My husband and I visited Thailand ages ago, while we were still dating. We really wanted to revisit the country again. We thought it might be difficult planning the logistics with two children but it turned out a lot easier than we imagined.

Phuket is the largest island of Thailand and has a strong tourism base so you can easily organize anything for families. However, it is still easy to get off the beaten path without giving up your comfort level. Our kids were enthralled by the monks in their orange robes and the Tuk Tuk taxis. I felt like they actually learned something during this vacation in regards to different cultures.

Our vacation was the perfect mix of action-packed activities (elephant treks through the jungle, snorkeling, exploring national parks) to complete relaxation (lying on the beach, eating amazing meals, visiting tranquil temples).

Just the scenery alone was enough to make us feel like we’d left all of our stresses behind us. Here is what you need to know about traveling to Phuket:

When to go: The rainy, or monsoon season is from September until October. It is hot but very wet during this time. The hottest season is from April until the end of May.

Peak tourist season is from November until April. Prices of hotels go up during this period. However, this is when the climate is nicest.

Getting There: Unfortunately, you can’t take a direct flight to Phuket. You will need to fly to Bangkok and change flights there. From Bangkok, Air Asia, Nok Air and Orient Thai are the lowest priced carriers. Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways are much more expensive though offer much nicer services. You can arrange for airport pickup with some of the finer hotels. Otherwise, your cheapest option is to take the city bus into town. Since you will probably be tired after the journey, take a taxi. It shouldn’t cost more than B550 to the furthest away point in Phuket.

Getting around: I really don’t recommend renting a car. You will just get stressed out with the traffic and getting lost. It is better to just take a taxi or the Tuk Tuks. Plus, it is fun to zip around in those three-wheeled opened carts. There is also water transportation to certain points via long-tailed boats.

Currency: $1,00 AU = 30.75 Thai Baht  (check for the current exchange rate )