Chiang Mai, Thailand - High Tea

What could be more luxurious than an afternoon sipping tea while eating little confectioneries and savories from a three-tiered, hand-painted china dish while taking in the afternoon sun with good friends in Chiang Mai, Thailand? Not much.

Tea time varies from location to location, but the enjoyment of a huge selection of teas being picked locally or from majestic faraway lands such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Kathmandu, Tibet and Kunming China, make each sip of a hot afternoon tea even more inviting.

This is a short-list of locations for scouting afternoon tea in Chiang Mai, Thailand; the city of Sabai Sabai (relax, relax).

• Vieng Joom On, lovingly referred to as the pink tea house, boasts the most beautiful pink painted building in Chiang Mai. Decorated with painted peacocks and carefully decorated with beaded velvet pillows, vintage furniture and dark hardwood floors, this cafe will transport you to a different era. Try the Lapsang Souchong, which is a smoky tea from Tibet. The smokiness is a perfect balance to their sweet custard desserts. This is one of the more affordable tea houses and they offer afternoon teas all day long.

• The Chedi, a once British Consulate, turned beautiful, clean and minimalist Japanese-owned hotel, is sure to make you feel like a millionaire. Sit by their swimming pool with a view of the Ping River while enjoying afternoon tea. This place makes afternoon tea feel like an epic event. The tea selection goes on for pages and the food that accompanies a set for 2, is certainly enough for lunch and then some. The price is a bit steeper at about $18 a head, though with recent economic events, you may expect a discounted price to about $14 a person. Well worth it for an afternoon surrounded by tranquil luxury.

• The Mandarin Oriental, which is a little further afield, will take you to a fantasy-land which is fitted with it's own rice field, roaming hair-styled buffalo, mirrored temple, giant swimming pool and little temple-like structures that make up hotel residencies throughout their fairytale land. The dim-sum restaurant on the premises is famed within the borders of Chiang Mai as the best Chinese restaurant. And, their tea time, which is unusually affordable for such splendor, offers a gorgeous array of delectable desserts created by on-site chefs. Every day, they are made fresh and are decorated for royalty.

• Ginger Cafe, which is centrally located in the same parking lot as The House Restaurant and was created by the same owner, has a wonderful, eclectic atmosphere that makes it feel as if you aren't even in Chiang Mai, but in a well-groomed Asian-themed museum carnival. They do not have any special menu sorted for high tea, but their funky menu with all kinds of fusion food at reasonable prices is highly recommended. Of course, they do have a selection of teas and sweets, well worth the walk from the center of town. There is also upscale shopping for those looking for one-of-a-kind gifts with a western price tag attached.

• Su Casa is a local favorite, located near the trendy Nimmanhaemin Road. This place is a small, airy glass box hidden in an oasis of Banana trees. The feel is contemporary-modern. The owner is very friendly and is always changing up the menu. Here you can find tapas-sized desserts and light fare, reasonably priced. There is a huge selection of "specialty drinks" both with and without alcohol. Even though it's not tea, try the Lynchee Martini or Lynchee Daquiri for something unique and wonderful.