Description

An exclusive two-day excursion to immerse ourselves in the history and art of Thailand by visiting two authentic gems: the magnificent city of Bangkok, with its Buddhist temples and majestic colourful palaces, and historic Ayutthaya where we have the chance to get to know the fascinating history of the ancient kingdom of Siam through its capital’s amazing ruins and temples.

What we will see

DAY 1

Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Emerald Buddha Temple
Grand Palace
Restaurant lunch
River cruise
Siam Niramit theatre: dinner and traditional performance
Shopping in a local market

DAY 2

Ayutthaya Historical Park: ruins of the old city
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
Wihan Phra Mongkon Bophit
Wat Yai Chai Mongkon
Buffet Thai lunch

What we will do

DAY 1 - BANGKOK

Once in Bangkok, our excursion to discover the city starts with a visit to two of its most famous temples. The first is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha , home to the third largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand.
We then move on to the Emerald Buddha Temple, home to the most ancient Buddha statue, whose clothing is changed three times a year in conjunction with the Thai seasons during a solemn ceremony performed by the Monarch himself.
Inside the 1,900 metres of walls that surround the complex, we can also observe the Grand Palace, commissioned in 1782 when King Rama I decided to move the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok.
We start feeling peckish so a local restaurant welcomes us for a delicious lunch with international and Thai dishes.
We then move towards the nearby jetty, from where we set sail on a thrilling trip along the Chao Phraya river - a fascinating cruise that enables us to admire city life on both banks.
Once back on dry land, we have some free time to shop in a famous store.
We then head towards the Siam Niramit theatre where, while waiting for the evening show, we enjoy a delightful buffet dinner with international dishes.
A unique experience awaits us after dinner: a majestic show illustrating the history and traditions of Thailand filled with colours, surprising set designs, singing and dancing.
After the show, we go for a stroll through an evocative night-time market to immerse ourselves in the authentic local atmosphere and to do a bit of shopping.
We then reach one of the main hotels overlooking the river where we can rest.

DAY 2 - AYUTTHAYA

We move on to Ayutthaya, where our first stop is the fascinating ruins of the old city forming the so-called Ayutthaya Historical Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While exploring the area, we make out its original urban layout made up of moats, palaces and majestic temples decorated with rows of enigmatic stone Buddha statues. The wealth of pagodas and dwellings and the large number of navigable canals led to it being known as “Venice of the East”.
We then visit the enchanting and important complex of the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, also known as the Summer Palace, built in 1632 and famous for its diverse examples of Thai, European and Chinese architecture.
The palace is made up of five imposing buildings whose shapes and decorations take us on a trip around the world from Asia to Europe providing a glimpse into the royal family’s everyday life. A lookout located on an islet gives us the chance to admire breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
We visit the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the most important temple in the ancient complex of the Grand Royal Palace which used to have the same function as Bangkok’s Emerald Buddha Temple.
Our excursion continues with the Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, where one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world is located together will smaller statues found in the same area.
Finally, we visit the Wat Yai Chai Mongkon, a majestic meditation pagoda built in 1357 by King U Thong and whose remains can be seen from afar.
We end our excursion with abuffet lunch of Thai specialities in a local restaurant before heading back to the port.

What you need to know

We recommend that you book early because only a limited number of places are available.
It is not permitted to use cameras during the show. They must be left at the entrance.
The coach journey to Bangkok lasts about 2 hours.
Footwear must be removed and socks must be worn to enter the temples.
Comfortable shoes and clothing that is appropriate for the places of worship to be visited is recommended.