Your vacation starts with an international flight from the U.S for Thailand’s capital—Bangkok.
 

Touch down in Bangkok International Airport on day two. Enjoy an airport transfer to your hotel in Thailand’s vibrant capital, which straddles the Chao Phraya River. Check in at your hotel and use the rest of the evening to recharge your batteries or perhaps get your first taste of this sprawling metropolis—a mesmerizing blend of gold temples, markets, skyscrapers and malls.

*Airport transfers not included for land only packages

Today, enjoy a guided introduction to Bangkok, one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating metropolises. After breakfast, depart on a half-day tour after breakfast to witness some of Bangkok’s most interesting sights. Visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Trimitr) to see its solid-gold Buddha, and peek inside the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), known for its monumental horizontal Buddha. Pass by the Paklong Talat flower market, a whirlwind of stalls selling masses of perfumed orchids, marigolds and roses. 
 
After a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the afternoon independently, or explore Bangkok’s must-sees on our optional Landmark of Bangkok tour. Topping the sights is the Grand Palace —a walled complex on the banks of the Chao Phraya River that was once the seat of Siam’s—and later, Thailand’s—kings. Feast your eyes on the gold- and mosaic-coated palaces, halls, and stupas; and join the faithful at the iconic Temple of the Emerald Buddha, home to a small-yet-revered 15th-century Buddha carved from jade. Later, witness the riverside Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and relax on a motorboat ride along the Chao Phraya River.
 
*Men and women must have their shoulders, arms and legs covered when visiting the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple*

This morning is devoted to Thailand’s most popular floating market— Damnoen Saduak—situated about an hour’s drive west of Bangkok. After an early start, drive by salt fields and rice paddies to this colorful market, where food and handicrafts vendors gather to trade their wares along a network of narrow canals. Spend time here soaking up the atmosphere and browsing for souvenirs or trying the endless array of local snacks. Snap photos to capture the ever-changing vibrant scenes before returning to the hotel to relax and explore Bangkok further as you wish. Spend the evening as you wish or enjoy our optional dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River.

A free day beckons, giving you the opportunity to explore and enjoy Bangkok on your own. Alternatively, make the most of your time with our optional full-day Elephant World Sanctuary and River Kwai excursion. After an early start, travel into scenic Kanchanaburi province and visit the Elephant World Sanctuary for rescued elephants. Admire, feed and help bathe these incredible animals in the river before enjoying lunch at the camp. Later, visit the Bridge over the River Kwai, famously connected to the ‘Death Railway’ of World War II, and the poignant Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, home to 9,000 Allied war graves.

Transfer to Bangkok airport for your short flight to Krabi. Considered one of Thailand’s most beautiful regions, this lush province lies on the country’s southeast coast and boasts more than 150 outlying islands. With its provincial hub of Krabi Town, it boasts a jungle-blanketed interior and gorgeous white-sand beaches lapped by the aquamarine waters of the Andaman Sea. Its islands, meanwhile, are mini-paradises, with powdery sands that melt into bath-warm seas and coral reefs. On arrival in Krabi, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel and after checking in, relish the remainder of the day to relax into your tropical surroundings.

Today is yours to do exactly as you please. Choose to lounge by the pool or on the beach, perhaps only breaking your idyll for lunch and dinner at your hotel or local eateries. Alternatively, visit Krabi’s islands on our optional half-day Unseen Four Islands Tour By Speedboat. After hotel pickup, ride a speedboat to four tropical hotspots for a morning of sunbathing, snorkeling, swimming, and exploration. Stops include Phranang Beach, the snorkeling* meccas of Tup Island and Chicken Island; and jewel-like Poda Island, famous for its long beach. Your tour includes a buffet lunch and early afternoon transfer back to your hotel, leaving the rest of the day free to spend as you wish.
*Snorkeling gear not included

After breakfast, check-out and board our coach bus as we make our way to Phuket. You may fancy our full-day trip to Phang Nga Bay, an idyllic area of limestone islands, caves and mangroves. This gorgeous bay is characterized by sheer limestone karsts and mangroves, and is home to “James Bond Island,” a limestone pinnacle that starred in the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun.” The tour begins with a stop at Phang Nga province to visit the Buddha Cave Temple (Suwannakuha), also called the “Monkey Temple.” Our journey continues with a visit to Ao Phang Nga National Park This scenic area covers over 40 limestone islands, caves, rock formations and evergreen mangroves. Ride a long-tail boat around the bays, admire the famous James Bond Island, where parts of the movie ‘The Man with a Golden Gun’ was filmed. Enjoy lunch at the stilted Sea Gypsy Village before returning to hotel. Later you may want to join Patong Night Market with seafood dinner.

After breakfast,  enjoy an morning orientation tour, admiring the old Sino-Portuguese buildings on the Thalang Road, taking in the Andaman Sea and island views from Phrom Thep Cape, and visiting the famous Gem Discovery experience to learn about the island’s beloved precious stones. This evening, relax and settle into your tropical surrounding. 

Late check-outs are available for purchase if you wish to enjoy your hotel room until our evening departure.  Otherwise, the hotel standard check-out time will be at 12 noon today.