Thailand for Two: Chiang Mai, Bangkok & the Andaman Sea

Buggy reception as you get off the plane and priority pass through customs and immigration. Transfer and four-night stay in the Charoen Prathet Road area. Located on the ground floor, your room which is made of stone with a wood floor belongs to the colonial Lanna style. The decoration is relatively contemporary Thai, with carved wood and hints of Western design. The rooms are very comfortable and have all mod-cons. Their well-styled and harmonious elements make them particularly pleasant to stay in. The restaurant opens out onto the river; it is peaceful and lets in a gentle breeze. It serves impeccable Thai and international cuisine. On the roof, there's a wine bar. The garden has a beautiful swimming pool from which palm trees appear to emerge. There are also two old wooden buildings used as a pool bar and library. At the spa, you will find all the care that the country has, for many years, provided for a healthy body and soul. If you need to sweat a little to get you going, you can go to the gym.

In the itinerary - Wellness break and Introduction to Buddhism. Accompanied by a guide, you'll visit a herbal garden, followed by a one-hour massage by a renowned herbalist; the traditional property provides the perfect setting for the feeling of relaxation you'll get out of this invigorating treatment. For your body and mind, you'll meet a monk who will be able to answer any questions you have about Theravada Buddhism, the doctrine of Ancient Thailand. This is a spiritual school of Buddhism practised by most Thais. It emphasises the status of monks and the practice of meditation based on two themes, realising inner peace and introspective awareness of the impermanence of things.

In the itinerary - Cooking class with a chef. Out in the countryside, you'll go to a renowned restaurant located in a stunning house. The chef has prepared everything you need. Before putting you to work to learn the ropes as his kitchen hands for the day, he'll explain, with translations provided by a guide, the principles of Thai cuisine: the ingredients, flavours, composition, cooking and plating up. Then you'll be let loose on the aromatic herbs and ovens. Three dishes from the classics of Thai cuisine are on the menu. You may cook Thai pad, with its quintessential sauteed noodles, tom yum soup, or red, yellow, green or panang curry. This will be decided by what produce is available at the market.

The city still boasts the nobility of an ancient capital, but it also exudes a special relaxed way of life. There are nearly 300 temples here; the Wat Chiang Man is the oldest (13th century) and the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which is about nine miles away out in the countryside, is the most famous (14th century). The latter has a beautiful view of the city. The night bazaar to the east of the city contains a whole host of things, from the most well-made crafts to cheesy souvenirs, to street food and electronics. Perhaps you'll have a Khantoke dinner at a small wicker table, with sticky rice and plenty of delicious food. The tuk tuk is the main means of transport as it goes everywhere in town.
In the itinerary - Evening in the So Thai spa. What better way to start the evening after a long day of sightseeing than with a foot or head massage. You'll be swept away to a somewhat magical, intimate and authentic place. Enjoy sipping on a cocktail before tucking in to four exquisitely crafted Thai dishes. Chiang Mai really does want to make its visitors stay.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Bangkok. Buggy reception as you get off the plane and priority pass through customs and immigration. Transfer and three-night stay in central Bangkok. You will be stunned by the peace and quiet of the hotel. It is located along a canal, along which boats carry passengers to the main attractions. The house dates back to the 1940s, which is a rare sight in this city. In the enclosed garden, there's a swimming pool where you can enjoy a relaxing swim. Inside, the decor resembles the era in which it was built. Its structure has been modernised. Your pretty and comfortable room opens out onto the canal via a private balcony. The restaurant offers mainly vegetarian Thai but food, but also Western cuisine. A day spa and a small gym are the perfect complement to the already fantastic facilities.

In the itinerary - Exploration of Bangkok by night. Like all major capitals, Bangkok calls for night wandering. As soon as night falls, the city takes on a new life. Along the way, you'll talk about the bustling city nightlife with one of our English guides, who is so familiar with the city that he is no longer an expat, but a Bangkok local in his own right. Nothing is pre-planned - you'll meet, have a chat and go on an impromptu outing depending on what's on locally and what you're interested in. Electric neighbourhoods, trendy bars, night markets, canals; the walk takes you where the Thais go and you'll experience the nightlife at their pace.
Option - Dinner cruise on the Supanniga.

In the itinerary - The Khlongs (canals) of Thonburi. With a private guide, you'll hop on a motorboat and head to the west bank of the Chao Phraya for a stroll through the khlongs - the canals - of the historic district of Thonburi. Old temples, wooden houses on stilts, vegetable gardens, orchards: you'll get a rare glimpse of ancient Bangkok here. You'll also visit Wat Paknam, a royal temple engaged in charitable work for education and public health. It's then off to an orchid farm and a floating market. And Baan Silapin Artist Village, set on the edge of the peaceful water. We're betting that at the end of your exploration, a massage with essential oils in one of the most beautiful spas the city has to offer will be welcome and reinvigorating.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Ranong. Transfer to Khura Buri pier, then speed boat to Koh Phra Thong West Coast. Five-night stay in a Thai cottage overlooking the Andaman Sea. The beach, which lies between your terrace and the water, is over six miles long, and is never overcrowded. Wood and clean lines give your home a bit of character. The breeze provides the air conditioning, whilst netted screens provide shade and privacy. You're completely alone. Small trails under the trees of the coastal forest provide access to the common areas of the cottage. There is a restaurant, which serves Thai cuisine full of bright colours. The bar looks out to sea. To the west, there's the promise of multi-coloured cocktails. With its solar power, an on-site water purification system and composting facilities, the cottage intends to preserve the integrity of paradise for its guests and for the community of Koh Phra Thong.

Nearby, you can start the day with a lesson at the yoga studio. The beach speaks for itself. Surrender to the soothing sound of the breaking waves. Hiking in-land reveals a reddish landscape that looks like it's come straight from Africa. Water outings are all by canoe. The areas of mangroves in the East Coast, which are still very rich, house a rich bird population. Under the sea, a mask and snorkel gives you access to beautiful spots. For an extra dose of natural glamour, you might like to journey out to Mu Ko Surin National Park. Here you can go diving and admire the beautifully preserved coral reefs. To do this, you'll need to steal away from the comfort of your hotel.