Treasures of Thailand: Floating Hotels, Temples & Markets

Fly into Bangkok Airport (BKK), where our guide will meet you and transfer you to our hotel, the Michelin-recommended Dusit Thani Bangkok. 

Let's dive right into this vibrant city. We'll have lunch together at the Blue Elephant Restaurant, getting our first taste of authentic Thai food, right from the source. 

Later in the afternoon, we'll visit Wat Pho, known as the "Temple of the Reclining Buddha" and highly regarded for its stunning carvings and architecture. It's also recognized as the origin of traditional Thai massage, so each of us will settle in for a relaxing one-hour massage at the temple. 

We'll then continue to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. Founded in the 18th century by King Taksin, Wat Arun has evolved, with its central tower now standing at about 70 meters in height. The temple's architecture features exquisite decor of tiny glass pieces and Chinese porcelain. 

We'll join the Manohra Dinner Cruise in the evening on a restored antique rice barge. As we sail along the Chao Phraya River, we'll view royal palaces and glittering temples while enjoying fine Thai cuisine and a welcome drink.

After breakfast, we'll explore Bangkok's rich cultural heritage, beginning with the majestic Grand Palace. Our first stop is Wat Phra Kaew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a sacred statue carved from a single block of jade. 

We'll continue to the Grand Palace, once the residence of Thai royalty. The palace still hosts official events, and you'll definitely feel the majesty and grandeur of the palace as we wander through its halls. Take a moment to appreciate some of the best examples of Thai architecture and learn more about the country's history.

We'll have lunch at the Thien Duong, Baan Dusit Thani, a creative Thai and French eatery. Following our delicious meal, we'll continue to Jim Thompson House. Nestled in the heart of Bangkok, his house is a gorgeous creation of traditional Thai teak wood imported from various regions of Thailand. We'll learn the story of how he, as an American businessman, was instrumental in revitalizing the Thai silk industry.  

Everybody loves a good sunset, so let's pause for a drink at a pagoda overlooking the Chaophraya River. After the sun slips under the horizon, we'll head to Riva Arun, a rooftop restaurant with stunning views and playful, market-fresh Thai cuisine. 

Wake up early to enjoy a delicious breakfast before we check out of the hotel. Today, we're off to Damnoen Saduak, a world-famous floating market destination in Thailand that's about 2 hours west of Bangkok.

To begin our journey, we'll head southwest of Bangkok, stopping along the way at a sugar palm factory to see how sugar is made from palm trees.

For a seamless transition into the market, we'll take a boat ride from the local pier, allowing us to get close to the local people living along the narrow canal. 

Let yourself get lost in the bustle of the market, appreciating the masses of wooden boats brimming with fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more. This is also a fantastic spot to try a few local foods like coconut and fresh fruit, or to pick up souvenirs for friends and family. 

After we've done our shopping, we'll enjoy lunch at Khum Damnoern Restaurant, a nearby 4-star hotel, while we share our stories about the market. 

In the afternoon, we'll continue to Kanchanaburi, home to the world-famous Bridge Over the River Kwai. This bridge, built by prisoners of war during World War II, was part of Japan's plan to construct a railway connecting Thailand and Myanmar. We'll board a 30-minute train ride along the remaining part of the historic railway and learn more about its significance. 

Afterward, we'll go to Phutakien Pier to board The FloatHouse River Kwai for the next few nights. Surrounded by lush jungle and situated right on the river, this elegant hotel is made up of seven floating, thatched-roof villas. What a beautiful place to rest!

Take some time this evening to explore the nearby jungle with its hiking trails and hidden caves, or maybe opt to participate in the resort's many activities. We'll reconvene for dinner at the Pontoon Floating Restaurant & Bar.

Let's take it slow today. After all, there's no better place to kick back and relax than our floating villas! 

Wake up at your leisure and indulge in a freshly prepared breakfast at the hotel. Take the rest of the morning to explore the property, head out on a hike, or maybe even take a dip in the river. We recommend taking a walk around the nearby Mon Tribal Village, home to the Mon ethnic group, which originally hailed from Mongolia and has lived there for generations. They are the earliest inhabitants of Southeast Asia.

Whenever you're feeling up to it, lunch will be served in the hotel. 

This afternoon, feel free to join us for a guided walk to the Lawa Cave, where we can explore its large chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

When we return to our floating house, we can marvel at the beauty of this place, enjoy dinner, and relax for the night. 

We'll have another quiet morning on the river. This is the perfect time to do any last-minute activities before we pack up and head off to the next adventure. 

Before we leave, we'll travel upstream to our sister resort, River Kwai Jungle Rafts, for a peaceful canoeing adventure. We'll paddle downstream back to our resort, spending about 40 minutes cruising through lush tropical forests, immersed in nature's beauty. Our flat-bottomed boats provide extra stability, making the experience safe and worry-free.

After this, we'll check out of the hotel, take a boat to the mainland, and set off to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, about a 3-hour drive in total. En route, we'll stop for lunch at Keeree Mantra Restaurant, savoring traditional Thai food on their airy, mountainside patio. 

We'll arrive and check into the Sala Ayutthaya Boutique Hotel in the evening, where we can unwind and settle in at our own pace.

Later, we'll gather for dinner at the Sala Ayutthaya Eatery and Bar. Their menu offers a full range of beautifully prepared Thai and Western cuisine, which we'll have the pleasure of enjoying while overlooking the Chao Phraya River and Wat Phutthaisawan temple, lit up at night.

Our day starts with a tasty breakfast at the hotel, then we set off on a fun-filled Kermit tuk-tuk ride through Ayutthaya's streets. These distinctive tuk-tuks, available only in Ayutthaya and Trang, provide a whimsical touch to our historical tour of the town.

Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1350 AD, was once the capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It was renowned as one of the world's largest and most cosmopolitan cities and was a center of global diplomacy and commerce. Although the city was destroyed by the Burmese invasion in 1767, the remains still offer a fascinating glimpse into its illustrious past.

We'll visit the notable attractions of Ayutthaya Historical Park, such as Wat Yai Chai Mongkol and Wat Mahathat, famous for the Buddha's face that seems to have naturally emerged from a tree. 

As we stroll through the local market on our way to Wat Phra Srisanphet, take a moment to admire the captivating blend of Khmer and Sukhothai architectural styles that reflect the cosmopolitan spirit of this ancient city.

A delightful lunch awaits us at Sukunya Bistro Restaurant, an airy bistro serving a superb variety of Thai dishes. 

Following lunch, we're off to the airport for a short flight to Chiang Mai. Once we touch down, we'll meet our guide at the airport, who will whisk us away to our dinner destination for tonight: the Michelin-recommended Baan Landai Restaurant. 

After a delicious fine dining experience, we'll check in at Chala Number 6, our home for the rest of the trip, so take some time tonight to unpack, settle in, and explore the gorgeous grounds. 

Our day starts with a special kind of sunrise. Fueled by a packed breakfast, we'll leave the hotel at 6 am and journey to the foot of Doi Suthep mountain to participate in a truly special experience: the daily alms-giving ceremony. 

Witness the peaceful procession of numerous saffron-robed monks gathering offerings as they walk barefoot through the streets at dawn. This offers a glimpse into Thai culture and provides a deeply spiritual experience.

Next, you can either choose to drive up Doi Suthep or climb the impressive 309-step Golden Naga staircase (your choice!). At the summit, we'll find Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most revered temple in Northern Thailand. Admire its sparkling pagodas and enjoy the stunning panoramic views.

Afterward, we'll transfer to Studio Naenna for a private textile workshop. The owner, Patricia, has spent most of her life in Laos and northern Thailand, learning and perfecting the art of textiles – from procuring naturally occurring dyes to mastering traditional weaving patterns of the ethnic groups living in nearby villages. 

After exploring her studio, she'll guide us in a hands-on natural indigo tie-dye workshop, using the traditional Thai ikat (mudmee) technique to create our own masterpiece.

What a morning! We'll savor lunch at Khao Soi at Baan Kaang Wat before heading back to the hotel for time to rest. 

This evening, we're off to visit Boonpratana House, a sanctuary of traditional Thai cuisine. As the matriarch welcomes us, we'll explore family culinary traditions, pick fresh organic vegetables, and learn authentic Thai cooking techniques to blend flavors and prepare a meal together. 

Our day begins with another yummy Thai breakfast before our guide escorts the group to Elephant Nature Park. 

Here, the knowledgeable staff will accompany us on a guided park tour. This bucket-list experience maintains an ethical no-riding policy, enabling us to stroll beside the elephants while learning about their natural habitat and history. The tour also includes a visit to the river bordering the park, offering additional insights into the animals' lives and local conservation efforts.

We'll sit down for a nutritious buffet lunch of a wide selection of Asian and International dishes at the park. Then, it's time to say goodbye to the elephants and begin our journey back to Chiang Mai.

The afternoon plan today depends on the weather, but it typically includes a visit to the Thai Craft Village in San Kamphaeng. Here, we'll explore a center of traditional Thai handicrafts, where skills have been handed down through generations. 

Afterwards, we'll head to Wat Sri Suphan, known as the Silver Temple. Established around 1500, this temple is among the oldest in Chiang Mai and demonstrates traditional Lanna silversmith techniques, with many of its surfaces adorned in handmade silver decorations. 

Enjoy some downtime at the hotel. The evening culminates with a Kantoke-style dinner at the Old Chiangmai Cultural Center, showcasing traditional Thai cultural and folk performances while we enjoy a variety of dishes around a low, round table. 

This morning starts with breakfast, followed by a visit to the Araksa Tea House, located on an organic tea farm about an hour's drive from the city center.

We'll take a guided tour of lush tea gardens and learn about the cultivation and processing techniques. We'll also meet with resident tea pluckers, observe traditional methods of processing tea leaves, explore the factory, and finish with a freshly brewed cup of tea and a traditional Thai snack. What a brilliant way to experience this integral part of Thai culture! 

A home-style Thai lunch prepared with locally sourced, organic ingredients will follow. 

In the afternoon, we'll try our hand at a Tea-Blending Workshop, sampling different teas, exploring various blending techniques, tasting and identifying different flavors, and learning optimal brewing methods. The workshop will end with us creating and packaging our own tea blends to take home.

After we've become tea experts, we'll head back to our hotel in Chiang Mai to relax before we come together for our final group dinner at the Michelin-recommended Redbox Restaurant. This eatery is as unique as it is delicious, serving carefully prepared Thai dishes with Malaysian influences alongside meticulously curated cocktails.

Start your day with breakfast before our Thailand adventure comes to an end. We'll have a few final hours to relax at the hotel before you can call a taxi to the Chiang Mai airport for your onward travel. 

If you're continuing on our extension trip, get ready for a seamless transition from the northern charm of Chiang Mai to the tropical paradise of one of Thailand’s largely undiscovered islands.

Until we meet again! 

After a short flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket, we'll hop in a private transfer to Cape Kudu Hospitality Lounge at Bang Rong Pier. Our stunning resort requires a 30-minute speedboat ride that's well worth the journey. 

After we check in at Koh Yao Yai Village Resort, we'll settle into our stunning surroundings overlooking the magnificent Phang-Nga Bay and relax at the hotel before enjoying an exclusive private dinner on the beach under the stars. 

After breakfast, we'll spend the morning exploring the beautiful island of Koh Yao Noi via a tuk-tuk “Songthaew” island tour. This adventure includes visits to a local rubber tree plantation, picturesque rice fields, a coconut farm, and the main village for souvenir shopping.

We'll make a stop in a Batik Painting community. The Batik method, originating in Indonesia, involves 'painting' detailed patterns on fabric by applying hot wax to prevent dye from reaching specific areas. The fabric is then dyed, and this process is repeated with different colors. Finally, the wax is removed—typically in boiling water—to reveal the intricate design. We'll try our hand at this unique art before sitting down to a delicious, freshly prepared lunch.

Back at the resort, enjoy your afternoon, indulge in some me time at the spa, or relax and read by the pool. You can choose whether to dine on or off the property tonight. Our guide can help you with recommendations!

After breakfast, we're off to cruise around the islands on a traditional long-tail boat. We'll swim in crystal-clear waters, hike to panoramic vistas, and spot local wildlife, like diving monkeys, as we go along. It's the perfect way to spend a day if you enjoy snorkeling and experiencing natural beauty.

We'll stop for a picnic on a picturesque beach midday before returning to the hotel to relax and recoup. 

For dinner, we'll venture out to the Rice Paddy, a high-quality restaurant serving dishes made with hyperlocal ingredients and fish fresh from the island's fishermen. 

Savor one last Thai breakfast at the hotel before departing for Phuket via a private speedboat at 10 am. We'll arrive at the Phuket International Airport by 11:30 am, so be sure to book any onward travel after 2:30 pm to ensure you have enough time to clear customs and security. 

Safe travels!