DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in this exciting city.

Day 2: Explore Bangkok

Today explore the chaotic capital of Bangkok, where ancient temples jostle for position with towering skyscrapers. You can visit opulent palaces and floating markets, shop in designer boutiques, explore winding alleyways, have cocktails in a rooftop bar overlooking the Chao Phraya River and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this unique city.

Bangkok is home to the spectacular Grand Palace, the royal residence that includes Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Immediately south of the palace complex is Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), considered a place of healing. This enormous golden statue is so large (45m long & 15m high) that it cannot be viewed in its entirety and needs to be appreciated in sections.

Other stunning temples include ancient Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), best visited at sunset, and the astonishing Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). Wat Suthat temple has some lovely wall paintings, and the adjacent 27m Giant Swing has an interesting history. Wang Na Palace, located within the grounds of the National Museum, has an extensive collection of religious and ceremonial artifacts, ceramics, games, weapons, musical instruments, the Viceroy's throne and a collection of Buddha figures.

Bangkok is often referred to as the ‘Venice of Asia’, as parts of the city are covered in water canals or ‘klongs’. Be sure to take a boat ride through the Thonburi Klongs, where many people live in stilted houses built over the water.

To really experience Bangkok, you have to try the local cuisine, with some of the best street food found on Khao San Road. Try ‘pad thai’ (stir-fried rice noodle), ‘pad see ew’ (fried soy sauce noodles) and ‘mango sticky rice’.

If you like shopping, you can buy just about anything at Chatuchak Market, a sprawling semi-outdoor weekend market that is the largest in the world. For an even more interesting experience, Damnoen Saduak is a floating market in Ratchaburi, about 1.5 hours outside Bangkok.

Terminal 21 is a modern shopping mall where every floor has been themed to a different international city such as Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco and Istanbul. Lumpini Park is a green oasis amidst the traffic of the city, where you can relax under the shade of a Chinese pagoda or take a boat ride on the lake.

The ancient city of Ayutthaya is also within reach of the city, as it’s only 70 km north of Bangkok. Although destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century, you can admire the remains of this second Siamese capital, with its splendid ‘prangs’ (richly carved tall spires) and huge monasteries.

Note: Remember to dress modestly when visiting Buddhist temples, with your shoulders and knees covered, and remove your shoes before entering. Never point at a Buddha statue, or raise yourself higher than it. Try not to turn your back to the statue when leaving; back away instead.

Days 3 to 7: Fly to your Beach Resort

Transfer to Bangkok airport for your flight to your beach resort on one of Thailand’s famous beaches, with a wide choice of destinations - ranging from resorts on the southwest mainland, to spectacular islands in the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea.

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, situated off the southwest coast. It is mountainous, with fabulous beaches such as Kata, which has luxury hotels at one end and traditional long-tail boats at the other end, as well as great restaurants and nightlife. If you want to avoid the crowds, head instead to sleepy Kata Noi. In Phuket City’s Old Town, Thalang Road is lined with colourful 19th century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese buildings. Baan Chinpracha Mansion was built by a wealthy tin merchant and has Italian floor tiles, shuttered windows and antique furniture. Thai Hua Museum has exhibits on Phuket’s culture and history.

On the mainland north of Phuket, Nang Thong is a scenic beach surrounded by jungle-covered hills in the Khao Lak district, offering wonderful sunsets and peaceful seclusion. Facing the Gulf of Thailand on the southern mainland, fashionable Hua Hin is a popular seaside resort, where the Thai royal family built summer palaces. It is popular for kitesurfing and other water sports, with the main stretch of sand lined with luxury hotels and seafood shacks.

Further down the southwest coast, Krabi has sheer craggy limestone cliffs, dense mangrove forests and more than a hundred offshore islands. Railay is a small peninsula with four first-rate beaches, accessible only by long-tail boat, including irrisitable Phra Nang Cave beach, with its velvety sands, striking rocks, limestone caves and great snorkelling. The spectacular Phi Phi Islands jut from the sea like giant rainforest-covered boulders. Famous Maya Bay, where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed ‘The Beach’, is now closed to visitors to allow the coral to rejuvenate, but can be seen by boat. Laem Tong (Golden Bay) beach is also here. Koh Lanta Island offers a quiet atmosphere and stunning sunsets on Long beach, which meets Klong Dao beach to the north and Relax beach to the south.

To the east of the mainland is the Gulf of Thailand. The second largest island of Koh Samui is found here, with palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense mountainous rainforest. It is a cosmopolitan melting pot that attracts a wide range of visitors, and here you will find bustling Chaweng beach, lovely Maenam beach and laid-back Lamai beach, with its iconic Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks. Wat Phra Yai Temple, with its 12m golden ‘Big Buddha’ statue, is located on a tiny island linked by a causeway. Don’t miss taking the speedboat to Angthong National Park, with its utterly stunning turquoise waters and wonderful snorkelling

Nearby Koh Pha Ngan Island is known for its monthly Full Moon Party, centred on Sunrise Beach, although you can find quieter white-sand beaches at Thong Nai Pan Noi on the north coast, and its twin cove Thong Nai Pan Yai.

Just off the northwest coast of more northerly Koh Tao island, Koh Nang Yuan beach is actually a sandy bridge that connects three tiny islands. Sairee beach on the west coast is the longest on the island.

Koh Chang is one of the largest islands in the northeast of the Gulf of Thailand and is covered in dense jungle. Mu Koh Chang National Park has many hiking trails and waterfalls, as well as offshore coral reefs. White Sand is one of its best beaches. Ko Kut offers pristine beaches, jungles and waterfalls. Undeveloped Koh Samet Island has pristine white sands, tranquil clear waters and coral reefs, as well as stunning Sai Kaew beach.

There are also many pristine islands in the Andaman Sea. Donald Duck Bay, located in the Similan Islands, takes its name from the shape of the rocks overlooking this small bay. It is part of a protected marine park with coral close to the shore, so wading out can be a slow experience, but the snorkelling is excellent. Further north Koh Phayam island is a quiet and peaceful retreat, with two main beaches including Buffalo Bay. To the south, Koh Lipe Island has great diving and snorkelling. Its beaches include popular Pattaya, which spans 1.5 km of exquisite white sand and clear water. Quieter Sunrise and Sunset beaches are just a short walk away.

Day 8: Fly Home

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. Economy flights from London and all local transfers are included.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.