The Old Town is our favorite part of Phuket: a beautiful historic quarter boasting colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture and surrounded by bustling local streets. Kat used to talk about how people come from all over Thailand just to eat in the Old Town and Cam never believed this until he visited for himself. Once you start wandering down the little “sois” and backstreets outside of Thalang Road, a new world of cuisine opens up.

Balancing tourist activities with a healthy dose of local life is always our approach in Phuket. That’s the key to a great experience. Since it’s so large, you’ve really got to do your own research, follow the locals, get off the main drag, and discover the version of Phuket that feels right for you. Don’t fall into the trap of booking all-inclusive packages. Instead, go exploring, and you never know what you’ll find.