Taste of Thailand

Arrive in Bangkok and meet your representative at the arrival gate, just inside Immigration. Look for the sign bearing your name. Receive assistance with your carry-on luggage and move through the exclusive fast-track immigration counters for a smooth entry. After collecting your checked luggage, your representative will escort you through customs to your private vehicle, conveniently parked just outside the Arrival Hall, ready to transfer you to your hotel.
 

Start the day with a short walk along Charoen Krung Road to a local favorite specializing in roasted duck rice. Step away from the busy street to visit a peaceful Buddhist temple, then savor authentic dishes at a Thai-Indian Muslim eatery, such as stuffed pancake (Mabata) and chicken Massaman curry. Cross the Chao Phraya River to a well-known spot for Northeastern Thai cuisine, enjoying spicy raw papaya salad, grilled pork neck salad, and sticky rice. Return to the opposite bank to admire a striking Catholic church and sample custard buns with Thai milk tea at a local bakery. Continue to your final restaurant for chicken green curry served with fried roti, followed by a refreshing sorbet ice cream of your choice. Throughout the day, taste popular Thai street snacks like Miang Kham (herbs wrapped in betel leaves), chocolate roti, or coconut pancakes, depending on availability.

*Itinerary subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Start early with a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market and watch vendors swiftly clear their stalls as trains pass through the center of the market. Stop at a local coconut palm sugar workshop to observe traditional production techniques and sample fresh treats. Ride a longtail boat through the canals to the bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can browse colorful produce and handmade goods. End the morning at the nearby Lao Tuk Lak Market for a casual local lunch and Thai-style iced coffee before returning to the city.

In the evening, join a guided food tour through Bangkok’s 200-year-old Chinatown. Begin at a riverside bar with a drink in hand as the sun sets over the Chao Phraya River, then ride a tuk-tuk through narrow lanes to explore vibrant street food stalls. Taste a variety of local specialties while your guide shares the cultural stories behind each dish. End the night with a final cocktail, capturing the spirit and flavor of Bangkok’s legendary food scene.

Cooking up Thai Traditions: Bangkok Edition (Join-in)

Begin the morning with a hands-on Thai home-style cooking class set in a traditional open-air, two-story wooden Thai house. Learn to prepare dishes from scratch, from pressing fresh coconut cream to pounding aromatic curry paste, and pick fragrant herbs directly from the on-site organic garden. At your workstation, cook under friendly guidance, then enjoy the dishes you’ve created. Recipes may include chicken and galangal in coconut milk soup, spring rolls, stir-fried rice noodle pork, Northeastern-style minced pork salad, and sticky rice with mango.

Later, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for your transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Flight times will vary depending on your departure schedule. The drive to the airport takes approximately 45 minutes to over 1 hour, depending on traffic. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, meet your local guide at Exit Door 2 and follow them to your waiting vehicle. Continue with a 30-minute transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai town. Settle in at your hotel and spend the night at leisure.

Travel south of Chiang Mai to the quiet village of Bandoo and spend the day with the Raunkaew-Yanon family in their 150-year-old Lanna home. Tour their traditional house and rice barn, then walk through their orchard filled with bananas, mangoes, and coconuts. Handpick fresh ingredients and step into the kitchen to cook Northern Thai recipes under the guidance of your hosts. Learn techniques and flavors rarely taught in standard cooking classes, and enjoy lunch together as an honored guest in their home.

In the evening, ride a songtaew, a shared taxi used by locals, to a neighborhood market filled with street food stalls and regional flavors. Follow your guide through the busy alleys, meet the vendors, and sample a variety of Northern Thai dishes selected to match your tastes. Discover the stories and traditions behind each plate as you explore Chiang Mai’s street food scene.

After breakfast, board a boat at Wat Chai Mongkol and cruise along the Mae Ping River, leaving Chiang Mai’s cityscape behind. As the boat moves upriver, the scenery shifts to quiet countryside with open waters and tree-lined banks. Watch local life unfold along the shore, with children playing and diving into the river. Arrive at the Thai Farmer’s House and explore rural traditions central to Thai agriculture. Learn about rice cultivation, local herbs, fruits, and traditional fishing methods, all maintained without chemicals. Sit down to enjoy a bowl of Khao Soi made from a house recipe, served with classic side dishes.

In the evening, dine at Khum Khantoke Restaurant, where Northern Thai cuisine and cultural heritage come together. Sit on floor cushions around a low table and enjoy a selection of Lanna dishes served in traditional khantoke style. As you eat, watch live music and dance performances that highlight the rich traditions of the region.

After breakfast, meet your driver/guide in the hotel lobby and transfer from your hotel to Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Phuket. On arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to Exit 1, where your driver/guide waits with a signboard. Transfer to your hotel in Phuket.

In the evening, head out on a guided night walk through Phuket’s historic old town. Explore quiet streets lined with Chinese shophouses and colonial buildings, capturing photos of the town’s architecture without the daytime crowds. Watch local trucks deliver fresh goods from Phang Nga province in preparation for the early morning market. Along the way, sample a variety of local dishes that reflect the island’s multicultural culinary roots, shaped by Chinese settlers and Arab traders. Follow your guide’s recommendations and enjoy bold flavors and unexpected twists in every bite.

Visit Chalong Bay Rum, a boutique distillery in the heart of Phuket. Join a behind-the-scenes tour to learn how rum, gin, and vodka are crafted using sustainable methods that combine traditional French distillation techniques with Thailand’s rich sugarcane heritage. See the copper still imported from France, the centerpiece of the distillation process, and watch how the team blends vision and skill to create premium handcrafted spirits.  After the tour, enjoy a tasting session to explore the flavor profiles of Chalong Bay’s handcrafted spirits. Then, step behind the bar and design your cocktail, mocktail, or gin creation under expert guidance. Use fresh ingredients and house spirits to craft a personalized drink that reflects your style and taste.

After the tour, you may choose to return to your hotel or continue exploring nearby attractions such as Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong), the Big Buddha viewpoint, or the coastal cafes along Chalong Bay on your own.

Spend the day relaxing or exploring Phuket at your own pace. Choose to unwind on the beach, visit cultural sites such as local temples or vibrant markets, take part in a cooking class, or arrange for optional activities such as snorkeling or kayaking.

Optional Tour – Half Day Andaman Aquaculture Adventure at Intara Farm (Join-in)
Travel by long-tail boat from Sapham Bay to Intara Farm, located off Coconut Island. Learn about sustainable aquaculture, including pearl cultivation and black salmon rearing, while exploring the surrounding mangrove forests and a nearby fishing village. Participate in conservation activities such as releasing snapper fish into the ocean and kayaking through the mangroves. Visit a bistro cafe overlooking the water for refreshments made with farm-sourced ingredients. Enjoy a farm-to-table seafood lunch before returning.

Meet your driver-guide for the transfer from your Phuket hotel to the airport. Continue with your international flight or extend your travels independently to explore Phuket