10 Days Beach & Culture Mix: The Best of Both Worlds

Arrive at 8:30 AM opening. Home of the Emerald Buddha. Cover shoulders and knees.

The 46-meter gold Reclining Buddha is breathtaking. Home of traditional Thai massage - get one here!

Cross-river ferry (4 baht). Climb the steep Khmer-style prang.

The legendary backpacker street. Pad thai carts, fruit shakes, and vibrant atmosphere.

Over 15,000 stalls. Sat-Sun only full market. Or Tor Kor Market next door is open daily with premium Thai foods.

Traditional Thai teak house along a canal. English guided tours every 20 minutes.

MBK for bargains, Siam Paragon for luxury, Terminal 21 for the themed experience and cheap food court.

Bangkok's best street food after dark. Grilled seafood, dim sum, T&K Seafood, and mango sticky rice.

From Hua Lamphong station. Third class is just 15 baht and runs frequently.

The iconic Buddha head entwined in banyan tree roots. Squat down for photos to be lower than the Buddha head.

Three iconic bell-shaped chedis - the symbol of Ayutthaya and its former royal temple.

Most photogenic temple in Ayutthaya. Khmer-style architecture on the river. Especially beautiful at sunset.

Rent a bike near the train station (50 baht/day). The park is flat and spread out - perfect for cycling. Buy a combo ticket (220 baht) for 6 temples.

Half-day class including market visit. Learn pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice.

Multiple daily flights. AirAsia and Thai Lion for budget. Bangkok Airways for comfort.

Arrive and head to the beach for your first Andaman sunset. Kata, Karon, or Patong.

Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island. Includes snorkeling and lunch.

Equipment provided. Keep eyes open for sea turtles, tropical fish, and colorful coral.

The beach from The Beach movie, restored and beautiful. Early tours avoid crowds.

45-meter marble Buddha with panoramic views. Cover shoulders and knees.

Sino-Portuguese architecture, street art, local cafes. Soi Romanee is Instagram-famous.

Phuket's most important temple. The Grand Pagoda offers views over the south.

Long, wide beach quieter than Patong. Perfect for an afternoon swim.

Las Vegas-style cultural show with elephants, acrobatics, and Thai heritage. Great for families.

One last swim in Phuket before heading to Krabi.

Minivan or ferry. Scenic drive through rubber plantations and limestone mountains.

Walk the promenade, browse shops, and watch the longtail boats come and go.

One of the world's most stunning beaches, hemmed in by limestone cliffs. Only accessible by boat.

Walk from Railay West. The cave shrine and turquoise water make this otherworldly.

World-class climbing or paddle through sea caves to hidden lagoons.

Steep jungle trail to a lagoon and breathtaking viewpoint. Wear proper shoes!

Visit Koh Tup, Koh Mor (sandbar at low tide), Koh Poda, and Phra Nang Cave Beach.

Check tide times! The sandbar connecting islands only appears at low tide.

Pristine coral and clear water. One of the best snorkeling spots in Krabi province.

1,237 steps to the top. Start at 7 AM to avoid heat. Golden Buddha and breathtaking views at the summit.

Swim in crystal clear emerald waters in the rainforest. The Blue Pool is a short walk further.

Relax in natural jungle hot springs (40-42 degrees). The perfect farewell to Thailand.

Watch the sun dip behind the islands one last time from Ao Nang's beachfront.