FAMILY ADVENTURES IN THAILAND

Day 1 Arrive Bangkok

Arrive at Bangkok airport and transfer by private chauffeur to your hotel in the city. In one of the most exciting, fast-moving cities in Asia, Shangri-La offers a peaceful, riverside refuge ideal for families with connecting room options, kids' daily activity programmes and several swimming pools to splash around in.

Overnight: Shangri-La Bangkok

Day 2 Highlights of Bangkok

Enjoy the morning with a private guide exploring Thailand's capital. Visit the reclining Buddha and hear the chanting of monks at the temple of Wat Pho. Explore the Grand Palace, one of the city's most impressive sights. The palace dates back some 200 years and comprises over 100 buildings and temples. The afternoons are at leisure to explore at your own pace or relax by the hotel pool.

Overnight: Shangri-La Bangkok

Day 3 Floating Markets

This morning, visit the Kha Market and Amphawa. It is just an hour south of Bangkok to Samut Songkhram province. First we stop at an amazing country market along the railway tracks then we visit Tha Kha, one of the many floating markets in the area. We take a fascinating paddleboat journey through the klongs and stop to enjoy a glass of coconut sugar syrup with a local family. En-route to our last visit we see a Buddhist temple before arriving at Rama II Park with its Thai style Pavilion Museum. (Tha Kha Market is held every Saturday and Sunday. During the weekdays, the market day is subject to the lunar cycle calendar).

Overnight: Shangri-La Bangkok

Day 4 Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Fly north today to Chiang Mai, Thailand's beautiful mountain city located on the Ping River, surrounded by countryside and filled with local culture, temples and markets. Howie's Homestay is a very special home-from-home where you will have the property entirely to yourselves with a guide on hand to accompany you on any activities you might like to experience. Tonight we suggest a fun tuk-tuk ride into town to see the Night Market and get a sense of your new surroundings.

Overnight: Howie's Homestay

Day 5 Elephant Day Care

Children will adore spending time with Thailand's most sacred animals, the elephants. Patara Elephant Farm in Hang Dong Valley, is a short 50 minute drive from the city of Chiang Mai and has a focus on pregnant elephants and mothers with small babies. Your experience will include feeding and walking with the elephants and learning the basic commands of instruction given by the Mahouts.

Note: There is no riding of the elephants involved in this program.

Overnight: Howie's Homestay

Day 6 Temples and Tuk-Tuks

This morning, in the company of your guide, take the funicular up to the mountain temple of Wat Doi Suthep, from where you have a bird's eye view of the city. Afterwards, explore the ancient city walls, see a monastery and enjoy a local lunch in a riverside restaurant.

This afternoon's challenge is to learn to drive your own tuk-tuk. Parents can drive a tuk-tuk each with the children in the back and after some basic instruction you will soon be an experienced driver along Chiang Mai's rural roads.

Overnight: Howie's Homestay

Day 7 Chiang Mai to Phuket

Fly south this morning to Phuket and your beach resort. Upon arrival, transfer to Angsana Laguna Phuket. Located on the shores of Bang Tao Bayon Phuket Island, Angsana Laguna Phuket is contemporary in style with touches of traditional Thai design, such as the tall elegant roofs and the colourful fabrics of the interior decor.

There is a range of room categories to suit most requirements. For families, we recommend the Laguna Premier Room which sleeps two adults and two children aged under 8 years in a large open plan room with king bed and sofa beds in the living area. The large floor to ceiling window doors open onto a private furnished balcony with lagoon views. Alternatively upgrade to a more specious 2 Bedroom Loft room, a 2 storey room with good sized living room on the ground floor and two bedrooms on the upper storey. The Angsana One-Bedroom Loft is the perfect choice for couples. Delightfully private, these two storey rooms sit over the water and have private jetties and outdoor soaking tub.

Overnight: Angsana Laguna Phuket

Day 8 - 11 Beach Days in Phuket

Enjoy four full days of activity or relaxation at the resor. This is the ideal playground for children with organised activities at The Tree House Kids' Club. The two resident elephants make daily visits and there are plenty ofland and water based activities. Should you wish to venture further, take a boat trip out to the Similan or Phi Phi Islands, or Phang Nga Bay with its famous James Bond Island.

Overnight: Angsana Laguna Phuket

Day 12 Depart

Check out of Angsana Laguna Phuket and transfer to the airport for your flight home.