Today, arrive at Phuket International airport, complete visa formalities and head out to our waiting representative who will escort you to your hotel. Check in and relax for the remainder of the evening.

Early evening head out to enjoy the ever popular Phuket Fantasea show, a Las Vegas style Thai cultural performance. It uses cutting-edge technology, incredible sets and live animal performances to convey the essence of being Thai. The show is a feast for the senses and you will see Thai culture, magic, acrobatics, performing animals, pyrotechnics, stunts and aerial performances plus 4-D effects. The venue also offers dining opportunities from the al fresco to Asia’s largest buffet spread offering cuisines for many different parts of the world. 

After the evening show drive back to your hotel.

After breakfast this morning proceed to James Bond Island famous for its limestone cliffs rising sheer out of the green waters, white powdery beaches, and its many coral reefs offering great diving and snorkelling options. Explore the magical mangrove forest of Ao Phang Nga National Park by a long-tail boat. Stop at a fishing village on Pan Yee Island to enjoy a tasty lunch before seeing James Bond Island, where the blockbuster movie, The Man with the Golden Gun, was filmed. Continue to Khao Phing Kan to see the stunning limestone karst formations. Experience the area’s beauty by sea canoe, paddling around Talu Island before returning to the pier. To ensure your safety, your expert guide will paddle the canoe for you, as the waters in this area can be rough.

After breakfast explore the islands natural beauty as you are driven along Patong, Karon and Kata. A list of the best things to do in Phuket wouldn't do without mentioning the beaches. With more than 30 to choose from, the island is understandably famous for them. There's a lot of variety available, ranging from little secluded coves to long and lively shores. Next, we stop at the Big Buddha. Visible from most of the southern island, the Big Buddha sits atop the Nakkerd Hills and looks down over Chalong, Kata and Rawai. It cost 30 million baht to construct and is 45 metres tall. Next to it stands a smaller golden image that's actually made of solid brass. The drive up to the Big Buddha takes you through some beautiful jungle roads and the view from the top is enhanced if you take a map to identify the many, many sights.

Wat Chalong is one of Phuket's most important temples and is visited by thousands each year. It's beautifully decorated, with infinite reflections from hundreds of tiny glittering glass pieces on its many pagodas. It has an interesting history and is Phuket Island's spiritual centre. Many locals claim that the temple often experiences many miracles. It's also known for its pivotal and healing role in the fighting between Chinese secret societies (Angyee) in 1876. The grand pagoda dominating Wat Chalong is reputed to contain a splinter of Lord Buddha's bone. Take your time exploring the pagoda, which has intricate wall paintings depicting Buddha's life story and various images. 

Some other interesting stops along the way include the Gems factory where shopping opportunities present themselves. Bargaining is highly recommended. Next visit Baan Teelanka upside down house is the first and only (for now) upside-down house in Thailand. It is 13m high and outstanding research and imagination has gone into making it. Leave all logic behind as you enter the house from its roof, passing through the attic to reach the second floor.

Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. In this historically rich part of town, you'll find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district. Phuket Old Town was built on riches reaped from Phuket's tin boom of last century when the metal was an extremely valuable commodity. In this quarter of the town, you'll see grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, once occupied by Phuket's tin barons. Phuket Old Town is compact enough to stroll around in. There are enough restaurants and cafés to provide you with refreshments all the way. 

Jui Tui Shrine is a traditional Chinese temple that plays a pivotal part in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. One of the island's oldest and the most respected spiritual centres, it’s a must-see for newcomers to Phuket. The Taoist shrine, founded in 1911, was previously located in Soi Romanee in Phuket Old Town. After a fire, it was moved to Soi Phuthorn, Ranong Road, not far from Phuket’s main market. The temple grounds are quite impressive, displaying photos of the temple when it was just a single, standalone construction without side buildings or walls. The left-hand side of Jui Tui Shrine's main building stands an attractive ‘firecracker house’. This tiny red building has a double-tiered roof and 4 slim columns with carvings of dragons around them. It’s where people throw burning firecrackers, which helps reduce noise and air pollution. Jui Tui Shrine is also popular for those who want to know about their fortune. At the prayer hall, hold and shake a bamboo cup containing fortune sticks. Each stick has a designated number. Stop when 1 stick has dropped to the ground (repeat if more than 1 stick falls out). You can then fetch a fortune paper that matches the number, which is available at a nearby red cabinet. Note that the papers are written in Thai and Chinese, but you should be able to find a monk who can help tell you your fortune.

Another interesting Chinese shrine is The Shrine of the Serene Light which was, at one point, among the finest secret sites of Phuket Town. Formerly only accessible through a non-descript alley, the entrance has now been widened and made significantly grander, making it now one of the most popular shrines in Phuket. Founded in 1891 by the Hokkien Chinese descendants of the Tan Luan Jae family, the Shrine of the Serene Light – also known as Sang Tham Shrine, with a number of other name variations depending on the language and dialect – is modest in size, but extravagant in appearance. It clearly shows its heritage in its distinctive architectural design, with features common in Hokkien Chinese shrines such as the terracotta-tiled roof and single-storey construction.

After the days touring the evening is free for you to explore the local market. Phuket is a shopaholic's paradise! The island has a great variety of shopping, from bustling open-air village food markets, noisy night markets, street stalls and local shops to western-style department stores and upmarket specialist shops. Prices naturally vary, going from amazing bargains to credit card-melting designer labels. Located downtown, diagonally opposite Bangla Road, the Jungceylon Shopping Complex has radically changed the face of shopping in Patong and is one of the major shopping attractions in Phuket. 

After breakfast check out and head to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival be met by a guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Pattaya. The drive to Pattaya is a scenic one hour and exposes you to the rural and urban secrets of the Country. Post check in relax and remainder of the day is free to explore the city on your own.

The one thing every tourist visiting Pattaya should do is walk the walk at the Walking street. When it comes to the sights and the sounds that you experience in Walking Street you will be amazed, no other street in Thailand even comes close. Walking Street is 500m long and as the name suggests there are no vehicles allowed in the street after 6pm. The street as well as many side streets are full of bars, nightclubs, go-go bars, restaurants and beer bars. During the day the road is almost deserted but when darkness falls the neon lights, loud music and an army of tourists hit the streets.

Interested to catch a show head over to Tiffany’s. Taking place each evening, Tiffany’s Cabaret has been entertaining guests for over thirty years. The performance usually lasts for an hour and the show is non-stop excitement from start to finish, the entertainers perform scenes that represent every part of the world, including Indian, Korean Thai and many more. The ladyboys are all dressed in exquisite costumers and perform with such finesse that it is hard to spot that they are not real ladies. The raunchiness of the show has been toned down for what you might expect to get in Pattaya ensuring that the show is also suitable for children.

Today you have three options to choose from. Another island visits or a visit to the world famous tropical paradise or an insight into the local life.

Today enjoy a half day excursion to the Coral Island by speed Boat. Coral Island, known locally as Koh Hae or Ko He, is a beautiful getaway destination around 3 km southeast of Phuket. The island has 2 main beaches: Long Beach and Banana Beach. Snorkelling off Banana Beach is a thrilling experience. If you go out far enough from Long Beach, you'll also have a lot to discover at its impressive coral reef. Both beaches have a lot of water sports activities, including banana boats, canoes, and snorkelling. There's a speedboat on Long Beach that can take you out for a brief parasail outing.

If you are interested in flowers, trees and landscaped gardens Noong Nooch is a great place to spend a peaceful morning. The garden covers a space of 2.4 Square kilometers and have some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. The gardens have won many awards for their designs and will continue to do so because of the excellent condition the garden is kept in. It is not just flowers and trees though, there are also over 670 species of orchid and even an elephant talent show.

There are various floating markets In Thailand but this one in Pattaya has something different about it. The actual name of the market is the ‘Four Regions Floating Market’ the reason for this is that the market is split into the four regions of Thailand, The north, northeast, south and central. Each section of the market sells products that represent that part of the country. Not all of the stalls are floating, some are in boats which move around the canals and some are stilted properties that stand at the sides on the banks. To experience the best of the market you should hire a small boat and discover all that is on offer.

Once back from either of the above options continue exploring some more. Proceed to Art at Art in Paradise an amusing take on an art gallery where contemporary meets modern technique to result in an impressive illusion. Established in year 2012 by Shin Jae Yeoul across an area of 5800 sq. meters, Art in Paradise is a museum that displays the art work in three-dimensional spectra. The place is quite popular among both kids and adults, it is an interactive museum with great surprises. One can touch the paintings and get their pictures clicked in different poses by being a part of these 3-D illusions. Built with an investment of THB 50 million, the museum is divided into several rooms presenting different themes such as underwater world, dinosaur world, water fall, Egypt and many more. There are about 100 individual art works creating optic illusion.

 

Interested to see some more temples? Head to Wat Phra Khao Yai also known as Big Buddha Hill. It is referred thus as it is the biggest Buddha in the region standing tall at 18 meters l and sits about 100 meters above sea level. When you get to the top of the hill and stand next to the Buddha you can see Pattaya beneath you and Jomtien Beach if you look outwards. 

For insight into history head to Anek Kusala Sala. Originally built to build friendships between the Chinese and the Thai’s Khao Chi Chan is a museum showing over 300 pieces of Chinese artwork, most of the pieces are brass and bronze statues of historical figures from various deities including Buddhist and Taoist. Split over the two floors the second floor has some much larger statues, the most noticeable being the Shaolin monks that have been created to depict various martial art poses. You can see statues of dress makers, fortune tellers and liquor sellers which tourists often place one baht coins on.

Rising 105 meters into the sky and made from teak wood which has been carved in the most intricate wat The Sanctuary of Truth is a beautiful sight to behold. This is not a Buddhist temple as you may expect, it was designed by a business owner as a place to go and reflect on oneself. Every part of the building both inside and out has incredibly detailed carvings that need to be seen to be believed, the building itself is still a work in progress which some say will never be finished. There are so many beautiful buildings across Thailand but this one has to come near the very top of the list.

After the days hectic touring the evening is yours to let your hair down and jump right back in the party scene. Dance away the night into the wee hours of the morning which is when you head back to your hotel, rest a bit and get ready for another adventure waiting for you.

Today after breakfast head to Bangkok the capital city. An interesting stop en-route for those interested is the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. It covers an area of about 2,000 acres and contains more than 8,000 animals from more than 300 species. The Open Zoo is located inside the Khao Kheow-Khao Chom Puo Wildlife Sanctuary which offers a magnificent natural backdrop of beautiful rain forest covered hills. You can choose to walk around, drive your own car round, hire one of the electric cars or use the free open bus service. Also enjoy the Flight of the Gibbon, nearly 2 miles of zip line ride through the tree canopies.

Arrive at Bangkok later and check-in to your hotel. You have the rest of the day at leisure to explore and enjoy Bangkok city on your own. 

Today, after breakfast Explore Safari World, a drive-in zoological park divided into two parts. The first part is Safari Park, an open zoo with wild animals. The second part is the Marine Park where there are a variety of marine animals and shows of trained dolphins, birds, seals and apes.

At Safari Park, stretching 5 KM and lasting 45 minutes, a drive through the scenic Safari Park presents a unique opportunity for the closest encounter possible with rare and endangered species of the animal kingdom. Explore Nature’s numerous wonders in their original splendour and respond the call of the wild, while remaining in the comfort of your private car. Witness the truly breath-taking Tiger & Lion Feeding Show the only one of its kind anywhere in the world.

Explore Marine Park where there are a variety of marine animals and shows of trained dolphins, birds, seals and apes. Orang Utan Boxing Show where man’s closest cousins take centre stage as they tickle you with their keen sense of humour and dazzle you with their mathematical gifts. And who could miss world-famous Thai Boxing Show, starring the funniest and hairiest champions.

Other shows at the park include the Sea Lion Show, Dolphin Show and the Bird Show.

After the day excursion remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy a quiet dinner or dance away at the many night clubs. For a cultural experience with dinner head to the Siam Niramit Cultural Show or for some nostalgia stop over at the Saxophone pub for Jazz. The night market scene is vibrant in Bangkok and a definite stop on any itinerary. Rot Fai is definitely one of the more unique and exciting of them since this colorful, outdoor market is brimming over with fantastic music, delicious food, and a multitude of vendors who sell an eclectic variety of vintage wares. Remember to head there by Tuk for a more authentic feel. 

For a culinary high enjoy dinner and a show in Bangkok’s Silom Village. First, you’ll be treated to a traditional Thai seafood dinner. Next, a mystical live performance will unfold in front of your very eyes. Featuring bejewelled dancers and classic Thai music, it’s the best way to experience an authentic Thai evening.  Each show tells a story from Thai literature or folklore.

Start your day with a city tour today. First stop is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. The Grand Palace more than lives up to its name. The white exterior walls keep the priceless relics hidden from the public, but upon paying the entrance fee, visitors are treated to views of towering spires and stunning temples across the grounds. A second must-see inside the palace walls is Wat Phra Kaew, otherwise known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Inside, a smallish emerald and gold-laden Buddha dons a cloak that the king changes with the passing of each season. Nothing can quite prepare you for the jaw-dropping size of the Reclining Buddha, so try to act natural upon entry. Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, surrounds the 46-metre-long (151-foot-long), 15-metre-high (49-foot-high) statue that stares up at the ceiling in a gaze of enlightenment. Though the statue is the focal point of the temple grounds, visitors will also find colourful murals illustrating over 400 images of the Buddha, in addition to a traditional Thai massage school.

Recently renovated and reopened to the public at the end of 2017, Wat Arun, or the Temple of the Dawn, is a majestic white temple that sits on the western banks of the Chao Phraya River in the old capital of Thonburi. The temple is home to five towering prangs (towers), which are visible from the river and covered with vibrant porcelain and colourful ceramic tiles, many of which look like pieces of foliage.  Just a short walk from Yaowarat Road on the southeast end of Chinatown is Wat Traimit, one of the most noteworthy temples in the capital. The stunning building, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, is home to a 5.5-tonne Sukhothai-style Buddha statue made entirely of gold and dates to the 14th century. Wat Suthat is perhaps best known for the giant red swing that sits just outside its entrance. The 21-metre-tall (69-foot-tall) swing is made of teak wood and was brought to Bangkok from the province of Phrae. It was used during an old Brahman festival in which men flung themselves using the two side poles in hopes of reaching a bag of gold that hung at the top. The 19th-century temple is one of the oldest in the city.

Next stop is The Jim Thompson House Museum comprises six traditional Thai teak homes that once belonged to American entrepreneur Jim Thompson, who is credited with making Thai silk famous around the world. The museum showcases Thompson’s relics and unique art pieces that he collected from different parts of Thailand, and of course, Thai silk abounds. One of the most intriguing aspects of Thompson’s life is that he went missing in Malaysia back in 1967, never to be found again. Part of the museum explores the various theories about this unsolved mystery. Lovers of Thai art and culture can spend hours gawking at the treasures inside the Bangkok National Museum. Home to one of the most enticing Asian art collections, the museum also features Neolithic artefacts, religious works and regional crafts. A guided tour of the collections includes learning about court traditions and the religious history of the region that continues to influence artistic expression to this day.

After the tour remainder of the evening is yours.