Thailand works particularly well for a family trip because it gives you so much variety without ever feeling as though you are constantly packing up and moving on.
This journey runs for eighteen days, beginning in Bangkok and gradually making its way south through rainforest, coast and islands before finishing in Phuket. Along the way there are six different places to sleep, including one night on the sleeper train to Surat Thani, which might be one of the most memorable parts of the whole trip.
Bangkok is the first stop, with a stay at AWAY Bangkok Sukhumvit. It gives the family a comfortable base close to the city’s restaurants, markets and cultural sights, so the first few days can be spent getting a feel for Bangkok before the journey continues south.
From there, the overnight train changes the pace completely. Rather than simply flying between destinations, this part of the route becomes part of the experience itself, with everyone settling into their berths for the night and waking up much further south the following morning.
The next chapter is Khao Sok, where the scenery shifts from city streets to rainforest. Khao Sok Paradise Resort is home for this part of the trip, with treetop rooms and easy access to some of the area’s best experiences, including time on the Sok River, a night safari and a day exploring Cheow Lan Lake.
After the rainforest, the journey moves towards the coast and into Krabi.
Ananta Burin Resort is a family-friendly base with its own water park and slides, which gives the children something fun to come back to after a day out. From here there is a private Four Islands cruise as well as time on Koh Klang, offering a lovely balance between beach days and seeing a little more of local life.
Khao Lak follows, with a stay at Eden Beach Resort. The garden rooms are surrounded by greenery and the location works beautifully for days out to the Similan Islands, a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre and an elephant experience with a focus on welfare.
The final stop is Phuket, where Orchidacea Resort sits close to Kata Beach and offers an easy place to slow the pace before heading home.
There is still plenty to do if you want it, including Phuket Old Town and Phang Nga Bay, where the day begins with sea canoeing through the caves before finishing after dark, when the water can light up with glowing plankton.
What makes this route work so well is the balance.
There is city time, wildlife, rainforest, beach, islands and a little adventure along the way, but there is still enough breathing space between each stop for the trip to feel like a holiday rather than a checklist.
International flights are added at the end to complete the final itinerary.
For families, that balance is often the most important part.
If Thailand is somewhere you have been thinking about, come and see us at No.82 and tell us a little about your family, the ages of the children and how you like to travel.
From there, the route starts to take shape.
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hello@agentnouveau.com