Best of Tropical Thailand: Two-Week Highlights Vacation

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is an inspiring destination that is teeming with diverse cultural experiences and entertaining highlights. After you check through immigration, you will meet your private limousine transfer and journey to Surin Beach. Here, you will stay at a premier 5-star resort, which will be just a minute’s walk from the shore. Your accommodation will exude opulence with its harmonious architectural design and first-class amenities. The professional staff will welcome you with friendly smiles and direct you to your extraordinary penthouse. Fit with your own private rooftop pool, your stay in Phuket will be the perfect island retreat.

On the evening of your first night, revel in a marvelous gourmet meal with ocean views. You will catch wafts of fresh seafood cooking on the grill as you sip on elegant cocktails. Peer out at the horizon, and you will witness the sun slowly give way to the night, and as it sets, the sky turns crimson and shares a picture-perfect backdrop for your delectable dinner. The following day, you will meet your expert tour guide, and discover many intriguing facets of Phuket’s rich culture and rugged landscape as your guide imparts valuable insight along the way. Wat Chalong is an immaculately-kept, gold-adorned temple that glistens under the sun. As you uncover its deep history, you will be filled with great admiration for the peoples’ spiritual practices. Afterward, you will set off to the majestic Big Buddha where you will encounter a momentous 112 feet tall statue of Buddha that towers over the entire island. You will capture unforgettable memories with uninterrupted vistas from the heights of this viewpoint. Your tour will culminate with trips to idyllic beaches, and you will feel worlds away as you dig your toes into the soft white sand and wade in the glimmering azure waters.

To conclude your adventurous stay in Phuket, you will transfer via private speed boat to the Similan Islands for an impressive Scuba diving experience. The archipelago boasts some of the most magnificent diving destinations in Thailand. Accompanied by professional guides every step of the way, you will feel completely safe as you swim amongst schools of hundreds of fish and encounter rainbow-colored coral reefs. You will laze around on the pristine beaches before you return to Phuket later this evening. Your final few hours in Phuket will be spent at a premier culinary school. In the morning, you will venture to an authentic market nearby in search of desirable fresh ingredients where you will feel the buzzing energy around you as you weave through the elaborate stalls. After you have collected your produce, you will learn to master the art of traditional Thai cuisine with the help of a revered, local chef. You will also be awarded a certificate to showcase your newly acquired skills before you depart Phuket.

You will transfer from Phuket via luxury speed boat to the renowned tropical island of Koh Phi Phi. Famous for its stunning white shores and turquoise waters, the endearing island will offer intimate experiences in stylish fashion. As you wrap around the bay, you will witness mighty limestone cliffs that are lined with lush green forests. The warm sea breeze will revitalize your body as it lifts up off the clear, shallow ocean. Through the transparent sea, you will encounter sprawling coral reefs. Shortly after, you will depart your boat and check into your elegant seaside resort. Amid the vibrant jungle setting, on a beach less traveled, you will be swept away in paradise.

Your private guide will meet you with a luxury speed boat later in the afternoon. With insider knowledge of the surrounding environment, you will venture to pristine beaches that hug the rugged coastline. Each beach will offer a unique setting, which you will capture in all its glory. Spend your time in the bright blue water as you snorkel the spectacular reefs. Finally, you will arrive at the secluded and beautiful Nui Bay. The small stretch of shore receives only a handful of visitors, making this the ideal spot to bask in the sunset while you snack and sip your evening away.

The following day, you will journey around the greater Phang Nga Bay, and your private speed boat guide will take you to coveted destinations that are dotted around the seascape. The highlights include a visit to the famous James Bond Island and a kayaking adventure to hideaway caves. You will capture unforgettable memories of the emerald-green ocean, mighty limestone islands, and daring cave complexes, and the distinguished tour will open your eyes to the unspoiled natural beauty that encompasses Thailand. Then, visit an upper-class wellness spa where you will completely unwind. The expert masseuse will release all tension from your bodies as you experience this mastered and ancient massage practice. Your stay in Phi Phi will be complete with gourmet dining experiences. With a wealth of tasteful restaurants to choose from, which serve a variety of cuisines, you will delight in wholesome meals throughout the trip.

Bangkok boasts an incredible cityscape that deftly blends Thai authenticity and first-world urbanity. As you approach the third destination of your luxury vacation, you will witness this remarkable landscape. You will venture to the heart of bustling Bangkok shortly after meeting your private transfer. Your fluent driver will take you to your opulent accommodation along the Chao Phraya River banks. The 5-star hotel shares unbeatable views of the city skyline and calmly flowing river. It is a private suite that is fit for a king, and a queen will await your arrival while professional service ensures that your check-in is seamless. Once you are settled, you can spend the afternoon at your leisure as you indulge in world-class amenities. For the ultimate Bangkok welcome, you will transfer to a fine-dining rooftop restaurant just before sunset. As you look upon the city from the towering heights of this premier location, the glowing sunset will radiate passionately in the sky. Once the sun recedes, you can tuck into your award-winning Thai cuisine while you enjoy the sumptuous splendor.

You will witness the majestic city setting in great detail the following day. After fueling up on a delightful breakfast, you will transfer to a helicopter base site nearby. Highly experienced pilots will welcome you to the grounds as you prepare to board the airbus helicopter. You will settle comfortably into VIP Club seats as the vehicle propels itself off of the ground. Soon you will find yourselves thousands of feet in the air, and from these great heights, you will see the city like never before. You will sweep past skyscrapers, fly over grand temples, hover above the Chao Phraya River, and dart through sprawling landscapes. The life-changing experience will culminate with an incredible lunch as you return, and a knowledgeable guide will meet you shortly after you touch down. For the rest of the day, you will discover the city’s rich, cultural landmarks. There is an abundance of temples that are scattered around the city, and your expert guide will take you to the most coveted sites. The sheer beauty of these intricate constructions will be sights to behold. Wat Arun is blanketed by multi-colored porcelain while Wat Pho hosts a 150-foot long golden Reclining Buddha. These grand heritage destinations boast a wealth of picturesque photo opportunities.

Your final day in Bangkok will reveal more of the city’s cultural highlights. You will privately transfer, accompanied by a dignified tour guide, to premier museums and art houses. The Jim Thompson House represents the restoration of the Thai silk industry and a riveting blend of Thai and Western design. The Bangkok Art & Culture Centre is a globally-renowned and breathtaking display of Southeast Asian creative talent. These are but a few of the significant highlights that await. Before you depart from Bangkok, you will visit the city’s famous retail district. The streets of Siam are lined with elite fashion stores and exclusive shopping malls, and you will discover the city’s chic style as you search for unique items to take back home. Indulge in one last exquisite supper as you fine-dine on a luxurious river cruise along the Chao Phraya River.

A luxury private coach will collect you from your hotel in Bangkok and transfer you through the diverse landscape that surrounds the ancient city of Ayutthaya. The magnificent city retains its age-old charm, and this will be increasingly evident as you explore more of it. You will arrive at a lavish boutique resort after the short drive, and the stunning accommodation will take inspiration from traditional Thai culture in order to create a truly authentic luxury experience. You will settle into your gorgeous room that exudes its charming Siamese influence. With top-tier amenities and a riverfront setting, you will revel in the secluded escape from Bangkok’s fast-paced energy and will the evening to a close with gourmet Thai cuisine under the blissful sunset.

The most notable attraction in Ayutthaya is the monumental Historical Park. The park is home to a wealth of temple ruins and museums that protect valuable artifacts from the destination’s past. During the Burmese-Siamese War, the majority of this region was devastated. Though a large portion of the area has been rebuilt, the relics of temples and heritage sites remain in honor of the dramatic history. You will transfer to the park in the private comfort of a traditional Tuk-Tuk, which is a Southeast Asian open-are vehicle. You will feel the warm wind breeze through your hair as you approach the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set amongst stretches of lush greenery, the mighty temple ruins will be a truly enchanting sight. You will make your way to pinnacle temples and fascinating ruins, and you will learn about the city’s cultural heritage and the aftermath of the war. The journey will culminate at the famous Wat Mahathat. The temple is home to one of the most iconic Ayutthaya images, and resting in the roots of a tall Bodhi Tree is the head of a Buddha statue. You may capture the symbolic image as you soak in the humble atmosphere that emanates from the spiritual grounds.

To conclude your brief but captivating stay in Ayutthaya, you will transfer to the Bang Pa-in Palace. Also known as the Summer Palace, the grand compound is an ode to extreme regality. The royal residency blends various Southeast Asian architecture into what is one of the most marvelous palaces in the country. Surrounding by a gentle body of water, this tranquil setting will bring your tour to a perfect close.

Your final destination will be the northern city of Chiang Mai. The Northern Thai capital is an inspiring destination that you cannot afford to miss as you discover the best of the country. Chiang Mai is a sought-after location that boasts exclusive accommodations across its diverse landscape. You will transfer to the city and arrive at your premier resort that is nested below the striking Doi Suthep Mountain. The boutique resort retains old-world, 18th-century charm and its rooms will exude opulence. The idyllic setting will be the perfect place to call home as your adventurous Thai tour nears its final day.

You will fully immerse yourself in traditional Thai spiritual practices on your first day in Chiang Mai. With a cultured guide to accompany you, you will privately transfer to extremely significant heritage sites. Your journey will begin on the peaks of Doi Suthep Mountain at Wat Phra That where you will arrive at the glistening golden temple after a brisk hike up the towering staircase. From the heights of the temple, you will feel on top of the world and be met with panoramic vistas of the greater Chiang Mai region. Your tour will continue at other important temples, each standing out distinctly from the rest because of their intricate and meticulously crafted unique designs and settings. You will conclude the day by speaking with a resident monk and learning more about their age-old practices. The friendly conversation will provide you with a deep connection to a country that you will never forget.

On your final day in Thailand, you will set off in search of Chiang Mai’s stunning waterfalls. You will escape the thriving city and will be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide to prestigious waterfall destinations. You will enjoy the morning soaking up the sun and dipping your heads in the powerful streams. In the afternoon, you will venture with your guide to an ethnic hill tribe where you will be welcomed by friendly smiles. With the help of your guide, you will get the opportunity to connect with the locals and make friends for the day. You will be served authentic traditional Thai cuisine and dine with the families. Furthermore, you will enjoy elaborate cultural performances by the locals, and the talented and captivating display will provide lifelong memories of an experience that is rarely explored by others. You will enjoy a marvelous candlelit dinner shortly after arriving back in the city to conclude your epic adventure. Tomorrow you will say your final goodbyes, ecstatic that you have had such a luxurious and enriching journey