Meet & Greet: On arrival at Bangkok Airport, you will be welcomed to Thailand by your private English-speaking guide and then transferred to your hotel to check in and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riva Surya (Deluxe Riva Room)

Suggested dinner tonight: If you feel like exploring, this evening we recommend dinner at Renee's Restaurant, which serves a good selection of Italian and Thai dishes in a quiet location. The restaurant is located a short walk from your hotel down a small alley off Chakrabongse Road.

Time at leisure in Bangkok: You have some time at leisure this morning in the Thai capital. You could choose to relax at your hotel, or set off to explore some of the local shops independently.

Long-tail boat trip along the Khlongs to Wat Pho: At around midday, set off from your hotel and board a long-tail boat for the fascinating journey to the old district of Thonburi in the heart of Bangkok to explore a network of canals to see local folk going about their daily lives. Located just across the Chao Praya River from the financial district's towering skyscrapers, these quiet waterways are a magical place that seem a world away from the frenetic pace of the city. Disembark near Wat Pho, the largest temple in Bangkok, where there is an excellent local restaurant for lunch (payable locally). After re-fuelling, head into the temple complex to see the colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings, and lastly the Grand Palace which is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture and has been the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. After your guided tour, you may want to continue to the weekend Chatuchak Market, which is one of the largest markets in the world (note that this is only possible on Saturdays and Sundays).

Suggested dinner tonight: For a cheap, fun-filled, family dinner try Magic Max's Thai Food - located on the same street as your hotel. If you're lucky, the friendly owner will perform some magic tricks to accompany your meal.  

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riva Surya (Deluxe Riva Room)

Meals: Breakfast 

Private transfer: This morning, you will be picked up from the hotel and transfer to Bangkok Airport in time to check in for your Air Asia flight to Luang Prabang in Laos. 

Flight: FD1030 Bangkok - Luang Prabang 14.30 - 16.00

Meet & Greet: On arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, you will be welcomed to Laos by your private English-speaking guide and then transferred to your hotel to check in and relax.

Welcome Dinner: This evening, you will be taken to dinner at Tamarind Restaurant, serving authentic Lao cuisine and some Western dishes located in the old town with river views. A set menu is included this evening, drinks will need to be paid for locally.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Family Suite)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning visit to the Kuangsi Waterfall: After breakfast, set off for the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfalls, located around 30km from the centre of Luang Prabang in an area of lush farmland and forest. Upon arrival, visit the Bear Rescue Centre which does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. Then walk along the forest trails to a series of waterfalls, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools. After some time to rest and relax in this beautiful natural setting, your guide and driver will then serve up an authentic local lunch at a picnic table near the falls.

River cruise to the Botanical Gardens: From the waterfalls, transfer to a small village located on the Mekong, and board a traditional boat for a private cruise on this mighty river. Motor for around one hour upstream to the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, taking in the captivating river landscape as you go. On arrival at Pha Tad Ke, you will be given a short presentation about the gardens, then stroll through the Ginger and Ethno-Botanic Garden, which is the centrepiece. Stop by the Mist House, where you will learn more about the importance of biodiversity and conservation, and finish your visit with an optional orchid talk at the Pha Tad Ke Nursery. Return to your comfortable boat and continue cruising upstream back to Luang Prabang, enjoying sublime views in the golden hour as the sun starts setting.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Family Suite)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day at leisure: Today is free to relax and explore the old town of Luang Prabang at your own pace. Bicycles are available from your hotel, and we recommend heading to Phousi Hill for spectacular views of the peninsula. Alternatively, wander around the many temples, shops and galleries dotted around the old town. 

An evening with the locals: This evening, experience some local Luang Prabang nightlife and challenge your guide to a game of ‘Petanque’ or boules, a very popular sport in Laos. Your guide will also take you for a local style BBQ dinner, and unlimited beer or soft drinks are included all evening. This is a unique opportunity to get to know the locals in their own environment.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Family Suite)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Days at leisure: You have these days at leisure, or select one of the following family-friendly excursions to add to your trip.

Morning Rice Farmer Experience (optional): This morning, transfer by car to the Living Lands Organic Farm where you meet the local farming guide. Today, you are invited to interact and experience each step of the rice harvest and will see how different tools are created. The tour ends with a tasting of the traditional foods made from rice. You will have a new appreciation for rice and admiration for the people of Lao who to this day continue to harvest rice without modern machinery. Please note that this experience will be operated on a shared basis. 

For a 10 year old's first-hand account of the rice farming experience, please read this blog post.

Visit to the MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary (optional): After an early breakfast this morning, you will be met by a specialist guide and transferred to a beautiful elephant oasis just 40 minutes outside of Luang Prabang. On the journey, the guide will give you a brief introduction to himself and the conservation project. On arrival, you will meet with one of the directors of the Elephant sanctuary, who will fill you in on more detail with some fascinating stories about the elephants and their refuge. Learn the challenges they’ve faced and how they are learning to improve the situation one elephant at a time. After being regaled, you will cross the river by boat, where you will be met by 2 adults and a baby Asian elephant! Your guide and the mahouts will help you feed and later bath these majestic creatures in the river. Next, follow the elephants on a 1-hour trek through rice paddies and meandering creeks, during which you will witness the unique bond between the mahouts and their elephants while the guide explains more about the incredible history that Laos has with the elephant. After saying goodbye to your pachyderm friends, you’ll head back to camp, where a tasty lunch of local specialties awaits you. After lunch overlooking the Nam Khan River, it is time for a transfer back to town, arriving in the early afternoon.

For an 8 year old's first-hand account of a day at the MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary, please read this blog post.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Villa Maydou (Family Suite)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Private transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Bangkok.

Flight: QV633 Luang Prabang - Bangkok 07.40 - 09.40

Road and boat transfer: Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will be met by your private guide and driver and transported down to Ban Phe Rayong jetty, a journey of approximately 2 hours, depending on local traffic. Upon arrival, join up with your shared speedboat transfer, taking just 20 minutes to cross the short distance to Koh Samet.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sai Kaew Beach Resort (Family Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure on the beach: You have 4 full days at leisure to relax on the beach at Koh Samet.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Sai Kaew Beach Resort (Family Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Speedboat transfer: After a leisurely morning on the beach, join a shared speedboat this afternoon for the journey back to the mainland.

Private transfer: Back on the mainland, you will be met by your private guide and driver and transferred to the airport for your flight back to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast