Thailand In-Style

After breakfasts, you’ll be picked up at your hotel for the overland journey into the lushly forested landscapes of Kanchanaburi Province - site of the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai that was immortalized in book and film. Begin your exploration at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum where exhibits delve into the history of the 90-mile stretch of train track that was built by Allied prisoners during World War II. Visit the Allied Cemetery and see the infamous bridge before transferring by long-tail boat to the Float House River Kwai – where you’ll check in to a spacious and unique floating villa. Take some time to enjoy your private terrace on the river and the extraordinary setting of our evocative resort. Later this afternoon, venture by boat through spectacular river gorges and into the jungle to visit a Mon tribal village. Back at our resort, enjoy dinner and a performance of Mon music and dance before retiring to your floating villa.  Meals B+L+D

Lush forests of evergreens, bamboo, teak and other deciduous trees cover the slopes that rise steeply from the banks of the River Kwai. This is the captivating scenery that will surround you on our morning expedition upriver into Sai Yoke Yai National Park. The wildlife here can be elusive and the tropical vegetation is thick and lush – making the wildlife hard to spot. But with good luck and sharp eyes, you might observe some of the Park’s denizens including macaques, large sambar deer, gibbon and even elephants! We’ll cruise all the way to the lovely Sai Yoke Yai Waterfall before returning to shore for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, discover the fascinating rock formations and impressive stalactites and stalagmites of Lawa Cave, and then return to the Float House River Kwai where the rest of your afternoon and evening are at leisure.  Meals B+L+D

This entire day is yours to delight in the evocative setting of our riverside resort.  Meals B

After breakfast, travel over water and land to visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial, dedicated to the Allied prisoners who died during the construction of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Return to the resort for check out and then have lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you’ll board the Death Railway for an inspiring journey that will take you through rocky gorges excavated during World War II at the cost of numerous POW lives. Then return to Bangkok and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai and the continuation of our Thailand In-Style journey.

Note: Travelers on our River Kwai extension will have a slightly modified sightseeing program in Chiang Mai, visiting Doi Suthep Temple and the city on their first full day in Chiang Mai – with a half day at leisure. The following day, they’ll enjoy our privately guided excursion into Chiang Rai Province, visiting Mae Salong and an Akha hill tribe village.

Departing your hotel after breakfast, this morning’s scenic journey takes you northward through forested mountains and scenic valleys. Stop in the charming mountain town of Wiang Pa Pao, famed for its geothermal hot springs, and then continue to Wat Rong Khun. Often referred to as the White Temple, your tour of this striking and unusual Buddhist temple reveals the creativity and vision of Chalermchai Kositpipat, a Chiang Rai-born artist who has been directing the design and construction of this still-unfinished complex since 1997. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Chiang Rai and check in to the hotel of your choice: The deluxe Legend Hotel or The Reverie by Katathani, our luxury hotel where A+R guests enjoy River View Rooms..  Meals B+D

Complementing the contemporary White Temple that you visited yesterday, today’s sightseeing begins at Rong Suea Ten Temple. Also designed by a local artist and just recently completed after 11 years of construction, this so-called Blue Temple is distinguished by its magnificent azure interior, gilded roof decorations and gleaming white image of Buddha. Next up is Baan Dam, an unusual temple complex designed by Thawan Duchanee, a protégé of Chalermchai Kositpipat – the artist behind the White Temple. In contrast to his mentor’s work, Baan Dam is dark and eerie, with darkly-painted buildings, tiered black roofs, and furnishings and art installations made from the skin, bones and remains of crocodiles, buffalos and other animals.

After lunch, you’ll visit one of Thailand’s most historic temples. Dating back to the late 14th century, Wat Phra Kaew is, according to legend, where the Emerald Buddha (now enshrined in Bangkok) was discovered in 1434. End your sightseeing with a rickshaw ride to visit the colorful local market. Then return to your hotel where your evening is free to dine and relax as you wish.  Meals B+L

This day is yours to relax, shop, dine and explore at your own pace. If you wish, we can arrange additional privately-guided sightseeing excursions in and around Chiang Rai.  Meals B

Your private car and driver will take you to the airport today for your onward flight.  Meals B

You’ll be chauffeured to the airport today for your included flight to Koh Samui, an enchanting island in the Gulf of Thailand. On arrival, you’ll be met and chauffeured to your choice of beachfront hotel: The deluxe Anantara Lawana Resort or the luxurious Four Seasons. The rest of this day is yours to enjoy this tropical paradise.  Meals B

After breakfast, your private car and driver will take you to the pier where you’ll join other travelers aboard a speed boat bound for Ang Thong National Marine Park; established in 1980 to protect the pristine environment of this archipelago, the Park features towering limestone mountains, dense tropical jungle and untouched white-sand beaches. Your first stop will be on Koh Wao, a small island where you can swim and snorkel. Back onboard, our speed boat will take you past a number of Ang Thong’s most scenic islands – the best way to appreciate the archipelago’s dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. On the island of Mae Koh, a guided ascent along well-tended pathways and wooden steps is rewarded with stunning views of an emerald-green saltwater lagoon, the Gulf of Thailand and several of Ang Thong’s other islands and islets. After lunch, you’ll have more time to relax, swim and snorkel before returning to Koh Samui - where you’ll be met at the pier and chauffeured back to your hotel. This evening, you’ll sit down to a wonderful seafood dinner at Dara Samui.  Meals B+L+D

Note: This excursion includes snorkeling equipment, life jacket, and National Park fees.

This entire day is at leisure so you can enjoy the idyllic beachfront setting and amenities of your resort. Meals B

Your personal car and driver will take you to the airport for your included flight to Bangkok. Connect with your flight to Chiang Mai for the continuation of our Thailand In-Style journey.  Meals B

You’ll be chauffeured to the airport today for your included flight to Phuket. On arrival, your personal car and driver will take you to your choice of beachfront hotel.  Meals B

After breakfast, your car and driver will take you to the pier where you’ll join other travelers aboard a speed boat for the 1-hour journey to the Phi Phi Islands. Your first stop will be Koh Pai, a tiny idyllic isle with pristine white sand beaches and lush vegetation including the Casuarinas and Bamboo trees that give the island its name. You’ll have time to relax, swim and snorkel before sitting down to a delightful lunch. In afternoon, you’ll continue by speed boat to Phi Phi Ley where you’ll explore a limestone cavern known for its ancient wall paintings and the harvesting of the birds’ nests used in Bird’s Nest Soup – a traditional Chinese favorite. Return to Phuket in the late afternoon where you’ll be met at the pier and chauffeured back to your beachfront hotel.  Meals B+L

Note: This excursion includes snorkeling equipment, life jacket, and National Park fees.

This entire day is at leisure so you can enjoy the idyllic beachfront setting and amenities of your resort.  Meals B

Your personal car and driver will take you to the airport for your included flight to Bangkok. Connect with your flight to Chiang Mai for the continuation of our Thailand In-Style journey.  Meals B