Seasonal Information
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Thailand has something for everyone with its rich culture and exotic adventures. Whether you are there to relax on one of the stunning beaches in the south, delve into culture in the North or indulge in sumptuous cuisine in the bustling capital city, the ‘Land of Smiles’ is the one of perfect holiday destination for couples.
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Navalai River ResortComfort
Upon arrival at Bangkok International Airport you’ll meet our guide and take a private transfer with guide from Bangkok Airport to your chosen hotel in Bangkok.
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After breakfast, take on Bangkok’s finest attraction and a tour around the city’s fascinating canals. Start out at the magnificent Grand Palace, another sprawling temple complex boasting some of the finest Thai-Buddhist architecture in the entire country. Explore the vast grounds and numerous dazzling buildings, including the highly revered Wat Phra Kaew, home to the prized Emerald Buddha statue dating back to the 14th Century. Hop across the road to Wat Pho, one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok and home to more than 1000 Buddha images. The temple is also considered to be the first public university of Thailand, and known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, housing one of the oldest massage schools in the country. After grabbing lunch, enjoy Museum Siam, an exhibit on the national identity and history of the people of Thailand and their relationships with neighbouring cultures. The concept of the museum is “Play + Learn = Joyously”; through a series of interactive exhibits. Continue to meander through the quaint canals and taking in the quieter side of life from the seat of a traditional ‘long tail’ boat. Of course, a tour of Bangkok’s Thonburi side isn’t complete without the spectacular and iconic Wat Arun. Take your time to explore the iconic temple that towers 79 metres over the Chao Phraya River.
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Enjoy a cooked or contintental breakfast at your chosen hotel before departing. Start this busy day with an early morning departure with your guide, heading for the province of Ratchaburi around 100 kilometres southwest of Bangkok. This quaint old province is home to one of the most famous floating markets in the country, Damnoen Saduak and there’s ample time to explore the network of canals via traditional longtail boat. You can also walk around, taking in the vibrant sights, sounds, and smells, as well as bargaining for some souvenirs or indulging in some local delicacies After exploring the market, enjoy the simple charms of rural Thailand with an excursion to the Patom Organic Village, a family-run eco-cultural project on the banks of the idyllic Tachine River. Enjoy the sumptuous international buffet lunch prepared from mostly organic ingredients, homegrown or sourced directly from local farmers. Immerse in an organic living concept and participate in a wide range of engaging hands-on workshops including creating small elephant sculptures out of clay, preparing a Thai dessert and making rice body scrub. Take a rest at the organic coffee shop on your own expense before going back to Bangkok.
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Raya HeritageLuxury
After breakfast have a private transfer to Bangkok airport to Chiang Mai. (air ticket not included)
In the evening (approx 18.00hrs) get a taste of northern Thailand’s unique flavour on a journey blending culture and culinary discovery. Under a blanket of stars, head out into Chiang Mai’s culinary heart, stopping first at a collection of food stalls frequented by hungry locals after the sun sets. Make sure to sample some of the locals’ favourites here – Thai curry fish cake, sticky rice with pork and crispy fried munch! After getting your fill, follow your guide into a small nearby alley leading to a sleepier residential area, and pick up a refreshing fruit shake along the way. Wander further on until arriving at Wat Chedi Luang, a 15th Century stupa that looks its most mysterious and beautiful in the moonlight. Sample some famous Thai noodles here before heading onto another of Chiang Mai’s most famous food streets, this time for a taste of pork skewers, pork leg with rice and coconut desserts. Afterwards, hop on board a local truck and zip off to a hidden bar that’s well-known to local night owls. Wrap up your culinary journey with a refreshing drink and a chat with your guide.
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After breakfast, spend an enlightening day at an ethical elephant camp. Drive an hour and a half from Chiang Mai to Chang Chill, a sanctuary that has spent the last few years working with World Animal Protection and leading travel companies to transform it into a truly elephant-friendly venue. Upon arrival, staff members will present an introduction of the sanctuary’s past, its transition process, its current programs and its vision for the future. Follow the guide on a path through the forest to watch the elephants from a safe distance. For ethical reasons the guides will explain that visitors here aren’t allowed to interact with the elephants, instead observing them in their natural habitats, grazing and socialising without human disruptions. Listen to a “live lecture” along the way to learn some new facts about the needs, behaviours, and conservation of Asian Elephants. Ask questions about the six elephants that call Chang Chill home and meet the mahouts that have devoted their lives to protecting them. Stop at a rest station to enjoy some traditional Thai refreshments. Just below the rest station is a mud pit where the elephants bathe and play during hot days. Enjoy the snacks and watch the elephants splash around in the mud, just far enough away so as not to splatter visitors…most of the time! Move on to the riverside sala to learn about elephant enrichment and assist staff with filling feeding tubes up with yummy healthy treats and supplements like bananas, corn and grass.
After preparing food for the elephants, dig into a human lunch of Thai vegetarian food on the elephant observation deck. Enjoy the view of the elephants eating their own meals from the decking. Visit the Karen Cultural Centre after lunch to get to know the history and culture of the Karen community. Learn the traditional method of weaving clothing and bags, then try it out under the guidance of local community members. Finish the epic day with a recap of elephant conservation and an illuminating brainstorm session about how to continue the mission outside of Thailand.
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After breakfast, experience cooking the Thailand way! The course begins with a tour of a local country market, where you’ll learn how to recognise and select the fresh ingredients for today’s dishes. Then we proceed to the Cooking at home cookery school, where you will be taught how to prepare the following dishes for your lunch. We step out of the kitchen to enjoy the dishes we’ve just prepared in the picturesque setting of our charming roofed dining terrace, on the edge of the rice paddies. The ideal surroundings in which to delight your taste-buds as you savour the rewards of your culinary efforts and peacefully contemplate the enchanting rural scenery of Northern Thailand. After you’ve finished eating and had time to relax on our delightful dining terrace, we will drive you back to your hotel.
Join-in time 08:30hr – 14:30hr
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Enjoy breakfast at your chosen hotel and then have a private transfer to Chiang Mai airport to Phuket. (air ticket not included)
Upon arrival at Phuket. Private transfer to hotel. Check-in as per the hotel’s policy and enjoy the rest of your day relaxing by the pool or venturing out to explore.
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Enjoy these two days by relaxing by the pool, venturing out to explore or indulging in the spa treatments available at your chosen hotel.
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Transfer to Phuket airport for departure and here lies the end of your couples journey through Thailand.