Suggested Itineraries

Thailand has something for everyone; it's a great place to explore, learn, or connect with a decidedly rewarding local culture. In this laid-back country, though, planned itineraries do well to give way to spontaneity. Most trips begin in Bangkok -- the country's capital and commercial center -- and travelers' itineraries tend to include some beach time mixed in with a bit of history and adventure.

Whatever you do, plan your trip around a passion. Like Thai food. Start at the Blue Elephant cooking school in Bangkok, or try the rural-based Chiang Mai Kitchen Cooking School in the north, to learn how to prepare food the Thai way. Or simply discover local specialties by exploring the country's markets and many upmarket Thai restaurants.

Interested in massage? Upscale Chiva-Som Academy in Bangkok teaches the art of this fascinating ancient tradition. If adventure is more your thing, head to Chiang Mai for some hot-air ballooning, or visit Khao Yai National Park north of Bangkok or Khao Sok in the south.

Curious about Thailand's long history and architecture? Bangkok's many temples and museums will enchant. Want to get enlightened or learn about Buddhism? Consider taking a meditation course; the "Buddhist Way" is not as easy as you may think. Try the House of Dhamma in Bangkok, Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong in Chiang Mai, Wat Suan Mokkh in Surat Thani, or Wat Khao Tham on beautiful Koh Pha Ngan. These are just a few of the many special activities possible in Thailand. Find what suits you and go for it.

When flying directly to Thailand from the U.S. or Europe, be aware of jetlag; it takes some time to adjust to the abrupt climate and culinary changes. It is best to go easy at the start. Arrival in frenetic Bangkok, with its intense traffic, heat, and humidity, can be a bit overwhelming -- it all takes some time to get used to, and if you're doing a 1-week tour, you might just be settling in and enjoying things by the time you leave. So do yourself a favor and factor in some rest days at the beginning and end of your trip.

Multiple-week stays allow for more opportunities to both explore the great beyond by bus and train as well as a chance to lie on a white sandy beach somewhere along the way. With shorter itineraries, you might want to limit yourself to Bangkok, a short plane ride to rural northern reaches near Chiang Mai, and then a flight to one of the beaches in the south. Be sure to factor in a few days for shopping in Bangkok or Chiang Mai at the end of your trip.

Weather plays an important part in planning, too. The winter months -- November to March -- are the best time to go, but this period spans the high season (Dec to Feb), which pushes up prices and makes bookings difficult. Winter in the north, around Chiang Mai, is cooler, while summer months bring heavy rain and floods. The best time to visit Phuket and areas on the western coast is from November to April. For Koh Samui and other beach destinations on the eastern coast, the optimal time to visit is from February to October (the result of opposing monsoonal systems).

You also might want to plan your trip around a Thai holiday, such as Songkran, the Thai New Year. The celebration ranges from 2 days to a week, depending on the region, but always starts from April 13. Loy Krathong, celebrated in early November, is another magical holiday throughout Thailand (though the best celebrations are in the north at Sukhothai or Chiang Mai); during this holiday, small bamboo floats or paper lanterns are released to absolve the previous year's sins.

Thailand is also a great base for exploring the rest of Southeast Asia. With the emergence of budget airlines, Bangkok's many connections make it a hub for trips to hot destinations such as Hanoi in Vietnam, Yangon in Myanmar (Burma), sleepy Luang Prabang in Laos, and the temples around Angkor Wat in Cambodia.