Culture and Flavor of Siam

“Sawasdee”, Welcome to Bangkok! "We start our descent to Bangkok. Please return to your seat and fasten your seat belt", announces the chief cabin attendant. In less than 30 minutes, your plane will land in Bangkok, the "City of Angels" and capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. When you leave the plane, you will be greeted by a privileged welcome: assistance and a porter will be waiting for you with a personalized sign. At the exit of the airport, you will be directed to your private vehicle for a transfer to the hotel. As the urban landscape unfolds before your eyes, you will feel the first sensations of the "Land of smiles", as Thailand is nicknamed. Room available from 14:00. Dinner at leisure and night at the hotel

English-speaking guide and local transportation 8:00 am Aerial Subway (BTS) to Saphan Taksin pier 8:30 am Taxi boat ride to Tha Tian pier 9:00 am Visit of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo temple 12:00 pm Lunch at leisure 2:00 pm Visit of Wat Pho temple and his reclining Buddha 4:00 pm Visit of Wat Arun, the temple of the Dawn on the river bank 5:30 pm Apéritif in front of the temple and sunset on the river 6:30 pm Departure by tuk-tuk to Chinatown, night visit 7:30 pm Street Food Dinner 21:00 pm Back to your hotel What better way to immerse yourself in the hectic life of the Angels City than to use public transportation, as millions of Bangkokians do every morning? Aerial Subway and then water cab on the River of Kings will take you to Rattanakosin, the historic district where the symbol of Bangkok, the Grand Palace of the reigning Chakri dynasty, is located. Nearby, the famous temples of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) and Wat Pho and its reclining Buddha are two high places venerated by a 95% Buddhist population. The temple of the Dawn, another icon of the city, with its atypical architecture and its dome decorated with millions of porcelain fragments, is located on the right bank, which you will join by boat. Chinatown, one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, is an integral part of the historic district and has preserved much of its original interior. What a pleasure to get lost on foot in this narrow maze of narrow streets. An emblematic place whose numerous street restaurants have made Bangkok the world capital of street food. After dinner, back to your hotel.

English-speaking guide and private transportation 7:30 am Departure from your hotel to Mahachai 9:00 am Visit of the fish market 9:30 am Crossing the small city of Thachalum by rickshaw 10:10 a.m. Local train to Mae Klong 11:10 am Visit of the railway market 12:15 pm Seafood lunch at leisure 2:00 pm Rest or activities on site (optional) 2:30 pm Activities at leisure 5:00 pm Departure by boat to discover the Amphawa market (from Fri to Sun only) 7:00 pm Dinner at leisure on site 8:30 pm Return to the hotel by minivan After exiting the Southern Highway, the minivan branches off to Mahachai before parking near the town hall. This fishing port is known for its large fish and shellfish market, very lively in the morning. The local specialty: squid and octopus. They are eaten in salad, grilled or even dried. You will take the ferry reserved for pedestrians and motorcycles to cross the Tachin River to Thachalum. A small village as we like it, so close to the big megalopolis and so close to the provincial life, where time passes more slowly. Rickshaws will take you directly to the small cultural center that traces the life of the community and the local legends and customs. A little further on, at the bend of an alley, stands a temple. Among many others? No! This one is unique. Entirely made of wood and gilding, it is quite simply a jewel of architecture of a well-hidden period. The rickshaw ride stops a few meters further, at the tiny station of Ban Laem. On the riverside, just a short distance away from the small trawlers glued together, you will be invited to taste the fish and seafood dishes that have made the reputation of the region. At the end of the day, departure from the hotel pier by motorboat (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only) for the lively Amphawa vintage night market, which is full of good places to eat and authentic art craft to grab.

English-speaking guide and private transportation 9:00 pm Departure from the hotel 11:30 pm Arrival in Ayutthaya 12:00 pm Lunch cruise 1:30 pm Visit of the Unesco world heritage classified site 7:00 pm Transfer to Ayutthaya Station and sleeper train to Chiang Mai Dinner at leisure on board The archaeological site of Ayutthaya, once the capital of the kingdom of Siam, presents that unique atmosphere of sites steeped in history. A history that is first discovered on the riverbanks, lined with remains, then on foot and by tuk tuk through the ruins of the historical park classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Wat Phanangchoeng, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, dating from the fifteenth century, or Wat Lokaya Sutharam and his 42-meter long reclining Buddha, are the best-preserved temples of the Ayutthaya era (fourteenth to eighteenth century). An inescapable symbol of the city, the head of Buddha encircled by the roots of a banyan, the sacred tree of the Mahathat temple. At the end of the day, the downtown market attracts locals who come to eat or buy their evening meal among the dozens of stalls offering local specialties, including the roti samai, a pancake with a melt-in-the-mouth sweet texture. Coming from Bangkok, the night train with berths stops daily in Ayutthaya before reaching Chiang Mai the next morning. It is time to board and say goodbye to your guide.

English-speaking guide and private transportation 7:00 am Arrival at Chiang Mai train terminus, welcome by your guide and transfer to your hotel (room available upon arrival) 8:00 am Breakfast and morning free 12:00 pm Lunch at leisure 1:30 pm Visit of the Old Town and his unique Buddhist temples 4:15 pm View point and visit of Doi Suthep 6:30 pm Street-food dinner at Chiang Mai University 8:30 pm Back to the hotel Terminus, all passengers are invited to get off the train. The Chiang Mai station has retained its old-fashioned charm. It's a great way to discover the Rose of the North, as the former capital of the Lanna kingdom (13th to 18th century) is nicknamed. The historical "old square" center, bounded by ramparts and moats, has some of the most beautiful and oldest Buddhist temples in the region, characterized by their very particular architecture. You will visit the old town by tuk-tuk. The gastronomy has also made the fame of Chiang Mai. For your lunch, 150 meters from your hotel, you will find a small restaurant, "The Chef", which serves local specialties. Doi Suthep Mountain, with its breathtaking view, dominates the entire Chiang Mai valley bordered by mountain ranges, at more than 1000 meters above sea level. Further North, Doi Inthanon is the highest point of the country (2565 m). Doi Suthep Temple is also a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world, as it is said to contain relics of Buddha. Take advantage of it to take part in the prayer of the monks. On the way down the valley, you will stop at the university of Chiang Mai street-food market, where you will dine among the students in a joyful atmosphere.

English-speaking guide and private transportation 8:00 am Breakfast. 9:00 am Kad Luang Walk 10:00 am Meeting with Mr. Praphat 12:00 pm Cooking class and lunch 2:30 pm Visit of an orchid farm Transfer to the airport in late afternoon and fly to Bangkok The Kad Luang market will surprise you with its great diversity of colors and scents. Locals looking for the best products mainly frequent this large market. The competition is hard between the merchants, and the most beautiful stalls win the game. The best manufacturers of homemade sausages and grilled pork rinds are immediately recognizable to the many buyers who are patiently waiting their turn. A very interesting space is dedicated to the ethnic handicrafts of the northern tribes. Mr. Praphat will receive you in his over hundred years old traditional house of pure Lanna style, a real living museum where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather already lived. A return to the past, amidst fruit trees, medicinal plants and herbs. You will participate in the elaboration of the lunch under the wise advice of the whole family. After hearing the details of the orchid-replanting program in the forest at the University of Maejo Nursery, you will go to a farm where these orchids grow. Enjoy a final walk in the old city as a goodbye before your flight to Bangkok.