Example Itinerary

A Sense of Well-being: Sanctuaries & Cuisine in Southern Thailand

Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Cuisine, Wellbeing
Destinations
Thailand

Balance your body, soul, and mind in the stunning paradise of southern Thailand on this six-day journey. Phuket and Khao Lak make for the perfect setting for those seeking to escape to unwind and focus on well-being. In Phuket, stay at a top luxury resort where a wellness host will help to create a personalized program of experiences geared to achieve the goals you set. Mindful eating - an important factor of overall well-being, from considering the source and quality of your foods to eating a wide variety - is simple and enjoyable in southern Thailand where fresh seafood and fruits are abundant. Discover the flavors, textures, and aromas of Phuket’s unique cuisine at Old Town’s iconic multi-cultural cafes and eateries and a lauded farm-to-table restaurant. Then, get away to the secluded quiet Khao Lak and slow it down. Take your wellness routine seaside, and enjoy a meditation session or massage treatment on the sandy white beach. Breathe deep the sea air and let the gentle tropical breeze carry away all of your stress.  This immersive trip offers the trifecta of rejuvenating activities, delicious and fresh food experiences, and inspiring destination, helping you achieve a sense of well-being unique to southern Thailand.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Customized Wellness Plan: A private consultation with a Wellness Host reveals what the body needs, so travelers can set individual goals and create a tailored holistic program.
  • Natural Environment: The jungle and the beach offer limitless opportunities to enjoy great outdoors, with activities such as hiking, yoga and meditation, as well as swimming and water sports - best wrapped up with a rejuvenating massage at the end of an active day.
  • Southern Cuisine: Thai cuisine is one of the most diverse and vegetarian-friendly in the world, using fresh and fragrant ingredients that satisfy health needs as well as taste buds.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Phuket

Arrive in the sunny island of Phuket and be greeted by the warm breeze and your private guide and driver in the arrivals hall. Head straight to your luxury wellness retreat of choice such as the Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket or Rosewood Phuket. A Wellbeing Host will help you to create a unique program for your stay. At the adults-only Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket, daily in-villa spa treatments and unlimited wellbeing activities are included, while the Rosewood Phuket offers wellness packages that includes spa treatments, yoga, and consultation. Spend the afternoon settling into your secluded retreat and begin your wellness journey, whether with a pampering massage, laps in the pool, or a cardio session. In the evening, we suggest enjoying a healthy and fresh meal at the hotel. Bed down tonight for a deep restorative sleep with pillows and sheets you can select from Banyan Tree’s Sanctuary Sleep Experience menu.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

A Couples Haven: The Banyan Tree Phuket takes couples-focused activities and itineraries to the next level. These include a number of Destination Dining options, couples spa retreats, a privately guided boat excursion to Phang Nga Bay, and much more.

Stay Active: Phuket itself is a hotspot for all manner of outdoor activities, and the Banyan Tree leaves no stone unturned when it comes to enabling guests to be active in Phuket. Possible itineraries include beach activities, family fun tennis, cycling, a golf lesson with a certified pro, or a weekend visit to the local Naka Market.

Endless Dining Options: The Banyan Tree Phuket resort alone features six restaurants and two bars serving the finest cuisine and beverage selections. Culinary explorations range from signature Thai food to fresh seafood and international favorites. Uniquely curated dining experiences and in-villa dining are also available.

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Banyan Tree Phuket Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Sequestered away on Emerald Bay’s shore, guests enjoy lush tropical landscape and beach in privacy, a true secluded beach hideaway.

Service: An impeccable five-star service is offered throughout each guest’s stay from the moment they arrive to their departure as well as exclusive access to all luxury amenities within the resort.

Family-Friendly: The signature Rosewood Explorers Club takes into account the youngest guests, providing on-site play facilities, fun-filled activities, children’s pool and children’s in-room amenities such as child-sized bathrobes and child-friendly bath soaps.

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Rosewood Phuket Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Map

Phuket

Begin the early morning with a guided seaside trek or meditation, taking in the refreshing ocean breeze. Enjoy a healthy breakfast before spending the rest of the morning on curated wellness experiences such as slow stretches and yoga or amp it up with power ropes and core strengthening. Then, set out to town to begin your foray into the local food scene. Phuket was historically an international commercial trading port and thus became one of the most culturally diverse destinations in the country. This diversity is reflected in the cuisine which features Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian flavors developed through generations. A blend of spicy, salty, and sweet known as Peranakan Baba, can only be tasted on the island, and is worth seeking out. Alongside an abundance of tropical fruits, vegetables, and fresh seafood, this makes Phuket and southern Thailand a food destination in its own right. There are many casual eateries around Phuket Old Town to choose from. Local specialties include Hokkien Mee, a fusion dish with thick yellow noodles and pork, stir-fried with prawns, squid, egg, and bean sprouts, and moo hong, pork belly stewed with sweet soy sauce and spices. Other favorites include a variety of curries such as gaeng gari pla (Malay-style fish curry) and Massaman curry, bu pad pong karee (crab curry stir fry), tom yum goong (spicy sour prawn soup), and kanom jeen Phuket (a flavorful noodle soup).

After lunch, stroll around town and take in the quaint atmosphere of colorful 19th-century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese architecture, and the picture-worthy mural paintings and street art that adorn the buildings. Notable stops include the Chinapracha mansion which is a privately owned museum that gives visitors a glimpse into a preserved historical Sino-Portuguese home, and Thai Hua Museum which displays the history of Chinese people in Phuket housed in a British-colonial style mansion. Ornate Chinese temples, boutiques, bookshops, guesthouses, museums, rustic stores, and cafes dot the town. If your appetite permits, try the street food favorites such as satays and rotis. Don’t miss the signature dessert of Phuket is Ah-pong, a crispy rolled up crepe. If you wish, stick around Old Town for dinner. We recommend the iconic Blue Elephant which occupies a stunning mansion with sprawling grounds that used to be the governor’s residence. Known across the country, Blue Elephant specializes in Royal Thai cuisine, and the Phuket outpost offers an impressive list of Peranakan staples and lesser-known dishes like jui-ji-pao (dumplings with tiger prawn and jicama) and sambal goreng (stir-fried prawns with shrimp paste).

Phuket
Phuket

Day 3

Map

Phuket

Pass the morning with further curated wellness experiences, whether focusing on mindfulness with breathing exercises, unwinding with a detox massage, a dynamic active session, or a blend of all. The afternoon is yours to relax at leisure. Take a dip in the pool or go sunbathing on the beach, accompanied by a fresh coconut or fruit smoothie. Optionally, take a cooking class at your hotel’s culinary school and try your hand at creating local specialties. Cleansing herbal and flora teas and healthy snacks are served daily at the Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary’s lobby. For Phuket’s premier farm-to-table culinary experience, consider dinner at Pru, which has garnered the island’s first Michelin-star for its locally-sourced produce and unique focus on the elegance of vegetables.

Day 4

Map

Khao Lak

Wrap up the last of your wellness experiences this morning with your wellness host before checking out at noon. Or, alternatively, go on a private cruise in Phang Nga National Park, famous for its picturesque limestone cliffs, mangrove forests, and small islands, the most famous of which is known as James Bond Island. Have one last meal in Phuket and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant of your choice. Take the opportunity to try a casual seafood restaurant that specializes in transforming fresh seafood into tasty dishes such as pla meuk yang gleua (barbecued squid with salt and pepper), hoi maeng poh op mo din (steamed mussels with lemongrass and herbs), and haw mok pla (curried fish mousse served in banana leaf). Drive along the coastal road north to Khao Lak. Just over an hour north of Phuket, the difference of Khao Lak is immediately felt with the lack of traffic, buildings, crowds, and noise. Check in to the secluded boutique Sarojin, situated on a 11km stretch of white sandy beach and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. In the evening, experience one of Sarojin’s signature private dining experiences, whether by a jungle waterfall lit by candlelight or under the stars on a hidden beach.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Beach: Direct access to a white sandy beach with crystal clear waters.

Gastronomy: Choose from authentic Thai and Italian food, paired with fine wines from the large wine cellar.

Diving: The nearby Similan and Surin islands are known as one of the top ten dive sites in the world.

Accommodation: Spacious villas with tasteful Asian-contemporary décor, many with private pools and gardens.

Peace: The resort only allows children over 10 years of age to stay, making the resort a tranquil hideaway.

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The Sarojin Preferred Hotel
Khao Lak
Khao Lak

Day 5

Map

Khao Lak

Today is completely yours to spend as you wish. The Sarojin is a tranquil and serene hideaway where guests can unwind and de-stress. While away the day on the beach, have a rejuvenating spa massage lulled by the sounds of the Andaman Sea, take a hike through the lush national park and explore the jungle and waterfalls, or charter a private yacht out to the Similan Islands for some of the best diving in the world. Come sunset, indulge and treat yourself: we recommend taking Sarojin’s private yacht to a secluded sand isle for a magical private dinner of champagne and fresh seafood under the stars, the perfect way to cap off your seaside getaway.

Day 6

Map

Departure

Squeeze in your final hours by the beach or at the spa before your flight. Depart feeling completely relaxed and renewed, and with new appreciation for the diverse local cuisine and a sense of wellness unique to beautiful southern Thailand.

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