Recommend October 2011 - (Page 65)

Adventurers can kayak on Ta Chai Island at the Mu Ko Similan National Marine Park (opposite page), while cultural aficionados can learn to ride elephants (this page). care for Indochinese tigers. Then it’s off to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, where they’ll visit various shrines and temples, including one with a 55-ft.-tall bronze Buddha, before taking a rickshaw to the local night market. Another “must” stop is the Sukhothai Historical Park, filled with the ruins of multiple monasteries and temples. Mystical Thailand travelers will also visit Chiang Mai, famous for its agricultural heritage, its more than 300 temples and great handicraft shopping. Here, they’ll get the chance to participate in an almsgiving ceremony, a Thai custom where Buddhist monks carry alms bowls as they walk along the streets and receive donations of rice and condiments. Visitors will also visit the White Hmong hill tribe to learn more about their customs, stop by an elephant camp and ride the pachyderms into the jungle, visit the “long-necked” women at a Karen village to admire the brass rings around their necks and stop by Baan Mai to see the headdresses of the Akha hill tribe. Before returning to Bangkok, visitors will take an excursion up mountain roads to the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak and Mekong rivers meet, to enjoy gorgeous views of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. They might also want to sign up for an optional boat ride on the Mekong before visiting the remains of the 13th-century city of Chiang Saen. Rates for Mystical Thailand start at $2,149 pp dbl. Pacific Delight Tours (pacificdelighttours.com) offers Thailand & The Golden Triangle Escapade Experience, starting at $1,699 pp dbl. The 12-day journey covers Bangkok’s landmarks, including the Jim Thompson House, a complex of six Thai-style houses filled with antiques and works of art. It was the home of the founder of the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company, a legendary figure who disappeared in the jungles of Malaysia. Here, too, clients will visit Nakhon Pathom, the tallest pagoda in the world, before heading to ancient Ayutthaya and then to Angthong to see the Wat Muang temple in Wiset Chai Chan. After visiting Wat Mahathat’s legendary statue of Buddha and Sukhotha National Park, they’ll take an oxcart ride to visit the Wat Sri Chum. Then it’s off to Lampang’s important Buddhist sites, including the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, the pagodas of Wat Chedi Sao and the Haripoonchai Temple, followed by a few days exploring Chiang Mai, visiting hill tribes and witnessing cultural performances. Later, they’ll take a boat ride along the Kok River and visit the Golden Triangle before heading back to Bangkok. Jungle To Beach For a different taste of the country, there’s Thailand’s Jungles and Beaches from Travel Indochina (travelindochina.com). After a few days in Bangkok visiting the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Sampeng Lane and cruising the Chao Phraya, travelers will discover the history behind the River Kwai and visit Erawan National Park, home to a seventiered waterfall and natural pools surrounding it. Before traveling to Ayutthaya to explore the ruins of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, they will spend the night in a jungle raft. Natureloving clients will also fall in love with Khao Yai National Park, the second largest of its kind in Thailand. Located in the Sankambeng Mountain Range, the park’s dense forests and trails reveal much wildlife, including gibbons and wild elephants. After spending time on safari at Khao Yai, travelers will take an overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani and visit Khao Sok National Park, perhaps taking a leisurely canoe trip before continuing to the island of Phuket. They will spend two days doing as little or as much as they please in this popular island resort before heading home. This 12-day trip starts at $1,365 pp dbl. Luxury Customizable choices for Thailand exploration are a great choice for those who want to savor the country in their own way. Thai Villages & Rivers from abercrombie & Kent (abercrombiekent.com) allows independent travelers to tweak their itinerary based on their › T29 http://www.pacificdelighttours.com http://www.travelindochina.com http://www.abercrombiekent.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Coworth Park, London
Tour Talk: Cox & Kings
Paws Up Ups "Glamping" to New Heights
"Alpine" Adventure at Four Seasons Resort Vail
Hotel Beaux Arts Miami
Out & About in New York City
Adventures on Hayman Island
It's the Good Life at The Leela Kovalam Beach
Peninsula Shanghai & Hong Kong
Silversea's Silver Spirit
Thailand Travel Planner
Luxury in the Wilderness, by Best of Patagonia
Savoring St. Vincent & the Grenadines
CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Luxurious Egypt
A Good Turn for Bern, Switzerland
Mexico's Luxury Trail

Recommend October 2011