Three destinations and short flights: Bangkok, Chiang Mai with markets and temples, and finally, a good week on Koh Samui. The minimal travel allows children enough time to settle in.
17 Days / 16 Nights
November–März
3 stops
Why This Route?
Well-suited for families: just two changes of location and plenty of time to relax.
Hidden Gems
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden near Mae Rim with treetop walkway
flat, quiet beach of Maenam on the north coast of Koh Samui
Walking Street in Fisherman's Village Bophut on Friday evening
Itinerary
Stop 1 • 3 Nights
Bangkok
City
Perfect for an exciting city trip. Rich in culture and history and Culinary highlights.
Bangkok is Thailand's capital and by far its largest city, where Buddhist temples, street food, and high-rise districts lie closely side by side. Along the Chao Phraya River stand the Grand Palace with the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho with its 46-meter-long Reclining Buddha, and opposite, Wat Arun. Markets like the Chatuchak Weekend Market and the street food of Yaowarat showcase daily city life, while Sukhumvit and Siam are known for shopping malls and nightlife. The most pleasant time to visit is from November to February. You can avoid traffic jams with the Skytrain (BTS), Metro (MRT), and river boats.
10 Sights
3 Restaurants
History and Culture
History and CultureAfter the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital was initially in Thonburi on the west bank. King Rama I relocated it in 1782 to Rattanakosin Island on the east bank; the erection of the City Pillar on April 21, 1782, is considered the founding date of Bangkok as the capital. From this period date the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo with the Emerald Buddha. Older are Wat Pho, which Rama I had rebuilt from 1788, and Wat Arun on the west bank, whose grand prang was completed in 1851.Buddhism shapes daily life: In the early morning, monks walk through the neighborhoods on their alms rounds, and many people bring offerings to temples and shrines. The monarchy enjoys high reverence; you'll see images of the royal family everywhere; insults to the royal house are punishable by law. During Songkran in April, entire streets turn into water fights.
Chiang Mai is Northern Thailand's largest city and was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom for centuries. Within the old city's square moat stand dozens of temples made of teak and brick, while the forested mountains of Doi Suthep rise around the city. Here you'll find cooking schools, night markets, a vibrant café scene, and a great starting point for mountain tours.
8 Sights
5 Restaurants
Lanna Heritage & City Life
Lanna Heritage and City LifeKing Mengrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Many of its temples, with their stepped roofs, Naga staircases and wood carvings, date from this era or were rebuilt in its style. After two centuries of Burmese rule, the city fell under Siamese influence in the late 18th century, fully joining Thailand only in 1939.Today, Chiang Mai is a university city and handicraft hub, with workshops for silver, lacquerware, wood and paper umbrellas along the road to San Kamphaeng. On Sunday evenings, Ratchadamnoen Road becomes the Walking Street Market; Saturdays, Wualai Road. In November, the city celebrates Yi Peng with paper lanterns; April features Songkran's multi-day water fights around the city moat.
Perfect for unwinding and relaxation. Culinary highlights and Route highlight.
Koh Samui, Thailand's second-largest after Phuket, is the Gulf's most developed, with its airport, ring road, and lodging from basic bungalows to large resorts. The east coast (Chaweng, Lamai) drives tourism; the south and mountainous, palm-filled interior is calmer. Beyond beaches, the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem temple, and island waterfalls merit a visit. Planning note: Samui's rain patterns differ from the Andaman Coast, with most rain from mid-October to early December.
4 Sights
1 Restaurant
Culture and Daily Life on Koh Samui
Coconut and HainanBefore tourism, Samui thrived on coconut and rubber. Traders from Hainan arrived on the island from the 19th century onwards, establishing plantations and settling along the coasts; Hua Thanon is considered one of the oldest Hainanese settlements. Until the early 1970s, Samui had no roads.Religiously, the island is predominantly Buddhist, with Chinese temples and shrines of the Hainanese communities. The two most famous temples, Wat Phra Yai with its seated Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem with its eighteen-armed Guanyin figure, lie close to each other in the northeast. Modest dress is mandatory there.
