Whilst Thailand is a perennial popular amongst tourists, so much of the kingdom has gone undiscovered. Beyond the tourist hives of Pattaya, Phuket, Samui and Chiang Mai, and far from the teeming cacophony of Bangkok, the rice-farming Northeast of the country (known locally as Isan) is rarely visited by the international traveler.

 Yet this region of Thailand - the largest - offers the most authentic experiences in small rural communities out of the major towns. With regular domestic flights on the national and budget carriers, the gateway cities of Isan (such as Udon Thani) are readily accessible at highly competitive fares. From here, venture out into the countryside, quilted with rice paddies and dotted with historical sites as important as the temples of Angkor in Cambodia, to experience traditional village life, the most welcoming people of the country, and the region's famous cuisine (a freshly pounded Green Papaya Salad with marinaded, charcoal grilled chicken is always a winner, but the more exotic Spicy Beef Salads, bamboo shoot dishes and poetically named dishes such as Crying Tiger Beef are also a must!)

An eclectic choice of Thailand holiday villas in the countryside is presented by Thailand Villa Holidays, each offering a comfortable, fully catered villa with a private swimming pool for holidays where local Thai host family welcomes and takes care of guests, immersing them in the local ways of life or allowing them to simply relax and recharge in the comfort of these rural getaways. Guests may experience work in the rice paddies, visit local forest temples, markets, silk-weaving villages, farms, village schools and places of natural beauty, enjoy boat trips on the pink lotus lakes, relax with a traditional Thai massage, learn Thai cooking or visit UNESCO World Heritage sites. The choice of accommodation outshines hotels and resorts in the region, offering unique and tranquil settings, from the original Gecko Villa with its emphasis on responsible tourism, through the rustic yet luxurious  Thai style villa Green Gecko, to the stunning Rice Paddy Villa.

Isan is no longer inaccessible and today readily competes with excellent properties elsewhere in the kingdom, whilst offering the opportunity for genuine interaction with the indigenous Thais of the region. The region will appeal to those seeking an authentic and memorable holiday off the beaten path.