Thailand

Bangkok
One night is never enough in this effervescent, renaissance capital; a curious confetti of glittering palaces, ornate temples, hidden canals, intriguing alleyways and pulsating street markets. Chic hotels and spas, sleek shopping malls, plentiful golf, cutting edge bars, gourmet restaurants and irreverent night life rub shoulders with age old cultures and customs. All made easier to enjoy or explore via the Skytrain, the city’s elevated monorail or the underground Metro. Glimpse into the city’s riverside life and klong’s (canals) from on board the ferry boat services that cruise the Chao Phraya River and feel like a local as you hop on and off. For shorter, fun journeys try a ride on the noisy and colourful tuk-tuks – definitely an experience! Eating out in Bangkok is fun, can be inexpensive and amazing. Places to eat range from 5* restaurants to street side stalls. Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown has some of the best and most expensive Chinese restaurants in the city. The Silom Road area is one of the city’s busiest areas with restaurants and food stalls tucked away in its side alleys. Along the Sukhumvit Road are Italian, French, Mexican, Japanese, Thai and Indian restaurants – very cosmopolitan! For day trips outside the city why not visit the River Kwai? Every year in late November and early December the River Kwai Bridge Festival is celebrated. Highlight of the festival is the Sound & Light Show, which tells the history of the Death Railway, the Hellfire Pass and the Bridge on the River Kwai. Or take an overnight river trip to the ancient royal capital of Ayutthaya on the converted Manohra rice barge.

Dont miss:
The Grand Palace, home of the Royal family and easily reached via a river boat from Taksin Pier; the Emerald Buddha and Temple of Dawn; Jim Thompson House and the Supatra River House; take a sunset cruise on the Chao Phraya River; watch a Thai-boxing tournament at one of the famous stadiums; Chatuchak Weekend market, the largest and where you can find just about anything; Thai dance, meditation and cooking schools; shopping at designer malls; golfing at a choice of 12 courses; visit the sleek Vertigo Restaurant at the Banyan Tree Bangkok for a romantic dinner!

East coast
Good value city and beach breaks are provided by PATTAYA and neighbouring Jomtien just two hours by road from Bangkok. With an excellent range of hotels and spas to go with bargain shopping and a lively night life and with the wide choice of golf courses within easy reach (20 courses) why not spend a week or longer on a golfing holiday? The St Andrew 2000 course has been voted among the Top 10 courses in Thailand by readers of Golf Digest. Further along the coast are the quieter beaches of RAYONG and barefoot resort of KOH SAMET. Ideal for beach lovers preferring an unspoilt getaway feeling, Koh Samet is part of the national park. More remote but also now easy to reach and offering good standard resorts is the laid-back KOH CHANG archipelago. Koh Chang is Thailand's second largest island after Phuket with Koh Mak and Koh Kut close by. Keep going a bit further and you reach the border with Cambodia. Most of Koh Chang is covered with hills, waterfalls and jungles. The word "Chang" translates as elephant and here on Koh Chang you can take an elephant trek into the hills and rainforest; go hiking with a local guide or you can relax on one of the many white sandy beaches.

Dont miss:
In Pattaya - bargain shopping and riotous nightlife; many and varied golf courses. In Samet - the back-to-nature relaxed feeling

Phuket
PHUKET is Thailand’s premier holiday island with hotels and spas for everyone amidst an abundance of palm-fringed beaches, magnificent bays, secluded coves and easy-to-reach offshore islands. Phuket is named from the Malay word "Bukit" meaning mountain, and derives much of its former glory and wealth from tin production which dates back 500 years. Major attractions include yachting; the well-known international King’s Cup Regatta takes place each year in December; offshore diving in the Surin, Similan and Racha Island groups and canoeing alongside championship golf courses; theme parks; pearl farms; an aquarium and a zoo. Phuket Town is also worth visiting for its Chinese heritage and temples. Patong is the main town and all-night hotspot in the middle of the west coast. Quite easily avoided if you want to ignore crowds of people but ideal if you need to do present shopping! Accommodation choice ranges from hideaway bungalows and multi-purpose family resorts to five star retreats and minimalist modern hotels. Getting around the island is fairly easy – take a ride in a “song-tao” (an open-air taxi-truck); hire a car or take an air-conditioned taxi. For something a little more peaceful the newly developing resort of Khao Lak is nearby or if you want an elephant adventure you can spend a couple of nights at the Elephant Hills Tented Camp in Khao Sok . It is a one-hour flight from Bangkok and a bit longer from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Dont miss:
Take a ferry across to the Phi Phi Islands; Laem Phromthep to view stunning sunsets; Wat Chalong; sailing; diving; adventure canoeing, five golf courses

Koh Samui
Former laid-back haunt of backpackers now vying with Phuket for variety and style of hotels and spas as well as activities including golf, sailing, biking and bungee jumping. Chaweng and Lamai have the best beaches but tend to be crowded. Worth considering for its alternate monsoon season to Phuket, meaning it can often be sunnier during European summer months so ideal if planning a summer wedding and honeymoon.

Dont miss:
Diving from offshore atolls; sailing; island safaris; one golf course in stunning scenery

Hua Hin & Cha’am
Twin resorts on the Gulf of Thailand within easy reach of Bangkok and a generally peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city. A favoured retreat of the Thai Royal Family, Hua Hin shares a magnificent 20 kilometre stretch of beach with nearby Cha’Am, the primary appeal of both being total relaxation with a fine selection of hotels and spas, first class seafood and minimal noisy night life. A stay in either of these resorts also means that you can play a round of golf at one of Thailand's oldest courses, the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club or try one of the other courses including the new Banyan Golf & Spa. Many of the courses have almost as much sand as the beach so when the breeze blows, beware!

Dont miss:
horse riding along the beach; alfresco seafood dining; the night market; excellent spa and health facilities; six golf courses

Krabi
Vast limestone outcrops jut from emerald waters against a backdrop of dense tropical rainforest combining to make Krabi one of the world's most scenic and photographed places. Good choice of hotels and spas from which to explore majestic caves, coves and islands by kayak or long-tail boat in between lazing on some of Thailand’s finest white sand beaches. Ao Nang and Krabi Town provide shops and nightlife. Primary gateway to the more rustic retreats of Koh Lanta albeit it with a touch of luxury at the well-known PIMALAI.

Dont miss:
superb beaches; hideaway resorts; diving; kayaking; island-hopping

Southern Thailand
KHAO LAK is a peaceful resort area with a good selection of hotels and spas about an hour’s drive north of Phuket. PHI PHI has dramatic limestone cliffs rise from turquoise waters and powdery white sand stretches for miles. There is nowhere to stay on Phi Phi Ley but Phi Phi Don has various hotels and resorts. About 70 Kms south of Krabi, KO LANTA is the southern most district of Krabi province. The easiest access is from Krabi airport where you drive for 40 minutes to the ferry port and continue to the island by boat and, subject to tides, takes about 60 minutes. It is possible to arrive by road from Phuket (about 4 hours drive followed by the same ferry journey). Between November and April there is also a ferry service from Phuket and Phi Phi. There are two islands Lanta Noi (Little) and Lanta Yai (Big). The local topography is mangrove, rugged hills and sandy beaches and the islands remain largely undeveloped. The roads are awful and there are limited activities outside hotels. For those looking for quiet and relaxation, this could be the place. TRANG is the furthest southern province boasting an infinity of mountains, jungles and deserted coasts peppered with sleepy market towns, fishing villages and selection of secluded island retreats. Similar to Phuket 20 years ago, slow paced and without crowds but now is relatively easy to reach.

Dont miss:

Northern Thailand
CHIANG MAI - Gateway to the north and traditional home to artists and intricate crafts including silk weaving, woodcarving, lacquer and silverware, all on display and sale for collectors of the authentic. Also tops for festivals, folk dance, golf and outstanding regional cuisine. Set in a floral valley dotted with temples, villages and a working elephant camp, Thailand's second largest city is the primary base for exploring the cooler, mountainous north. Superb new range of hotels and spas. MAE HONG SON - A short flight from Chiang Mai, this north-western town close to the Burmese border is another comfortable base for excursions to tribal villages and hilltop temples as well as riverboat and elephant rides. Quieter than Chiang Rai with less choice of hotels CHIANG RAI to the northeast is an ideal base for river rafting or trekking by four-track, mountain bike or on foot to tribal villages. Cross-border visits and Mekong River cruises can be arranged. Good choice of hotels and spas. GOLDEN TRIANGLE - With four sides where Thailand’s borders meet Laos, China and Burma. An area of rolling hills, mist-shrouded jungles and hidden temples alongside the mighty Mekong River. Have you thought of playing golf in Northern Thailand? There are over 5 golf courses just in the Chiang Mai area and 2 in Chiang Rai. The Santiburi Country Club in Chiang Rai is one of the best in Thailand.

Dont miss:
Northern Khantoke dinner in Chiang Mai; the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple overlooking the city from its hilltop position; shopping in the Night Market and for handicrafts including silverware, parasols, Thai silks and cottons; elephant ride through jungle and along rivers; the Opium Museum in the Golden Triangle

The Eastern & Oriental Express Train
The luxurious train passing through lush tropical scenery. A return to a gentler and some say more romantic way of travelling. Spend 3 days on board to do the whole journey between Bangkok and Singapore with sightseeing visits at the River Kwai in Thailand and Penang in Malaysia.

On board the green and cream coloured carriages, as it snakes through the countryside, relax in the outdoor Observation Car and just watch the scenery go by - rubber plantations, coconut trees, temples, tropical rainforest and people.

The compartments - Pullman, State and Presidential, are wood-panelled with en-suite shower rooms. Included in the fare are table d'hote full board meals with an a la carte menu available at additional costs. The food is a mix of Asian and European and there is a dress code on board.

Dont miss:
A three night round trip journey from Bangkok to Laos with off-train visits to the towns and villages of north-eastern Thailand, Vientiane, the capital city of Laos and the Mekong River