Here are some incredible and amazing holidays to inspire your next adventure in Thailand
1. Blow the budget honeymooners
Fantasy is forever blurred with reality in dreamy Thailand. Fairy-temples, exotic flavours and endless beaches set the scene for romance, making it a hot favourite for newlyweds and couples seeking to reignite a spark. Make up for holidays lost by planning a celebration of epic proportions, exploring every inch of the country in style with Original Travel’s tailor-made Megamoon. See Bangkok from above on a helicopter ride above the Grand Palace, learn how to meditate from masters in Chiang Mai and disconnect from the outside world in the northern highlands. Finish off on a high at Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood island, where treetop dinners are served by a waiter on a zipline.
2. Fitness freaks
Treat your body like a temple but train it to be a powerful weapon by getting to grips with the ancient sport of Muay Thai. Known as the art of eight limbs, the athletic form of kickboxing uses elbows, knees and every bit of body available to knock down an opponent, building both muscle and mental strength in the process. Master the basics on a FitVentures group holiday with TruTravels, staying in Bangkok and Koh Phangan. Yoga sessions, Pilates classes, bike rides and sunset beach workouts fill a calorie-busting itinerary, leaving ample time to wind down with spa sessions and massages at the Wonderland Resort.
3. Walking enthusiasts
Yes, Thai beaches are beautiful – but opportunities for heavenly holidays at higher altitudes soar sky high. Part of the Himalayan mountain range, Doi Inthanon National Park rises 2,565 meters above sea level in the north of Thailand, creating a hiking wonderland above the clouds. Trek through evergreen forest, where gibbons and deer still roam, or visit in January when Siamese Sakura flowers are in full cherry blossom bloom. Combine a trip with the neighbouring Mae Wang District, spending time with indigenous hill tribes and overnighting at traditional homestays.
4. Adventurous families
Rattling through a dull list of dates will instantly lose a child’s attention but put them in a tuk-tuk and historical sightseeing immediately appeals. Finding new ways to keep young minds active, Stubborn Mule have devised a family adventure sampling cities and national parks. Cycle through Bangkok’s backstreets; meet the crab-eating macaques of Erawan National Park; and jump onboard an overnight train to Chiang Mai. After spending time at a responsibly run elephant sanctuary, kids can bed down for a sleepover with a difference at a stilt house homestay.
5. Foodie fanatics
Food is undoubtedly Thailand’s greatest worldwide export. But a neighbourhood take-away is nothing compared to tasting the real deal. Discover regional specialities and national oddities on a culinary and cultural journey, learning from local chefs, shopping at floating markets and dining in family homes. Alongside variations of classics like pad Thai and khanom krok, take the opportunity to sample more experimental creations such as elephant dung coffee, fried bugs sold at an edible insects market and – weirder still – Thai wine, cultivated in the Asoke Valley.
6. Off the beaten trackers
Tribal tourism is a delicate topic. Conducted properly, however, travel can be a powerful force for good, benefiting communities financially. Determined to make a positive impact, G Adventures supports several community projects in rural northern Thailand through their non-profit arm Planeterra. Living close to the Myanmar border and considered too remote by most operators, the Mae Hong Son hill tribe receive funds for hosting G customers on homestays. Equally overlooked due to their location close to Krabi in western Thailand, the Laem Sak Community benefit by guiding kayak rides.
7. Cash-conscious travellers
There’s a reason backpacking students flock east on their gap years: cheap prices and excellent service mean even paupers can travel like kings. Balance budget with comfortable accommodation by joining an escorted tour, guaranteeing the best value by travelling as a group and stretching pennies to cover longer stays. Averaging around £60 per day, G Adventures have struck gold with a trip encompassing the country’s highlights. Trek with hill tribes in the north, relax on golden beaches in the south and plug into the electrifying Night Markets of Bangkok.
8. Sun-craving families
A laid-back alternative to the hectic throng of Phuket, Khao Lak’s white-sand beaches showcase a slower pace of life along the Andaman coast. The TUI BLUE Mai Khao Lak is the perfect fit for families with their sights set on sun loungers and the sparkling sea. From large pools with swim-up bars, to buffet restaurants and age-specific kids clubs, all bases are covered. Beyond the resort’s comfortable confines, the Phan-Nga’s natural attractions are also appealing. Nearby Khao Sok National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in the world, while the Surin and Similan Islands – a short boat ride away – are excellent for snorkelling and diving.
9. History enthusiasts
Mighty civilisations shaped the culture of Southeast Asia, leaving a legacy of magnificent temples and opulent palaces. In Ayutthaya, spiralling towers and sprawling monasteries hint at the splendour of a 14th century Siamese kingdom, while the Sukhothai Historical Park is a marvel of Khmer shrines. Filling the gaps between crumbling ruins requires the expertise of a knowledgeable guide – all part of the package on Inside Asia’s Kingdoms of Thailand tour. Spiral back several centuries at top World Heritage sites and lost cities to discover what makes this modern-day destination tick.
10. Rail obsessives
Sparked by Queen Victoria’s gift of a model railway, King Rama IV commissioned the country’s first railway line in the late 19th century. Taking a ride along the tracks is a journey back in time, passing through coruscating paddy fields and white picket-fenced stations plucked from a Hornby toy set. Do it properly with a trip on Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express, a glamorous cherrywood sleeper train finessed with Thai silk fabrics, intricate marquetry and a grand piano in the lounge bar. Stops include a guided tour of the controversial Bridge on the River Kwai and the Thai Burma Railway Museum.
11. First timers
Punchier than one of its explosive trademark curries, Thailand can be overwhelming at first sight. A complex jigsaw of ancient kingdoms, tribal cultures and seasonal weather systems can only be pieced together after several visits. Stepping foot into the country for the first time, it’s hard to know where to start. Abercrombie & Kent’s 13-night Discover Thailand trip gives a decent introduction, covering off the highlights from Chiang Mai’s jungle-wrapped mountains right down to the Gulf of Thailand’s beaming-white beaches. Essential temples, palaces and flower markets are all ticked off, leaving enough time to switch off and relax.
12. Wildlife water babies
Heart-poundingly beautiful at the surface, the Phi Phi islands are even more of a mind-bending spectacle underwater. Limestone mountains plunge to great depths, creating walls for a for an unusual array of brightly daubed soft corals. Swim into caves concealed by fanning gorgonians, searching for seahorses and shrimpfish who reside in the delicate fronds, and float through gardens filled with stag horns and a white bushes shaped like Christmas trees. Between February and March, leopard, nurse and reef sharks can be seen at the appropriately named shark point.
13. National Geographic explorers
As comfortable underwater as they are on land, Moken spear fishers can freedive to dizzying depths with one single breath. The ancestral skill is now part of their DNA, allowing them to comfortably survive without interruption from the outside world. Get an insight into their way of life on a trip to the Surin Islands, a reef-fringed archipelago in the Andaman Sea. Listen to songs and stories shared inside beach homes built on stilts, hike into surrounding forests to forage for medicinal plants, and snorkel with a Moken guide for an authentic taste of sea gypsy living – encountering sharks, mantas and sea turtles along the way.
14. Ethical wildlife lovers
Southeast Asia’s forests and grasslands once swelled with Asian elephants. But – just like their African cousins – the species is in devastating decline. Once used to tug logs around forests many end their days carrying tourists on jungle rides. But award-winning Elephant Hills Camp have found an alternative and more humane way to fund the animals’ upkeep. As part of a small group session, guests at the tented camp in Khao Sok National park can watch the elephants take a mud bath and join in feeding sessions, ensuring an up-close encounter without compromising the creatures in any way.
15. Isolation worshippers
Proof safari-style adventures aren’t restricted to Africa, the Four Seasons Golden Triangle tented camp promises immersion in nature and an introduction to Thailand’s wilder side. Engulfed by bamboo jungle and the Ruak and Mekong rivers, glampers wake every morning to the sounds of trumpeting elephants. Fishing lessons and hilltop cycling tours provide a chance to meet local communities and appreciate the environment. Alternatively, lazy days can be spent admiring mountain views of Myanmar and Laos, participating in a guided meditation session or being pampered in the open-air spa.
16. Multi-generational gatherers
After months of Zoom sessions and Facetime calls, physically reconnecting with family is a key priority for 2022. Start the year on the right footing with a family-friendly escape, balancing the needs of peace-loving grandparents with the demands of entertainment-seeking teens. Available for exclusive hire, ANI Private Resorts offer a 10-suite oceanfront property on the island of Koh Yao Noi, equipped with security, housekeeping, a butler and a resort GM. A dedicated concierge can arrange spa treatments or plan treasure hunts for kids and with all meals prepared by an Executive Chef, there won’t be any arguments about whose turn it is to do the washing up.
17. Spa devotees
Guiding guests along a path to achieve happiness and spiritual well-being, Thailand’s spa retreats famously deliver much more than a standard massage and body scrub. Operational for more than 25 years, Chiva-Som leads the pack, with devotees regularly making a pilgrimage to worship at its temple of treatment rooms. Surrounded by tropical gardens in Hua Hin, a two-hour drive from Bangkok, the beachside complex offers a dizzying menu of therapies: Tai Chi classes, floatation sessions and chakra balancing can all be incorporated into programmes. Get a good all-round overview with A Taste of Chiva-Som package, improving health, well-being and happiness through fitness classes, massage, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.
18. Seafaring sailors
The star of several big screen productions, Phang Nga Bay masqueraded as a Wookie planet in Star Wars and provided an exotic backdrop for Roger Moore’s James Bond. Weaving through the cluster of limestone karsts, however, scenes are far grander than any CGI wizardry could conjure up. Join a voyage onboard a 14-passenger twin-hulled catamaran to explore hidden lagoons and remote islands inhabited by gibbons. Spend evenings stargazing from bean bags strewn across the deck, while a chef cooks Thai classics.
19. Urban dreamers
Bold, boisterous and charismatically chaotic, Bangkok has inspired artists and writers for decades. Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham and John le Carré all holed up at the Mandarin Oriental, still the city’s undisputed grand dame 146 after its teak doors first opened. Every room of the riverside building is soaked in nostalgia and the impeccable golden era service hasn’t faulted one bit. A wooden boat shuttles guests to the Oriental Spa, housed in a restored century-old house. Try a signature treatment of body wrap and bamboo pummelling, or experiment with a Muay Thai massage inspired by the energetic martial art.
20. Experience seekers
Untouched by the outside world, traditions have been practised for centuries in the rural and rarely visited eastern region Isaan. One of the greatest spectacles is the Loy Krathong festival of lights, celebrated on the 12th lunar month (November). Using community contacts, Black Tomato have secured special access to the event, allowing guests to watch as boat-shaped krathongs are filled with offerings, lit and floated down the Mekong river. The longer flames burn, the better fortunes will be for the year ahead.
SailBreeze lets you take your inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, bespoke and customised private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with our Experienced Designers to put together your tailor-made trip of a lifetime.
Thailand attractions are unlimited. Its diverse landscape, from tropical rainforests to lush green forested mountains to white-sand beaches, will captivate you. Explore the mountains of Chiang Mai by foot or bike, boat its floating markets and dine on the incredible food in world-class restaurants on a Thailand bespoke trip.
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