Portrait de Doriane, experte voyage chez Shanti Travel, faisant le geste du salut traditionnel devant un temple.

Their favorite

Laos! Luang Prabang won me over with the serenity that surrounds the town. I loved living there: going to Wat Wisunarat temple, listening to the monks' chanting, wandering through the lush rice fields, stopping at a little coffee shop or simply taking the time to watch life go by. And then there are the Kuang Si waterfalls, whose sound still seems to echo inside me at night when I go to bed. Laos taught me to slow down, to let go and to live and travel differently, without trying to fill every moment. A peaceful destination where you are naturally carried along by the rhythm of daily life.

Bio

Discovering Thailand means observing and fully enjoying the moment.

Thailand is a country I am lucky enough to get to know in depth, as I now live in Hua Hin. My Asian adventure began in Laos, where I lived for a year in Luang Prabang, a town that is still one of my great favourites.

There I discovered another way of living and travelling. Taking your time, discovering the culture and its rituals, getting up early to go to the temple, chatting with local people, enjoying a coffee or simply letting the rhythm of daily life carry you: Luang Prabang naturally invites you to slow down and let go.

Luang Prabang touched me deeply with its serenity. Between the temples, the Mekong, the mountains and the Kuang Si waterfalls, the town is the perfect place to disconnect. I especially loved going to the temple at the end of the day, around 6 pm, to listen to the Buddhist monks chanting. It is not unusual to hear their voices echoing through the streets as you pass near a temple. I particularly recommend Wat Aham, with its large Buddha, not far from Mount Phousi. From there, you just need to climb to the summit for a beautiful view over the town and, at the end of the day, the sunset.

One of the best times to visit Luang Prabang is during the Festival of Lights at the end of October, when lanterns fill every temple in town. A magical atmosphere takes over, a moment when everything stops.

I also loved joining a yoga session at Grasshopper, before finishing in a coffee shop at Rosetta or Beyond. And at night, as I went to bed, I sometimes still felt I could hear the Kuang Si waterfalls echoing in the distance.

Now settled in Hua Hin, I am discovering another side of Thailand. I love this town for its balance between local life and modernity, its atmosphere, which is calmer than Thailand's big tourist destinations, and its closeness to nature.

A walk on the beach, a local market, a break in a coffee shop, a visit to Khao Takiab or a trip to Sam Roi Yot National Park: Hua Hin lets you discover a quieter Thailand while keeping a real local life. The town also offers plenty of options for sport and wellbeing lovers, with yoga, fitness, Muay Thai, surfing, golf and water sports.

My mission is to share this experience on the ground to help you discover an authentic, lively and accessible Thailand, taking the time to step away from overly standard itineraries and find the right balance between discovery, encounters, nature and time for yourself.

Expertise & Key Facts

📍 Location: Based in Hua Hin, Thailand

🌏 Experience in Asia: 1 year in Laos, then settled in Thailand

🧭 Area of expertise: Thailand and Laos (and others)

🌿 Specialities: Wellbeing trips, local experiences, off-the-beaten-track destinations, cultural immersion and trips combining nature and discovery

🗣️ Languages spoken: French, English

✈️ Experience: Expat in Asia with first-hand knowledge of the ground

On the Ground: My Latest Discoveries

🌴 Hua Hin: Scouting beaches, local markets, coffee shops and small places that let you discover the town away from the most touristy areas.

🏞️ Nature: Exploring Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, with its limestone mountains, beaches and unspoilt landscapes.

🧘 Wellbeing & sport: Finding places dedicated to yoga, fitness, Muay Thai and recovery and wellbeing practices.

🎨 Art & culture: Scouting places that reveal another side of Hua Hin, from crafts and local art to markets and daily life.

My Favourites & Local Recommendations

🌿 Luang Prabang, my great favourite Even though I am now based in Thailand, Luang Prabang holds a special place in my story. I lived there for a year, and for me this small town in northern Laos is still one of the best destinations for disconnecting.

💦 The Kuang Si waterfalls A few kilometres from Luang Prabang, the Kuang Si waterfalls are a must. I particularly like including them in a trip with enough time to enjoy the site and its natural surroundings, rather than just a quick visit.

🧘 Wellbeing in Luang Prabang Yoga, massages, meditation, temples… Luang Prabang is particularly well suited to trips where you want to slow down. After a morning of sightseeing, you can easily treat yourself to a yoga session, or simply stroll along the banks of the Mekong.

🌊 Hua Hin, differently Hua Hin is a destination I appreciate for its balance. The town lets you enjoy the sea and discover markets and local restaurants, with easy access to natural areas such as Khao Sam Roi Yot.

I also love the real variety of activities: yoga, sport, Muay Thai, golf, water sports or simply a walk by the sea. It is an interesting stop for travellers who want to discover a gentler, more local Thailand without stepping completely away from everyday life.

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Profile updated on 15 October 2026

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