From street food to Michelin-star, Thailand is a gourmand’s dream, with rich, cultural experiences icing on the flavourful Thai cake. Prepare for a luscious Thai banquet on this exclusive 12-day Travel Associates Signature Itinerary.
One of the best ways to explore Bangkok is from a longboat cruising on the historic Chao Phraya River. From the intoxicating views of exquisite temples to seeing life on the canals up close, this river is just one of the important places in Bangkok’s history. But we also love visiting Thailand for its food, its beaches and its spectacular natural attractions. Another plus is Thailand’s vast array of stunning luxury hotels, from elegant city enclaves to beautiful wellness resorts.
Days 1 Arrive Bangkok
On arrival at the airport, be welcomed at the airbridge for the Fast Track Welcome Service. You’ll be escorted to the fast track immigration counter, and your bags will be carried to the waiting chauffeur-driven limousine (Mercedes Benz S Class or BMW 7 Series or similar class) with a Discova English-speaking guide. Drive in style to your hotel – the prestigious and much-loved Peninsula Hotel. This Bangkok icon – and it truly is an icon – sits on the river and offers sophisticated luxury in its rooms and suites, in its world-class, award-winning spa and in its mouth-watering food and beverage offerings … all with the legendary Peninsula service. You’ll stay in a Grand Deluxe Suite.
ACCOMMODATION: The Peninsula Bangkok
Day 2 Bangkok
Dive into the exciting throng of Bangkok on a journey visiting some of Bangkok’s finest attractions in a vintage Daimler ds420 (or similar). Start at the magnificent Grand Palace to marvel at the beauty of this sprawling temple complex boasting some of the finest Thai-Buddhist architecture in Thailand including the revered Wat Phra Kaew, home to the prized Emerald Buddha statue dating back to the 14th Century. Afterwards, head across the road to Wat Pho, one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok home to more than 1,000 Buddha images. After a relaxing afternoon at The Peninsula, tickle the tastebuds on an evening tour – the Bangkok Sustainable Street Food tour by EV Tuk Tuk. You’ll visit a Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed Pad Tai Restaurant, a local night market where you can taste Thai specialities such as suckling Thai-style grilled meat, khao kha mu (stewed pork leg), coconut pudding, Bua Loi Khai Waan (rice balls with egg), and more, before learning to fold fresh lotus at Thailand’s largest flower market – Pak Klong Talat – taste traditional wedding desserts like Thong Yip and Thong Yod, and finish the night at a rooftop bar.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Bangkok City Tour with Vintage Car. Evening Street Eats Tour by EV Tukuk
ACCOMMODATION: The Peninsula Bangkok
Day 3 Bangkok
Transfer to western Bangkok to visit a massive flower market, a local Buddhist temple and an authentic open-air market located on the Tha Chin River. Here, the guide will give information on the regional fruits and vegetables, and you can taste local Thai desserts and snacks. From here, the adventure continues with a boat ride down the river, where you pass local homes, lush vegetation and witness water farming, on the way to a divine riverside restaurant. The host will share insights into Thai herbs, spices and the Thai people’s obsession with dipping sauces. Together with the host in the open-air kitchen, create three Thai signature dipping sauces before sitting down to a delectable meal of seafood or meat to try with the dipping sauces in the beautiful riverside setting. In the evening enjoy sunset cocktails at Sky Beach, the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok, before returning to the Peninsula for dinner at River Café & Terrace..
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Thai Dipping Sauce Workshop. Sunset cocktail at Sky Beach
ACCOMMODATION: The Peninsula Bangkok
Day 4 Bangkok
Visit one of Bangkok’s best-loved attractions – Jim Thompson’s House. Admire the exquisite traditional Thai design, the historic Thai houses gathered by Thompson, and the ethereal Thai silks, that are a testament to Thompson’s determination to reviving what was a dying industry. Browse the Jim Thompson Art Center, where you can find some excellent exhibits and galleries showcasing the best of Jim Thompson’s work, and then move to the iconic store at Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter in the heart of Bangkok City. A Personal Style Advisor will curate a tailored experience just for you, showcasing unique Thai handicrafts, high-end fashion, and exquisite jewelry while gaining cultural insights along the way. Continue your shopping with your Advisor at Siam Paragon, the first and the biggest world-class shopping and entertainment precinct in Thailand. Recover from your retail therapy with an afternoon tea at the Author’s Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which exudes old world charm and style, and in the evening, dine at Nahm, a Michelin-starred restaurant at COMO Metropolitan Bangkok.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Jim Thompson house and Siam Paragon Shopping with personal shopper, Afternoon tea at The Mandarin Oriental. Dinner at Nahm (Michelin starred restaurant.
ACCOMMODATION: The Peninsula Bangkok
Day 5 Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Fly to Chiang Mai, the provincial capital known for its thickly forested mountains and the old city with its noteworthy Buddhist temples dating back to the Lanna Northern Kingdom. Your Discova Guide will meet you at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel, The Raya Heritage, where you will stay in a Kraam Pool Suite. Inspired by the spirit of Lanna life in former times, Raya Heritage, on the banks of the Ping River, is beautifully curated, with one-of-a kind furniture pieces, artefacts and accessories, sourced from and often created by hand, by local craftspeople. With its serene atmosphere, it is the perfect base for discovering the unique charms of the region. In the evening, enjoy a private transfer to Oxygen Dining Room, the domain of the Winning Challenger Chef from Iron Chef Thailand – Chef Khem – where you will taste his amazing food first hand.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Evening dinner at Oxygen Dining.
ACCOMMODATION: The Raya Heritage
Inspired by the spirit of Lanna life in former times, Raya Heritage offers a clean, contemporary take on traditional Thai design. Beautifully curated, one-of-a kind furniture pieces, artefacts and accessories, sourced from and often created by hand by local craftspeople, are featured throughout. The resort concept stems from northern Thai culture’s simple, elegant approach to life and art, and the social value placed on living in balance with nature and the surrounding community. Immersed in tranquil natural surroundings on the banks of the Ping river, Raya Heritage's serene atmosphere makes it the perfect base for discovering the unique charms of the region at an unhurried pace.
Day 6 Chiang Mai
Rise early while Chiang Mai's streets are still relatively deserted and head to one of the ancient gates of Chiang Mai to give alms to the monks, a ritual practiced as a show of respect from the followers to the resident practitioners of the temples. Listen to the hypnotic chants of the resident monks as the sounds drift through the stone pillars and incense smoke. Enjoy a small local breakfast to store up some energy for the next few hours of exploring Chiang Mai's temples by rickshaw. First stop is Wat Chedi Luang, a Lanna-style chedi that was once one of the tallest structures in ancient Chiang Mai, followed by a visit to the Three Kings Monument, a large statue of the three founders of Chiang Mai, before heading to Wat Phra Singh, or the ‘Temple of the Lion Buddha’. A creative cuisine workshop follows, with creative chef, Phanuphol Bulsuwan from Blackitch Artisan Kitchen, who honed his skills under his restaurateur grandmother. He constantly adapts his course meals using Thailand’s seasonal ingredients, uniting Thai, Japanese and Chinese influences. Back at the hotel, enjoy a leisurely afternoon or luxuriate during a treatment at Ai Waan Spa.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Morning Alms giving and two temples with rickshaw ride. Creative Cuisine Workshop with Blackitch Artisan Kitchen Team.
ACCOMMODATION: The Raya Heritage
Day 7 Chiang Mai
Your day starts with a picturesque drive through rural countryside to the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants, as well as many other rescued animals. At the park you will have the opportunity to spend time with the various herds, with the chance to observe elephants living free of fear in the natural surroundings of the sanctuary. There is no riding or bathing the elephants here. Your visit helps to provide ongoing care for the herd as well as making future rescues possible. Spend the afternoon at the hotel, and perhaps enjoy an optional treatment at the Ai Waan Spa.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Elephant Experience Half Day Tour
ACCOMMODATION: The Raya Heritage
Day 8 Chiang Mai to Phuket
Fly from Chiang Mai to Phuket, where you’ll be met by a Discova Phuket Guide for the private transfer to the Banyan Tree Phuket where you will stay in a Serenity Pool Villa. Banyan Tree Phuket is the perfect destination for travellers seeking a base from which to explore this beautiful island and its heritage, culture and stunning beaches. In the evening, you’ll be treated to diner at PRU, a Michelin-starred restaurant at Trisara, which boasts a menu focusing on seafood and plants, some of which are grown in the restaurant’s 96-hectare organic farm.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Evening Dinner at Pru
ACCOMMODATION: Banyan Tree Phuket
Step into a world of natural beauty and unparalleled indulgence at Banyan Tree Phuket. A private paradise, this Phuket resort offers luxurious all-pool villas nestled around a lagoon and surrounded by lush greenery - making this the perfect destination for travellers seeking a romantic retreat, golf getaway, relaxing staycation, or a base from which to explore this beautiful island and its heritage, culture and stunning beaches.
Day 9 Phuket
After breakfast, transfer to Phuket heliport, for a wonderful scenic flight to Phang Nga, with its mangrove trees, small villages, shrimp farms and the island’s famous Koh Panyi or “Muslim floating village.” The helicopter will then fly over Khao Tapu, which is better known as James Bond Island, made famous by the movie Man with the Golden Gun, before flying over Phang Nga Bay known for its limestone, its secret lagoon and its kayaking, and then to Phuket, flying all over the island from ‘Millionaires' Mile’, to the beaches, and over the Big Buddha, Chalong temple and beautiful Phang Nga bay. Back on the ground, visit Phuket Old Town in the evening, with its fascinating blend of Chinese and Portuguese influences, before dinner at Tu Kap Khao, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed restaurant.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Aerial Phuket & Phang Nga, Evening Phuket Old town
ACCOMMODATION: Banyan Tree Phuket
Day 10 Phuket
After breakfast, lather up in sunscreen for the day-long excursion by speedboat to the magnificent Phi Phi islands. Along the way, stop at picturesque places to swim in the crystal-clear waters and go snorkelling to see the sea life under the surface. Visit Maya Bay, from the Leonardo Di Caprio movie The Beach, and then swim in the world-famous Pileh Lagoon. Enjoy a delightful lunch on Phi Phi Don, and enjoy the beautiful Andaman sunset at a secret island beach location while sipping on a cool beverage to complement a Thai-style BBQ. So, sit back, relax, soak up the sun and enjoy the visual treats of Phi Phi Islands..
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Full Day Phi Phi and Sunset Speedboat Trip
ACCOMMODATION: Banyan Tree Phuket
Day 11 Phuket
Enjoy a day at leisure to enjoy the stunning Banyan Tree Phuket. Book in for an optional (at your own expense) pampering treatment at the internationally-acclaimed Banyan Tree Spa, the pioneer of the tropical garden spa concept. Banyan Tree Spa Pavilions are recreations of royal Thai salas, where you can choose a treatment from the comprehensive range of Asian therapies and complementing meditation and yoga classes.
ACCOMMODATION: Banyan Tree Phuket
Day 12 Phuket
Say farewell to your beautiful sanctuary in Phuket with a private transfer to the airport in Phuket, with Coral Premium Lounge and Departure Fast Track service included.
YOUR LUXURY INCLUSIONS
4 nights accommodation at The Peninsula Bangkok in a Grand Deluxe Suite.
Breakfast daily
50% discount on laundry & dry cleaning.
20% discount at the hotel's restaurants & in-room dining (excludes Alcohol).
One-time dinner at River Cafe & Terrace for two persons per stay.
3 nights accommodation at Raya Heritage Chiang Mai in a Kraam Pool Suite
Breakfast daily
Daily soft drink and juice in the minibar (except mineral water & alcoholic drinks)
One time 75 minute massage of choice.
30% discount for laundry services
Early check in/late check out, subject to availability on arrival.
Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine on arrival.
4 nights accommodation at Banyan Tree Phuket in a Serenity Pool Villa
Breakfast daily
* 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 Afternoon Tea & 6 Dinners.
* Selected sightseeing as per itinerary.
* Transportation and licensed tour guides as specified in the itinerary.
* The service of a dedicated travel advisor to manage your booking