Authentic Thailand holiday experiences
Thailand has become one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. It’s not hard to see why, with beautiful islands and white sandy beaches, exciting and exotic cities, hidden temples and jungle adventures. Unless you are backpacking around this amazing country or have a lot of free time on your hands, there will be a limit to what you can experience on your holiday. Make sure you try a few authentic Thailand experiences to learn about some of the history and traditions that fill this vibrant nation.
Bangkok is a hive of activity, with crowds of tourists, locals, tuk-tuks and taxis filling the streets from morning until long into the night. After a tiring day fighting the crowds, escape to the Rose Garden Riverside, a 70-acre estate based on traditional Thai living. Sail to Wat Rai Khing on a rice barge and enjoy a botanical walk around the Rose Garden grounds. Enjoy a traditional Thai massage using essential oils and herbs picked straight from the garden. Try your hand at creating flower garlands, go and visit the elephant enclosure or take a cookery class and learn how to make a tasty Thai dinner.
Enjoy a journey into Bangkok’s colourful past with a day tour of the famous Floating Market of Damnoen. This traditional way of buying and selling fruit and vegetables from small boats is a feast for the eyes. Combine your trip to the market with a stop at Phra Pathom Chedi, the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. Enjoy a buffet lunch at the Rose Garden Thai Cultural Centre and then sit back and watch some Thai boxing, a re-enactment of a Thai wedding ceremony and traditional bamboo dancing. If you have time, you can also hop on an elephant for a ride around the centre.
Moving away from Bangkok and to the beautiful island of Phuket where you can experience what life is like on this island on a day cycling tour. You’ll get to meet its people and visit some very interesting places. Stop off at a local house and experience what daily life is really like. Make your way through the crowds and countryside and you’ll pass through rubber plantations, friendly villages and enjoy the beautiful coastline and views of the Andaman Sea. Cool off after cycling in typically hot and humid Thai weather at the Bang Pae waterfall and then go and watch the gibbons play at a rehabilitation centre.
Just north of Phuket you’ll find the Khao Sok National Park. If you fancy getting close to nature you can book a stay in a tented camp deep within the Thai jungle. Float down the Sole River on a canoe and enjoy the beautiful forest as it passes by. You can also hop on an elephant for a ride through the jungle which is an experience to savour and one that reminds you why Thailand holidays are so special.