Thailand: A cultural immersion

It’s worth at least one night in Bangkok. The buzzing, beating capital of Thailand is where you’ll see the modern world of large shopping malls fused with timeless traditions, such as the sights and sounds of the floating markets, like the popular Damnoen Saduak.

The Grand Palace is aptly named. More than just a single palace, this is a sprawling 18th century complex where you’ll find numerous wats (temples), and a sanctuary where Buddhist monks chant and meditate. We highly recommend you come here to witness the renowned Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha. There’s also a theatre where you can observe classical dance, and a museum dedicated to traditional Thai handicrafts and textiles.

Bangkok boasts an impressive skyline, and there’s no better place to enjoy it than from the capital’s famous rooftop bars. These bars have become legendary, they’re both elegant and animated, but be sure to go for the golden hour when you can watch the sun set. Stay at downtown Banyan Tree Hotel and head to arguably the world’s best rooftop bar, Moon Bar on the 61st floor, where you can enjoy aerial views over Lumpini Park, or make an evening of it and tuck into premium steaks and seafood at Vertigo Grill.

Tucked away in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is home to heavenly beaches, chic beach bars, and calm turquoise waters where you can go swimming and snorkelling, as well as fabulous diving opportunities in this gorgeous marine park.

Your laid-back island affair gets all the more joyful as you take a boat and island-hop around nearby pristine islands, such as Koh Tao, known as the turtle island and famed for its coral reefs, or Koh Phangan, where you’ll find sleepy beaches and jungles filled with birdlife. Be sure to take a picnic lunch with you!

Thai martial arts are simply fascinating. The lesser-known art of ‘eight limbs’, Muay Thai boxing is a wonderful one to learn, as it helps focus the mind while keeping you fit. During your stay at Anantara Bophut, you can enjoy a complimentary 30-minute morning session in the resort’s sublime grounds.

Known as Thailand’s heritage city, it’s really easy to immerse yourself in culture in Chiang Mai. For starters, you can literally walk everywhere, and you’ll have a good chance of stumbling across markets, such as the fragrant flower market of Ton Lam Yai Market, and ancient living wats, both of which seemingly never sleep.

Chiang Mai is most alive in the evenings, when local people and visitors alike congregate in the markets for chatter, shopping, and entertainment. We recommend the famous Night Bazaar in the heart of the city, where rows upon rows of stalls sell everything from handicrafts and clothing to antiques and accessories. Take a pause anytime you like and dip into the many nearby cafés and bars too.

Stay at Tamarind Village and enjoy a most special experience, an hour-long Village Walk, where an expert local guide will take you into the back streets and share stories of the historic monuments and temples you pass. The highlight of this walk is the chance to visit a local temple and give alms - an offering of a basket of food prepared by the hotel - to orange-robed Buddhist monks, who in turn will bless you.

Khao Lak is quite simply a natural haven, where a pristine coastline of white sandy beaches overlooking the Andaman Sea join a bountiful jungle that's rich with wildlife. When you’re not sunbathing, swimming, or surfing, we do suggest you explore.

Khao Sok National Park is an amazing place to trek if you fancy a break from the beach. There are incredible waterfalls to discover here, such as the three-level Lampi Waterfall, or the rainbow waterfall of Sairung, not far from the boutique resort, The Sarojin. In conjunction with the Mangrove Forest Planting Project, your stay at The Sarojin ensures at least one tree is planted on your behalf. If you happen to be visiting on the day the monthly tree planting takes place then you are welcome to take part, and it’s just one of many community projects that guests can participate in.

While the street food scene is popular across Thailand, the Bang Niang Night Market is a fantastic place to tuck into Thai cuisine. Right before your eyes, watch as stallholders cook, smoke, and grill dishes, such as stir fry, noodles, and spring rolls. While the more popular plates feature veg, egg, chicken, and local seafood, if you’re feeling adventurous you can also snack on fried insects!

Best known for its tropical beaches, Thailand’s largest island is ideal for a culture-filled beach holiday. Phuket’s Old Town is teeming with interesting streets to discover, where you'll find a string of vibrantly painted townhouses, museums, and a Sunday market. It’s definitely worth the trip to see the 45-metre-tall white marble Big Buddha that perches out over Nakkerd Hill.

Renowned across Thailand and ideal for short trips, a tuk tuk is the perfect way to get around Phuket. You’ll find these small red painted motorised vehicles everywhere. An unusual feature only found in Phuket is that they have four wheels compared to the typical three wheels you find in other regions.

A quintessential part of Thai culture, a holiday to Thailand is not complete without getting a Thai massage. Our favourite place is at Cape Panwa Hotel, located right on a long stretch of sandy beach. The Cape Spa is a welcoming, spacious, and tranquil space that honours traditional techniques.

With its staggering sunsets and limestone karts that rise out of the sea, Krabi is the picture of an exotic island getaway. From isolated islands, secret beaches, and dense mangrove forests, you’re always in for a natural treat.

One of the best ways to explore Krabi is by kayak as the town is surrounded by water, and beginners will feel inspired by this tropical environment. Head to Railay Beach and climb Krabi’s incredible natural rock formations with a professional guide. There are also one-to-one rock-climbing opportunities for beginner and advanced climbers alike.

Stay at Rayavadee, a resort styled like a Thai village, and take home some new skills with you. Once you’ve discovered your favourite local meal, you can learn how to make the dish for yourself with one of the resort’s signature cooking classes.

Are you ready for Thailand? At Sovereign Luxury Travel we have over 50 years’ experience in tailormade luxury holidays. We take care of all the finer details, so you don’t have to. Our Personal Travel Planners are on hand every step of the way to ensure your luxury holiday is memorable and enjoyable.                          

Visit sovereign.com to start planning your next luxury escape today!

Read more: Exploring the Greek isles

Read more:  Best beaches around the World

Keep up with the top stories from Reader's Digest by subscribing to our weekly newsletter