When most people think of a holiday to Hua Hin Thailand, they immediately think of a nice relaxing time at a beach resort. While this is a great way to spend your vacation, there are some other interesting ways to spend your time, soaking up the sun. If your looking for a little something different to do on your Thailand holiday, why not spend a few days touring the vineyards and getting in a few rounds of golf. Your friends will be surprised to hear about you Hua Hin Wine tasting excursion, some will even be jealous.
Thailand is known to have some great golf locations, and Hua Hin is definitely one of those places. You could play at a different golf course everyday of the week and still have plenty of excellent options left. But I don’t know of anyone who thinks, “why don’t we go to the vineyards in Hua Hin?’ But surprisingly, Thailand’s largest wine maker, Siam Winery established a vineyard there in 2007. Siam Winery is the maker of Monsoon Valley wine and Spy wine coolers. So enjoy the wonderful Hua Hin Weather on these fun side trips.
The Hua Hin Hills Vineyard
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is located about 40 miles outside of Hua Hin. According to their website, the vineyard tour is offered in a “wine & snack” or “3 course meal” package, and you can book with or without transportation from your hotel in Hua Hin. It includes a presentation from the company, fresh grape juice tasting, snacks, a refreshing towel, a tour of the vineyard on the back of an elephant (can’t do that in Napa or Bordeaux) and of course a tasting of their Monsoon Valley wines. These wines are uniquely crafted to go well with the culinary delights of Thai food. Hua Hin wine is a lot better than you would expect.
An interesting fact about the vineyard, it was developed on the grounds of a former elephant corral and training center. This is where wild Asian elephants were brought to be tamed and trained. Hua Hin Hills also puts on a jazz festival ‘Jazz in the Vinyard’ in the early part of the year. Another reason to make a visit. It is the first, and as far as I know, only wine vineyard in Hua Hin. Why not take a day and go ahead and tour the vineyard on the back of an Elephant, it will be an experience to remember.
Hua Hin Golf Experience
For another fun outing, why not go out and play a round of golf at one of the many great courses located in and around Hua Hin. For about $65 US, you can get transfer from your hotel to the course and a round of golf with a caddy – you don’t see that much anymore.
You can play at Thailands first golf course Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. Designed by a Scottish Railway engineer, the course opened it’s doors for play in 1924. It’s known for it’s tree lined fairways, jungle surroundings, and views of the Gulf of Thailand. This one is a must for a golfer’s first visit.
Some other notable courses are Springfield Royal Country Club – designed by Jack Nicholas, Sawang Resort Golf Club, Palm Hills Golf Resort, and Majestic Creek Country Club. There are several brand new golf courses in Hua Hin, the Black Mountain Golf Club and the Banyan Club Hua Hin. As I mentioned before there are plenty of world class course in the area, and that list is not all inclusive. And the value you get for your money is hard to beat.
If you are a die hard golfer there are also many tour companies that specialize in golf only tour packages to Hua Hin. They will set you up at a hotel or resort, and arrange tee times for you at several of the top resorts in the area.
So if you are tired of sitting on the beach and want to try something different for a couple days. Look into taking into sampling some Hua Hin wine and play a few rounds of golf in wonderful Hua Hin Thailand. It’s definitly a Thailand Essential!
Fascinating – I didn’t know Thailand had vineyards.
I enjoyed two visits to the vineyards surrounding Khao Yai National Park. It was strange driving through Thailand to see vineyards similar to what you’d find in Calif, with buildings right out of Italy.
I plan on visiting the floating vineyards at Siam Winery at some point.
Floating vineyards? I don’t think I’m familiar with them…may have to reread my own post and make sure I didn’t make a typo. If there are floating vineyards, it sounds very interesting though.
[...] wrote in this month with an essential “get away from those crowds” tip this month: Hua Hin. Believe or not, the highlights in this Thai hideaway include wineyards and golfing. The best part [...]
Is there much of an export market for Thai wine? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it stocked on the shelves anywhere else in the world.