Thailand - A Land Of Smiles

What's Included

Just You Tour Manager as your host

• Return flights from Heathrow with Thai Airways and internal flights

• Use of an airport lounge in the UK

• 11 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight

• 23 meals: 11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners

PLUS…

• Specialist Local Guide

• Welcome drink & farewell get-together

• Overseas transfers & other transportation

• Porterage

• Dedicated Just You representative to greet you at all UK airports

• Audio Guide

• Discover Bangkok at night by tuk-tuk

• Bangkok city tour

• Thai classical dance show

• Visit the ruins of Ayutthaya

• Boat trip in Uthai Thani

• Admire the Wat Yai temple in Phitsanulok

• Discover UNESCO-listed Sukhothai

. Create your own lucky charm and sample Sukhothai Noodles

• Tour of Lamphun including a chance to learn about textile weaving

• Chiang Mai tour including visits to a local family & the Wat Palat & Doi Suthep temples

• Attend a private monk blessing ceremony

• Spend a day at the Elephant Nature Park

Not Included

Itinerary

• Day 1 UK to Bangkok
• Depart on your overnight flight to Bangkok today.
• Day 2 Bangkok
• ​Welcome to Bangkok, one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant capital cities. It's a place of mind-boggling history and spirituality, with fabulous shopping and delicious cuisine.
  On arrival this morning, we'll transfer to our hotel. There's plenty of time to relax at leisure, before we get to know one another better over dinner this evening. Later we'll head out to discover the delights of Bangkok at night. Travelling by tuk-tuk, we'll soak up the atmosphere and aromas of the city's streets and see many of its famous landmarks. Look out for the spectacular Grand Palace, the Wat Pho temple and Sanam Luang Park, also known as the Royal Field.
• Day 3 Bangkok
• We'll see many of Bangkok's highlights on today's included sightseeing tour. We begin with a visit to Wat Pho, one of the city's largest temple complexes and home to a leading school of massage. We'll hear the morning chant of the saffron-robed Buddhist monks and see the 46-metre-long golden Reclining Buddha.
  Next we'll head to the magnificent Grand Palace, Bangkok's most famous landmark. Within its grounds we'll see the sacred Wat Phra Kaew, the temple containing the Emerald Buddha, a small revered image carved from a single piece of jade.
  After lunch, you'll take things at a slightly slower pace if you choose to join our optional excursion. We'll step aboard a long-tail boat for a cruise on the Thonburi klongs. Thonburi is the old capital of Thailand and on our journey along the klongs, or canals, we'll see traditional wooden townhouses and local people going about their daily life. Along the way we'll visit the Royal Barges National Museum and you can admire the stunning exterior of the Wat Arun temple with its majestic spires rising from the water's edge.
  This evening we'll gather together and enjoy dinner at an authentic Thai restaurant. We'll be able to sample a variety of local dishes and afterwards we'll enjoy a performance of Thai classical dance.
• Day 4 Ayutthaya
• ​After breakfast this morning we'll begin our explorations at the beautiful Bang Pa-In Palace, which was once a royal summer residence. We'll then continue to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ayutthaya. Once a wealthy and glittering city, this was the capital of Siam between 1350 and 1767, when it fell to the Burmese army and was all but abandoned. We'll take a stroll around Ayutthaya's impressive remains which include a head of Buddha embedded in a tree trunk surrounded by tangled roots. Lunch is included at a restaurant, and this evening there's an opportunity to see Bangkok from another perspective. Our optional excursion takes us to a sky bar for fabulous views of the city at night, and also includes dinner at a local restaurant.
  
• Day 5 Phitsanulok
• ​We'll depart Bangkok after breakfast and drive to Phitsanulok, one of Thailand's most historic cities. En route we'll make a stop at Uthai Thani to enjoy lunch on board a boat. On arrival in Phitsanulok we'll visit the 14th century Wat Yai, a stunning temple which houses a bronze statue of Buddha and an array of decorative features.
• Day 6 Sukhothai & Lampang
• Our journey continues as we drive to the ancient city of Sukhothai, which flourished during the 13th and 14th centuries. This walled city was the birthplace of some of Thailand's finest art and architecture, and as we explore the UNESCO-listed site we'll discover magnificent Buddha images, wall paintings and beautifully carved elephants supporting a towering stupa. Next, we'll meet a local history expert to learn about the heritage and traditions that live on in this area and you'll be able to have a go at making your own lucky charm. For lunch we will sample Sukhothai noodles – rice noodles served in a broth, usually with meat and green beans, and then we'll drive to Lampang.
• Day 7 Chiang Mai
• After breakfast this morning we'll make our way to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. This temple is one of Thailand's finest examples of Lanna-style architecture, and is surrounded by ancient walls. Our next stop is at Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, an important temple which once housed the Emerald Buddha. Next we'll visit Ban Sao Nak, a beautiful wooden house with no less than 116 supporting teak pillars and afterwards, lunch will be served in a restaurant.
  This afternoon we'll journey to Chiang Mai and pass through the ancient city of Lamphun, stopping to learn about the traditional technique of Yok Dok silk weaving. Later, we'll admire the eclectic architecture at Wat Ton Kaew and see the gold-coloured structures at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai.
  If you want to get out and about in Chiang Mai this evening, why not join an optional excursion to Chiang Mai night bazaar. A seemingly endless number of stalls sell pretty much anything you could ever want to buy. There are plenty of restaurants around too, and we will head to one for dinner. 
• Day 8 Chiang Mai
• ​Chiang Mai was once the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, which covered much of northern Thailand in the late 13th century. Today we'll visit a local family to learn about the Lanna traditions which live on to this very day. The family will be happy to tell you all about local architecture, handicrafts and food, and after we've explored traditional houses and gardens, we'll enjoy a meal cooked over a fire.
  This afternoon we'll take the winding road up to the sacred temple of Doi Suthep. Considered to be the most important temple in Chiang Mai, it sits on a hilltop overlooking the city below. En route we'll stop at Wat Palat, a peaceful temple tucked away in the jungle and surrounded by hills, forest paths, shrines and a tumbling waterfall. When we reach Doi Suthep there will be plenty of time to explore this intriguing site and we'll get an insight into the importance of religion in Thai society at a private monk blessing ceremony.
  This evening has been left free for you to dine at leisure. Why not head out with your travelling companions and sample the delicacies on offer at one of Chiang Mai's outstanding eateries.
• Day 9 Chiang Mai
• ​We've got a great day planned today, as we head to the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre where dozens of vulnerable elephants have been cared for. You'll learn how the elephants are rescued, and get the chance to feed them from a special viewing platform. After a buffet lunch, we'll head to the river where we can see these gentle creatures as they bathe and play in the water.
• Day 10 Cha-Am
• ​After breakfast we'll transfer to Chiang Mai airport for our flight back to Bangkok. Upon arrival we'll transfer to the laid-back coastal resort of Cha-Am. Our hotel is set beside a long sandy beach and the rest of the day is free for you to relax in this lovely location. 
• Day 11 Cha-Am
• ​Spend today enjoying the facilities at your hotel, perhaps take a dip in the outdoor pool or Jacuzzi, or go for a stroll along the beach with your travelling companions.
  If you like to cook, we also offer a fantastic optional excursion today as we head to the nearby beach resort of Hua Hin, where you can learn the art of Thai cookery. We'll start by visiting a local market to shop for fresh ingredients and then you'll create something delicious for lunch using herbs, spices, limes and other wonderful flavours.
• Day 12 Cha-Am
• ​Enjoy a final day at leisure. You could choose to soak up the sun on the beach or perhaps head out with your travelling companions to one of the nearby seafood restaurants for lunch.
  If you're feeling energetic, you could rent a bicycle and explore the hotel's grounds, or perhaps try out the well-equipped fitness centre. Your hotel also boasts a fabulous spa, so maybe book yourself in for a pampering session.
  This evening we'll gather together for a farewell drink before dinner.
• Day 13 Cha-Am to UK
• Today we'll transfer you to the airport in Bangkok for your return flight to the UK.
• Day 14 UK
• You'll arrive back in the UK today.

Accommodation

• • Rembrandt Bangkok
  • Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok is conveniently located in the new, trendy Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, within walking distance of all major shopping and entertainment regions.
• • Topland Hotel & Convention Centre
  • Situated in Phitsanulok, this spa hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan, Wat Nang Phaya, and Wat Ratburana. Folklore Museum and Phitsanulok Night Bazaar are also within 1 mi (2 km).
• • Lampang River Lodge
  • The peaceful Lanna Resort Hotel in Lampang is set in an area of outstanding cultural beauty with fertile nature, aside the Wang River. Lampang is a small town near Chiang Mai, full of fascinating stories. Lampang River Lodge Hotel creatively develops the Lanna styled resort that exudes a sense of tranquility and tradition. This sense of culture and peace is enriched by the Lanna interior, large natural green garden, wooden furnishing throughout and the great views of the enormous natural pond surrounded by lush green garden.
• • Cross Vibe Chiang Mai Decem Hotel
  • This hotel is a perfect place to relax in Chiang Mai with a modern design. The hotel features a fitness centre and a salt-water pool sheltered by the lush vertical garden. These modern facilities play a central role in creating our signature atmosphere and unforgettable experiences.
• • Veranda Resort
  • Located on a beautiful beachfront setting, the Veranda Resort is perfect space to relax in at the end of your tour. There are 3 restaurants at the resort, the Dining Room, the Isea beach bar and restaurant and the Glass Room – espresso bar. Why not enjoy something in each of them, during your stay?

Optional Excursions

• Long-tail boat cruise along the Thonburi Klongs• Bangkok skybar at night including dinner• Discover Chiang Mai night bazaar with dinner• Thai cookery class in Hua Hin

Further Information