Food and Islands tour to the South of Thailand
If you love the beach, beautiful scenery, tropical islands and delicious Thai food then this trip is for you. Travel with
your Engaging Thailand hosts Prathuan (Lek) and Trevor who are also the owners of the very popular Thai Home
Cooking and Catering Services Business in the UK "Thai Gourmet".
In 16 fully packaged days we visit some of the finest long beaches, the most beautiful of islands and a couple of
stunning national parks.
On this trip to the south we visit mountains, temples, beaches a palace, a spa, hot springs, markets, islands, caves,
national parks, go snorkeling, swimming, have massages, go on an amazing river boat buffet tour and even find time
for a few drinks out in the evenings. The beauty of our trips are that there are no travel concerns to worry about we
use a very safe and professional driver in Khun Noy who is a very experienced and reliable driver with a very
comfortable luxury mini bus.
The food on the southern tour is of course still very much Thai, but you do have other influences thrown in to the
bargain in the south from China and Malaysia. Places on our visit such as Phuket and Krabi are renowned for
delicious food and of course these areas have so many different types of seafood and in abundance. We visit a few
fantastic restaurants I mean fantastic in great tasting food complete with fantastic prices and also sample the
delights of the market vendors of which the deserts are incredible.
Yes food in southern Thailand like any where else in Thailand is delicious, plentiful and everywhere you look, it is at
the top of a Thai persons priority list and you can see why. The general question in Thailand is not what are we
going to do today, but what are we going to eat today of course what you are going to do can be slotted in around
the eating plan. The most important thing about our visits are that we have fun and enjoy the hospitality and service
of the delightful Thai people. Why not join Lek & Trevor on Engaging Thailand's food and islands tour to the south
of Thailand. We travel more in the way as a group of friends rather than a tour group and would be delighted to
have you along with us.
Day 1
On your arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnabuhmi International airport we will collect you and travel straight on to Hua Hin
a seaside resort on the west coast of Thailand by our own personal transport and driver. On arrival in Hua Hin and
after checking in to our hotel we can go in to Hua Hin for an evening look around and a bite to eat.
Day 2
After breakfast we take a stroll down to one of the local massage places to start to rid any jet lag for those who have
not long arrived in Thailand with a lovely relaxig massage. Withe the theme very much o rest and relaxation we
continue on to the beach at Hua Hin to soak up some sun.
In the evening we explore the resort of Hua Hin taking in a drink and a tasty dish here and there.
Day 3
Hua hin is the royal seaside resort and where his majesty King Bhumibol has the summer palace Klai Kangwon
which means (far from worries palace). In the morning we go to visit Klai Kangwon Palace. We leave the summer
palace and head off to Cha - Am a different beach resort and very Thai. Here you can sit comfortably in the shade
and constantly snack if you want as the shops meaning food vendors come to you instead of you going to them. In
the evening we take in the night time entertainment of Hua Hin with some music and one or two beers.
Day 4
Hua Hin is the royal seaside resort and where his majesty King Bhumibol has the summer palace Klai Kangwon
which means (far from worries palace). In the morning we go to visit Klai Kangwon Palace. We leave the summer
palace and head off to Cha - Am a different beach resort and very Thai. Here you can sit comfortably in the shade
and constantly snack if you want as the shops meaning food vendors come to you instead of you going to them. In
the evening we take in the night time entertainment of Hua Hin with some music and one or two beers.
Day 5
We leave Hua Hin and start our journey south to Chumpon.
Chumpon is really the start of the south of Thailand and the crossroads to either going west to Ranong and Phuket
or the other road towards Surat Thani. On arrival in Chumpon and after checking in to our hotel for the evening, we
explore the beaches and small islands of Chumpon and later the town centre itself and some tasty southern Thai
food.
Day 6
We leave Chumpon early heading for the town of Ranong.
Ranong is very close to the border of Myanmar (formerly Burma), and in fact only separated by an estuary.
Ranong is also the point where you can visit Kawthoung Island in Myanmar if you want, its only a short ride, but don't
forget you would need your passport. On arrival at our hotel in Ranong we have a big swimming pool and large spa
area for total relaxation, the hotel area is fantastic as you are surrounded by mountains and hot springs. In Ranong
we spend a large part of the time relaxing, enjoying the area and making the most of the excellent facilities.
In the evening we head in to town and round the southern markets taking in Ranong and eating out. We stay
overnight in Ranong.
Day 7
In the morning we continue to make use of the fitness, pool and spa areas of our hotel, continuing as we mean to go
on for the day in very laid back mood. For lunch and in the afternoon, Lek will take us to shop for delicious food at
the markets as we choose some dishes for our picnic lunch amongst the Ranong hot springs. For the rest of the day
and evening our driver will take us on a tour of Ranong pointing out places of interest and stopping later in one of
our favourite restaurants. We stay overnight in Ranong.
Day 8
In the morning and afternoon we continue our relaxation in the marvellous mountainous area of Ranong surrounded
by pool, spas and hot springs. In the evening we visit another lovely restaurant i the heart of Ranong.
Day 9
After breakfast we leave Ranong early and our driver will begin the journey over to the beach town of Ao Nang.
Ao Nang is probably the most beautiful beach in this area with its limestone cliffs, caves and clear water. On arrival
at our hotel in Ao Nang we first explore the beach and go out in a boat to view the caves, secondly we explore the
food and thirdly we explore the town and what it has to offer in the evening.
Day 10
In the mroning we leave our base in Ao Nang and make the short trip to Krabi.
Krabi seems to be the place to transit through whilst visiting Ko Lanta the islands to the south or Koh Phi Phi the
islands to the south west.
We are no exception here as in the morning we soak up the pleasant atmosphere of Krabi before heading off to the
beautiful islands of Koh Phi Phi with fantastic scenery and cliffs combined with lovely long beaches. In the evening
we make out way back to our hotel in Ao Nang, but not before sampling some very tasty dishes back in Krabi.
Krabi is host to some wonderful food and a couple of very good restaurants, the restaurant we use does a fantastic
Tom Yum Kung Prawn Soup. As you would expect sea food is in abundance, but there are lots of other dishes and if
you like your desserts you will love the right market.
Day 11
Today we leave early this time for a look at Phukhet and surrounding beaches. In the town of Phuket the change of
architecture is visable with a mixture of Chinese and early European structure and the food a mixture of Thai, Malay
and Chinese. The food in Phukhet is in abundance, delicious and too many of to list here, but Phukhet is reknowned
for food. We make a long day in Phuket and soak up the evening entertainment also before returning to our hotel.
Day12
After breakfast we say goodbye to our base in Ao Nang and set off for Phang Nga and surrounding islands. A full
day of relaxation amongst some of the most beautiful scenery and islands. Plenty of relaxation and a couple of
excursions out by boat where you can go snorkeling and swim amongst the many colourful and tropical fish. Ao
Phang Nga national parks biggest claim to fame is that it was used as a location for the James Bond film Man with
the Golden Gun, but it is a literally stunning location. We stay in a hotel in Phang Nga province over night.
Day 13
We leave Phang Nga after breakfast and start to work our way back in a northerly direction with the first port of call
being back to our hotel and friends in Ranong. When we arrive in Ranong we can make full use of the facilities
again the hotel pool and spa and really continue the theme of relaxation. The evening is free to do what you want.
Our driver will be on hand should you want to go in to town.
Day 14
Today we leave early as we travel straight on to Hua Hin, but making our regular stops of interest and refreshments
along the way. On Arrival in Hua Hin at our accommodation the rest of the day is free to do exactly what you like with
perhaps a visit to the night market or town itself for any last minute shopping.
Day 15
Today is our last full day of the trip so we head for the capital Bangkok early to take in a city tuk, tuk ride which must
be had a few sights and a relaxing massage before our flight tomorrow at one of our favourite places. This really is a
full day as in the evening we go on a river boat buffet dinner cruise where the food is absolutely fantastic, varied
and so much to choose from. For those with good appetites you can go back to refill your plate as many times as
you like, whilst taking in the sights of Bangkok. This really is a fantastic Thai and International buffet food combined
with good company, exemplory service and music from the resident musicians all in all it makes for a very
memorable occasion. We stay overnight in Bangkok.
Day 16
After breakfast and a few goodbyes here and there we leave our hotel in Bangkok for Suvarnabumi International
Airport as the tour comes to an end. For those departing by air today we personally escort you to the airport to
catch your flight. For all those going on to somewhere else in Thailand we say goodbye and wish you well.
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