Bangkok and Phuket
BANGKOK
Thailand’s capital is south-east Asia’s most enigmatic city, a head-on clash between tradition and modernity. First-time visitors may be a little taken aback by the concrete canyons and futuristic, billboard-covered skyscrapers, but take a few steps away from the main roads into one of the city’s countless alleys and traditional Thai culture is everywhere – an urban cornucopia of smells, tastes, sounds and sights that one is unlikely to forget.
Bangkok gets the balance right between the expensive, the esoteric and the profane. The squeaky-clean sky train and underground system make most of this huge metropolis navigable, whisking visitors from their luxury accommodation to a sparkling Buddhist temple or an ancient amulet market within minutes – a kind of time travel possible in few other cities of 11 million people.
River trips, museums, shopping centers and, of course, Bangkok’s nightlife (which has come a long way from gaudy to cosmopolitan) make for the defining Far Eastern urban experience. While Thailand has been ruled by a repressive military regime since 2014 and law and order tend to be rather selectively enforced, Bangkok remains one of the world’s safest cities; violent crime against foreign visitors remains relatively rare. Still, visitors should keep away from demonstrations that can turn violent and be wary of the police.
PHUKET
Phuket, the Pearl of the Andaman, is Thailand’s largest island, with a curvaceous coastline of wide sugary beaches strung between jutting peninsulas and craggy rock formations.
Though it has long been one of Thailand’s most popular destinations, it is easy to avoid the tourist traps. Venture into Phuket Old Town, a former South-east Asia tin trading hub and the island’s cultural centre. Its Sino-Portuguese architecture is currently being restored and spruced up – the droopy webs of telephone wires are being moved underground and designers, artists and baristas are making themselves at home amid the traditional shop-houses, temples and barbers that line the streets.
When it comes to natural attractions, Phuket has a fair bounty – pearly beaches, dramatic coastlines, monolithic limestone karsts, never mind the national parks teeming with marine life and rainforest habitat – but cultural diversions have always been a bit harder to find. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Peel yourself off the sunbed for a stroll around the mosaic-tiled streets of Phuket Old Town and light some incense at a colorful tiered temple. (But don’t forget to cover up).
The island of Phuket has 29 Buddhist temples sprinkled throughout, but Wat Chalong (or formally Wat Chaithararam), with its three dozen carved Buddhas, stone serpent banisters and lotus ponds, and is the gold-topped temple to see.
Starting from 1650 euro per person
Included:
- Air tickets
- 2 nights accommodation in double/twin room with breakfast in Bangkok 4*
- 4 nights accommodation in double/twin room with breakfast in Phuket 5*
- Transfers from and to the airport (Bangkok and Phuket)p
- City tour of Bangkok with guide (half day)
- Phi Phi Island and James Bond Island Tours with guide, included lunch
- Elephant trekking Tour
Not included:
- All not mentioned above
























