Thailand Authentic Suggested Itinerary 

Get to know some under-the-radar pockets of Thailand.

Venture to a Lanna-style hideaway beside a river near Chiang Rai before spending four memorable nights in Bangkok. Then veer off the well-beaten path, making tracks to the peaceful islands of Koh Samet and Koh Chang, favoured by in-the-know Thais. Here, you’ll check into smaller beachfront hotels to learn how to cook authentic Thai dishes – or simply relax.

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15 nights
Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Koh Samet, Koh Chang
Culture

Recommended itinerary

Days 1-3

Chiang Rai

First up: Chiang Rai. In glorious Chiang Rai, you’ll check into a beautifully rustic riverside hotel finished with local Lanna accents and teak wood furnishings grown in northern Thailand. You’ve three nights to blend time relaxing in traditional surroundings with temple hopping in Chiang Rai, just ten minutes away in a tuk-tuk.

Blue Temple, Chiang Rai

Wat Huay Pla Kang Temple, Chiang Rai

Days 4-7

Bangkok

Your Thai adventure continues with four nights in the heart of the action. You’ll visit the city’s floating market at dawn, seeing the locals go about their daily lives. You’ll also have a reflective moment on a visit to Kanchanaburi, where there’s time to visit the excellent museums that tell the story of the atrocities that unfolded here and board the so-called Death Railway. Back in the city, see how the city transforms under the neon lights of the night on a tuk-tuk tour, feasting on street food as you go.

Days 8-11

Koh Samet

The closest significant island to Bangkok attracts locals to its shores, which helps give it a more authentic feel than other beach resorts in Thailand. The standalone dwellings of Le Vimarn Cottages & Spa line the Ao Prao Beach and give you your own patch of paradise — perfect for a relaxing couple of days after Bangkok.

Days 12-15

Koh Chang

You’ll leave Koh Samet behind and reach the shores of Koh Chang by boat. In this escapist paradise, you can spend your days learning how to cook classic Thai dishes or mastering the art of Thai boxing at Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort. Although all is forgiven if you choose to unwind on the paradisiacal beach or by the pool.