Hi Karin,

Went to Chiang Mai last year and loved it. Night markets are fantastic, silk and ceramics were beautiful (and very reasonable prices). We did a trip into the highlands, did a fantastic elephant ride, Mae Klang waterfall, and we also went to Doi Inthanon (highest point in Thailand, and we were actually COLD!). People were lovely, food was delicious, and we did a full day's cooking course which was very interesting. If you can, bargain with a driver to take you to most of the places you want to go, and as long as he gets to take you to some of the places where he gets 'stamps' for taking tourists, you should get a good price. Enjoy.

Sylvs