Thailand’s north is the culturally rich historic centre with the lights of metropolitan Bangkok a centred jewel in its crown. Southern Thailand is the playground for the rich and famous with beaches and high end resorts to satisfy every taste.
Culture
Formerly Siam, the Kingdom of Thailand has proudly held independence and remains an enchanting country with the irresistible combination of striking natural landscapes, inspiring religious and cultural heritage sites. Famous for its hospitality and Lannathai culture, Thailand’s north is the culturally rich historic centre while the shimmer of metropolitan Bangkok is the centred jewel in its crown. Southern Thailand is the playground for the rich and famous with beaches and high-end resorts to satisfy every taste while options are also possible for private yacht hire or charter an entire villa for peace and safety away from mass tourism – perfect for the luxury sybarite traveller.
Best Time To Travel
For ideal weather, visit Thailand during the dry season, which for most of the country kicks off in November and lasts through March or even into April and May. (A major exception is the Lower Gulf — home to the island paradises of Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, and Ko Tao — which is rainiest from October through December.)
Product Propio Spain - November 2022
Muy Buenos Brupos de Viajes Privados
Muchas gracias Vicente, es un placer trabajar contigo para todos nuestros grupos de tours privados!
HOW TO GET THERE
Thailand is an international hub so most airlines connect worldwide with direct flights from regional Asia Pacific along with European and Middle Eastern major cities. You can easily connect to regional destinations that include Sri Lanka, India, and the rest of Asia.
WHERE TO SLEEP
Thailand has a plethora of accommodation options for all types of travellers. There are also several remarkable luxury resorts throughout the country. There are excellent mid-range hotels everywhere, and they all have excellent amenities along with second-to-none hospitability.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Thailand has been the jewel of tourism for the entire region of SE Asia for over 40 years. Like their national greeting, the 'wai' (ไหว้) has become a symbol of the Kingdom. Knowledgeable guides and drivers greatly enhance all tours as they introduce guests to local life - Thai style. Combining culture, cuisine, nature, adventure and relaxation is what draws repeat guests to Thailand.
DISCOVER THE CUISINE
Thailand is one of the world's most well-known cuisines and while there are many Thai eateries and Thai food available worldwide, nothing really compares to the novelty of sampling the local cuisine in its natural environment. The meals is always cooked and delivered with a smile, the recipes are straightforward, and the ingredients are always fresh. Thailand will always success in spicing up your taste buds.
Thailand City Guides
Thailand along with its expanding cities, natural landscapes never cease to amaze from the Northern jungles of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai where waterfalls become an ideal swimming spot as lush forests dominate the mountainous horizon all while golden beaches and oceans sustain some of Thailand’s most pristine and unique sea life.
Bangkok
Bangkok is a city that welcomes the bizarre, beautiful, and wacky and thrives on contrasts. Its upbeat character and energetic nature are due to the people's constant rush and bustle. Every time you visit, this city is a must-see and an unforgettable experience. The city has a wide range of appeal, including the relaxed tuk-tuk, market stalls, chic skyscrapers, and delectable cuisine. Whatever your reason for visiting, this location offers family time, romance, and adventure.
It is unquestionably a major Asian city, renowned for its vibrant Sois, nightlife, cuisine, and spas. Contrary to popular opinion, this "huge smoke" also boasts abundance of greenery nearby for anyone seeking a respite. A night, take to the sky bars to be rewarded with a sparkling metropolis twinkling in its glory. Sashaying with the sweet, the sour, and everything in between, there is no denying that Bangkok will capture both your senses, and your heart.
Recommended Restaurants:
Local Authentic Style:
Roong Rueng - This Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant serves Tom Yum noodle soups that are unlike anywhere else. The sweet, sour and spicy soup is served with one of six noodle types you can choose from, featuring wide white noodles, medium white noodles, fine white noodles, egg noodles, glass noodles and short noodles.
Backyard Gyoza - is collection of small restaurants that serves giant boxes of stuffed dumplings. There are a variety of dumpling fillings. They have Original, Cheese, Spicy Mala, Larb and Teriyaki as well as three different meat options (Pork, Meat and Shrimp).
Wonton Here Lhor - Where they level-up and up-size wontons. This stall offers jumbo-sized wontons with a wide selection of high quality fillings -shrimp roe, crab row, salted egg, salmon and shrimp – that you’d rarely find at other restaurants.
Pad Thai Jeh Muay- Proving that not all Pad Thai dishes are created the same; additional to Pad Thai’s usual ingredients, this restaurant’s the iconic dish Pad Thai Goong Sod is served with juicy prawns. They also add a not-too-watery sweet-and-sour sauce to the dish, which helps elevate the menu item to the next level.
Err - Located down a quaint alley and into a charming homestyle restaurant offering the authentic flavours of Thailand. Unique recipes are created from their in-house preserved products. Err shows off the best of Thailand’s culinary culture, pick from their sectioned menu; preserved, pickled, charcoal grill, crunchy & crispy, wok wok, clay pot, curry or soups; there is something for everyone! The menu is created by Bo & Dylan, the owners of popular restaurant Bo.Lan.
Fine Dining:
Paste - A dining destination that reaches into the depths of Thai history and heritage, with recipes inspired by Thai royalty, aristocratic families and heritage cookbooks. Each dish has been intricately crafted by chef Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun, named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2018. The restaurant itself is set in an unexpected location, the top floor of a shopping mall, yet it’s modern and inviting, laid-back and sophisticated, with a spiral sculpture made from hundreds of silk cocoons serving as the focal point of the striking interior.
Le Du - Tucked around the corner from Chong Nonsi BTS in Bangkok’s bustling Silom district, sits one of the most creative and artsy Thai restaurants in Bangkok, Le Du Restaurant and Wine Bar. This effortless stylish restaurant serves up modern Thai cuisine, paired with a wide range of fine wines. Both the menu and atmosphere here are inspired by each season, with food featuring local and sustainable produce from around Thailand.
100 Mahaseth - Located at 100 on Mahaseth Rd, just nearby the charming Charoen Krung, specialising in authentic South-East Asian recipes with an emphasis on a root to fruit and nose to tail experience. Showing their support for the local community all ingredients are sourced locally from Thailand farmers with a focus on seasonal produce.
Bunker - A hidden hideaway in Sathorn, Bunker serves immaculate cuisine, picking dishes from across the culinary traditions of Europe with the addition of some contemporary American flavours. As the name suggests, the restaurant itself is reminiscent of a war shelter with rough concrete walls which stand vertical against sophisticated marbled tables and brightly coloured leather chairs. Diners can choose between table settings within the pared-back interior spaces, or take in the casual ambience of an outdoor terrace space overlooking the urban landscape.
International:
Eat Me restaurant - serves up mouth-watering Modern International fare, Chef Tim Butler’s ingenious and creative approach is what makes Eat Me’s cuisine so irresistible to one’s tastebuds. The New York-born cook combines various ingredients to create bold and daring flavours, served in a laid-back, ever-changing art gallery setting.
Sühring - German twin brothers Thomas and Mathias Sühring, producing seasonal, high-end German cuisine for Bangkok fine dining lovers to enjoy. Situated down a leafy residential street within the neighbourhood of Sathorn, Suhring takes over the first floor of chef’s house creating a home ambience that is welcoming and positive. With the menu changing daily, its easy to see why guests return frequently to dine in one of the many rooms on offer here.
Sweet Poppy - An Australian-inspired restaurant, open-air cafe, juice bar, private studio, store, and outdoor play and event area are all part of this beautiful green lifestyle place. The restaurant’s owner and chef, Jesse McTavish, drew inspiration for the menu from his homeland of Melbourne.
Recommended Shopping:
Asiatique - is a mix of mall and outdoor markets. It was purpose-designed with street-style market shopping in mind. It’s a bustling environment that serves regular entertainment alongside various shopping options.
Icon Siam - luxury fashion department stores, beautiful water features (along with stunning light shows) as well as architectural embellishments that are truly awe-inspiring.
Central Siam - 3 shopping malls located next to each other: Siam Paragon for luxury, Siam Center and Discovery Center for family activities (cinema, ice skating, an abundance of restaurants and the largest aquarium in Thailand.
The Markets
For a truly electrifying shopping experience in Bangkok, you should try to visit as many of the markets as you possibly can. Not only do the markets here mimic an intrinsic and fundamental part of city life, but they also invite you into a world of unimaginable magnetism and amazement.
Floating Markets - You can easily spend an entire day visiting the floating markets at Damnoen Saduak or those at Taling Chan though they may not be all in the same area.
Weekend Markets - A market you simply must not miss is the Chatuchak Weekend Market but for this to happen, you’d need to be in the city over a weekend as the market is only open on a Saturday and a Sunday for tourists and the general public. Here you’ll find a wide variety of merchandise and local food stuff.
Chiang Mai
The largest city in Thailand's hilly north is Chiang Mai. Established in 1296 and served as the independent Lanna Kingdom's capital until 1558. Walls and moats from its past as a center of culture and religion may still be seen in the Old City region. Although there is a much more to see and do in Chiang Mai, its stunning old temples are what are most well-known. Two tribal communities may be found in the spectacular mountainous area around the city, which is also home to many other magnificent natural treasures.
Restaurant Recommendations:
Authentic Local Style:
The HOUSE by Ginger - a beautiful Thai restaurant that serves impressive food with homegrown vegetables. Both the food as the restaurant itself looks stunning and a visit to The HOUSE by Ginger is one of the coolest foodie experiences the city has to offer.
Lert Ros - Among the most popular local Thai restaurants in Chiang Mai as it serves excellent, affordable, flavorful Thai dishes. There are three specialties that are worth the wait in line to enjoy: Grilled Red Tilapia with Salt (Pla-Pao), Pork Curry in Banana Leaves and lastly the Grilled Beef with Spicy Dipping Sauce - a nice salty side dish that goes perfect together with a cold beer and a papaya salad.
Kao Soy Nimman - The Khao Soi is tasty, especially good value is Kao Soi Super Bowl which is abundant with seafood, roasted pork and Chiang Mai sausage. Other top Northern foods include Larb Moo. The Northern version of the ‘classic’ Laab that is famously more fragrant than Laab elsewhere in Thailand.
Seafood: Paak Dang Riverside Restaurant - The most popular seafood restaurant with great riverside views. Highlights include the Phad Pong Curry with Soft Shell Crab – a must-try in Thailand.
Vegetarian: Pun Pun Vegetarian Slow Food - The opposite of fast food, unique dishes that are served packed with exciting flavours that even non-vegetarian simply adore.
Western:
Rock Me Burger - Near the Tha Phae Gate Although the menu is full of other comfort food options such as ribs, wings and hot dogs, the main reason why people visit this place is to try their crazy burger creations.
Street Pizza & The Wine House - Really good pizzas (traditional and fusion) and the ultimate place for comfort food, enjoying a cocktail and a restaurant with a unique atmosphere.
Shopping
Chiang Mai shopping is more handicraft-oriented than any other area of Thailand. The city has numerous handicraft workshops where you can watch how those delicate things are made.
This city is known mainly because of the Saturday and Sunday markets and the Night Bazaar, which are spread along the main streets. Popular for its many night markets, our top picks include silks, fabrics, triangle cushions, paper lanterns, umbrellas and homewares like celedon ceramics.
HINT:
- Prices at markets are not fixed, so bargain for the right price while enjoying the game and smiling.
- Keep your belongings safe.
- Do not keep all your money in one place; separate smaller denominations for quicker transactions when shopping.
Phuket
Phuket island is a well-known island paradise for many travelers who are looking for sunshine and beautiful beaches. This famous island covers more than 5,800 square feet, making it become Thailand’s largest island.
Phuket is a giant mix of everything Thailand has to offer. No matter what you are looking for, there is something for everyone on the island for your holiday gateway. For beach lovers, Phuket is hugely covered with numerous sandy white beaches with emerald blue waters. You can find plenty of sun-bathing beaches, as well as excellent snorkeling and diving spot for your holiday in Phuket. The views alone will make you fall in love with Phuket. For party-lovers, you can experience a ton of lively activities on the island, from days until night.
Phuket is a popular travel destination and you can visit the island at any time of the year. As a tropical island paradise, you can enjoy the sunshine in Phuket all year round.
However, the best time to visit Phuket is between December and March as the weather is more comfortable.
Restaurant Recommendations
Authentic Thai:
Pad Thai Shop - An authentic local shop located on the side of a back road of Karon Beach, the restaurant is small and modest. They also offer several other national dishes, such as Pad See Ew and Beef Noodle Soup.
Red Duck Restaurant - A must-try for anyone looking for high-quality and fresh Thai cuisine in Phuket. Every dish is cooked to perfection and served with style. They also offer vegetarian food therefore catering to all diets. Whilst the restaurant might be small, they serve their food in generous portions. In addition, it’s very cosy, with personal touches that you might not find in larger restaurants.
Fine Dining Thai:
Blue Elephant - The most well-known in Thai cuisine, a rich and exotic combination of flavours once uniquely created for the Royal Palace housed in an exquisite former colonial mansion. Each dish in the restaurant’s vast and original menu is richly flavoured and wonderfully presented.
International:
Sam’s Steaks and Grill - A classy steakhouse that offers some of the best steaks and grilled meats in Thailand. The menu includes a wide range of delicacies and classic European dishes that are prepared by a professional chef and his team. Top cuts of Wagyu beef and prime steaks imported from Australia, there are also racks of lamb, salmon, and lobster on the menu. A refined and elegant choice.
Instead of shopping highlights, we've completed a beach guide for Phuket. With over 30 beaches peppering Phuket's breathtaking coast, you won't have to worry about being stuck somewhere you don't like. Whether you're looking for a boisterous and entertaining spot, a high-end luxury experience, or a secluded seaside escape, Phuket's beaches offer a bit of everything.
Freedom Beach - A short, 10-minute ride in a long-tail boat will take you from the hustle and bustle of Patong (on the west coast) to the heart of tranquility at Freedom Beach. One of the cleanest beaches in Phuket, this hidden masterpiece is the reason you came to Thailand in the first place–to marvel at its picturesque, virtually untouched beauty.
Kata Beach - A family favorite, Kata beach is as calm as it is beautiful. It's divided into two parts: Kata Noi (the smaller, less populated of the two in the north) and Kata Yai (the larger section at the south end, where you'll find family hotels). Both are spectacular and offer picturesque views of the small island, Koh Pu, which is best photographed during sunset.
Ao Sane beach - is reached by driving or walking through the Nai Harn hotel on Nai Harn Beach. Ao Sane is also one of its best "secrets." This beach is where you'll find the meaning of true tranquility - no local hawkers, beach umbrella hire nor motorised watersports. The sand at Ao Sane is rougher than it is on other beaches in Phuket. This idyllic spot does, however, rate as one of the best places to snorkel and dive on the island. Plus, it's lined by giant trees, which provide much-needed shade to help you cool off.
Tip: Don't forget to bring everything with you, as there's nowhere to purchase or rent it along the beach. That includes a snorkel and mask if you're planning on getting up close and personal with the thriving reef.
Patong Beach - Is the longest and also its most popular. If you're looking for a soulful or relaxing experience, this isn't the beach for you. Great for people-watching, shopping, and dining, this bustling beach is the place to see and be seen.
Traveling alone? Patong beach is the perfect place for you: lounge on soft sand during the day and meet new friends in a lively Thai disco at night...
Tip: Break up your sun with a trip to Phuket Town, a 30-minute drive inland from the beach. Here, you'll find a fun mix of brightly colored shops, markets, and heritage buildings to help add a bit of culture to your trip.
Karon Beach is long, wide, and lovely. Located between Patong (north) and Kata (south), it's the third longest beach on the island and one of the most popular. Karon beach boasts the typical soft, golden sand made famous by this region.
Paradise Beach - is akin to stepping into the pages of a travel magazine. The glossy, azure sea laps an impressively clean shore while giant palm trees lean and sway in the background. A rope swing glides gently with the breeze. It's literally like living in a postcard. Less than 10 minutes from Patong Beach, Paradise offers visitors a more laid-back environment. Just 100 meters from shore is a coral reef teeming with life. This spot is a snorkeler's dream come true.
Bonus: Paradise Beach Club offers restaurants, shops, and activities to keep you entertained and fed. Be prepared to pay a small fee to enter in exchange for comfortable lounge chairs and service while many stay to attend its party environment at night.
Tip: Wear water shoes. The ocean floor is peppered with sharp pieces of rock and coral.
Bang Tao Beach - remains relatively quiet and quite clean. Stretching more than six kilometers, this golden shore is the second longest beach on Phuket. It sits almost halfway between Phuket International Airport and Patong. A short walk away is the small village of Cherng Talay a locale that services the luxury resorts.
Nai Harn - became a popular destination featuring soft sand, shallow waters, and incredibly clear blue surf. Services right off the sand include small shops lining the shore.
Tip: Don't miss the small Buddhist temple just off the shore.
Surin Beach - Nowadays, people come for peace, raw beauty, calm and translucent water. A high-end crowd, local and visiting celebrities tend to flock to this beach, many staying at nearby high-end resorts. With these come top-of-the-line spas, which are definitely worth a visit.
Nai Thon Beach - Phuket's West Coast is home to another hidden gem that is perfect for a romantic interlude. It's small (only one kilometer in length) and quiet enough that you can nap undisturbed on the soft, sandy shore. The wide strip of sand makes it easy to find a spot to lounge and the tall trees backing the beach provide plenty of shade for those looking for a break from the sun. Rent a beach chair or umbrella while you're there. Set in Sirinat National Park, this elysian beach is technically split into two beaches: Hat Nai Thon Yai and Hat Nai Thon Noi. Both sections lie on an inlet in the village of Nai Thon.
Typography is the art and technique
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed. The arrangement of type involves selecting typefaces, point size, line length, line-spacing (leading), letter-spacing (tracking), and adjusting the space within letters pairs (kerning).
Typography is the art and technique
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed. The arrangement of type involves selecting typefaces, point size, line length, line-spacing (leading), letter-spacing (tracking), and adjusting the space within letters pairs (kerning).
Local Experiences
Each of these experiences have been designed or tested by our team and have the best reviews from past travellers.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.
Secrets of Scotland's Highland
Highland Traditions of Scotland
The region became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period.