The four-day Unseen Bangkok City Break showcases the Thai capital from a variety of perspectives. The first day is free for guests to spend at their leisure. The second day explores different corners of the Old Bangkok, with activities such as observing monks’ chanting rituals at Wat Po, a tour of Wat Po and Grand Palace, and a longtail boat ride along hidden canals to a canal-side market. On the third day, guests are offered several touring options to discover Bangkok in greater depth. They can join a culinary excursion to discover street food, fresh markets and traditional cafes or opt for a more active cycling journey through Chinatown and its nearby neighborhoods. For those interested in Thailand’s rich past, they can join a walking tour through Bangkok’s historical areas with a visit to the Museum of Siam. Click here to view the program details.

Specially designed for families, the four-day Chiang Mai Family Adventure offers a mix of soft adventure and culture discovery. On the first day, guests will enjoy an orientation tour of the Chiang Mai town on a trishaw. They will then drive up the mountain by songtaew to Chang Khien Coffee Research Project and White Hmong village before taking part in a private blessing ceremony at Wat Prathat Doi Suthep temple at dusk. The second day will be spent in the great outdoors with activities such as a countryside cycling excursion, elephant trekking, jungle picnic lunch, rubber raft paddling down Mae Taeng River and tea with an Akha hill tribe family. The third day is spent in a homestay at Mae Kampong village in the mountains, where guests can enjoy guided treks and meals with their host family. There is time this afternoon for an optional activity – Flight of the Gibbon – a fun zip-line adventure over tree tops. On the final day, guests can tour the village to view handicrafts making before returning to Chiang Mai with an en-route stop at Sankampaeng Hot Springs. Click here to view the program details.

Our two-day Community Connection is ideal for those who wish to experience a community-based vacation in southern Thailand. A two-hour drive from Phuket to Khao Lak leads to Ban Talae Nok homestay, a village affected by the tsunami a few years ago. After meeting the host family, guests enjoy a local lunch before exploring the area’s mangrove forests by boat with a local guide. There will be some free time for relaxation or a game of football with the village kids before dinner with the family. The second morning, guests join the soap making workshop with Tsunami Soap Co-operative to make local handicrafts. Enjoy a traditional Thai lunch with the host family before driving back to Phuket. Click here to view the program details.

Vietnam Airlines has increased the number of flights on several international routes. The airline added an extra flight per week to Paris and Frankfurt and launched direct flights to Copenhagen for Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi. For Asian routes, the flight frequency from HCMC to Bangkok has doubled to a total of 14 flights per week. From this November, AirAsia is introducing direct daily flights from Phuket to HCMC.

This four day kayaking and camping adventure is an easy, yet exhilarating, way to experience Phang Nga Bay and makes a great family excursion. Setting off from Phuket, two days are spent on the water kayaking along turquoise water and through limestone caves with a guide and an unforgettable night is spent camping on a secluded island

The program is timed to avoid the tourist crowds and includes memorable touches such as an evening paddling journey, kratong launch and barbeque picnics. View the full itinerary here.

Scheduled for opening in July, Paresa Resort will join Exotissimo’s list of preferred hotels along Phuket’s quiet Kamala Beach. The luxurious beachside resort has 49 suites, villas and residences and many on-site facilities including a spa, cooking school, infinity pools and three restaurants.

Khao Yai Escape is ideal for those looking for a unique getaway from Bangkok. Guests not only get to discover the flora and fauna in Thailand’s oldest national park, but they also meet a local medicine man, explore an authentic one-hundred year old market and enjoy a wine tasting session at a vineyard along the way. The park is a 3-hour drive from the capital making this program a great add-on to a Thailand holiday. View the itinerary here.

For those who wish to discover the north, a self-drive trip is a good way to view the lush mountains and countryside scenery. In the 7-day Self-Drive Package of Northern Thailand, Exotissimo will make all necessary arrangements, including accommodation, car rental and provide a road map with suggested routes and activities. Click here to view the program.

Bangkok to Isaan is an 11-day journey that offers great cultural insight into Thailand’s northeastern, the most traditional region in the country. The program attractions include ancient Angkorian temples, pre-historic heritage sites, local cottage industries and rural villages that still practice the old ways of life. The itinerary can be viewed here.

Newly opened on the southern tip of Koh Yao Noi is Nature Lodge, a luxury safari-tented eco-lodge set amid 7 acres of greenery. The property consists of 11 deluxe villas and 4 family villas, which are all built according to traditional Thai architectural styles with ample use of local materials. Each unit faces the sea and has its own private garden. Resort facilities include an infinity-edged pool, a spa, a restaurant and an activity center.

Opening this month in Ayutthaya is Kantary Hotel, which is setting the standards for high-end accommodation in the ancient Siamese capital. Featuring studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, the Kantary also doubles as a serviced apartment. The hotel counts a restaurant, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a jacuzzi and a business center among its many facilities.

It’s All About Art is an ideal half-day trip for art buffs interested in checking out Phuket’s art scene but yet wish to avoid the copy-and-paste imitation pieces found in Patpong. Visiting the galleries or residences of local talented artists, guests can view the paintings and freely interact with the artists (translations provided by our guide). A wide variety of art mediums, ranging from batiks to sculptures, classical to contemporary, are featured. This tour operates daily with a minimum of 2 and maximum of 6 passengers.

Self Drive in the Scenic South – 7 Days / 6 Nights is one of our many unique itineraries developed in southern Thailand. In this program, Exotissimo Thailand will make all necessary arrangements, including accommodation, car rental and a road map with suggested routes and activities. Our Thailand Product Manager Soonie says, “Once you get behind the wheel, you will be enthralled by the sweeping views, amazing wildlife, superb Thai cuisine, friendliness of Thais and much more. Simply an unforgettable road trip!” Contact thailand@exotissimo.com for more details.

Phuket’s Indigo Pearl Hotel has recently opened a new beach club in front of its premises on Nai Yang Beach. The club offers comfortable lounge chairs and a beachside counter that serves refreshing drinks and a light menu. The resort stands out with its exemplary service and imaginative design. For guests seeking affordable deluxe experiences with a stunning beach location, this hotel is highly recommended.

Over on Koh Samui, The Kala has also unveiled its new beach club at Thongyan Beach in Chaweng Noi. Surrounded by clear waters and lush greenery, the club is an excellent spot for a relaxing swim, snorkeling or kayaking session. Guests can access The Kala’s beach club in three ways: a five-minute walk, a 300-m kayak from the resort’s mini jetty or a 3-minute shuttle service.

Exotissimo Thailand is pleased to offer a series of exciting new itineraries that originate from Phuket. These tours include 3D/2N The Village Experience, 13D/12N Southern Thailand Discovery, 3D/2N Biking – Koh Yao Expedition, 7D/6N Community and the Island Retreat, 7D/6N Self Drive in the Scenic South and It’s Time for Cooking (a private cooking class). Please contact thailand@exotissimo.com for more information.