We spent a total of 5 nights in Bangkok, which is probably a little longer than would appear on most clients Thailand itineraries. For us as travel advisors, Bangkok has a large number of luxury properties and we wanted to check out a few of the newer ones, along with a few cultural tours of course. Then we hopped to Chiang Mai in the Central Highlands to spend a few days in this beautiful jungle/mountain location.
Here are our Top 5 highlights from the last week.
Top 5 - Bangkok to Chiang Mai
1. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya (above and below)
The Four Seasons Bangkok At Chao Phraya is a recently opened property set in 9 acres of a riverfront urban oasis. That is a very large area for any city property to occupy. It is dedicated to what Four Seasons does best - exceptional service, focus on the small details along with calm and beautiful accommodation.
This property feels a little different to many of Four Seasons hotels because of the scale of the space and if you know Aman resorts it definitely has that feel, not least because the designer has worked on many Aman's before. We were thrilled to enjoy 3 nights here before heading north to Chiang Mai.
2. Chinatown Food Tour with Context Travel (above and below)
I really think a food tour in Bangkok is essential. There is no other city in the world where street food is so prevalent, is constantly utilized by locals, and is so darn good!
Our guide Oi led us on a merry mini feast through the streets of Bangkok's Chinatown. Among the many tastings, the requisite satay, birds nest soup which surprisingly perhaps we all liked, and a few crispy insects just to provide some texture!
3. Wat Phra Kaew (above and below)
We only visited the one temple while in Bangkok, but one I had missed in my multiple prior stays in the city. Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha is stunning and should definitely be on the must-see list.
4. Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai (above and below)
While a step below the luxury hotels of Bangkok we had just expererienced, we deliberately chose this property as it is set 20 minutes outside of Chiang Mai just as you meet the mountains and we'd wanted a quieter stay after the hustle of Bangkok. In this respect the resort was perfect and provided an excellent base for a couple of tours and an exploration of Chaing Mai's old town itself.
5. Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary (above and below)
It's so, so important to do your research on any type of animal experience and make sure you are set for a truly ethical, natural experience. We searched high and low for the best elephant encounter possible without the prospect of riding or seeing any chains or forced behavior, and we found it at Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary. We spent a delightful and fascinating few hours with these wondrous beasts, all of them rescued from either logging, riding camps or even the circus.
There is something special about Thailand. It's more than an incredible destination, it's a full immersive experience that I will continue to want to explore more and more no matter how many times I've already been here. If you're ready for your own incredible travel vacation let us know so we can make it just as memorable as this trip has been for the whole J5Travel team who got to experience it. Click the button below to get started.
I love travel and I love travel planning just as much and I am proud to be building a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
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