Thailand Wellness & Culinary Tour: Tranquility and Delightful Flavors ( 8 Days Tour)

Finding Dawn 

The morning breaks over the distant horizon. The light begins to filter through the window and you can imagine the sweet pineapple and fresh squeezed orange juice waiting for you. After a delightful breakfast you will venture out into the city, cruising on the Chao Phraya River, once the busiest highway in the city. The air is cool on your cheeks and the sunlight shines off of the large spire in the distance.

The Temple of Dawn is considered one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand with a spire that rises over 210 feet high. Colored glass and porcelain create intricate patterns on the temple’s façade that also catch the light in the dawn and dusk. Climb the spire for a fabulous view, not just of the city, but of the temple itself, where you can feel the smooth stone, the cool porcelain, and look out over the Grand Palace.  Inside the ordination hall you can see a golden Buddha and intricate murals which have helped express cultural and religious dedication throughout the centuries of the temple’s existence. 

On the palace grounds you will find the lovely manicured gardens which house opulent halls and the façade of the royal living quarters, along with stunning temples that contain some of the most iconic relics in Thailand. The outer spire of Wat Pra Keaw looks like a bell with a golden bronze sheen that catches the light and washes over the steps before it. Once inside of the temple you will see the series of platforms that raise the Emerald Buddha high above the floor;  as the most important image in Thailand, the only person allowed near the Buddha is the King himself. 

The murals along the wall tell the entire epic of Ramayana, a great Hindu tale. The opulent nature of the temple, the palace, and Bangkok seems to surround you, welcoming you in a pleasant and gracious manner. In the evening you will return to Lebua to enjoy a relaxing introduction to the essentials of Thai Massage before luxuriating in a 90-minute experience that will relax you.

As the evening rolls in you will sit in the celebrated rooftop restaurant of Sirocco, enjoying a tasting menu of the chef’s favorite dishes that range from the delicate noodles of traditional Thailand to rich mixtures that have become new customs within culinary delights.

What’s Included: breakfast, dinner, tour, accommodation.

Around the Forested Lines of Unique

The city of Chiang Rai is the most northern city in Thaliand and is considered the birthplace of the nation, founded in the late 13th century. The temples within the city are more than inspiring; they are absolutely moving. On a tour of the city’s pristine history and vibrant culture you will visit the temple Wat Rong Khun, known as the most unique temple in Thailand.

The structure was built in 1997 using white glass and an angular shape, giving the outward appearance of a snow castle, frozen in time and summoning you inside. Arrive through the dangling entryway and find an interior decorated with surprising paintings.

Superman flies across the wall. Demons tower over you gripping swords. Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat created the statues and paintings found throughout the temple. Large hands reach up from the ground and border the pathway to the main temple hall. The hands represent the cycle of rebirth and the vases they hold are for collecting alms.

The sanctuary’s facade shows the predator emerging from the ground. The interior wall has Spider Man jumping to the rescue. Light shimmers in the central hall and spotlights the simple artistic details filled with the weight of religious symbolism and the attraction of modern whimsy. There is a distinct beauty in the temple’s elegance and an individuality that is a perfect parallel to what you have seen of the country thus far.  

After lunch you will find yourself at the famous and oftentimes infamous Golden Triangle located at the meeting point of Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, and known to have been at the center of the opium trade for centuries. You can overlook the Mekong River and watch as the water winds through the landscape, carving the riverbanks and fields.

Once in Mae Sai, the northern point of the country, you can see the traditional life that has taken root on the shores. The city is the official border crossing point for Burma, filled with precious stones, the scent of charred wood and grilling fish, and vibrant textiles. There is a controlled boisterousness to the streets. Stroll through the market and find glittering jade stone and shimmering turquoise clothing before returning to Chiang Rai by evening. 

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, tour, accommodation.

Past Prevalence

The majesty of Chiang Mai is situated within its organic charm, a city that feels like a town spread throughout the jungle that has made its way through the streets. Elegant trees are everywhere, shading the streets and disguising ancient temples. After breakfast you will make your way through the historical relics that reside in the city and offer extra magnetism to the already splendid expanse. Wat Phra Singh is a monastery and temple build in the 14th century and continues to reign in importance.

The exterior has a triangular shape with tiered fringe, gilded and shining in the daylight. The interior is unique in its coloration and structure, where large pillars rise to the red-wooden ceiling. The Lion Buddha, originally a 14th century icon, sits before opulent murals that line the wall. The murals date back to the 1820s illustrating the Jataka, the previous births of Buddha. The aroma of incense drifts through the room and graces your clothing, adding a deeper sense of your surroundings and a lighter touch to the ornate decoration of the hall. For lunch you will have the luxurious flavor of khao soi, a regional specialty of rice noodles and curried gravy.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, tour, accommodation.

Feeling Well

Today you will have another luscious breakfast with the scent of fresh orange juice readying you for the day. Eventually you will make your way to the airport and onward toward home, leaving the sensational and sensual flavors and sites of Thailand behind you.

From elegant cooking courses to the animated Grand Palace, curious villages to vibrant jewelry you have explored the diversity Thailand and found a different world that has brought you in, fed you well, and made sure you  that you experienced every ounce of its splendor.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer