DAY 1: ITALY – Bangkok
Departure from Italy to Bangkok airport. Meals and overnight on board.
DAY 2: BANGKOK
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. In the early afternoon, departure from the hotel using public boats along the Chao Phraya River. Continue to Tha Chang pier to visit the nearby Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Continue with a visit to Wat Pho. The day ends with a visit to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. Return to the hotel by public boat. Dinner at leisure.
Meals: overnight only
DAY 3: BANGKOK – DAMNERN SADUAK – BANGKOK
After breakfast, departure to visit the famous Damnoen Saduak, the most well-known floating market in Thailand, about one hour from Bangkok. Along the way, stop at Mae Klong Market, also known as the “railway market,” unique of its kind. Return to Bangkok and lunch; in the afternoon, visit the lively Chinatown district, one of the oldest areas of the city, where you can explore narrow alleys crowded with vendors, traditional shops, herbal pharmacies, restaurants, and local stores. Return to the hotel by public boat. Dinner at leisure.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
DAY 4: BANGKOK – Ayutthaya – Phitsanulok – Sukhothai
Departure from Bangkok to reach the Ayutthaya Historical Park, one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, and visit its main temples: Wat Mahathat, Wat Na Phra Meru, and Wat Lokayasutharam. Continue north to Phitsanulok for a short visit to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, which houses one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. Arrival in Sukhothai in the late afternoon.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
DAY 5: SUKHOTHAI – Chiang Mai
Early morning departure to visit the nearby Historical Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the temples of Wat Srisawai, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Sra Sri. After about two hours of travel, arrival at the “Chalieng” temple complex, one of the most famous pre-Angkorian sites in Thailand. Lunch at a local restaurant. Departure to visit a village inhabited by the Karen ethnic group, originally from Central Asia. Continue to Chiang Mai with a stop at the local Kad Baan Ta Doi Kaew market, a well-known food market featuring products cultivated or gathered by locals. Arrival at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
DAY 6: CHIANG MAI
Departure from the hotel to visit Wat Suandok, an important temple in the center of Chiang Mai. Continue to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the “Golden Pagoda,” which houses a highly revered Buddha relic. From its 1,300 meters above sea level, enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Chiang Mai. Lunch at a restaurant located in an orchid plantation, followed by a visit to the plantation. Continue with a visit to a Padong village, home to the so-called “long-neck women,” then visit Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. At the end, visit local handicraft factories with free time for shopping. Return to the hotel.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
DAY 7: CHIANG MAI – Chiang Rai – CHIANG MAI
Departure from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple). Continue to Chiang Saen to visit the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the interesting Opium Museum, followed by a visit to the White Temple, a dreamlike and imaginative example of modern religious architecture. Return to Chiang Mai.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
DAY 8: CHIANG MAI – ITALY
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Departure for Italy. End of services.