Epic Thailand

Your adventure begins the moment you touch down in Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant and buzzing capital, where cutting-edge gleaming skyscrapers contrast with ornamental ancient temples and colorful floating markets.

Bangkok is brimming full of places to explore and thrilling experiences. An orientation tour with a local guide is a great way to ease you into the city’s frenetic pace while helping you to tick off some of the most famous landmarks. The eye-catching Grand Palace with its dazzling golden temples and sacred Emerald Buddha, is a definite must visit. As is Wat Pho, home to the iconic 45-meter long reclining Buddha! While in Bangkok, you must also explore the tangled maze of canals, known locally as klongs, that wind through the city and are home to fascinating local life and the photogenic floating markets.  

We all know and love Thai food, but there’s so much more to it than your classic Pad Thai and green curry. Join a guided foodie tour and stroll through the streets of Bangrak, soaking up the fervent atmosphere and learn about the history of the area. Enjoy a selection of food tastings, ranging from the traditional to the rather more unusual, guaranteed to excite your taste buds! 

After three nights in the bustling metropolis that is Bangkok, fly north for a completely different city experience in Chiang Mai. Surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and far more serene than the capital. It’s just a short drive from the airport to your hotel, so within fifteen minutes you’ll be cooling yourself with a lemongrass scented towel while you check in.

Spend the day exploring the myriad of beautiful temples up here, representing a mixture of architectural styles, that reflect the region’s varied heritage. You’ll be back at your hotel in time for lunch, and you can spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You could also arrange a hike up to one of the nearby hill tribes or hone your skills at a cooking class, so that you can impress your friends at the next dinner party.

The following day is pretty relaxed too, until you join your guide in the afternoon for a spiritual discovery of Chiang Mai, starting with a walk around the city’s ancient crumbling walls while the sun illuminates the glittering tops of temples and pagodas. Then escape the urban surroundings as you climb winding stairs through the forest, passing intricate stone carvings towards the hidden jungle temple of Wat Phalad. Reach the top in time to witness a gorgeous sunset over the city below and receive a blessing from the monks who live here, while they begin their magical evening chanting.

From Chiang Mai fly to Phukey, and then a short drive takes you to the Ao Po Marina, before a 45-minute speedboat ride across the glittering sea of Phang Nga Bay, where you’ll find the unashamedly paradisiacal Six Senses Yao Noi. Often referred to as one of Thailand’s most beautiful areas, it's characterized by limestone cliffs and jagged rock formations protruding from the shimmering waters, along with mangrove forests and small islands. The most famous amongst these islands is Koh Tapu, known as James Bond Island after its appearance in the film Man with the Golden Gun.

Located on a tiny island between the iconic limestone formations, the Six Senses Yao Noi is a private boutique resort and firm Scott Dunn favorite. We challenge you not to fall in love with the laidback and tranquil atmosphere, largely geared towards couples. The delightful villas are perched on the cliff edge in order to show off the amazing vistas and each comes with its own pool and butler, guaranteeing you maximum privacy and first-class service. 

When you begin to tire of the views from your sun lounger and fancy giving your friendly barman a break, there are plenty of fun ways to pass the time. Go kayaking or take a boat tour around uninhabited islands and its pristine waters, or dive below the surface to discover a technicolored marine paradise. There are easy walks around the colorful mangroves where you might spot playful monkeys or one of the resident giant monitor lizards, who look intimidating but are completely harmless. Take a bike out to explore some of the island’s secret spots, passing local villages and grazing water buffalo, in search of a remote picnic spot. Learn to cook your favorite Thai dishes with the help of a private chef or give them full control while you enjoy the wine pairing experience. 

At the end of the day it’s your vacation, so if all you want to do is relax, work on your tan and be pampered at the indulgent spa, we won’t judge you!