YOUR HOLIDAY at a GLANCE

DEDICATED GUIDES

Just You Holiday Director as your Specialist Local Guide and host

RETURN FLIGHTS l Return flights from London l Use of an airport lounge in the UK

3 & 4-STAR HOTELS

11 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight

23 INCLUDED MEALS

11 breakfasts (B) 6 lunches (L), 6 dinners

(D) including welcome dinner and drink & farewell dinner

LOCAL FLAVOURS

Enjoy a wonderful, authentic Thai dinner sampling a variety of local cuisine

ESSENTIALS

Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS l Discover Bangkok at night by tuk-tuk l Bangkok city tour l Visit the ruins of Ayutthaya l Boat trip in Uthai Thani l Admire the Wat Yai temple in Phitsanulok l Discover UNESCO-listed Sukhothai l Discover the art of Sukhothai Noodles and create your own lucky charm l Tour of Lampang including visit to see textile weaving l Chiang Mai tour including visits to a local family & the Wat Palat & Doi Suthep temples l Receive a blessing from a monk l Visit the Elephant Nature Park

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES l Long-tail boat cruise along the Thonburi Klongs l Chiang Mai night bazaar with dinner l Thai cookery class in Hua Hin paintings and beautifully carved elephants supporting a towering stupa. Next we’ll meet a local history expert to learn about the heritage and traditions that live on in this area and get a hands on experience making your own lucky charm, before we sample Sukhothai noodles – rice noodles served in a broth, usually with meat and green beans – for lunch. This afternoon we’ll drive to Lampang for your overnight stay. (B,L,D)

LAMPANG RIVER LODGE, LAMPANG (3 STAR)

DAY 7 LAMPANG - CHIANG MAI

After breakfast we’ll make our way to Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang - an incredible example of LannaBuddhist architecture. Our next stop is Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao. Lunch will be served in a restaurant and this afternoon we’ll journey to Chiang Mai. We’ll pass through the ancient city of Lamphun, stopping to learn about traditional silk weaving. Later, we’ll admire Wat Ton Kaewand see the gold-coloured structures at Wat Phrathat Haripoonchai.

The remainder of the evening is at leisure or you can joing us on an optional excursion to the bustling Chiang Mai night bazaar. (B,L)

DAY 1 UK - BANGKOK

Your itinerary

Today you will fly to Bangkok, arriving on day 2.

DAY 2 BANGKOK

On arrival this morning we’ll transfer to our hotel. After time to relax, we’ll get together for an authentic Thai dinner where we’ll sample a wide selection of traditional dishes. Later, travelling by tuk-tuk, we’ll discover the delights of Bangkok at night. We’ll wind our way through the city’s streets we’ll soak up the city’s atmosphere and see many of its famous landmarks.

(D)

REMBRANDT HOTEL, BANGKOK (4 STAR)

DAY 3 BANGKOK

We’ll discover Bangkok’s highlights on an included sightseeing tour. We begin with a visit to Wat Pho, where we’ll hear the morning chant of the saffronrobed Buddhist monks and see the 46-metre-long golden Reclining Buddha. Next we’ll head to the magnificent Grand Palace, and see the sacred Wat Phra Kaew, the temple containing the Emerald Buddha. After lunch we’ll take things at a slightly slower pace if you choose to join our optional excursion. We’ll step aboard a long-tail boat for a cruise on the Thonburi klongs.

This evening we’ll gather together and enjoy a Thai dinner, where a variety of local dishes will be served.

(B,D)

REMBRANDT HOTEL, BANGKOK (4 STAR)

DAY 4 BANGKOK

After breakfast this morning we’ll begin our explorations at the beautiful Bang Pa-In Palace, which was once a royal summer residence. We’ll then continue to the UNESCO listed ruins of Ayutthaya. We’ll take a stroll around the impressive remains, which include a head of Buddha embedded in a tree trunk surrounded by tangled roots. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is free to make your own discoveries. (B,L)

REMBRANDT HOTEL, BANGKOK (4 STAR)

DAY 5 BANGKOK - PHITSANULOK

We’ll depart Bangkok after breakfast and drive to Phitsanulok, one of Thailand’s most historic cities. En route we’ll make a stop at Uthai Thani to enjoy lunch on board a boat. On arrival in Phitsanulok we’ll visit the 14th century Wat Yai, a stunning temple which houses a bronze statue of Buddha. (B,L,D)

TOPLAND HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTRE (3 STAR)

DAY 6 PHITSANULOK - LAMPANG

Our journey continues today as we drive to the ancient city of Sukhothai. This walled city was the birthplace of some of Thailand’s finest art and architecture, and as we explore the UNESCO-listed site we’ll discover magnificent Buddha images, wall

CROSS VIBE HOTEL, CHIANG MAI (4 STAR)

DAY 8 CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai was once the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, and we’ll visit a local family to learn about Lanna traditions and enjoy a meal cooked over a fire. This afternoon we’ll take the winding road up to the sacred temple of Doi Suthep. Considered to be the most important temple in Chiang Mai, it sits on a hilltop overlooking the city. En route we’ll stop at Wat Palat, a peaceful temple tucked away in the jungle and surrounded by hills, forest paths, shrines and a tumbling waterfall. When we reach Doi Suthep there will be plenty of time to explore this intriguing site and we’ll get an insight into the importance of religion in Thai society at a private monk blessing ceremony. This evening has been left free for you to dine at leisure. Why not head out with your travelling companions and sample the delicacies on offer at one of Chiang Mai’s outstanding eateries. (B,L)

CROSS VIBE HOTEL, CHIANG MAI (4 STAR)

DAY 9 CHIANG MAI

We’ve got a great day planned today, as we head to the Elephant Nature Park, just an hour’s drive out of Chiang Mai. The sanctuary is home to many of these majestic creatures, which roam free in this rural setting. You’ll learn all about how the elephants are rescued, and get the chance to feed them from a special viewing platform.

After time spent in the presence of these magnificent creatures, a buffet lunch will be served before making your way back to the hotel. (B,L)

CROSS VIBE HOTEL, CHIANG MAI (4 STAR)

DAY 10 CHIANG MAI - CHA-AM

After breakfast we’ll transfer to Chiang Mai airport for our flight back to Bangkok. Upon arrival we’ll transfer to the laid-back coastal resort of Cha-Am, our base for the next three nights. Your hotel is set beside a long sandy beach and the rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy this lovely location. (B,D)

VERANDA RESORT, CHA-AM (4 STAR)

DAY 11 CHA-AM - DAY AT LEISURE

Spend today enjoying the facilities at your hotel, perhaps take a dip in the outdoor pool or hot tub, or go for a stroll along the beach.

If you like to cook, we also offer a fantastic optional excursion today as we head to the nearby beach resort of Hua Hin, where you can learn the art of Thai cookery. Start by visiting a local market to shop for your fresh ingredients. During your class you’ll cook with ingredients such as fish sauce, herbs, spices, limes and coconut milk, and whatever you cook you’ll eat for lunch. (B)

VERANDA RESORT, CHA-AM (4 STAR)

DAY 12 CHA-AM - DAY AT LEISURE

Enjoy a final day at leisure. You could choose to soak up the sun on the beach and later, perhaps head out with your travelling companions to one of the nearby seafood restaurants for lunch.

Your hotel also boasts a fabulous spa, so maybe book yourself in for a pampering session.

This evening we’ll gather together for a farewell drink before dinner. (B,D)

VERANDA RESORT, CHA-AM (4 STAR)

DAYS 13 & 14 CHA-AM - UK

We’ll transfer to the airport in Bangkok on day 13 for our flight back to the UK, arriving on day 14 (B)