Luxury Tour for Lovers: 12 Days of Thailand’s Beauty

Luxury Tour for Lovers: 12 Days of Thailand’s Beauty

What to expect on this itinerary

Thailand’s culture runs deep in the Northern capital of Chiang Mai, and its tropical beauty is best explored on immaculate white-sand beaches. Secluded opulence can be found within the bustling city of Bangkok, and romantic coastal adventures wait for you on the shores of Phuket. Cherish an intimate, 5-star escape to Thailand on this carefully curated couple’s tour. You and your partner will delve into the astounding cultural traditions, capture surreal vistas across the diverse landscape, and reconnect in the isolated splendor of the country’s premier resorts. Thailand’s beloved destinations await you on this passionate, 12-day tour that will have you daydreaming about Thailand for years to come.

Countries Visited

Thailand

Places Visited

Chiang Mai, Lampang, Bangkok, Khao Yai, Phuket, Koh Yao Noi

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Chiang Mai – Retreat to the Cultural Heart of Thailand

For your first stop in Thailand, you will escape to the culturally rich and scenically beautiful destination of Chiang Mai, where you and your partner will comfortably transfer to a premier resort that is tucked beneath the Doi Suthep Mountain. Slowly unpack your things and begin to feel the calm atmosphere as it resonates from the unspoiled wildlife that flanks the resort. From the luxury of your secluded balcony, you will witness sweeping landscape vistas, and spend the afternoon at your leisure as you acclimatize to the area around you. Whether you wish to lounge by the pool or experience a traditional couple’s Thai massage, intimate relaxation awaits, and world-class amenities will keep you thoroughly enthused and entertained.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Breakfast
Day 2

Chiang Mai – The Northern Capital’s Flawless Charm

Day 3

Chiang Mai – Visit a Riverside Town with Old-World Appeal

Day 4

Bangkok – Remarkable Sunsets on a Regal River Cruise

Day 5

Bangkok – Bangkok’s Beloved Attractions

Day 6

Bangkok – A Taste for the Finer Things

Day 7

Khao Yai – Escape to the Wilderness

Day 8

Khao Yai – A World that is Bursting with Life

Day 9

Phuket – Intimate Leisure amid Surreal Scenery

Day 10

Phuket – Explore a Postcard Coastline

Day 11

Koh Yao Noi – A Romantic Retreat Less-Traveled

Day 12

Koh Yao Noi – Nourish Your Minds, Bodies, and Souls

Trip Highlights

  • Marvel at the Wat Phra That temple atop the famous Doi Suthep Mountain and witness panoramic vistas of Chiang Mai
  • Indulge in a tour to the riverside town of Lampang and discover the charming destination’s age-old traditions and endearing architecture
  • Delight in a visit to Bangkok’s beloved temples and discover the unique spiritual traditions of the local people
  • Discover more about Thailand’s rich culinary heritage and learn to prepare coveted dishes at a prestigious cooking school in Bangkok
  • Bask in dinner by candlelight on a regal river cruise as you witness remarkable sunset vistas along the Chao Phraya River
  • Luxuriate in a secluded 5-star resort within the world-famous Khao Yai National Park and search for indigenous wildlife on a luxury safari
  • Island hop to the pristine, isolated beaches that are located off the white-sand shores of Phuket
  • Venture to Koh Yao Noi and delight in secluded romance amid the untamed jungle setting at a premier resort

Detailed Description

Embrace Thailand’s captivating culture at the first destination on your romantic tour: Chiang Mai. Rugged mountains and sprawling landscapes surround the thriving cityscape, and from your premier private suite, you will witness these remarkable views. Tucked beneath Doi Suthep Mountain, you will enjoy the luxury of complete seclusion at your world-class resort. Explore the pristine wildlife and bathe in the magical Huay Kaew Waterfall before you enjoy gourmet Thai cuisine at an intimate jungle-encompassed restaurant. Afterward, you will visit a beloved golden temple atop the magnificent mountain. The following day, you will travel to the less-frequented town of Lampang and discover traditional Thailand. Old-world architecture and endearing landmarks stand out as iconic memoirs of the past. From Chiang Mai, you will make your way to the bustling city of Bangkok.

Bangkok is a luxury paradise for loving couples with 5-star hotels that highlight opulence and grand temples that retain ancient tradition. You and your partner may experience a sunset like never before on a regal river cruise along the Chao Phraya River. The following day, your knowledgeable tour guide will transfer you to beloved temples that are scattered across the city. Marvel at the sheer dedication to architectural craft and admire the spiritual roots of these dynamic monuments. You and your partner will dine among the clouds at a premier rooftop restaurant with unbelievable panoramic views of the cityscape. On your final day in Bangkok, you will delve into the delectable flavors of Thai cuisine at an award-winning culinary school and enjoy retail therapy at Bangkok’s renowned high-end shopping district. You will then venture to the immense Khao Yai National Park the following day via luxury coach, where you will lose yourselves in the magic of this wildlife paradise. During your stay, you may search for the incredibly diverse creatures who inhabit the jungle on safari expeditions and revel in complete luxury amongst the wilderness settings.

Afterward, you will transfer to the famous island of Phuket for a few tropical days, where you can witness the crystal clear ocean that hugs its immaculate coastline as you venture to the secluded islands that are located only a short distance from shore. Delight in intimate settings as you unwind on these isolated havens. Finally, you will travel to Koh Yao Noi to conclude your island splendor. The ocean will beckon to you and reward you with unbelievable snorkeling experiences in the vibrant coral reefs. Finally, you will delight in a luxurious spa treatment and yoga retreat at your 5-star resort for a stylish culmination of your utterly romantic escape to Thailand.  Interested in learning more by seeing some of our travelers’ Thailand vacation tour reviews? Click here for more.

Starting Price

$3,500 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.8

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 459 reviews

Travel Review: Luxury Honeymoon in Thailand, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Yao Yai, Cooking Lesson, Snorkeling, Thai Massages

We chose this travel agency as they could offer a more bespoke, and personal tour than many companies. We wanted to avoid the crowds and minibus tours - and combine city, culture and relaxing. We went for 16 days.

Dealing with our agent directly, we started with one itinerary, then tweaked it twice (including a complete change of week), to arrange a trip which included four nights in Bangkok, three nights in Chiang Mai, and seven nights on a beach on Koh Yao Yai. The itinerary included a really nice mix of activities (cooking course; visiting a tea plantation, bicycle tour); time with tour guides (many fascinating markets, also amazing temples, and tours of different areas of the cities); and time off where we could chill out by the hotel pools, go for Thai massages, or just walk around the cities ourselves; not forgetting those iconic Thai experiences such as trips on a long tailed boat or two, and decent (30 minute) tuk tuk rides, which were an amazing way to see, feel, smell and hear Bangkok up close.

All internal flights, transfers, activities, and transport were arranged for us - we just had to turn up on time.  The quality of the hotels exceeded our expecations; our Bangkok guide really got our honeymoon off to a great start; and the air conditioned luxury (rather bling-y) minibuses that we were driven around with were clean, cool, and comfortable.

Our agent spent a good 30 minutes prior to the trip taking to us about the culture of Thailand; what we should expect, some do's and don'ts (don't touch people on their heads; do tip; don't get sucked in by an invitation to a gem shop etc), and a little preparation for the time we would be visiting - shortly after the King had died.

All in all - just the holiday we wanted - we spent a nice and exciting amount of time planning, then were taken from place to place without any hitch. I can't rate the overall experience highly enough.

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Thailand Luxury Vacation Review: Chiang Mai, Patong Beach, Phuket, Phang Nga Bay

It was an incredible journey and made memories for a lifetime for my entire family. Our Zicasso travel partner’s planning and selection of activities was the best. The guides were personable, funny, and professional. Our guide in Bangkok was so friendly, nice, and helpful. The night foodie tour was great. Our guide, a professor, was energetic and knew his way around. The hotel location was a bit on the wild side, but that was alright considering we didn't spend much time there.

In Chiang Mai, the elephant sanctuary, bamboo rafting, sights, and temples. Walking around the river just before the lantern festival was just as amazing!

Patong Beach in Phuket was rowdy, crazy, hectic, and just a typical beach for folks to visit and relax, but the kayaking at Phang Nga Bay was otherworldly. Serene, spiritual, and breathtaking. The trip was well planned, with great and knowledgeable guides. Lunch and dinner on the boat was perfect.

The tour went according to plan, without any problems or issues. It was perfect.

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Travel Review: Luxury Thailand & Cambodia Vacation Package, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat,...

Simply the best travel experience I have ever had! When preparing for my SE Asia venture, I spent a significant amount of time researching each of the destinations I was visiting prior to booking my trip. I knew exactly where I wanted to stay, places I wanted to visit, and activities which I wanted to partake in. I think this was probably the best thing that I could have done in order to maximize my trip, and still allow for plenty of down time. Zicasso and this Southeast Asia tour operator were both amazing to work with, were able to take each of my "wants" and create a beautiful, adventure packed, yet still relaxing and self discovering month long voyage. Each of the individuals whom I worked with (from the planning phase through the execution phase) were exceptional. I was always pleased by the warm & welcoming tour guides, comfortable means of transportation, and fabulous boutique hotels. I am incredibly pleased with the overall work, and service which went into creating such an amazing experience. My only constructive comment, is that I was disappointed in the quality of included lunches while visiting in Bangkok specifically. I chose to embark on a bespoke, solo tour because I am a traveler who enjoys truly experiencing each culture/country I visit, and wish to avoid westernized/tourist laden restaurants. Each of the restaurants which I went to were buffet style, westernized versions of local fare. Personally I would have preferred to go to a local restaurant and given the opportunity to order the meal of my choice (even if for extra $), just as I did when visiting included restaurants in Chiang Mai and Siem Reap. Additionally, there was one more item of constructive feedback: Having greater than 1 week to enjoy Phuket, we built my itinerary to spend the first half of my time in Patong (to have fun) & the second half in Kata (to relax). When leaving my hotel in Patong, I had to wait several hours (past the agreed uoon time on the itinerary) for transportation (sitting in the hotel lobby, as I had already checked out) to bring me to Kata Beach. The manager from the local travel company in Phuket whom was providing my transportation & services while on island was very kind and came to speak with me at my hotel in Kata that evening. However, I was disappointed that he literally just came to "meet" me. He did not offer any type of good will (ie: fruit basket, dinner voucher, discount for activities, etc). With the lunches in Bangkok aside, and the transportation mix-up/inconvenience, I was 200% satisfied with my experience!

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Thailand Review, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Elephant Sanctuary, Food & Scenery, 2-Week Trip

The travel company made some good recommendations and did a good job tailoring the package to our requests.  The selected hotels were all very comfortable and located per our requests in the city centers except one hotel in Chaing Mai but that was likely due to late booking in high season.  The hotel, was a fabulous property and once we figured out where to find Tuk-Tuks (close by but out of sight of the main doors) the location was actually fine.   The guides were exquisite - on time, knowledgeable, friendly and paced very well with us. All the connections were on time and flawless.  The itinerary and information that they furnished for the trip was complete and accurate.  Very professional end to end. High marks! 

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Review: Southeast Asia Tour, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Koh Samui, Halong Bay Cruise, Mekong River

Excellent tour package and itinerary for a month long Southeast Asia trip visiting Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Our travel agent did a super job to ensure that we had an amazing travel adventure.

Transportation arrangements for pick-up and tours were efficient and well organized.  

Drivers were courteous and safe and vehicles were well maintained.

With the exception of one, all tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and beyond helpful.  

Special commendations to the following:  Our guides in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi, Bangkok and in Chiang Mai.

Restaurants for lunch and food selections were exceptional.

Our vacation ended with a blissful few days of R&R at the resort on Koh Samui.

Overall experience .....5 Stars, Excellent!  Highly Recommended!

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Travel Review: Cambodia & Thailand, Bangkok, Siem Reap, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Biking, Temples, Villages

Below is a brief summary of our 2018-2019 family trip to Thailand and Cambodia.  Each year on Christmas we pick a new place to explore and spend time together.  As the kids get older and we see them less often, Trish and I really look forward to sharing these quality experiences with them.  

Christmas is high season for SE Asia and so we knew there would be crowds.  We are a very active family and prefer that most of our activities include getting out and moving, exploring and adventuring.  We prefer to have a private adventure with a knowledgeable guide, rather than a group tour where there is a need to cater to the least active of the group.  With that caveat, here is the report:

Day 1 – Arrival into Bangkok

 

The lines at Immigration in Thailand can take over an hour to get processed, we paid for a Fast Track service which was well worth it.  After 24 hours of travel, the last thing you want to do is wait in an extended queue.  A guide with our name placard met us as we got off the plane and led us directly to the immigration officer with no wait, and then immediately to the baggage claim.  VIP service indeed. 

We arrived late in the afternoon and went directly to the hotel where we had Two Bedroom Suite and a Grand Deluxe Room for the six of us.  Highly recommend the hotel.  Great service, city views, comfortable beds, and an amazing breakfast buffet.

Day 2 –Bangkok Biking

 

Most of us woke really early (the effects of jetlag) and I went for a 5:30 AM run in Lumphini Park.  I was shocked to see hundreds of joggers out getting their morning exercise, running circles around a 1.5 km loop surrounding the park.  It was impressive.

 

At 8:30 AM we were taken from the hotel to our private tour of the city and countryside on bicycles.  Our guide, Aon, spent a few minutes getting to know us, and we were off.  The traffic on the streets of Bangkok is madness.  Motorcycles, tuk-tuks, autos, buses, and pedestrians all vying for a finite amount of tarmac.  Add seven bicycles to the mix and the scene is comical with the weaving and bobbing of bodies and machines.  Miraculously, we survived thanks in large part to Aon’s deft guidance.

 

First stop was the Farmer’s Market.  The hustle and bustle of commerce were fun to see.  Every type of fresh produce was available, as was live, dying, or butchered livestock and fishes.  Not a place for the animal lovers and the smell was a bit horrific as the day’s juices covered the concrete streets.

Leaving the market, we boarded longtail boats with our bikes, crossed the Chao Prava river, and biked country trails which were elevated above the jungle floor.  We had a good Thai meal at a local restaurant, returned to the boats and biked back.

 

Highly recommend this tour company.  Ohn was delightful, knowledgeable, and a charismatic hostess- She got the most family votes for the best guide of the trip.

 

We stayed at the hotel the second night.

 

Day 3 – Travel to Chiang Mai

We were picked up for our short flight to Chiang Mai, which is an hour flight north on Bangkok.  Upon arrival, we were met by our guide for the day, Nancy.  The itinerary was seeing the Thai temples of Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pra Sing, and Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.  Lots of ornate buildings, old architecture, tons of Buddhas, history, and symbolism.  At every stop, there were street food stalls and local merchants catering to the crowds.  We found the coveted “elephant pants” for Bridget and Camdyn and a pretty neat high-end jade store where Trish picked out a belated birthday necklace.

 

By the end of the day, we had seen our fair share of Thai temples and were dropped off at a beautiful resort for the night.  The resort was cottage style with cabana rooms that were nestled next to pools that weaved throughout the resort.  The service here was also excellent- less refined than the last hotel but more genuine.  Most of the breakfasts and dinners during our stay in Chaing Mai were here, as the hotel was a bit remote from downtown.

 

Day 4 – Elephants!

 

The next day we were picked up and taken to the Elephant Sanctuary.  We spent the morning feeding them sugar cane, bananas, and protein balls for dessert.   We learned about their lifestyles and behaviors and Gavin, Tegan and Camdyn ended the afternoon joining them in the mud for a good scrub down.  The ability to interact directly with the animals in their natural habitat was a real treat.  They truly are amazing creatures – big and beautiful.  One of them was pregnant and we could see the baby move like some wild alien in her belly.

We returned to the hotel, where everyone got a massage- except for me.  I went for a run.

That night, Tegan, Bridget and I went to the Sunday Night Street Market. Absolute mayhem, which was part of the fun.  Part food market, part street fair, part circus, all in an open air and festive environment, the play was humming!  There were times when it was hard to push through the crowds as space was defined by all of the merchant stalls that lined the streets.  We ate, shopped and people watched.  It was a fun evening.

Day 5 – Ah, Nature? 

Nancy was once again our host for the day and she and her driver picked us up for what I thought would be a great hike up some mountain where we could stretch our legs and enjoy some wild.  After all, it was described as “one of the most fertile troves of natural treasure in Chiang Mai, DoiIntanon National Park. The invigorating mountain air, the fresh, cool climate, makes it a rejuvenating break from the city.”  We did get to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s tallest peak at 2,565 meters, but it was slow-go as it was December 31and half of Chaing Mai had the same idea.  Once at the top, the destination was a street food market and a couple of .5 km loops through the forest.  And it was swarming with bodies.  We actually couldn’t get off the hill fast enough.

 

We stopped briefly at the Twin Chedi - built by the Thai Airforce to honor King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, and at the summit - the shrine of Chao Inthawitchayanon, the former prince of Chiang Mai.

 

On the way back, we stopped at the impressive Wachiratharn Waterfall which was probably the best part of the day, as we were left to explore it on our own and we were able to climb to the top where the crowds preferred to remain below.

 

We’d skip this day again.  Even without the crowds, the trip didn’t warrant the time.

 

Back to the resort.

 

Day 6 – Travel to Phuket

After a private shuttle and a quick two-hour flight south, we landed in Phuket.  Phuket is an island province of Thailand known for its beautiful beaches and iconic pinnacle rock islands off its coast.  We had Googled pictures of the resort online and were excited to be right on the beach in a resort with many pools and water slides for Camdyn- The Centara Grand Resort. Upon arriving, however, we were dropped off at the Centara Karon Resort- a third rate sister facility which was a 5-10 minute walk to the beach and which overlooked a crowded and unkempt street.  Rooms were extremely dated, plumbing questionable, service and attitudes were poor.  It was such a contrast to what we had experienced in the first two locations that I thought that it must be a mistake.  There were two "Centara" hotels close to each other.  The issue turned out to be the word GRAND in our itinerary, which despite also having the word Karon in it, would show up as the nice beachfront property when we Googled it when previewing the itinerary.  The "Karon" had no Grand it it’s name and we now know why.

I placed a call to our trip planner at the travel company to try and remedy it.  To his credit, he found a place an hour north, but that would cost us another $3,200.  We were told that it was a four-bedroom house on the beach.  We booked it- not willing to spend more than the single night at the “Karon”. 

Day 7 – More Phuket

 

We arrived the next morning to the four-bedroom house with its own pool as part of the resort.  It wasn’t “on the beach” as there was another house between it and the sand, but it wasn’t far and the facilities were so much better.

The beaches in Phuket are gorgeous- clear water, blond sand, and almost empty, but the waves (at least in the two places where we stayed) are small or non-existent and any swimming exposed you to painful (but not debilitating) jellyfish stings.  So unless your idea of fun is laying on the beach, there wasn’t a lot to do.

Day 8 – Island Exploring, Kayaking, Swimming- Phuket area

We were excited to explore the islands today as the trip thus far was at a slower pace than we are used to.  We were to “explore, kayak and swim in the area of Phga Nga Bay and James Bond Island”.   

We were dropped off at the boat harbor to join the canoeing company for our tour.  After waiting for everyone to arrive (how many people are on this trip!?!), we were divided into four groups of around 40-50 and herded onto four boats.  Honestly, sardines have more room than we did on the boat.  Fortunately, there was no smoking allowed while on the boat, so all of the chain smokers who previously puffed away while waiting to board didn’t expose us to their toxins while on the water.

“Explore” consisted of landing on a small island, walking it and viewing a unique looking rock that shoots from the sea like a construction piling and is famous for being featured in the 1974 Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.  The problem was that there were at least 300-400 others doing the same thing, reminiscent of Disneyland on Independence Day weekend.  What a cluster!

“Kayak” consisted of getting into a two-man inflatable and having a “guide” paddle you through a cave- lasting around 10 minutes.  If there were a hundred strokes during the trip, I’d be surprised.  Oh, the adventure!

Finally, the “Swim” was at an island overrun with food and “activity” vendors where you had to remain in an area cordoned off with buoys to avoid all of the boat traffic, jet skis, and “other dangers”.  It wasn’t much larger than the local public pool.

Each island stop required 15-30 minutes of sardine boating.  Mercifully, we were done early afternoon and could get back to our room to create our own adventures.

This is a MUST MISS tour.  

 

Day 9 – More Phuket

 

Free day.  We made the most of it spending the morning reading, walking the beach along the far tarmac of the airport to see the planes take off and land up close, and watching for the storm remnants of Cyclone Pabuk (which never arrived).  At the end of the day, Camdyn and I made use of the slide park at the resort and had the place to ourselves.  I guess no one likes sliding in the rain??

Honestly, any return trip to Thailand would not include a stop in Phuket.  Super touristy, overpriced, and a mecca for the uninspired sand kickers and urban whales.

Day 10 –Siem Reap

 

We flew to Siem Reap the next morning and got a shuttle to our hotel.  While the Thailand traffic was crazy, the Cambodia traffic was chaos.  It was amazing that we never saw a collision between the tens of thousands of vehicles and pedestrian traffic during our stay.  Tuk-tuks and mopeds and motorcycles were the preferred mode of travel.  We heard that the tax on vehicles was 120% of the sale price, which meant only the really wealthy could afford to drive a car.

We settled into the hotel, which was very nice for the area.  The service was excellent and the staff hooked us up with dinner reservations and transportation.  In the evening we visited the famous Circus Show, which was a mix between a musical, comedy, and acrobatics, with fantastic feats of strength and flexibility- all under a tent.  Old school carnival style.  Highly recommend.

Day 11 –Siem Reap Temples

The next day we toured the “big three” temples of Cambodia.  Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Phrom.  These were reminiscent of South American temples of the Aztecs.  They were built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the kings of the day as a capital city (Angkor Thom), a monastery, university, and a temple of worship.  Volcanic and limestone rock was hauled by boat, man, and elephant from 70 kms away to build the stunning architecture that has survived the centuries.

This area has a rich history so a knowledgeable guide who is able to speak English well will make the day really enjoyable.  Fortunately for us, our guide Tola was every bit the knowledgeable and articulate host.  

Day 12 –Siem Reap- Jeeps, Bicycles and a Boat

Our guide Chili picked us up the next morning in a couple of 1960s Jeeps, which were the spoils of the Vietnam War.  Spartan and seasoned, they were every bit the “General Purpose”  vehicles you’d expect to see in the jungle of Cambodia.  We drove about an hour on very dusty roads to a small village where we jumped on single-speed cruiser bikes and rode to the local market.  The market was an open-air version of capitalist commerce.  Each stall specialized in a specific sector- produce and meats (by far the largest), electronics, house and garden, toys, clothing, hardware, etc.  The place had it all.

After the bike ride, we continued by Jeep to a village on the bank of Tonle Sap Lake where we climbed the stairs of a home on stilts, 30 feet in the air, and had the best local meal of our whole trip. 

Once lunch was finished, we boarded a local fishing boat and toured the floating village of Kompong Khleang. The Vietnamese Village homes of Kompong Khleang are built on objects that keep them afloat on Tonle Sap. The village moves along the river and sometimes up to the lake depending on the season. There was a floating school, a hospital, local shops, and even a hairdresser.

We finished with an open-air jeep ride back to the hotel where we all looked three shades darker with the layer of red dirt caked to every part of exposed skin.  Quick showers and the rest of the afternoon and evening was spent relaxing poolside. And I went for a city “trail” run.

Day 13 – Back to Bangkok

The next morning was a short return flight to Bangkok for our final day.  We were met by our guide Willow who took us to lunch and then boarded a private long tail boat for a tour of the canals of the Chao Prava River.  The tour gave us a glimpse of the underbelly of Thailand- away from the tourism and commerce.  The different angles of life exposed via the backyards of the neighborhoods was a cool perspective. 

That evening we went to Chinatown, which is famous for its variety of food in an open-market environment.  While it had received high ratings, we were mostly disappointed, although Trish and Gavin were able to find some good ramen.

 

Day 14 – Departure

We flew out the next morning to San Francisco via Taipei for the 20-hour trip back home.

 

Of note:

 

The people of Thailand and Cambodia are amazing.  Kind, friendly and accommodating.  They were the best part of the trip.There doesn’t appear to be a culture of outdoor activity and exploration, so the trails are utilitarian and not paths to scenic destinationsDo your homework on accommodations.  It will make a huge difference to your stay.We preferred our time in Cambodia over that in ThailandLearn to squat.  Most public bathrooms are open hole.Our trip planner at the travel company was very responsive and accommodating during our trip

 

Final Thoughts:

 

With our trips, so much of what we get out of them is our family time together- regardless of the specific sights or activities.  We can make a great adventure out of a deluge in the middle of an ocean (done that).  We are privileged to have four amazing kids who get along great, regardless of the circumstances.  Sure, there are times when we each need some space, but those times are solved with a book, a walk, or a run.  We’ll chalk this trip up as another success.  Not necessarily as one that amazed us with specific adventures, but one that nourished us with the richness of being together, for two weeks, meeting great people in new lands. 

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Customizable Itinerary

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