Thailand - Female foodies with Katy

Cheers to an amazing adventure ahead! Your welcome dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu including an appetizer, a main entree, and a dessert of Thai cuisine with water included. Additional food and drinks will be at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Overnight in Bangkok

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. Breakfast offerings are a combination of Thai, American, and intercontinental. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Take a private transfer from the hotel to Mae Kong Railway Market as your first stop en route to Damnoern Saduak Floating Market.

Begin your half-day tour with a scenic drive in a private transfer towards southwest Bangkok, to the charming Ratchaburi Province. On the way to Damnoern Saduak Floating Market, take a fascinating detour to the Mae Klong Railway Market - also affectionately known as Talad Rom Hoop - which translates to "closing an umbrella or awning." This unique name reflects the market's extraordinary setup, where vendors swiftly close their awnings to make way for the passing trains right on the tracks. Experience the thrilling spectacle of the train maneuvering through the tightly-packed stalls, a perfect blend of daily commerce and local life. You'll spend around 40 minutes at the market, giving you ample time to explore the stalls, soak up the vibrant atmosphere, and watch the train glide through, making for an unforgettable experience.

From the bustling Mae Klong Railway Market, continue with a quick 15-minute drive to a local Sugar Palm farm situated conveniently along your route. This visit offers an insightful look into the production of sugar, demonstrating how the sap from sugar palms is turned into crystalline sugar, a vital ingredient in local cuisine. You'll then arrive at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This celebrated market is a vibrant display of local culture and history, reminiscent of a time when rivers and canals were the main transport routes. Explore a variety of boats filled with fresh fruits, flowers, colorful clothing, and assorted souvenirs floating along the waterways. Then, make your way to the historic Lao Tuk Luk Market, also known as the old Damnoen Saduak Market. Operating for over a century, this market maintains its traditional appeal with wooden houses and offers insights into the age-old methods of trading food, snacks, and other items. To fully appreciate this market's atmosphere, consider renting a paddle boat at your own expense. This allows you to weave through the vendor boats and experience the vibrant market scene from the water, providing a unique perspective on this lively trading hub. It is advised to bring cash with you to purchase food and beverages at your own expense.

On the way back to Bangkok, lunch will be included at local restaurant in the Samut Songkram / Amphawa area, which is roughly a 30-minute transfer from the Damnoern Saduak Floating Market. The meal will typically be an a la carte menu shared style, with water included. Some examples of local Thai dishes you will be enjoying is stir-fried razor clams and boiled salted Thai mackerel!

After lunch, take a private transfer back to the hotel.

In the late afternoon, you will be picked up for a 40-minute transfer to the meeting point to start your Bangkok Street Eats by Tuk-Tuk adventure. You'll hop on a tuk tuk and make about 5 stops along the way. Get a glimpse of an important Bangkokian landmarks – the Democracy Monument before arriving a Michelin-guide Pad Thai restaurant and enjoy the explosion of spicy and savory flavors as well as the amazing variety of textures from the delicate noodles to the crunchy peanuts. Hop back into the iconic vehicle and continue this culinary excursion of the city’s hidden eateries. But first, lets have a photo break at the Giant Swing. Next stop would be a local night market. Wander the rows of bustling stalls, learn about local delicacies and sample from the vast array of street food. There will be plenty of options to test your umami and sweet taste buds namely: suckling Thai-style grilled meat, khao kha mu (stewed pork leg), coconut pudding, Bua Loi Khai Waan (glutinous rice balls with egg), etc. Take a short break from eating and stroll through Pak Klong Talat, Thailand’s largest flower market, which only operates overnight. Let's try to fold some fresh lotus here while getting to know how important this kind of flower is in Thai worshiping culture. Next up, getting to know Thai wedding tradition from a local store selling special desserts just for this occasion. Take away some Thong Yip and Thong Yod to try at the final stop. Conclude the night at a laid-back riverside rooftop bar. Sip on a refreshing beer or your choice of drink whilst taking in the splendid views of the Chao Phraya River and the twinkling buildings along the riverbanks. Later you'll take a 40-minute transfer back to the hotel after a fun evening out!

Dinner is included as a part of the Bangkok Street Eats by Tuk-Tuk tour. You will be trying out a variety of street foods. Please be sure to bring extra cash if you would like to purchase additional food and beverages at your own expense.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. Breakfast offerings are a combination of Thai, American, and intercontinental. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Take a private transfer from the hotel in Bangkok to Kok Na Sai Farm.

Welcome to a local Thai rice farm! Today you will visit and learn about the local community and their work on the rice farm. They'll demonstrate the traditional method of rice production, and then you will get the chance to make a Thai rice pancake. From there, you will begin a cooking class, where you will be taught how to prepare 3-4 Thai dishes using locally sourced ingredients. You'll also have the chance to learn Thai cooking methods on a charcoal stove. Enjoy your lunch before heading back to Bangkok!

Enjoy your creations for lunch! Lunch is included as part of the cooking class. The menu consists of the 3-4 dishes that were created during the cooking class. Water is included.

Take a private transfer from Kok Na Sai Farm back to the hotel in Bangkok.

Enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner is typically a set menu consisting of an appetizer, a side dish, a main entree, and a dessert. A non-alcohol drink is included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, or soft drink). Additional food and/or beverages will be at your own expense.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. Breakfast offerings are a combination of Thai, American, and intercontinental. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Take a private transfer from the hotel to the Ayutthaya Ruins.

Discover the historical highlights of Ayutthaya by transfer and boat today. The Ayutthaya ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand, showcase the remnants of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, featuring impressive temple complexes, statues, and historical structures that offer a glimpse into the city's rich history and cultural significance. You'll be visiting Bang-Pa-In Palace, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, the ancient temple ruins and crumbling pagodas that used to form Thailand's largest and most important settlement. When visiting the ruins and temples today, you'll need to wear conservative clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, shoes that cover the toes. You'll be walking for about 3 miles on flat terrain.

Enjoy an included lunch at a riverside restaurant -- try the famous Grilled Giant River Prawn!

Head to U-thong Road, famous for Roti Saimai, the sweet treat of Ayutthaya. This Thai-style candy floss or cotton candy is rolled in a paper-thin roti sheet. Be sure to bring additional cash to purchase food, drinks, and souvenirs at your own expense.

Light snacks are included as a part of the Ayutthaya Food Market Tour. Be sure to bring additional cash to purchase additional food and drinks at your own expense.

Overnight on the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. Breakfast offerings are a combination of Thai, American, and intercontinental. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Meet your tour Guide at the Three Kings Monument for a safety briefing before your walking and local taxi tour. Start walking to the Chiang Mai Gate local market (south gate) and taste some local food and snacks sold by street vendors. Continue walking through the old city and stop for your first main dish of northern cuisine called “Khao Soi” at local restaurant Heun Phen -- this restaurant is actually famous for their Khao Soi noodle curry! Lunch and dinner times can be busy with the restaurant serving variety of northern Thai cuisines. Heun Phen converts to a canteen-style eatery during the day, then transforms into a romantic restaurant by night! Afterwards, walk to visit Wat Chedi Luang. Continue walking to Chang Peuk Gate local market (north gate), and enjoy your choice of fruit shake or Thai dessert. Take a local songtaew (red taxi) to the flower market -- walk around to explore local foods, fruits, flowers, and walk across Ping River to see Wat Gate Garam by night. End your trip at local bar by the Ping River (choice of 1 beer or 1 soft drink). Take a local songtaew back to hotel (in town only), or feel free to continue the adventure at local bar (and later, coordinate your own transportation back to hotel). Please note that specific dishes you are trying for this tour may vary and are subject to change. You'll want to wear comfortable shoes, as well as bring extra cash to purchase additional food, beverages, and souvenirs at your own expense. You'll be walking on mostly flat terrain for about 1-1.5 hours.

Dinner is included as a part of the Night Market Street Eats Tour. Please bring cash if you would like to purchase additional food and beverages at your own expense.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. Breakfast offerings are a combination of Thai, American, and intercontinental. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Your exploration today begins with being picked up from the hotel by a songthaew. A songthaew is a widely used mode of transportation, particularly in Thailand, consisting of a modified pickup truck or van with bench seating, often brightly decorated, and serving as both shared taxis and bus-like service. First, you'll take a short 20-minute ride to Huay Kaew Waterfall (swimming not permitted), a peaceful retreat just minutes from the city. Surrounded by lush greenery, this cascading gem is easily accessible via a 5-minute walk on a paved road. Next, continue 10 minutes to the revered Wat Pha Lat, also known as the ‘Monastery at the Sloping Rock.’ Nestled deep within the forest, this hidden gem boasts stunning Lanna-style architecture, intricate carvings, and vibrant murals. You can explore the tranquil temple grounds, discover meditation caves and gentle waterfalls along the way. Finally, you'll ascend the winding road up Suthep Mountain for 15 minutes, where your final destination slowly reveals itself with each turn. Perched at 1,056 meters, the 14th-century Wat Phra That Doi Suthep houses a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Chiang Mai and beyond. From there, descend 30 minutes back down to Chiang Mai.

Enjoy a unique dining experience at the Chuan Chom Women's Correctional Institution. (Yes, you read that correctly!) Your snacks will be prepared and served by female inmates who are taking part in a program designed to provide opportunities that will help them reintegrate back into society after their release.

Lunch at Chuan Chom is included. Lunch will be Northern Thai cuisine, typically served a la carte, with water included. Additional food and drinks will be at your own expense. Later, take a 20-minute private transfer back to the hotel.

In the late afternoon, take a 30-minute private transfer and venture to the Hang Dong district of Chiang Mai. Here you'll discover the enchanting village of Bandoo, home to a splendid 150-year-old teak house owned by the Ruankaew-Yanon family—a significant influence in shaping the local Lanna community. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the house and its surroundings, gaining insight into a lifestyle that closely mirrors that of their ancestors. Alongside exploring the grounds, actively participate in a cooking session with your host family, providing a hands-on opportunity to acquire Northern Thai culinary skills to take back home with you. The group will take part in cooking five dishes, including examples such as Obb Kai, Nam Prik Ong, Phad Ma Khaue Yao, Tom Som Kai, and Klauy Boud Chee (subject to change based on seasonal ingredients). Enjoy a delightful dinner on the second-floor terrace, offering panoramic views of the picturesque Lanna village, before taking a 30-minute transfer back to the hotel after dinner.

Enjoy your creations for dinner! Dinner is included at the Lanna family compound after the cooking class. The menu consists of the dishes that were created during the cooking class. Water is included.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. Breakfast offerings are a combination of Thai, American, and intercontinental. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Cheers to an amazing trip with your new travel buddies! Your farewell dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu of Thai cuisine consisting of an appetizer, a main entree, and a dessert with water included. Additional food and drinks will be at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. Breakfast offerings are a combination of Thai, American, and intercontinental. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.