I totally get what you’re looking for… that mix of safe, easy, friendly, good food, and variety is hard to beat.
From that list, Vietnam (especially the north) feels like the closest overall match. Amazing landscapes, great food, still affordable. November can be a bit hit or miss weather-wise, but usually still workable.
Sri Lanka also fits really well for variety, but yeah… it can feel a bit more intense at times compared to Thailand.
Taiwan is kind of underrated for this. Super safe, easy to get around, good mix of cities + nature, and less overwhelming than some places.
Japan is amazing but feels like a different kind of trip… less “relaxed travel vibe,” more structured (and pricier).
If I had to pick based on what you liked about Thailand, I’d probably lean Vietnam or Taiwan.
0