Sleeper trains, street food, beautiful temples and exceptional hotels , our recent Thailand adventure showed just how well small group touring and luxury can work together.
I love a beautiful hotel, but I also want to get out and experience the country I’m visiting. On our recent trip to Thailand, we combined a G Adventures small group tour with some fabulous five-star hotels, bringing together cultural discovery, memorable journeys and a few very special places to unwind.
If you want to explore Thailand while enjoying the finer things in life, this could be your perfect combination.
Exploring Thailand with G Adventures
Travelling on a small group tour was a lovely way to experience Thailand, sharing the adventure with fellow travellers and learning about the places we visited along the way.
It also gave our holiday a different rhythm. Alongside the famous sights, the journeys themselves became part of the experience , especially our overnight sleeper train.
The overnight sleeper train was certainly memorable, although with a sleepwalking son to keep an eye on, I spent more time on night watch than actually sleeping! It was one of those experiences that added far more to the trip than simply getting us from one place to another.
For me, that is part of the appeal of touring: coming home with stories about everything that happened between the hotels.
Temples, History & the Bridge over the River Kwai
We visited so many beautiful temples, each offering another glimpse into Thailand’s culture and traditions. Taking time to explore them was a wonderful part of the trip, with moments of calm between the busier days.
Our wider Thailand journey also took us to Kanchanaburi, where we visited the Bridge over the River Kwai and the historic “Death Railway”. Learning about the suffering behind its construction was a moving experience and an important part of understanding the region’s history.
Further north, we learnt about the opium trade that shaped the Golden Triangle. These experiences brought depth to the holiday and helped us understand more of the country beyond its beautiful scenery.
Anantara Golden Triangle: Somewhere Truly Special
There are hotels you enjoy visiting, and others that stay with you long after you leave.
Anantara Golden Triangle was firmly in the second category.
We visited this extraordinary hotel during our trip, and its setting and breath taking views made an immediate impression. It really is one of those places where you have to pause and take everything in.
For anyone considering a luxury Northern Thailand holiday, it is somewhere I would love to talk you through. Having visited personally, I can help you decide whether it fits the experience you are looking for and how it could work within your itinerary.
Two Nights at The Bush Camp Chiang Mai
We also spent two nights at The Bush Camp Chiang Mai, another highlight of our time in Northern Thailand.
It brought a different feel to the journey and gave us time to enjoy our surroundings between the sightseeing and travelling. Mixing different places to stay made the whole trip feel more varied, with each stop adding something of its own.
That is what I love about a carefully planned itinerary: the accommodation becomes part of the adventure.
Street Food, Rice & Plenty of Noodles
Of course, exploring Thailand also meant eating our way around it!
We enjoyed plenty of delicious street food and reached the point where I think we were approximately 90% rice and noodles. No complaints from us.
Combining Small Group Touring with Luxury Hotels
You don’t have to choose one style of travel for your entire holiday.
A small group tour can form the heart of your trip, with luxury hotel stays added before or afterwards. You might enjoy days of exploration and shared experiences, then slow down somewhere special for a few nights.
The balance will be different for everyone. Some travellers want a busy itinerary with plenty to see; others prefer fewer stops and longer stays. Families with teenagers may want a mix of culture and adventure, while couples might build the trip around exceptional hotels and time to unwind.
Our own experience reminded me how much I enjoy combining the two: getting out, learning and exploring, while still making room for a little indulgence.
Your Thailand Holiday, Personally Planned
At Globally Mine, we plan bespoke holidays around the people travelling. Drawing on my own recent experience, I can help you explore how small group touring, cultural experiences and luxury hotels could fit together for your Thailand holiday.
Whether you are planning a family adventure, a special celebration or a trip for two, we can talk through the pace, accommodation and experiences that matter to you. You could also finish with some beach time to round off the journey.
Based in Cranleigh, Surrey, we offer telephone and video consultations, alongside face-to-face appointments for clients in Cranleigh, Guildford, Godalming, Dorking and the surrounding Surrey Hills.
Ready to plan your own Thailand adventure? Get in touch and let’s find your perfect mix of discovery and luxury.
Contact Globally Mine today to start planning your bespoke family travel consultation.
Ready to plan your next family holiday? Let’s talk.
