Fascinating Thailand tour

Thailand is a country renowned for its food. This morning, you will have the perfect introduction with a guided food tour of Bangkok's street vendors, small shops and markets. You will have the chance to try some of Thailand's famous dishes, experience the different tastes and flavours and learn some words that may help you for the rest of your holiday e.g. not spicy!

Today, you will have a private guided tour of Bangkok, visiting the capital's key attractions, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Po (home to the reclining Buddha). You will use Bangkok's different forms of public transport — the Skytrain, which winds its way through the skyscrapers and shopping malls; the public taxi boat; a long-tail boat and, of course, the infamous Thai tuk-tuk. This fun excursion gives you fantastic insight into the capital and the people who call Bangkok home. Your afternoon will be at leisure to continue exploring Bangkok by yourself. In the evening, you may like to visit one of Bangkok's rooftop bars for sunset.

The countryside around Bangkok is home to a number of fascinating markets. With your guide, you will visit the famous railway market approximately one hour from Bangkok, where vendors sell their produce and goods alongside a working railway line. You will then continue onto the area's most authentic floating market where locals continue to arrive by boat to sell their fresh produce. You will stay overnight in the small town of Amphawa, with its popular canal walkways.

This morning, you will be transferred to the Kui Buri National Park. This is arguably the best place to see Thailand's national animal, the elephant, in the wild. Joining a local ranger you will have a jeep tour in the National Park to spot these magnificent creatures. In the evening you will have dinner with a local farming family to give you a fascinating insight into the conflict between the wild elephants and the local community.

This morning you will enjoy sunrise over the park at one of the ranger stations before going on a guided tour of the local community to gain an insight into the lives of the local families. Alternatively, you could join an early morning trek within the national park for further wildlife-spotting opportunities. After lunch, you will transfer to the town of Kanchanaburi for your stay by the famous River Kwai.

After seeing elephants in the wild you will now have the chance to learn more about these creatures and get up close to them with a day visit to Elephant Haven — a sanctuary for sick, old and rescued elephants. In addition to preparing food for the elephants, you will help to feed them, an experience you are unlikely to forget!

The Kanchanaburi area is renowned for its time during World War II when Allied POWs were used by the Japanese to build the Thailand-Burma Railway. Today you will gain an insight into this history with a private guided tour of the main points of interest: the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai and Hell Fire Pass. The tour includes a scenic boat journey up the River Kwai and a train journey on the infamous Death Railway.

Today, you will be transferred by car and speedboat to the tropical island of Koh Samet to spend your last three nights enjoying the island's sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Day at leisure to relax or enjoy one of the activities on offer in the area. The bays and waters around Koh Samet are renowned for their snorkelling and diving.

Day at leisure to relax by the hotel's infinity pool, take a boat out for some deep-sea fishing, or end your trip in Thailand with a sunset cruise along the picturesque coastline.

This morning, a private speedboat will transfer you back to the mainland, where a car will be waiting to take you to Bangkok Airport for your onward flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.