Culinary Thailand and Vietnam

Day One: Arrival & Evening Food Discovery
Touch down in Bangkok where our airport concierge whisks you through immigration with effortless efficiency. After settling into your riverside suite at Capella Bangkok, the real adventure begins. As evening falls, hop aboard traditional tuk-tuks for a guided culinary crawl through the city's most authentic dining districts. Your local food expert shares stories behind each dish whilst you sample everything from fiery street curries to delicate coconut desserts. It's Bangkok through the eyes of those who know it best.

Day Two: Markets, Temples & Royal Flavours
Begin at dawn in Pak Klong Talad flower market, where jasmine-scented air mingles with morning energy. Learn to craft traditional lotus offerings before exploring Wat Pho's magnificent reclining Buddha. The afternoon unfolds at the Grand Palace's golden spires, followed by a longtail boat journey through Thonburi's stilted villages. Your day concludes with lunch at Michelin Plate restaurant Phraya Palazzo, where royal Thai cuisine meets contemporary flair. Each moment connects you deeper to Thailand's cultural heart.

Day Three:Bangkok Street Food Secrets & Luxury River Dining
Join one of Thailand's most celebrated food vloggers for an insider's tour through Bangkok's hidden culinary corners. Forget tourist trails - this is about discovering neighbourhood gems where locals actually eat. Your guide knows every hawker stall worth trying, every family recipe passed down through generations. Evening transforms the experience entirely aboard the elegant Pruek Cruise, where a Michelin-starred chef creates bespoke dishes as you glide past illuminated temples. Two sides of Bangkok's food story, perfectly balanced.

Day Four: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Northern Capital Introduction
Fly north to Chiang Mai, ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom and birthplace of Thailand's most distinctive dishes. Once settled at the colonial charm of 137 Pillars House, venture into the night markets where skilled cooks prepare regional specialities before your eyes. This is where lemongrass and galangal first perfected their aromatic dance, where the legendary Khao Soi curry originated in royal courts. Every bite tells the story of northern Thailand's unique culinary heritage.

Day Five: Temples, Markets & Cooking Mastery
Start early at Warorot Market, crafting flower garlands and offering alms to monks during their morning rounds. Ascend winding mountain roads to golden Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, then discover hidden Wat Pha Lat nestled in jungle tranquillity. The afternoon shifts focus to Grandma's Cooking School, where you'll harvest ingredients from organic gardens before mastering classics like Tom Yam and Green Curry. It's hands-on learning in the most authentic setting imaginable, creating dishes your family will treasure.

Day Six: Chiang Mai, Ancient Paths & Modern Flavours
Follow the historic Monk's Trail through forest paths marked by orange robes tied to ancient trees. This walking meditation leads to peaceful Wat Pha Lat before ascending to Doi Suthep's panoramic views. Evening brings a completely different perspective as Thailand's World Food Travel Association ambassador guides you through Chiang Mai's evolving food scene. From traditional Lanna curries to French-influenced bistros, discover how local ingredients inspire global cuisine whilst maintaining their distinctly northern Thai soul.

Day Seven: Chiang Mai Highland Retreat & Farm-to-Table Excellence
Spend your morning at leisure before afternoon transport to highland farmlands surrounding Chiang Mai. A scenic countryside picnic awaits as sunset paints northern Thailand's mountains in brilliant colours. Terra Restaurant embodies the evening's farm-to-table philosophy, where "soil" isn't just the name but the guiding principle. Every ingredient reflects local terroir, seasonal rhythms, and partnerships with neighbouring farmers. It's dining that connects you directly to the land beneath your feet.

Day Eight - Chiang Mai to Hanoi

Cross borders into Vietnam with seamless airport assistance ensuring smooth transitions between countries. Hanoi welcomes you with its distinctive blend of French colonial elegance and ancient Vietnamese traditions. Settle into the legendary Sofitel Legend Metropole, where Graham Greene once penned his novels and history whispers through elegant corridors. The afternoon remains yours to explore this captivating capital or simply absorb the hotel's storied atmosphere before tomorrow's deeper cultural immersion begins.

Day Nine - Hanoi Old Quarter Secrets & Culinary Heritage
Navigate narrow Old Quarter streets by traditional cyclo, discovering hidden pagodas and historical gems tucked down single passageways. Board vintage Vespa scooters like locals, weaving through boulevards to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before lunch at A Ban Mountain Dew, where ethnic Vietnamese cuisine celebrates northern mountain tribes. Evening unfolds on foot through the legendary '36 Streets', sampling iconic dishes in family-run establishments. From pho's aromatic depths to unique egg coffee's creamy richness, taste Vietnam's culinary soul.

Day Ten - Hanoi Lake Life & Home Cooking
Begin with private Tai Chi at serene Van Nien Pagoda overlooking West Lake, followed by cycling through well-heeled neighbourhoods far from tourist paths. Market stalls surrounding Phu Tay Ho temple offer fresh banh tom and local snacks before your cooking class at intimate Thom Culinary. Evening brings extraordinary access to celebrated Chef Vu Thi Ngoc Ai's home, where this MasterChef finalist shares five courses representing authentic family cooking traditions alongside personal stories about Vietnamese food culture.

Day Eleven - Hanoi Departure
Your final morning remains unhurried, allowing time to savour breakfast and reflect on flavours discovered throughout your journey. Our airport representative ensures departure runs smoothly, handling check-in procedures and escorting you through priority immigration. As you board your onward flight, carry with you not just photographs and souvenirs, but deeper understanding of two extraordinary food cultures and the families who preserve their traditions for future generations to discover.