Holidays to Thailand
Pristine beaches, romantic island resorts, tranquil temples and exceptional cuisine – a holiday to Thailand has it all! Discover this enchanting destination for yourself on an unforgettable tailor made adventure.
We’re proud to say we’ve been creating bespoke holidays for the past twenty years here at Freedom Destinations, and our team of Travel Experts would love to use their specialist knowledge to help you plan a trip you’ll never forget.
Things to do in Thailand
- Stay at Elephant Hills, Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camp. Spend your days here trekking through dense forest, canoeing and swimming in Khao Sok National Park and the highlight of it all – getting up close and personal with the majestic Asian elephant!
- Discover Ang Thong National Marine Park, an incredible destination made up of 42 islands covered in thick jungle broken only by limestone cliffs and shimmering falls
- Board a traditional Thai longtail boat and glide over the warm turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea
- Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary, such as Samui Elephant Sanctuary, an institution focussed on the rehabilitation of previously abused elephants
- Take part in a Thai cooking class and learn the secrets to cooking authentic Thai cuisine
- Explore the beautiful Grand Palace, home to the spectacular Emerald Buddha which has been carved from a single piece of jade
- Relax nature’s own hot-tub at Namtok Ron Hot Springs, found in a small jungle not far from Krabi. Heated from underground volcanic chambers, these naturally hallowed out baths make for the perfect place to relax and unwind!
- Ride on a tuk tuk, a form of motorised rickshaw that is a popular mode of transport in Thailand
- Discover Bangkok’s iconic floating markets and taste the fresh local produce the vendors are selling
Places to Stay
Bangkok
The starting point for most holidays in Thailand is the bustling city of Bangkok. One of Asia’s most iconic cities, this sprawling metropolis is renowned for its exceptional street food, colourful markets and ornate temples.
Whilst here, we recommend taking time to sample a bowl of ‘Pad Thai’, Thailand’s signature noodle dish, at one of the city’s epic night markets.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Banyan Tree Bangkok – stay in one of Bangkok’s tallest hotels and dine overlooking the bright lights of the city at the famous rooftop Vertigo & Moon Bar.
Koh Samui
As well as crystalline waters and palm-fringed beaches, the charming island of Koh Samui also boasts magical temples and cascading waterfalls nestled within its lush interior.
Nearby island Koh Phangan is renowned for its full moon parties, a monthly occurrence that attracts travellers from across the globe. When the island is not alive with the revels of partygoers, Koh Phangan makes for a peaceful escape.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Nabor Koh Samui – each room at this beautiful resort enjoys its own private plunge pool, perfect for relaxing in after a day exploring the delights of Samui.
Krabi
Secret lagoons, steaming hot springs, beautiful beaches and warm waters make Krabi the ultimate tropical paradise.
Spend your days lazing on one of Asia’s most iconic stretches of sand, the beautiful Railey Beach, or for the more adventurous, stroll over to nearby lesser-known Ton Sai Beach to try your hand at freestyle rock climbing.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- The Tubkaak Boutique Resort – facing a stunning archipelago of islands that rise dramatically from the Andaman Sea, this hotel is perfectly placed to enjoy the stunning scenery Krabi is famous for.
Phuket
A tourist favourite, this lively holiday island is best known for its white sand beaches and easy-going atmosphere. It’s a great introduction to Thailand, with its abundance of fantastic resorts, spas and shopping centres meaning that the luxuries of the Western world are never far away.
At night you can choose to chill out at one of the islands sunset beach bars or experience the nightlife Phuket is renowned for at Bangla Road, a hedonistic party strip where almost anything goes!
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Beyond Resort Karon – one of the few hotels in the area to have direct access to Karon Beach, this adults only resort is the ultimate romantic beach break.
Phi Phi Islands
These tiny Thai islands are renowned for their dramatic limestone cliffs, pale sand beaches and beautiful blue waters. Take a longtail boat ride out to the emerald waters of Pileh Lagoon, or hike to the top of Phi Phi Viewpoint to catch the glow of the setting sun over the island; the Phi Phi Islands offer the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Zeavola Resort – a barefoot luxury boutique hotel located on Phi Phi’s northern tip, ideal for beach lovers looking for a quiet holiday in beautiful surroundings.
Northern Thailand
Step back in time as you travel to Northern Thailand and discover a treasure trove of beautiful temples, jungle-clad hills and blissfully calm cities.
The North boasts some of the most unique temples in all of Asia, including Wat Rong Khun, a unique Buddhist temple in Northern Thailand that in contrast to its ornate all-white exterior features’ depictions of Spiderman, Darth Vader and Angry Birds on its interior walls!
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Anantara Golden Triangle – an all-inclusive rural retreat overlooking the Mekong River. Stay in a beautifully appointed ‘Deluxe Room’ or opt for a unique ‘Jungle Bubbles’ experience.
When is the Best Time to Visit Thailand?
Thailand has three distinct seasons: hot, cool and rainy. Though due to the geography of the country, there’s never a bad time to visit!
Different areas of the country are affected by the south-west monsoon at different times of the year; between June and October the monsoon season begins in the north, central and south west of the country, whilst the south-east and Gulf of Thailand receive most of their rainfall from October to December. Though rainy season may sound off-putting, this can also be a cheaper time to travel with less crowds at the top tourist attractions.
It is warm year-round in Thailand, with the hottest months from March to May where temperatures can reach highs of up to 40⁰C. The months of January to March can be some of the most popular times to travel when the weather is hot but less humid.
For a comprehensive month-by-month breakdown of when to visit, please read our Best Time to Visit Thailand overview.
How Long Should I Spend in Thailand?
Most travellers will spend anywhere between one to four weeks in Thailand, with many choosing to combine their trip with another destination in South East Asia such as Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. Some of our most popular multi-destination itineraries include:
Multi centre holidays are our speciality here at Freedom Destinations, so wherever you would like to go, we can create an itinerary that’s right for you.
Flights to Thailand
With Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport acting as the main gateway to Asia, flights to Thailand are plentiful. It takes approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes to fly direct to Bangkok from most London airports, and from regional UK airports around 15 or 30 minutes longer.
Getting Around in Thailand
To make the most of your time in the ‘land of smiles’, we recommend flying between Thailand’s main cities and centres. It is a nine hour drive north from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and ten hours south from Bangkok to Phuket, in comparison to short hour and a half long flights either way.
Your Travel Consultant will be able to take care of any internal flights and hotel transfers for you, leaving you with nothing to worry about apart from which sunglasses to pack!
2021 & 2022 Thailand Holidays
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure! We anticipate 2021 and 2022 will be exceptional years for travel, leading to limited availability on the best hotels, tours and experiences.
Booking early gives you the chance to secure the best possible price for your trip, with many resorts and hotels offering early bird discounts, and flight prices typically cheapest when they are first released.
Plan Your Adventure…
Not sure where to visit? Browse our range of Thailand multi centre holiday ideas or check out our Thailand travel guides for inspiration for your trip, or alternatively talk to one of our Travel Experts and ask for their advice. Each member of our team has travelled in Thailand extensively and will be able to provide recommendations based on their own first-hand experiences.
Plan your holiday
