A TASTE OF THAILAND - Bridge & Wickers' Andrew Chapman has just returned from his own luxury tailor-made holiday to Thailand, here's his report...

One night in Bangkok, nope we had three at the very stylish Sukhothai hotel. Three nights is just enough to see the best of this hustling, bustling mega city-think Blade Runner! A city tour is essential to get your bearings with trips along the klongs (canals), where you can spot large monitor lizards on the prowl, and visits to the reclining Buddha and Grand Palace as the highlights. Now it’s a shopping at the Chatuchak Weekend Market -15,000 stalls, the vast majority undercover. No need to buy just marvel at the throngs of locals as they bargain and haggle for anything on sale.

Then it’s off to Chiang Rai in the North of Thailand, a real difference to Bangkok. The pace of life is slower and it’s the place to see and ride elephants, especially at the wonderful Four Seasons Tented Camp. Styled like an African Safari camp its right in the jungle and its here that you get to be trained as a real Mahout (elephant owner) which is scary and fun at the same time.

These amazing animals really are friendly and intelligent and love nothing better than spraying you with water when bathing. All the tents are named and themed differently-we had the explorer’s tent and you can have an intent massage, just right after all that elephant training! And of course you sleep in one of the fabled Four Seasons’ heavenly beds.




We also had a couple of nights at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort where we got to watch an elephant polo match whilst sipping Pimms-how British. Just across the road is the Hall of Opium museum, where you can journey through the fascinating history of the Opium Trade and just what were the opium wars

A four hour drive took us to Thailand’s Northern capital (and its second largest city), Chiang Mai for a stay at the opulent Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. Styled on the palaces and pagodas of Thailand this truly is a royal experience.






Then its down to Phuket and 2 nights at the delightful Mom Tri's Villa Royale where Kata Noi beach beckons and then finally two days of bliss at Trisara where our stunning Ocean View villa makes us feel like celebrities with its own 10 metre pool and a view of the Anadaman sea to die for.

  

Of course no visit to Phuket is complete without a trip to Phi Phi Island and the Beach (no sign of Leonardo but plenty of other people there, mores the pity).

Highlights of the holiday would have to be the elephants at the Four Seasons Chiang Rai, the lovely Kata Noi beach and it’s warm sea and of course the food. Great Thai cuisine at still really good value prices (Two Pad Thai and 2 Singha Beers for bht500 –that’s a tenner to you and me!).

If you'd like a copy of our tailor-made Asia brochure or have a holiday in mind that you'd like us to create, please contact us or call 020 7483 6553.