Our hotel is centrally located, with some of Bangkok’s best shopping and eating right outside its doorstep (and inside, as well!). Airport pickup, then meet tomorrow at the city’s most celebrated Sunday brunch, followed by afternoon sightseeing.
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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 speakers today are Thai celebrity chef and author Chef McDang, and Philip Cornwel-Smith, editor of Time Out Bangkok, and author of Very Thai, a best-selling book on contemporary Thai culture. Afterwards, boat to Ko Kred island and its Mon nationality. Locals specialize 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 while taking in the city’s spectacular skyline. Then it’s your chance to learn the Bangkok BTS Sky Train. You’re given a train pass for journey back to hotel accompanied by us, or brave out on your own. Remaining evening free.

After breakfast and check out, Aw Taw Kaw produce market, the city’s best-kept tourism secret, yet its largest retail produce market. Sample regional favourites during our one continuous lunch, including what we think is the city's best mango sticky rice dessert. 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.) 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.

Rice is fundamental to both the Asian diet and culture. Today’s sessions begin with an introduction to the crop and 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 paddyfields, followed by thrashing and milling. We’ve arranged a typical ploughman’s lunch al fresco to follow, plus some extraordinary regional offerings like 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 thier latest projects.

In the late afternoon re-gather for a cooking course of regional northern specialties, followed by dinner.

Markets begin early in Thailand, to preserve perishables during the cooler hours. Come with us to Mae Rim’s local vendors and learn to identify specific fruits, vegetables and herbs. Many are known only in the north, and rare outside of the region. Also 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 with spectacular highland views, followed by a Thai lunch, and incongruously a dessert of Devonshire tea – scones and jam. Then we are off to ride 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.

We begin this morning visiting Chiang Mai’s ancient Lana temples on the outskirts of town, so little visited by tourists. We also stop at impressive Sbun-Nga Textile Museum, the personal collection of Akarat Nakkabunlung, showcasing different ethnic textiles.
Lunch features some of the best of regional Lanna cooking with 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 traditional handicraft industry. See 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 at a gem-stone factory.
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!

After breakfast, your remaining day free. We’ve arranged afternoon check out, to allow you personal exploration of the resort. Optionally, walk outside the compound for lunch with Robert & Morrison at a humble eatery nearby.

Today is officially our final day, and return transport to Bangkok not included. Please advise if you require additional nights in Chiang Mai, onward domestic flights, or join us in overnight sleeper train cabins south.

Option: In the afternoon, transfer to the overnight train, but before that, one final stop. Chiang Mai is famous for its khao soi, soft and fried noodles in a coconut broth served with pickles. It is a wonderful example of northern fusion, where China, India, Myanmar and Thailand all converge. We’ll stop at one of the city’s best, surprisingly at Central Kad Suan Kaeo. Its specialized Northern Thai foods court is truly quite an eye-opening, mouth-watering experience -- far more expansive than any in Bangkok. Wander with us to find your favorite dish. Then private overnight sleeper compartments back to Bangkok. We’ll present you with a special overnight “care” package to while away your travels through the Thai countryside.

Early morning arrivals at Bangkok rail station, and goodbye. The terminal is located near Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown district, and also easy access for taxis onward, or to airport for return passage home. Please note that although the train arrives early morning, we cannot guarantee your airport connections before 11 a.m. this morning.

Option: join us this morning off Sukhumvit Rd, visiting an artisinal farmer's market, and noodle lunch.

Additional nights in Bangkok and Chiang Mai available on request.