Discover Thailand

Maximise your holiday by flying through the night to Bangkok, Thailand’s bright-lights, fast-paced metropolis.

The choice is yours on your first full day in Thailand. Opt for a relaxing start lounging next to the COMO Metropolitan Bangkok’s 25-metre outdoor swimming pool. Or hit the city streets to discover markets, golden temples and riverside parks. Head to Rattanakosin, Bangkok’s old town which straddles the Chao Phraya River. Here, the Grand Palace, built in 1782, is home to the Thai King. Another must-see is Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha – the golden statue is a staggering 46m long. 

Time for the lowdown on Bangkok’s famous street food scene. You’ll be guided by a local insider who knows exactly where to find the tastiest and most authentic bites to eat. Up to 16 dishes are included on today’s tour, so be sure to bring an appetite. Sample succulent grilled chicken skewers, rich peanut satay and gloriously wicked deep-fried doughnuts. The culinary adventure continues in Chinatown where families have been serving juicy shrimp dumplings, mango sticky rice and pork noodle batter for generations.

Explore Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is among the best known of Thailand’s landmarks. Take a Tuk-Tuk ride to the Sunandha Palace. The museum is a beautiful former Royal palace. End the day in the Bang Si Mueang district in Nonthaburi, where you visit  ‘Wat Chaloem Phra Kita Worawihan’, which literally is ‘Glorified Grand Temple’. This evening, your floating home will be a plush Loy Pela cruise boat.

A private boat trip around the historical island of Ayutthaya provides a relaxing way to see some of the most famous temples in the area. You’ll also have the chance to observe local life and people that live around the river and more recent, active Buddhist temples. Grab some great photo opportunities. End the day with a visit to Wat Rat Burana, one of Ayutthaya’s most impressive Kmer style temples and look out for the head of Buddha trapped amidst the roots of a banyan tree at the famous Wat Mahatha. Enjoy the hospitality onboard your Loy Pela cruise boat.

Enjoy a morning mediation on board before your final cruise stop at Wat Bot – an alm offering to monks and fish feeding. Arrive back in the Bangkok for the afternoon.

Today, we’ll take you north to Chiang Mai. The former capital of the Lanna kingdom is nestled in forested hills. It’s real, unspoilt and deliciously authentic. The perfect place to become a momentary local. Check into your hotel and start to check out Chiang Mai. The city’s Night Market is great for shopping and for dipping into the street-food delights.

The fertile valleys and misty mountains of Sankampaeng beg exploration by bike. On a 34km ride today you’ll pass rice paddies and village temples, fruit markets and natural hot springs. Along the way, stop to meet members of the community from monks, to carpenters carving hard mango wood. Say hello to construction workers hammering tin and aluminium, as well as children on the way home from school. Lunch is served in a local restaurant, spicy curry or noodle soup.

Venture further afield today to engage with northern Thailand’s rich tribal culture. An hour’s drive will bring you to an eco-lodge surrounded by lush, green mountains. Here a community-based project aims to conserve the heritage of Chiang Mai’s ethnic minority groups. Afterwards explore the hill tribe village on foot, visiting a shaman who uses herbal medicine and rites to tend to the sick. Next stop is a nearby tea plantation where you can join in the harvest. Sip Assam tea over lunch in the garden.

Swap Chiang Mai for the beaches of southern Thailand. Home for the next two nights is the Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas on a small island in the Gulf of Thailand. With mountains and towering palm trees in the background, the villas offer private pools and views of jungle garden, the lagoon or the beach. Treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage in the resort spa or take to the sea to swim, snorkel or kayak.

Downsize to the smaller island of Koh Tao today. This is a diver’s paradise, and some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches can be found here. Your accommodation is The Haad Tien Beach Resort, a lush 18-hectare resort that has a deep respect for its environment. Perched on the edge of a lagoon, this is a beautiful spot for scuba diving whether you’re a beginner or more experienced. Angelfish, butterflyfish, bannerfish and stingrays are in abundance, and it’s also possible to see whale sharks, green turtles and barracuda.

All good things must come to an end, and it’s time to leave Thailand. Transfer back to Koh Samui before flying home to the UK.