Phuket Town (Phuket)

Phuket Town needs 3 days as a base for exploring the whole island: the colorful Sino-Portuguese old town on one, and nearby beaches like Kata or Karon for the rest. November-April is the dry season, avoiding the May-October monsoon. It's cheaper than Patong, with boutique hotels in restored houses at reasonable prices. Its Sino-Portuguese architecture, a legacy of 19th-century Chinese merchants and European settlers, sets it apart from any other Thai beach destination, with pastel facades now home to cafés and art galleries.