Thailand - a Land of Smiles

The itinerary then heads north to the ruined temples of Ayutthaya, where the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots is a welcome reminder that nothing in Thailand is ever quite what it seems. After a cooking class, a daytime cruise on a teak rice barge awaits. The tour continues through northern cities including Sukhothai and Lampang before reaching Chiang Mai, where the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep offers views that give a real sense of the surrounding landscape.

Three days at leisure in Krabi finish the holiday, with options to wander a beach or enjoy the hotel’s spa. The pace and variety balance history, culture and downtime among places that feel like stepping into different chapters of the same book, seen in the company of a small group of fellow travellers.