Thailand

Arrive in Bangkok, the vibrant capital and commercial center of Thailand. Lively and colorful, the bustling metropolis is an exciting mix of ornate temples and shrines that stand alongside glamorous shopping and towering skyscrapers. To maximize your time in the city and ensure a smooth start to your journey, an airport representative is waiting to meet you at the landing gate as soon as you enter the airport terminal. You are then assisted through fast-track immigration and customs procedures before meeting your guide who transfers you directly to the iconic Mandarin Oriental. Sitting serenely on the Chao Phraya River, the hotel is a stately property that offers a refined elegance combined with lavish comfort.   

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Meals: None

Leave the city and visit unique countryside markets for a sense of real local life. If visiting on a weekday, take an 80-kilometer drive with your guide to Samut Songkram, a provincial town southwest of Bangkok. This rural area is home to the so-called “Train Market” which is a typical market with one remarkable difference; it is located over a working railway track. See how the vendors quickly pull away their wares as the train passes and then put them back again, just as fast.  If visiting on the weekend, drive a little further to explore the authentic floating markets at Thaka and Amphawa, where goods are bought and sold along the charming waterways. Stop for lunch and sample some of the local dishes at the markets.

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Take a 1-hour flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of northern Thailand and capital of the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom. The charming city is framed by the remains of ancient city walls and the Ping River to the east. Your local guide greets you at the airport and transfers you to Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai where you are immersed in lush countryside, surrounded by rice fields and verdant landscapes. Later, ride a horse-drawn carriage to explore the historical settlement of Wiang Kum Kam. The ruins provide a charming backdrop for your evening cocktails and exclusive Kantoke style dinner. Accompanied by a Lanna music performance, the spiritual moment is complete with a private Baci blessing ceremony.

Overnight at Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Prepare for an unforgettable day getting to know the elephants at Elephant Life Experience (E.L.E), an immersive elephant camp which allows you to build a close relationship with a friendly giant and observe its natural behaviors first-hand. The private 5-hour experience includes feeding and bathing the elephant, learning basic commands and riding on its back for 30 minutes. You can also paint with your new friend and see how the skilled pachyderm creates artistic masterpieces with its trunk. After a picnic lunch, bid farewell to the elephants and begin the transfer back to your hotel, stopping en route at Wat Padarapirom, a quiet, off-the-beaten-track temple that demonstrates the true beauty of Lanna architecture.  

Overnight at Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Savor the last moments of your holiday in this tropical island resort overlooking the Andaman Sea.  If time permits, you may choose to spend the morning swimming and take one final look at the gorgeous ocean view from the infinity pool. Alternatively, you can take a stroll along the beach and feel the soft white sand beneath your feet or simply relax at the resort, making the most of your final moments in this slice of tropical heaven.  Then check out of the hotel and, at the appointed time, head to the pier to board the speedboat bound for Phuket. From the pier on Phuket, continue by private vehicle to Phuket International Airport, arriving in time for your departure flight or onward journey to your next destination.  

Meals: Breakfast