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PRICE + ENROLMENT FORM |
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ENROLMENT FORM
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+ Optional Post tour to Singapore
6-8 July |
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| With lodging and activities organized especially by us. |
| The perfect short tour for a week’s sumptuous retreat. |
On this tour every meal is a delicious education, and you will learn about northern Thailand’s regional fare from the experts.
Plus gala banquets, local textiles, crafts, and arts. |
| Discover a culinary culture unlike any you’ve experienced before! |
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Joins usand discover a world of culinary tourism unlike any other, hosted and organized personally by Asian cookbook author Robert Carmack and textile designer Morrison Polkinghorne.
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| Read more about your hosts... |
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EASY CONNECTIONS: If you are travelling to and from Australia or the US, ask about SQ Singapore Airline+ MI Silk Airlines fares to Bangkok, but returning from Chiang Mail directly to Singapore. This is a convenient – and less expensive – way to include our 2 night Singapore Stopover returning home. Likewise, US passengers on TG Thai Airlines can list Singapore as their final destination, returning home again via Bangkok. In both instances, a one way Chiang Mai to Bangkok flight surcharge, or vice-versa, is required.
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Prior to the tour, ask us about additional nights at the The Four Seasons Hotel in central Bangkok. It's a great location. |
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Staying exclusively in Four Seasons Thailand properties in June and July,
to guarantee you the finest service and lodgings throughout your journey.
Bonus: Receive an autographed copy of Robert Carmack’s book Thai Home Cooking when joining this tour. |
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enrol
now
and take
an additional
$100 OFF
P/COUPLE
$75 p/sgl
on our
Singapore
Stopover
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| The ideal one-week retreat for food, sun, culture and good taste. Additional nights in Bangkok and Chiang Mai available on request. |
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extended special through Jan only... |
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MAIN TOUR
Thailand
June 30 - July 6 |
$2995 |
| from $2795 |
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POST TOUR
Singapore
JULY 6-8
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from $495
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enrol now
and take
an additional
$100 OFF P/COUPLE
$75 P/SINGLE
on our Singapore Stopover |
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| DOWNLOAD THE ENROLMENT FORM HERE >>> |
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Saturday, Day 1
30 June 2012 |
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O/Night Bangkok |
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arrive Bangkok |
| Airport transfers are included today, and a special welcome gift on arrival. Your printed program awaits you at registration. Our hotel is centrally located, with some of Bangkok’s best shopping and eating right outside its doorstep (and inside, as well!). Then meet tomorrow at the city’s most celebrated Sunday brunch, followed by afternoon sightseeing. |
Ask us about our private guide service in Bangkok; additional nights in Bangkok pre- and post-tour available at our exclusive Globetrotting Gourmet rate including a sumptuous daily buffet breakfast. Massive savings! *Available only as part of our package, and rates unique to Globetrotting Gourmet. + Additional nights in Singapore (again, only as part of our package). See our Registration form for prices |
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Sunday, Day 2
1 July 2012 |
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O/Night Bangkok |
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The Four Seasons is renowned for hosting the city’s best Sunday brunch. International in scope, dishes include sevruga caviar, foie gras, international cheeses, plus of course, local Thai favorites. |
| Meet us for introductions, then brunch on. Our luncheon guest speaker today is Philip Cornwel-Smith, editor of Time Out Bangkok, and author of Very Thai, a best-selling book on contemporary Thai culture. Afterwards, Philip will join us as we boat to Ko Kred island and its Mon nationality. Locals specialise in intricate pottery, so we’ll supply a cooling iced tea in a take-away terra cotta vessel, plus visit the stunning murals of Wat Poramayikawas. Then onto a specialist dessert centre to try deliciously quenching Khao Chair iced rice. Return home cruising down the Chao Phraya river at sunset to take in the city’s spectacular skyline. Then it’s your chance to learn the Bangkok BTS Sky Train. After a brief introduction, you’re given a train pass for journey back to hotel accompanied by us, or brave out on your own. Remaining evening free. B/L/S |
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Monday, Day 3
2 July 2012 |
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O/Night Chiang Mai |
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| After breakfast and check out, visit Aw Taw Kaw produce market, the city’s best-kept tourism secret, yet its largest retail produce market. We’ll sample regional favourites during our one continuous lunch, then to the airport for flights to Chiang Mai. On arrival at the resort, a brief orientation then the remaining evening is on your own. Try the hotel’s signature Italian or Thai eateries, or order room service delivered to your private outdoor pavilion. Alternatively, take the hotel’s free shuttle to the city’s Night Bazaar. (The shuttle operates five services daily, so if you miss out tonight, you can easily reschedule another time.) B/S |
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Tuesday, Day 4
3 July 2012 |
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O/Night Chiang Mai |
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Rice is fundamental to both the Asian diet and culture. Today’s sessions begin with an introduction to the crop, its sticky rice variant popular in the kingdom’s north and northeast. You will change into traditional farmer’s clothing and boots and have a hand at rice planting in the fields, followed by thrashing and milling. We’ve arranged a typical ploughman’s lunch al fresco to follow, plus some extraordinary regional offerings of pla krabok fish grilled in bamboo tubing, and a peasant dish of gai ob fang chicken baked under rice chaffs. With temperatures reaching nearly 600-700 C, it ensures crispy skin and succulent meat. Guest appearance luncheon: We’ve asked a best-selling guest author to join us today, to discuss her latest projects. |
| In the late afternoon re-gather for a cooking course of regional northern specialties, followed by dinner. B/L/D |
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Wednesday, Day 5
4 July 2012 |
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O/Night Chiang Mai |
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Markets begin early in Thailand, to preserve perishables during the cooler hours. Come with us to Mae Rim’s local markets and learn to identify specific fruits, vegetables and herbs. Many are known only in the north, and rare outside of the region. Before returning, we’ll visit the village’s beautiful Wat Pa complex, dating to the 19th century. It has recently been restored to magnificence. |
| The Royal Project began as a laudable program to wean hill tribe people from opium production to edible crop production. It has been a stellar success, with shops selling its products around the country and in most airports, and its produce featured in all leading Thai hotel menus. We tour one such project in the highlands, with spectacular views, followed by a Thai lunch, and incongruously a dessert of Devonshire tea – scones and jam. Then we are off to visit the elephants! Trek through the jungle astride these giant beasts, and learn how it feels to travel through a region once renowned for hosting a million elephants. Remaining evening free. B/L |
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Thursday, Day 6
5 July 2012 |
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O/Night Chiang Mai |
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| We begin this morning with a visit to Chiang Mai’s ancient Lana temples,some located on the outskirts of town, so little visited by tourists. We also visit the impressive Sbun-Nga Textile Museum, the personal collection of Akarat Nakkabunlung, showcasing different ethnic textiles. |
| Lunch is at on the outskirts of town, featuring some of the best of regional Lanna cooking. Our guest luncheon speaker is Vatcharin Bhumichitr, restaurateur and author of numerous English-language Thai cookbooks. Khun Vatcharin is currently proprietor of a Lana artists resort. |
| In the afternoon, drive around the old city, its moat and ruins of the ancient city gates, then visit Samkampaeng District, the heart of the city’s handicraft industry. See traditional crafts like elaborate teak-wood carvings; intricate silverware; lustrous black lacquer ware; high-fired celadon ceramics; silk and cotton woven the ancient traditional way on rustic wooden looms; paper-making and silk parasols in a rainbow hue of dazzling colors. We end with a panoramic view of Chiang Mai near sunset, and a gem-stone factory, before returning to our hotel. |
| As this is our final evening, we’ve planned a very special chef’s table dinner, with seating in the bowels of the resort’s commercial kitchen. Executive Chef Rewat swears it’s never been done before, and we’re sure to hear the clamor of a salted chef’s curses between courses! B/L/D |
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Friday, Day 7
6 July 2012 |
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| Breakfast, then we supply morning airport transfers. Please let us know your flight details. Ask us about additional nights in Chiang Mai! We offer unbeatable prices at the Four Seasons this weekend. B/ |
| For those returning home via Singapore, join our two-night Singapore Stopover tour. Click below for more details |
| For those returning to Bangkok today, please advise if you wish to book Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok to either Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi airports. |
Optional Sleeper train berth back to Bangkok. Ask us about late check out + overland return to Bangkok, arriving Saturday morning. A great way to end a week's retreat!
Optional Post Tour: Singapore Stopover!!!!
Plan your return home via Singapore and take advantage of our great package to the island city. Includes 2 nights in 5-star comfort at The Regent, group airport transfer, Chinese lunch, city cultural tour, and daily breakfast. Additional deluxe-room nights from as little as $175 p/p Ask us how>>> |
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Singapore Stopover
Fri-Sun July 6-8, 2012 |
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Friday
6 July 2012 |
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O/Night Singapore |
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| Optional Post Tour: Singapore Stopover!!!! |
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| Plan your return home via Singapore and take advantage of our great package to the island city. Includes 2 nights in 5-star comfort at The Regent, group airport transfer, Chinese lunch, city cultural tour, and daily breakfast. |
| Group airport transfer arranged today, whisking you to The Regent and its 5-star comfort. |
| The Regent hotel was specifically selected because of its excellent collection of antique Southeast Asian textiles gracing its public areas, plus for its excellent food options: Italian, Chinese, Indian and Japanese. It also offers one of the city’s best breakfast buffets, which is included daily. |
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| BONUS: Includes airport transfer on arrival; 2 nights in deluxe room with full breakfast; ½ day Singapore city cultural tour; Chef’s Choice Chinese lunch. |
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GETTING THERE: For those flying directly from Chiang Mai to Singapore, there are two Silk Air direct flights today: MI 701 dpt 11:30, arr 15:45; and MI 705 dpt 17:45, arr 21:50. As this is not a daily flight, we recommend reservations well in advance. We will personally be travelling on the morning flight. Alternative flights via Bangkok and other capital cities also available. |
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Saturday
7 July 2012 |
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O/Night Singapore |
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| After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel by Hello Singapore for their Culture of Singapore morning tour. Please be at the lobby waiting by 08:00, as the actual tour begins at 08:30 and lasts 4 hours. Explore the three main cultures of vibrant and multicural Singapore: Malay, Indian and Chinese. First stop is Waterloo Street and Sri Krishna and Kwan Imm temples, then onto Kampong Glam for Malay culture. Arab Streets and its magnificent Sultan Mosque, then onto Little India. Experience the pungent smell of spices and incense, plus taste Roti Prada, Singapore’s favorite Indian pancake. And don’t forget to buy some saffron – its cheaper and better than at home. Last stop is Chinatown, for a tea appreciation course, then return to the hotel for our special Chef's Tasting Menu in Summer Palace restaurant. |
Remaining afternoon and evening is free for shopping along nearby Orchard Road – Singapore’s High Street cornucopia. If you have time, take in the city’s new casino district, headquarters to theatre and fine dining. We especially like two museums: the newly revamped Asian Civilisations Museum, and The Peranakan Museum – the later specializing in Straits Chinese-Malay hybrid culture. B/L |
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Sunday, Day 10
8 July 2012 |
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tour ends |
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Buffet breakfast included from 7-10 a.m. today.
Your room is guaranteed until 12:00 noon. Later check out surcharges may apply; payable directly to hotel. Please advise if you require this. Additional nights available on request, at our special Globetrotting Gourmet rate. B/ |
| Please plan your departure from hotel to airport approximately 2 hours prior, and 3 hours prior for North America (excluding dawn departures, when 2 hours is sufficient.) |
Airport transfer is not included today, but easy to arrange with lobby porter. Due to occasional back-logs, ask porter to ring for a confirmed pick up. Surcharge, about $3.
Metered taxi from hotel to airport: about $20-25.
Alternatively, The Regent can arrange their unique transfer service, about $70, payable directly to them. Please contact concierge for this. |
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B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner; S=Snack |
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Join us for our Northern Thailand events at the luxurious Four Seasons Chiang Mai resort, with special meals and our unique guest chef and author luncheons. These meals let you get informally close to cooking and cultural authorities, sharing their local knowledge and answering your questions. Plant rice in the paddies; eat an authentic Thai ploughman’s lunch; visit the Royal Project agriculture farm; learn to identify Thai vegetables and fruits during our market tours; dine in the “bowels” of a commercial hotel kitchen amidst the energy at mealtime.
But first, meet us in Bangkok for the capital’s best Sunday brunch; visit the city’s largest fresh produce market at Aw Taw Kaw; plus Mon-ethnic island of Ko Kred and sample tantalizing desserts and famous khao chair – fragrant rice in ice water. Then fly to Thailand’s second city Chiang Mai with lodgings in the kingdom’s premier resort, and discussions with Thailand’s top experts on contemporary food culture.
We are also offering pre- and post-tour hotel nights, including airport transfers. Please ask us about our exclusive rates at Four Seasons, if you prefer to check in on Friday or earlier. Our tour package includes one-way Bangkok to Chiang Mai fare. Return fare to Bangkok is not included, allowing you greater flexibility in planning your journey. |
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