fair, things are a little different when you're older. There are lots of western, reputable (read more expensive) tours that take you to the main sites in Thailand, and although they're obviously more than the local fare BY FAR, they're still really, really reasonable, especially for an older woman who is used to "flying to Europe every now and then."

She ended up loving it.

So remember, it isn't just for the young folks, there are lots of large tours of the country as well. And if you're really adventurous you can even fly into Cambodia, get on the Mekong, and cruise into Vietnam.

Here's a decent list of the offerings:
www.ruba.com/Thailand/Tours

Thailand: not just for backpackers anymore!

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Sure, it is possibly the most touristy attraction in Vietnam. Sure, there are five billion cruises of the area and it is hard to choose which one you want. But you should still go. Because it really is beautiful - and it's a bloody world heritage site. The people at UNESCO usually get that thing right; it's pretty picture-perfect.

If you're the type that has limited time and needs reliability and predictability, there are plenty of western-style Vietnam tours. See below.

Tour comparison page of some of the major operators:

www.ruba.com/Vietnam/Tours

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