10 Days in Thailand

ADVENTURE • ECOTOURISM • SECLUSION

Welcome to Thailand, the enchanting "Land of Smiles," where vibrant culture and warm hospitality converge to offer travelers a journey like no other. Picture yourself immersed in the kaleidoscope of experiences—breathtaking beaches, bustling cities, tantalizing street food, and the genuine smiles of locals—all weaving a tapestry of unforgettable moments. Whether you're exploring the sun-kissed shores of Phuket or delving into Chiang Mai's ancient traditions, Thailand beckons with a diverse allure. Uncover the depths of Thai cuisine, from world-renowned street eats to the serene art of temple visits. Adventure awaits in elephant sanctuaries and snorkeling escapades, while tranquility whispers through pristine natural landscapes. Embrace the magic of Thailand, where every smile is an invitation to create lasting memories.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok! Meet your guide on arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city where you can relax for the afternoon.

In the evening, get a taste of Bangkok's buzzing nightlife with an exhilarating night out on the town! Your after-dark adventure takes you to the top of one of Thailand's tallest buildings for spectacular views over the city skyline and ends with an exciting tuk tuk ride and a meal at one of the city's top restaurants.

Where to Stay: Bangkok

Bangkok's hotel scene boasts a diverse array of accommodations, from opulent retreats to budget-friendly havens, ensuring every traveler finds their perfect stay amidst the bustling charm of Thailand's capital.
These are my favorites, but reach out with your preferences.

Where to Stay: Rosewood Bangkok

• SIZE: 158 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CONTEMPORARY • VIBE: SOPHISTICATED

Rosewood Bangkok’s visually striking design is inspired by the wai, the graceful Thai hand gesture of greeting. Such creative, cultural expression is emphasized in every element of this contemporary hotel and its 158 residential-style accommodations, which include a host of one-of-a-kind specialty suites and houses featuring plunge pools and expansive terraces. Dining options include the 19th-floor Nan Bei, serving authentic Chinese cuisine and sweeping views; an elegant European brasserie; and the upscale G&O café, with a farm-to-table ethos. The spa calms with ancient Thai healing rituals.

✧ TIP: Spend the evening sipping skillfully crafted cocktails and spinning records at Lennon’s, a hip speakeasy tucked away on the 30th floor and featuring a 6,000-piece vinyl collection.

Where to Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

• SIZE: 299 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CONTEMPORARY • VIBE: HIP

Tucked away in one of the most historic parts of the city, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok spares no expense when it comes to modern extravagance. The 299 light-filled rooms and suites boast floor-to-ceiling courtyard or river views, restaurants include Michelin-starred Yu Ting Yuan and the ultra-glamorous BKK Social Club, and the wellness center has everything you need to put jet lag in its place, from traditional bamboo massages and meditation sessions to customized bath rituals.

✧ TIP: Shake up your workout with a Muay Thai boxing lesson from the experienced FS coaches.

Day 2 - 3: Bangkok

Discover the treasures of Ayutthaya, Thailand's former capital city. Visit Bang Pa In Summer Palace, a former retreat for Thai kings and explore the beautifully-landscaped gardens and floating pavilion. Stop for a coffee at a riverside café, then continue to the 14th-century city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where red brick temple and palace ruins offer a glimpse of the city's former glory. See the iconic Buddha head in the roots of a tree at Wat Mahathat and visit the former Grand Palace. Try a local pancake-like treat made by local vendors and enjoy lunch at riverside venue.

Back in the city, your guide will lead you around the backstreets of Bangkok’s old Talad Noi district where Chinese merchants’ mansions meet converted warehouse cafés and trendy street art.

Walk past a neoclassical mansion that was once the French Distillery Company’s office, browse local designer boutiques at a converted warehouse and admire street art in hidden lanes. Pass by a Catholic church, Bangkok’s oldest bank building and a Chinese merchant’s mansion that reveals the history of this community and its connections with 19th century Chinese traders.

In the evening experience the diversity of life in Bangkok on a guided cultural adventure through the city’s most dynamic and lively markets. Sample tasty local treats and refreshments at a typical morning market where all walks of life, from lawyers to merchants, can be seen enjoying breakfast – local style. Explore a chaotic wholesale market in the backstreets of Chinatown which sells everything from Thai fabrics to stationary. Cross the road into Little India for a change of vibe with the fragrant smell of exotic spices, flamboyant textiles and an array of hand-crafted goods. Continue to the city’s largest flower market, stopping at a quaint little café before wandering through the lively maze of stalls selling every color and variety of flowers imaginable, including rare orchids, sweet-smelling jasmine and bright yellow marigolds which are often used to make offerings at Buddhist temples.

Head out early for an uplifting spiritual experience inside one of Bangkok’s more authentic local temples along the Chao Phraya River. Witness Buddhist monks perform their morning prayers, filling the air with their hypnotic, rhythmic chant. Receive a blessing while you make merit and enjoy a personal chat with one of the monks to learn more about their spiritual beliefs and way of life.

For the rest of the day, experience Bangkok of old and uncover the quintessence of Thai culture, a city steeped in spiritual and regal tradition. Arrive at the glittering Grand Palace when it opens to beat the crowds. See a highly revered Emerald Buddha statue known locally as Wat Phra Kaew then continue to one of our favorite intimate museums, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, which displays a selection of ball gowns and fashionable pieces from the Queen Mother’s elegant wardrobe. Zip through the streets by tuk tuk to see the impressive 46-meter (150-foot) long reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and unwind with an hour-long foot massage at one of the city's leading traditional Thai massage centers. Head to a trendy local restaurant for a home-style Thai cuisine lunch.

Spend an hour traveling the Chao Phraya river at the end of the day as the sun prepares to set. Watch Bangkok evolve as you head further away from the city and along far less developed parts of the river. Sip Champagne and nibble on canapés while cruising on an elegant Hacker-Craft boat, one of only a handful of speedboats allowed on the river. Take a tuktuk back to your hotel and enjoy dinner at one of the top restaurants in the city.

Day 4-6: Chiang Mai

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai and enjoy private transfer to your hotel.

Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of northern Thailand, is a land of misty mountains and colorful hill tribes where the kings of the Lanna civilization once held court. Reaching the height of prosperity between the 13th to 18th centuries, the city is home to centuries-old artistic traditions and numerous history-filled temples framed by crumbling red-brick city walls, distant rice fields, teak forests and the Ping River in the east.

Your local guide will help you uncover the richness of northern Thai culture as you explore Chiang Mai’s historical landmarks and discover some of the untold stories of the old Lanna kingdom. Gain a sense of the scale and grandeur of the historical city as you pass through the 13th-century red-brick gate and into the old part of town. Stop by a busy marketplace for a taste of local specialties such as northern Thai spicy sausage before enjoying lunch at a local place known for its mouthwatering khao soi - northern Thailand’s signature noodle dish served with a delicious coconut-based soup.

Where to Stay: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai's hotels range from luxurious escapes to charming retreats, catering to every traveler's desires. These are my favorites, but reach out with your preferences.

Where to Stay: Raya Heritage Chiang Mai

• SIZE: 38 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CONTEMPORARY • VIBE: ZEN

Set among lush gardens at the side of the Ping river, about twenty minutes’ drive to the north of the city center, Raya Heritage is as calm and tranquil as many a more far-flung rural resort. The concept stems from northern Thai culture’s elegant approach to life and art, and the social value placed on living in balance with nature and the surrounding community. Raya Heritage's serene atmosphere makes it the perfect base for discovering the unique charms of the region at an unhurried pace.

Where to Stay: Four Seasons Chiang Mai

• SIZE: 99 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CONTEMPORARY • VIBE: SOPHISTICATED

The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai aims for the quintessential Northern Thai luxury-hotel experience, and with a setting surrounded by rice paddies and verdant jungle, it’s perfectly placed to do just that. The pavilions and villas are a mix of classical Thai style and contemporary-luxe elegance, and while they vary in size they’re uniformly lavish and lack for nothing in terms of comforts. There’s an expansive spa, a stunning infinity pool, and three fine restaurants — though in typical Four Seasons style, the service just might be the part of the experience that stands out above all.

In the morning, your guide will pick you up to engage with northern Thailand's rich tribal culture, about an hours' drive from Chiang Mai. Surrounded by lush, green mountains, this ethnic community presents a unique way of life and traditional culture. Take a stroll around the village and explore the medicinal herb garden. Visit the Shaman’s house for an eye-opening introduction to hill tribe curing rites and herbal medicines. Then learn about tea cultivation at the nearby tea plantation where you can sip aromatic Assam tea while enjoying a delicious lunch made of fresh ingredients from the garden.

Return to Chiang Mai in the afternoon. Stop by a busy marketplace to browse the local specialties such as northern Thai spicy sausage and other regional produce before enjoying a trishaw ride around the old town. Visit Wat Phra Singh, one of the city's most revered temples, and drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a mountaintop temple that overlooks the city.

The next day, head out early to experience nature and wildlife conservation at an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in northern Thailand. Meet a herd of rescued and orphaned animals and enjoy a vegetarian lunch in the scenic environment while the elephants are free to roam in their natural habitat.

Enjoy an enchanting northern Thai night, sipping cocktails over canapés as the setting sun casts shadows across the peaceful Ping River. Unwind and watch the world go by from the venue’s riverside terrace or bar where live music fills the air. Then try out your bargaining skills at a bustling night bazaar where you can browse a range of locally-made arts and crafts and other unique souvenirs. For dinner, feast on northern-style cuisine at one of the city’s leading restaurants.

Day 7-10: Phuket

Fly to Phuket and enjoy private transfer to your hotel on the island. Framed by the sparkling waters of Andaman Sea, Phuket is a haven of tropical beaches, idyllic rainforests and mountainous landscapes. An excellent base for diving and snorkeling among nearby Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts, crystal lagoons and vibrant coral reefs. Your guide will take you to visit the interesting Old Town Phuket lined with Sino-Portuguese shophouses that hark back to the glory days of tin-mining to explore the colonial architecture and Chinese shrines.

Where to Stay: Phuket

Phuket's hotel scene offers a diverse selection, from lavish resorts to cozy hideaways, ensuring every traveler discovers their ideal haven amidst the tropical allure of Thailand's largest island. These are my favorites, but please reach out with your preferences.

Where to Stay: COMO Point Yamu

• SIZE: 24 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CLASSIC • VIBE: SOPHISTICATED

Set against an idyllic backdrop of classic bushveld within the game-rich Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Singita offers 30,000 acres of land in the heart of Big Five territory. Guests may choose between Singita Ebony Lodge, a contemporary interpretation of the classic safari lodge; Singita Boulders Lodge, inspired by nature; or Singita Castleton, a private-use villa-style home. Singita Sabi Sand offers an exquisite safari with fine dining, wines and world-class service, with exciting daily activities. Committed to the preservation of Africa's wilderness, Singita's purpose is to balance conservation, community and hospitality.

Where to Stay: Amanpuri

• SIZE: 80 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CLASSIC • VIBE: ZEN

Amanpuri, the inaugural Aman resort, embodies a perfect synthesis of captivating design, classic luxury, and impeccable service. Nestled on the west coast of Phuket, this exclusive beachfront retreat, once a coconut plantation, features 40 pavilions and 44 private villas, all with private terraces and garden views. Designed by American architect Ed Tuttle, the accommodations showcase a smart blend of traditional Thai elements. Luxurious amenities include low-slung king-sized beds, spacious bathrooms, and private pools with outdoor dining pavilions. Guests can indulge in the AMAN Spa, watersports at the private beach, and Mediterranean delights at the Beach Club. The iconic 27-meter pool and diverse culinary offerings further enhance the Amanpuri experience.

✧ TIP: Pavilions 103 and 105 have the best vistas of the Andaman Sea -
I can snag one of those for you.

The next morning transfer to the pier to begin your speedboat adventure to the exciting Similan Islands. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, the beautiful archipelago lies just 84 kilometers (52 miles) northwest of Phuket and is considered among the world’s top dive spots. Witness the spectacular tropical scenery and discover exotic marine life below the water's surface. The islands here are ideal for snorkeling or trekking and you can swim among colorful coral and tropical fish in areas often visited by sea turtles and clown fish. Enjoy a simple lunch along the way. Return to Phuket in the late afternoon to relax, take a private cooking class and learn to make Southern Thai cuisine, then end the day with a spa treatment at your resort.

Your final days in Thailand will be spent relaxing by the pool or on the beach, soaking up the warmth of the sun, the people, and the memories. You will be picked up by private driver to take you to the Phuket airport for your return journey home.

ACERA BENEFITS EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU

No matter where you stay, you’ll enjoy exclusive amenities. Our preferred partner’ status with our travel partners gives you access to complimentary benefits and unadvertised experiences, at some of the finest hotels across the globe, and we're also a member of Virtuoso®, the world’s leading luxury travel network, giving our team access to the most renowned and unique properties. Benefits may include:

✧ Buffet breakfast daily, for two guests per bedroom
✧ A $100 per couple hotel/resort credit
✧ Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
✧ Complimentary Wi-Fi