Southeast Asia for Families of All Ages: Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam in 20 Days

Canals connect wooden long-tail boats to the Chao Phraya River, a gleaming waterway that has long been the primary trading route for business in Bangkok. Today, tourism shines along this intricate network of channels and you will use them to access the city’s coveted temple complexes, beginning beneath the porcelain spire of Wat Arun. Crossing Chao Phraya, you will reach the Grand Palace and wander its stately complex to view the robe-dressed jade Buddha statue housed within Wat Phra Kaew. In the evening, you will witness an authentic Muay Thai boxing match that is available to families of all ages.

You and your family will leave the stirring city of Bangkok this morning on a plane soaring to the northern jungles that cover Chiang Mai’s hilltops. The city is poised between unspoiled countryside and sky-scraping mountains that border Myanmar, giving visitors access to the flourishing forests teeming with wildlife and authentic villages sitting a stone’s throw away from the city center. You will transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the evening free to acclimate to your new surroundings and find a delightful Khmer Thai restaurant or market for dinner.

Thai locals hold elephants in high regard and they are spiritually sacred despite the presence of unethical elephant riding companies. To learn more about the gentle giants and the efforts many locals make to conserve the wilderness and protect elephants from harm, your family will visit a famous elephant sanctuary. Set against a backdrop of the emerald Thai jungle, the educational experience will be as beautiful as it is inspiring, and you and your children will enjoy the pleasures of playing with, bathing, and feeding the sheltered orphan elephants.

Perched atop the commanding Doi Suthep Mountain that can be seen from every corner of Chiang Mai sits the impressive spiritual temple, Wat Phra That. You will ascend a corridor of stairs punctuated with meticulous murals and tasteful Thai Buddhist statues to the summit of the mountain where the golden spiritual sculptures stand proudly overlooking the city. Afterward, your family will return to meet your guide and transfer to an authentic Meo hilltribe village hidden within the prolific greenery. From the fragrances of herbal gardens to the vivid garb and uniquely flavorful delicacies, you will discover Thailand’s rural roots.

Thailand’s beaches are the most sought after around the world for their combination of golden and pearl-white sands, palm tree-hugged shorelines, crystal clear seas, and sensational snorkeling opportunities. You and your family will arrive on the coastal sands of Krabi and spend the rest of your day lapping up the seaside luxuries. From views of limestone islands rising from the depths of the ocean to sounds of local performers ringing from the promenade and the scintillating scent of freshly caught seafood on the grill at glamorous restaurants, Krabi will dazzle and delight your senses.

Karst islands pepper the seascape and beckon visitors off the shores in sailing boats to discover their marine highlights. You and your family will join a boat tour of the surrounding isles this morning bound for the castaway beaches and ancient caves that have been carved into the jagged limestone cliffs from centuries of wave activity. Fireflies glow from inside some of the dimly lit caverns, others offer access to hidden beaches within, and the coral reefs circling the rugged lands are swarming with colorful marine life to witness while snorkeling.

Enjoy a quiet morning with your family before you meet your transfer who will take you to a cooking school situated in the Ao Nang Rainforest. Upon arrival, you will meet the head chef who has tremendous knowledge of local Thai cuisine and a wealth of experience preparing authentic dishes from the repose of her tranquil forest retreat. You will learn about the local flavor and experiment with ingredients unique to Thailand during the culinary class, where you will get to produce a range of traditional delicacies you will tuck into together afterward.

You will relish a day off today to soak up the splendid scenery and wallow in the luxury of Thailand while lounging from the comfort of recliners positioned around your pool or on the beaches of Krabi. You may partake in thrilling water sports, such as jet ski rides and snorkeling adventures, or wander the jungles carpeting Krabi’s headlands. You may settle in at cozy restaurants and treasure the views while dining on delicious Thai meals or board long-tail boats bound for hideaway shores. A relaxing day in Krabi will be just what you and your family need.

Quaint, off the beaten track, and brimming with cultural charms for you and your family to explore during your stay in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. The remains of Angkor lie preserved in varying states, and temples express a time before modern technology connected the world. You will feel the history from beneath your feet as you stroll through old-world neighborhoods lined by colonial architecture and Southeast Asian-influenced stylings. This evening, you may enjoy your first taste of Cambodian cuisine at an endearing eatery famous among the locals.

Your guide will collect you from your accommodation before dawn and you will set off to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, Siem Reap's historic UNESCO World Heritage temple that is set ablaze in orange and purple hues most mornings. You will enter the complex and wander through the temple halls to view sculptures and statues carved centuries ago. The stories will unravel themselves in the intricate artwork and placards positioned around the grounds, giving your family insight into its remarkable construction. An ox-cart ride, boat trip, and traditional Apsara dinner show will conclude a fabulous day in Siem Reap.

Although it is the most famous Cambodian temple, Angkor Wat is not the only sensational spiritual complex constructed years ago in Siem Reap. Today, you and your family will cycle through the forests to the ancient stone city of Angkor Thom and capture a collection of iconic photographs detailing the monuments and embellished stone faces. Several stately terraces line the pathway through the forest that will lead you to a monastery where monks will take you through a Water Blessing Ceremony. Your tour will culminate at the awe-inspiring jungle temple of Ta Prohm, a manmade construct blending harmoniously with nature.

Views above the clouds during your flight from Cambodia to Vietnam will give way to the sprawling viridian forests that blanket the greater Vietnamese landscape as you approach Da Nang Airport. You will touch down, meet your transfer, and head for Hội An, a colorful Vietnamese city dripping with culture and riddled with heritage highlights. A boutique accommodation will be yours to enjoy an evening quietly absorbing Hội An’s serene atmosphere and tucking into an assortment of central Vietnam cuisine under the twinkling stars.

The 16th-century port town remains preserved and conserves the remnants of a bygone age in the architecture, temples, and imperial palaces around the corner from the city center. You and your family will trace the origins of ceramic making in Hội An at the Museum of Trade Ceramics before you reach the decorated 17th-century Chinese-influenced Chua Ong Pagoda. French overtures paint the cityscape and the settling styles can be seen from the Old Tam Ky House to the Japanese Covered Bridge. Wherever you look, there will be something to inspire you.

Hanoi is unlike any other city in the world. It’s a jam-packed mix of modern architecture and historic landmarks whose cityscape continues to grow upwards towards the clouds and outwards towards the proliferating hills. That said, locals treasure the Vietnamese countryside and a trip after arriving with your family to the neighboring pastures will be a welcomed break from the high-octane spirit of the city center. In the evening, you will return to your accommodation and browse the neighborhood for stylish Vietnamese restaurants.

You will retreat from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the Ha Long Bay piers and board a boat that will set sail across the gentle seas that protect the region’s garden of karst limestone islands. The emerald isles can be seen from every corner of the boat, and your family will be thrilled to anchor nearby secluded cliffside beaches and humble fishing villages where fishermen serve regional dishes prepared from the catches of the day. Kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming in the crystalline waters are available at every stop on the cruise.

Wake up before sunrise and join your family on the deck of your boat for a morning tai chi session led by a master instructor. You will bask in the warm sunshine and feel the refreshing breeze brush against your cheeks as you move into a variety of poses designed to awaken your body and mind. Afterward, you may tuck into a sumptuous breakfast spread as the boat gradually drifts towards shore and stops over at the Sang Tai sea cave that you will access via canoes.

A full day of Hanoi discovery awaits you and your family alongside a knowledgeable and spirited local guide. Your adventures will begin at the 1,400 years-old Trấn Quốc Pagoda where ancient trees circle historic spiritual landmarks. More natural beauty can be seen along the fringes of Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Tortoise Tower rising from the still waters. A cyclo tour thereafter will allow you to discover the hidden gems of Hanoi’s Old Quarter before you visit the One Pillar Pagoda and join locals paying their respects to the former Vietnamese leader at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Hanoi is a gateway to the flavors Vietnam is famous for, and your family will be besotted with a tantalizing street food tour through the city’s busy neighborhoods to exemplary eateries and coveted restaurants. From celebrity chefs who own decade-old food stalls to local culinary artists with a flair for foodie trends, there are a wealth of outstanding places to dine during your gallivant through the Old Quarter. You will also visit vibrant markets famous for their BBQ pork in fish sauce dishes, Bun Cha, and grilled beef wrapped in rice noodles, Pho Cuon.

You will have a few more hours this morning to revel in the exuberant atmosphere that sweeps Hanoi each day. Grab a quick bite to eat at your accommodation and then take your family on a stroll around the neighborhood, keeping your eyes peeled for intriguing boutique stores and bespoke markets where you can collect a few commemorative items to remember your vacation by. You will return to your accommodation afterward to pick up your belongings, meet your transfer, and head for the airport to catch your plane home.