Culture & Culinary Arts of Thailand 9 Days
9 Days : Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket
Tour overview:
Begin your stay in Thailand by visiting three of the most unusual Buddhist Temples in Thailand, and a cooking class at Blue Elephant with some of Thailand’s renowned chefs and a visit to Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. The tour continues to the historical city of Chiang Mai, with a number of culinary experiences along the way to delight your senses.
Day 1 - Arrival Bangkok
Welcome to Thailand! Meet and greet at Bangkok Airport and transfer to the city centre for your first steps in Thailand’s capital city.
*Jet lag massage 60 mins at hotel.
Day 2 - Bangkok
Breakfast at hotel
AM: City & Temples incl. Grand Palace
This tour includes three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 ½ tons of solid gold) – Wat Po, the most extensive temple in Bangkok, with its colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings. The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: The Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple.
Enjoy lunch at Someday Everyday, A more affordable way to try a superstar chef’s food.
PM: Kudeejin
In the afternoon, continue on the other side of the River to visit the Wat Kalayanamitr Temple, built in 1825 and featuring a 15-meter tall Buddha. By foot, go to Santa Cruz Church, built by the Portuguese. Just a few meters further you will visit the pastry shop “Thanusingha Bakery Shop”. You will meet the team there who will explain how the pastries are prepared and will have an opportunity to try one of them. Keep exploring the district until you reach the small local temple of Wat Prayoon. Return to your hotel after the visit.(BL)
Day 3 - Bangkok
Breakfast at hotel
Pick up from hotel and transfer to the famous cooking school Blue Elephant, with some of the world-renowned Chefs, icons of Thai cuisine. This half-day cooking class includes a tour of a local market and a hands-on learning experience. Enjoy your own-cooked dish for lunch.
Continue to Jim Thompson’s House, the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world-renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Thompson’s achievements during his 25 year stay in the Kingdom of Thailand have won him much fame as the “Legendary American of Thailand”. Since his disappearance in 1967, little has changed in the home that was the ‘talk of the town’ and the ‘city’s most celebrated social center’. Even today, this Thai style house which contains intensive collection of art and antique objects continues to be a key stop for visitors to Bangkok.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. We provide you with a recommendation of the latest restaurant and bar openings, as well as of the most popular places for food & drinks.(BL)
Day 4 - Bangkok
Breakfast at hotel
In the heart of downtown Bangkok lies the always active and often mysterious district of Chinatown. Here, alleys disappear into forgotten temples, exotic markets spill onto the streets, and striking architecture spirals skyward. We will explore markets and unknown temples and find more hidden ways to then our lunch place. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant with traditional dim sum in the menu.
Return to the hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, join a very unique Saneh Jann, Thai dishes crafted from ancient recipes that once impressed the royal family are the draw here but don’t discount the lovely setting, complete with vaulted ceilings and contemporary Thai touches. (Set menu, food only)(BLD)
Day 5 - Bangkok – Ayutthaya
Breakfast at hotel
Depart to Ayutthaya, Thailand’s former capital city. Ayutthaya was the capital of the Siamese kingdom at the height of its power and influence, from 1350 until its besiegement by the Burmese army in 1767. Explore Ayutthaya Historical Park. First stop at the famous Buddha face in the tree (Wat Mahathat). Next, visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Lokayasutharam), the reclining Buddha is the prototype of Wat Pho in Bangkok.
Continue the tour and visit a Roti Sai Mai production, a specialty dessert from Ayutthaya. Another name for this dessert is Sweat Angel Hair or silky threads. Roti Sai Mai is mainly associated with the ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya. The area of Ayutthaya is still the centre of the production of this cotton candy. However, the origin from this colourful sweetmeat goes back to the Indian subcontinent. Roti vendors from India and Pakistan brought it to Thailand. The cotton candy is served in various colours and is wrapped in a piece of two lightly salted thin paper-like crepes. Locals will teach you how to produce an original Roti Sai Mai.
Lunch at Sai Thong restaurant, a Thai traditional restaurant, which offers a nice view on the riverside.
Continue with the visit of the hand-crafted Aranyik Knife Villages, dating back to early Ratanakosin period. The villagers at Ban Ton Pho and Ban Nhong Pai grew up in Vientiane in Laos and emigrated to Thailand. Most of them worked as craftsmen, like goldsmiths and blacksmiths, especially those who produced knives. Aranyik is a traditional name from the Ayutthaya period, when wars were fought in hand-to-hand battles. Aranyik Village gained fame as a place where swordsmiths were specialized in producing in battle blades.
Check-in at the hotel. Enjoy sunset cocktail & dinner at Sala Ayutthaya.(BLD)
(Set menu with 1 unit of cocktail)
Day 6 - Ayutthaya – Bangkok– Chiang Mai
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Bangkok airport for your flight to Chiang Mai (flight TBA / not included).
Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, transfer to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Within walking distance to the hotel, you can stroll around the famous Night Bazaar of Chiang Mai.(B)
Day 7 - Chiang Mai
Breakfast at hotel
08.30-15.30: Ancient Lanna History.
Drive to the south of the city to visit Wat Ton Kwen or Wat Inthrawat, one of the finest examples of classic Lanna architecture in Northern Thailand. Proceed to hang Dong for an incredible gastronomic experience with the local Ruankaew-Yanon family. You will be welcomed into their home to experience a typical day in the life of a Thai person, in a real Thai neighborhood. You will learn to cook traditional home cooked recipes with authentic Northern Thai flavors that are different from standard dishes offered in commercial cooking classes. Enjoy a delicious home cooked meal which helped create with the whole family.
Drive back to Chiang Mai and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure. We provide you with a recommendation of the latest restaurant and bar openings, as well as of the most popular places for food & drinks.(BL)
Day 8 - Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, transfer to Grandma’s Home Cooking School.
HALF DAY COURSE – MORNING SESSION
8:30-9:00 am: Pick-up from your hotel (Please wait at the Lobby)
9:15 am: Visit the local market. Our instructors will introduce various ingredients and seasonings.
10:00 am: Arrival at Grandma’s Home Cooking School where refreshing drinks and welcome snacks are waiting for you.
10:20 am: Begin the class with how to cook rice and sticky rice.
10:35 am: Our instructors will guide you our organic farm while explaining Thai herbs and vegetables. Enjoy collecting chicken eggs and some fresh ingredients.
11:00 am: Soup and Stir-fried session with tasting
12:00 pm: Curry session with tasting. For dessert and refreshments, our instructor will demonstrate how to make dessert and special refreshments step-by-step and let’s enjoy tasting together
13:00 pm: Leave the cooking school and transfer to Hotel
(Transfer & activities based on join in basis)
Late afternoon, start your day to the 600-year-old temple of Wat Pra That Doi Suthep, near the summit of Doi Suthep Mountain. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via a magnificent Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps. Inside is an intriguing copper-plated Chedi topped by a five-tier gold umbrella which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai and surrounding countryside.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.(BLD)
In the evening, head for a special farewell dinner at Le Crystal restaurant. (Set menu, food only)
Day 9 - Chiang Mai - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel
Day is free until transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination (flight TBA / not included). (B)