Thailand, “The Land of Smiles” is a popular luxury family vacation destination with many great spots to visit, home to palm-fringed beaches, adorned temples, thick jungle and more! And the good news is that Thailand has started a “sandbox” scheme, with phased opening of areas, starting with Phuket, and, most recently Koh Samui. You can even experience a luxury family volunteer vacation in Phuket.
Phuket and Koh Samui are abundant in things to see and do. You might be tempted to go straight to the beaches (and they are awesome!), but these islands have so much more to offer:
Phuket is about quality, art, food, design, and culture.
Take a deep dive into Old Phuket’s multiculturalism and the various Chinese and European influences of the “Tin Island”. This influence is not just architectural but is evident in Phuket’s world-famous culinary scene. Phuket is famed for gastronomy, from Michelin-stars to street food; experiencing both ends of the spectrum is a must. Beyond that, Phuket has a burgeoning artisanal spirits scene, such as the award-winning Chalong Rum distillery, which celebrates the island’s botanical diversity.
What’s more, Phuket is a leading centre for contemporary art, world-class design, upcycled furniture, and theater. We can arrange meetings with artists, factory tours, and theatrical performances to enable you to appreciate the depth and sophistication of the new Phuket.
Travel with us and discover Phuket’s personalities, characters, cuisine, and culture. And of course…stunning quiet beaches, marine conservation movements, soft adventures such as sea canoeing through caves and mangroves, not to mention inspiring Community-Based Tourism initiatives. Along the coast you’ll find sleepy villages and watch local fishermen bring in their day’s catch.
Wait, there’s more! Make your Phuket trip meaningful by helping at a center for children, or care for elephants, preparing their meals, feeding them, walking with them and watching them bathe, learning an enormous amount about these gentle giants. Suitable for all ages, from age 5!
Once the sandbox extends further, head north to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s cultural capital, or get a glimpse of the Siamese Empire through the temples of Sukhothai, or experience a luxury river cruise to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Read on to also discover how to make your trip meaningful and make a difference with elephant conservation volunteering.
Bangkok itself is a fascinating city, with beautiful complexities where you can watch how life unfolds in this vibrant city and explore the canals for further insights into urban life. Further afield, visit national parks which are home to elephants and gibbons, explore Thailand’s authentic and delicious food in the street markets and attend cooking classes with an expert chef. Have fun rock-climbing, experience water festival fun, soft trekking, biking, luxury train journeys and a lot more!
Hands Up Holidays‘ travel specialists know there is so much to discover in Phuket and beyond, and can advise you on the places to explore, adventures to try and experience. We can prepare a tailor-made program just for you and your family to get the most out of your holiday and make a lasting difference in Thailand.
Interested? Contact a consultant by emailing family@handsupholidays.com or calling us at +1 201 984 5372.
Read more about meaningful luxury family adventures in Thailand here.
