Koh Samui is a fabulous island in the Gulf of Siam - long the favourite of independent travellers who want Thailand without the trash. It has perhaps the best climate in south-east Asia with sea breezes from the gulf keeping the heat and humidity down even in the hot season. Samui has it all - great beaches and beautiful inland hills and forests, and access to nearby islands where the diving and snorkelling are superb.

If you go for bars and nightlife, Chaweng rocks all night and there are all the restaurants you could dream of. Just a ten minute drive out of town can lead to a private, peaceful space of your own, either in a tropical resort on the beach or a hillside villa with views to die for. You can eat locally for a couple of pounds (the sea food is legendary), or spend a little more on a great cosmopolitan restaurant for those special evenings.