bridge the world thailand brochure 2013

THAILANDLUXURY BEACHES & ANCIENT KINGDOMS

PART OF THE STA TRAVEL GROUP

Welcome to Bridge the WorldFor over 30 years, we have taken inspiration from our own life-changing adventures and unforgettable travel experiences to tailor make journeys that are as individual as you and as unique as the places that we love. At Bridge the World, part of the STA Travel group, this ethos remains at the heart of what we do. But as avid travellers for life, we have ultimately grown up and ventured off into new luxurious and exotic locations that we could only have dreamt of when we had our backpacks on. We still specialise in the worldwide travel destinations that you love, from Europe to Australasia and anywhere you can possibly explore in between, but our passionate Bridge the World Travel Experts just tailor make your journey with a bit more luxury, style and comfort in mind. What makes us different is that we understand how to create affordable yet luxurious travel experiences that will not compromise either your original sense of adventure or the cultural authenticity of the places that you visit. From the towering 5* neon heights of Bangkok to the barefoot island luxury of Koh Tao or the steamy jungle camps deep in Khao Sok National Park, everything that we love and find enchanting about travel is reflected in how we hand pick ways to show it to you. All the individual components of our tailor made itineraries; from our 4 and 5* hotels, in-country ground handlers and small group touring partners, have been carefully chosen to reflect the unique charm of that destination.

Guided through us, the journey is ultimately about you, your comfort and your budget. Economy to First Class, tuk-tuk to private car and driver... everything is tailor made to reflect you as a traveller and to ensure you continue to embark upon truly unforgettable adventures, forging life long memories and prompting unbelievable travel stories.

Ways that you can get in touch with our Travel ExpertsCall us 0800 466 1217 (Freephone Number Mon to Sat 9.00-17.30 & Sun 10.00-17.00)

Click www.bridgetheworld.com

Visit our Leeds store 21 Albion Place, LS1 6JS

Or any of our 50 STA Travel stores across the UK featuring Bridge the Worldwww.bridgetheworld.com/find-a-branch.htm

Book an appointment online at our first floor lounge at the Leeds store and receive a £30 appointment discount*www.bridgetheworld.com/branch-appointments.htm

* Terms and conditions apply. See www.bridgetheworld.com/branch-appointments.htm

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Contents

2. Bridge the World3. Contents4. Your Holiday Essentials5. About Thailand

The Andaman Coast6. Phuket 12. Khao Lak 14. Sailing & Safaris15. Krabi 18. Koh Lanta

The Gulf of Thailand 19. Koh Samui24. Koh Tao & Koh Phangan

Mainland Coastal Resorts25. Hua Hin & Cha Am28. Pattaya & Koh Samet Bangkok 30. Bangkok33. Beyond Bangkok

Ancient Northern Kingdoms35. Chiang Mai36. Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle37. Northern Thailand Comfort Touring 38. Terms & Conditions

3We guarantee to beat any priceCall us free 0800 466 1217

IN SAFE HANDSYou can book knowing that your holiday is safe with us. We are ATOL protected and ABTA members ensuring that you have 100% financial protection once you have booked and whilst you are away.

TRAVEL INSURANCEIn all probability your holiday will go without a hitch but for those unforeseen events and peace of mind whilst you travel, we offer a range of travel insurance options. Bridge the World travel insurance offers comprehensive cover you can trust. Flexible options allow you to pick from different geographical areas and different levels of cover to match your holiday. We offer individual as well as family policies so whether you are off on a romantic holiday for two or a memorable trip with the kids in tow, you can trust in the cover we can provide. 24/7 support ensures you are never far away from help should you need it. Our full policy details can be viewed on our website and booked with our Travel Experts www.bridgetheworld.com/travel-insurance.htm

VISASA number of countries require you to arrange your visitor visa prior to travel but the information can often be conflicting and confusing. The Bridge the World visa service is a stress free solution to getting your entrance visas arranged. Clear and easy instructions ensure you’ll get it right first time, and real time tracking means you can relax in the knowledge that your travel documents are in safe hands. Save money with our competitive handling fees as well as save time. Who wants to spend hours queuing in an embassy when someone else can do it for you? Please contact our Travel Experts on 0800 466 1217 for more information.

HEALTHWe want to make sure that you are properly prepared and free to safely enjoy your trip. It is your responsibility to obtain proper and detailed medical advice in good time before your departure and so we suggest that you visit the Department of Health website for up to date information www.dh.gov.uk. To make life easier for you, and save you waiting around in doctor’s waiting rooms, you can visit an STA Travel clinic for expert health advice specific to travel. For hassle free and quick appointments for immunisations and anti-malarials please call us or visit www.statravel.co.uk/travel-clinic.htm for information on your nearest clinic.

BEFORE YOU FLYStart your holiday off early and avoid uncomfortable waits at the airport by booking lounge access. Available across the majority of UK airports and major airports abroad, this is the perfect way to take the stress out of flying and start your trip off with a little luxury. Talk to our Travel Experts about airport lounge access, as well as parking and airport hotels to help ease you into your holiday.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP TODAYThe accommodation prices featured in this brochure are based on per person, twin/double share rooms. The ‘from’ pricing shown has been calculated using low season economy air fares and low season hotel stays based on lead-in rooms. Some special offers may include compulsory breakfast supplements and only apply to certain room types. Our experienced team are sourcing great deals all year long so we recommend using the prices in this brochure as a guide and to ask your Bridge the World Travel Expert for the best available deal for your travel period. The photos featured are representative of the room types available at each property. However, this may not be the actual room type that you receive. If you have a preference for a particular room your Travel Expert will be happy to help.

AFTER YOU FLYWe don’t just leave you at the airport. Wherever you are, whether you have an emergency and need to come home or are loving it so much you want to stay, we have a dedicated travel help team available 7 days a week to change your flights, hotels and travel insurance. Please see your travel itinerary for ways to contact our Global Travel Help team.

PRICE MATCH GUARANTEEWe understand that you want to make sure you are getting the best deal on your airfare. And we want to ensure that you are booking your trip with a reputable and safe company - one that you can actually go in and visit, call up to speak to before you go and who offers post-departure travel help once you are away. For over 30 years we have been working with the world’s leading airline partners and so we are confident that our knowledgeable Travel Experts can find you the best prices for your airfare. If you do find an economy class fare with a scheduled carrier from another high street or online travel agent, we will not only match it but we will beat it. If we can’t, we’ll give you £1000 in Bridge the World credit towards your next trip.Please call us on 0800 466 1217 and see www.bridgetheworld.com/flight-price-beat-guarantee.htm for more details.

BRIDGE THE WORLD CASH CARDThe Bridge the World MasterCard® Prepaid Cashcard is a great way to carry money on your travels without worrying about exchanging currency. Simply pre-load the card with your desired funds, and use it like cash on your travels. It is accepted in over 35 million locations worldwide, anywhere you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.Some of the benefits• Free overseas transactions• A safe alternative to carrying cash as the card is

not linked to a bank account.• Your money can be managed 24 hours a day

online, by text or via automated telephone service – it’s really simple.

MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. The Card is issued by Wirecard Card Solutions Ltd (“WDCS”) pursuant to licence by MasterCard International Inc. WDCS is authorised by the Financial Services Authority to conduct electronic money service activities under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (Ref: 900051).

HONEYMOON AND GIFT CARDSLet us help you start married life with your perfect honeymoon. Many of our hand picked hotels offer complimentary extras, from fabulous room upgrades to romantic beach BBQs. Our knowledgeable Travel Experts will help you plan your dream trip enabling you to just sit back and savour the first precious days of married life. As well as our gift card service, perfect for birthdays and leaving presents, we also offer a convenient honeymoon account service that allows your friends and family to contribute to your trip in advance of your big day. Simply contact us to set up your honeymoon account and we’ll happily credit the account with £50 to get things started. Terms and Conditions apply.

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Your Holiday Essentials

TESCO CLUBCARD We are always looking for ways for you to get the best value and experience when booking your trip and so we work closely with leading partners to help achieve this. You can now redeem your Tesco rewards with us and use them towards your dream trip. For every £10 of Clubcard vouchers, up to a maximum of £600, we will triple their value and give you £30 of Bridge the World reward tokens to use as part or full payment towards your holiday. Call our Travel Experts on 0800 466 1217 to book and redeem your tokens today. Full details, terms and conditions can be found at www.bridgetheworld.com/tesco.htm

www.bridgetheworld.com

We guarantee to beat any priceCall us free 0800 466 1217

TAILOR MADEWe want to take you on a journey through this diverse and beguiling country where barefoot ochre-robed monks ride on the back of motorbikes, gleaming skyscrapers sit seamlessly alongside ancient pagodas, and luxury hotels hem the edge of rustic coconut clad beaches and clear cerulean seas. Whether you are looking to combine the teak decks of a floating bungalow on the River Kwai with an infinity pool villa on Koh Lanta’s tropical beachfront or swap the jewelled temples and emerald Buddhas of vibrant Bangkok for the cooling jade mountains of the majestic Golden Triangle, Thailand’s captivating cultural heritage, unspoilt natural beauty and unsurpassed array of world-class resorts and retreats, can be tailor made to fit your holiday.

HANDPICKEDOur boutique hotels, eco-lodges and luxurious spa resorts are shrouded in the authenticity, charm and world-renowned grace that is synonymous with Thailand. Imagining how we love to travel, we have combined photogenic week long beach breaks with add-on options for ‘Barefoot Luxury’ escapes to remote tropical hideaways, adventures into verdant national parks, spiritual retreats into ancient kingdoms, and urban sanctuaries within Bangkok. For your convenience we have included guide prices for flights and transfers. However, this is by no means exhaustive of what we can offer across Asia so please talk to our Travel Experts about their personal experiences, suggestions and prices for your bespoke itinerary.

CLIMATELoved enough to visit all year round, seasonal changes should influence but not overrule your visit to Thailand. Generally speaking, November - March should be hot and dry before temperatures peak in April. The southern beaches are typically hot and tropical in climate with both wet or dry seasons. Confusingly, but conveniently, this differs either side of the peninsula. The Andaman Coast should experience tropical bursts of rain between April - October and the Gulf Islands between September - December, meaning you should be able to find a dry beach to lie on all year round.

FLYING TIME Direct flights to Bangkok are 11.5 hours TIME DIFFERENCE GMT +7 hours

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An enthralling land of mystical mountain kingdoms and ancient tribal villages to the north, balmy jungle-fringed white beaches to the south and energetic inner-city melting pots inbetween - Thailand is one of the most enchanting, exotic and accessible luxury destinations in the world.

THAILAND

Khao Sok

Kanchanaburi

Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai

Udon Thani

Khao Lak

Andaman SeaGulf of Thailand

THAILAND

BURMALAOS

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

Krabi

Trang

Bangkok

Ayutthaya

PattayaHua Hin

Phetchaburi

Phuket

Phi Phi

Koh Lanta

Koh Samui

Koh Phangan

Koh Tao

Cha Am

Koh Samet

6 CALL US ON 0800 466 1217 TO BOOK

AND kHAo LAkPHUkET

An hour and a half flight from Bangkok, and with new international connections through exotic Middle Eastern gateways, Phuket remains Thailand’s most popular and accessible tropical island getaway. The vast stretches of talcum white sand and uninterrupted Andaman Sea views on the west coast are lined with the popular beach resorts of Patong, Karon and quieter Kata, and offer unsurpassed affordable luxury, delightful hospitality and colourful local nightlife. Scattered along the rest of the coastline and visible from jutting wooded headlands you’ll discover lush jungle creeping onto breathtaking sandy bays, secluded coves with crystal clear snorkelling, quieter boutique hotels and rustic hillside bars. Behind the immaculate beaches emerald forests hide a nature lover’s paradise and unexpected cultural secrets with cooling waterfalls, elephant trekking and sprawling complexes of wats (temples). A stroll through the old quarter of Phuket Town will reveal a rich colonial heritage where palatial 19th century Sino-Portuguese mansions give way to bustling soi’s (lanes) hiding golden Chinese shrines and Buddhist temples. A major gateway to southern Thailand’s marine and national parks, we have suggested extensions to explore the rainforest wilderness of Koh Sok NP and sail Phuket’s remote island archipelagos.

CALL US ON 0800 466 1217 TO BOOK

BAREFOOT LUXURY: Khao Lak. An hour drive north of Phuket, Khao Lak is an idyllic sleepy sanctuary where luxury oceanfront boutique hotels, deserted rustic beaches and laid-back village life sit on the edge of dramatic unspoilt marine and jungle wilderness. Khao Lak is also the gateway to the submerged kaleidoscopic marine life of the Similan Islands - one of the top ten dive sites in the world.

Radiating elegant old world charm, reminiscent of a by-gone colonial era of Phuket, we are battling to keep this enchantingly individual luxury hotel between ourselves.

Built into the peaceful green hills overlooking Kata Beach, this authentic Thai gem will reward you with magnificent views across pavilion rooftops onto tropical palm fringed bays.

The Old Phuket««««

Andaman Cannacia««««

The Old Phuket holds an unsurpassed central position along Karon Beach and is a unique and charming alternative to its more stereotypical 4* counterparts. Sitting against a backdrop of jade hills and separated from 3 miles of Phuket’s whitest sand and crystal clear waters by a wide beach avenue, the resort retains a quaint unassuming intimacy despite colourful markets and local beachfront restaurants sitting just beyond the gatehouse. White alabaster arches and cooling mosaic-tiled floors replicate the charming Sino-Portuguese architecture of historic Phuket Town often bypassed by sun worshipping tourists. While the resort may evoke a golden age of spice traders and junk boats, there is nothing historic or stuffy about the spacious rooms, all of which feature balconies or terraces with options for individual pool access. Guests then have the luxury of deciding between the two design worlds that this hotel combines, staying in either the oriental inspired Sino Wing or the gleaming white ultra-modern Serene Wing where balconies and terraces wrap around a vast aquamarine pool. WE LOVE the juxtaposition of heritage charm with the luxury of personal jump-in pool access.

350 metres from the laid-back cafes and white sands of Kata Beach, we cannot recommend enough walking a few minutes up the winding path to stay at this lovely hillside hotel. Nestled amongst lush tropical flora and an epic backdrop of blue tinged mountains, the paved sunset terraces and magnificent tiered cascading pool will repay you with total tranquillity and breathtaking scenery. With vaulted ceilings, scrolled stonework and vibrant silks reminiscent of Thailand’s temples and markets, the hotel is quietly and authentically opulent without commanding an over the top price tag. All rooms have cooling tiled terraces or wooden balconies leading onto luscious planting or Andaman Sea views, with honeymoon suites opening onto outdoor cobalt blue Jacuzzis. During hot days, indulge in a calming aloe vera body wrap at the sensory spa, traditional batik painting or fragrant cookery classes. After dusk, move from the glowing amber warmth of the poolside bar to the fittingly named Sunset Terrace for delicious alfresco dining. WE LOVE exploring the rustic hillside bars above the hotel in search of the ultimate sunset.

LOCATION: 2 minute walk to Karon Beach, approx 45 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 88 in Sino Wing & 96 in Serene Wing DINING: 4 restaurants, 2 poolside bars FEATURES: 2 pools, gym, poolside massage, tour desk, complimentary shuttles to Patong and night markets. HKTOLD

LOCATION: 5 minute walk to Kata Beach, approx 45 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 114 deluxe rooms & suites DINING: Sunset Terrace (Asian-style grill), Ban Yen (seafood, Thai, International), pool bar FEATURES: Santi Spa, fitness centre, pool, cookery school, complimentary shuttle to Kata. HKTACR

7www.bridgetheworld.com

PHUKET

Karon Beach

Kata Beach

Guide price from £XXX per person

7 nights bed and breakfast in a XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and return airport transfers. Please ask your Travel Expert for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offers

Early booking: Book before 30 Apr for stays 1 May to 31 Oct and save £100 per room, per stay for a minimum stay of 7 nightsFree nights: Book before 30 Apr for stays 1 May to 31 Oct and save £100 per room, per stay for a minimum stay of 7 nightsHoneymoon: Book before 30 Apr for stays 1 May to 31 Oct and save £100 per room, per stay for a minimum stay of 7 nights plus a complimentary bottle of champagne




Special offers





Special offers





Special offers


Guide price from £749 per person

7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Room (Sino Wing)

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and private return airport transfers. Please ask for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offers

Free nights: Stay 6 nights and Pay 3 nights. Valid for stays 31 Apr 14 - 31 Mar 15.

Honeymoon: Stay 5 nights and receive a flower bed decoration and one complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. Valid for stays 31 Apr 14 - 31 Mar 15.

Special offers


Special offers


Special offers


Special offers



7 nights bed and breakfast in a Canna Deluxe Room


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights and Pay 4 nights.

Nestled into a tropical peninsula on the northern tip of Kata beach, the Avista takes inspiration from its breezy vantage point to deliver fresh and simple luxury with unsurpassed hospitality.

Sitting directly on the quiet white sands of this lesser known bay on the west coast, this brand new luxury hotel offers signature cool, spacious and blissful beachfront living.

Avista Phuket Resort & Spa««««

Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach««««

Perfectly positioned on a hillside just 5 minutes from both Kata and Karon beaches, the vistas across emerald treetops onto the deepening hues of the Andaman Sea are understandably breathtaking. The clue is in the name. However, what ‘Avista’ cannot convey is the heart warming friendliness and uncompromising service that this hotel is synonymous with. The resort’s uncomplicated approach towards achieving comfortable and modern luxury flows throughout the lush green spaces, the breezy open-sides of the sleek gastronomic restaurant, and along the clean azure lines of the vast pristine pool and swim-up cocktail bar. Lavish wellness spas are a staple in Thai hotels. However, the staff and traditional treatments at the Sukko Spa are exceptional. After a long sundrenched day on Kata Beach or evening in the local bars, retiring into a minimum of 43 sq metres of cool modern décor with expansive balcony views will feel luxuriously blissful. WE LOVE the state of the art features with staff that aren’t too cool to give you a genuine smile each day.

LOCATION: hillside, few minutes walk to Kata beach, 10 minutes to Karon bars and restaurants, approx 40 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 143 deluxe rooms & suites DINING: En Vogue (Thai, International, BBQ) swim-up bar, pool bar, wine cellar FEATURES: 2 pools, Sukko Spa, compact fitness centre, library, kids club, tour desk. HKTAVI

North of busy Patong, having remarkably battled development for this long, idyllic Kamala Beach is a glorious crescent of pristine silky sand lined with native green forest. An expanding fishing village, Kamala has retained much of its quiet local charm with markets and restaurants within a 15 minute walk of the Novotel. With total relaxation in mind, the clean cubist lines and calming open spaces of this newly conceived hotel perfectly compliment the breezy and peaceful beachfront outside. Spacious rooms and suites are fresh, stylish and state of the art, filled with natural light from large balconies and have open views across the gardens or ocean. Making the most of outdoor living, both the Soul Kitchen restaurant and Lilo pool bar are metres from the water, while a roof top bar is perfectly elevated to take in the west coast’s famous scarlet sunsets. WE LOVE Simple, healthy and creative - indulge in spa herbal treatments, cookery classes, fishing, surf lessons and rooftop yoga with epic views across the Andaman Sea.

LOCATION: beachfront Kamala Beach, approx 30 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 166 rooms with balconies, 8 suites DINING: Soul Kitchen (beachfront, all day dining), Lilo (poolside bar, snacks), Rooftop Bar, Lobby Bar FEATURES: outdoor pool, In Balance Spa, fitness centre, aerobic classes, yoga classes, cookery classes, meeting rooms, water sports (seasonal).

CALL US ON 0800 466 1217 TO BOOK8

PHUKET

Kata Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Double Room


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 5 nights Pay 4 nights; Stay 7 nights Pay 5 nights. Valid for stays 1 Apr - 31 Oct 14.

Honeymoon: Receive welcome fruit, flowers and honeymoon cake.


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Superior Garden View Room


Kamala Beach

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Where most Kata hotels nestle in the lush green hills overlooking the Andaman Sea, a ten minute walk over the peninsula from Kata’s restaurants and bars will reveal picturesque and secluded Kata Noi Beach. Exclusively commanding the 850 metre length of this stunning sheltered bay are the beautiful sprawling grounds of the Katathani, bestowing upon this luxurious resort one of the only genuine beachfront positions in the Kata area.

While the green blanketed gardens fit seamlessly into the mountain backdrop to the east and run into the turquoise depths of the Andaman Sea to the west, there is no disguising the size of this resort. And we wouldn’t want to. The Katathani offers a spectacular array of luxury accommodation and world-class features that are unsurpassed anywhere else on the island. By no means exhaustive, the resort hosts a 5* PADI dive school for exploring the iridescent coral of Kata Noi’s house reef, night markets selling local crafts and artwork, a blindingly white 36 foot private yacht for dawn snorkelling or sunset canapes, and a series of jewelled mosaic pools and opulent spas.

Dining is equally lavish with an array of restaurants boasting fragrant royal Thai, authentic Italian, freshly caught seafood, and private candlelit dining underneath breezy white beachfront canopies. This resort can quite literally tailor make itself to you. Attentive personal touches such as a specially blended Thai bergamot room fragrance and guest choice of pillow and mattress type, ensure your Katathani experience is luxuriously individual and intimate.

WE LOVE climbing the headland south of the Katathani to the celebrated Khao Saam Haad (Three Beaches Hill) for spectacular sunset views over Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon.

Flanked by wooded headlands, only separated from a band of white gold sand by a fringe of casuarina trees, the illustrious Katathani stretches across the west coast’s most coveted beach.

Katathani Phuket Beach Resort««««


PHUKET

Kata Noi Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Room (Bhuri Wing)

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and private return airport transfers. Please ask for prices of ad-ditional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

LOCATION: beachfront, 10 minute walk to Kata, 20 minute drive to Patong, approx 40 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 479 concept designed rooms, suites & 2-bed villas spread across 2 wings (Thani wing is beachfront, Bhuri wing is set back from the beach by a small road) DINING: 6 restaurants plus private dining, 3 pool bars, 2 cocktail bars FEATURES: 6 pools with 4 separate children’s pool, PADI dive school, fitness centre, yoga, putting greens, spa & beauty salon, games room, kids club.


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LOCATION: secluded beachfront near Rawai Beach, approx 50 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 92 deluxe, seaview & garden villas, some with private pools, 5 beachfront villas DINING: Baan Vijitt, The Savoury (buffet, a la carte), beach bar, wine cellar, private dining FEATURES: infinity pool, extensive spa and wellness features, complimentary shuttles to Patong and local beaches, tour desk, kids club, environmental projects. HKTVIJ

This unique and sophisticated resort is effortlessly indifferent to the size and popularity of Phuket, proving it is still possible to stumble across an unspoilt haven in this busy corner of Thailand. Set on a private stretch of Friendship Beach on the laid-back southern shores of the island, the Vijitt is perfect for travellers who are completely at ease with themselves and the natural beauty of their surroundings. Inspired by this intimate and tranquil setting, the Vijitt consists exclusively of luxurious locally crafted villas with tropical outdoor rain showers and breezy verandas. Hidden amongst 18 acres of gently sloping mature gardens, guests are afforded complete privacy without obstructing an uninterrupted expanse of glorious views across the Andaman Sea.

Designed to take in your sensory surroundings, shady hammocks and traditional outdoor massage salas (pavilions) are scattered throughout the fragrant gardens. During sundrenched days, disappear into the blue expanse of the beachside infinity pool or take the complimentary shuttle to explore Nai Ham Beach and celebrated Promthep Cape. Originally a fruit orchard, the resort is unmistakably foodie but reassuringly relaxed. Dishes are prepared using local ingredients and herbs from the gardens and served in either the 58 year old Sino-Portuguese beachside mansion or privately in your villa. Away from boisterous nightlife, the beachside bar for sundowners or wine cellar for private tasting, should be a welcome alternative if you appreciate this remote location as much as we do.

WE LOVE that so dedicated is the Vijitt to sustainability, the resort runs botanical walks, marine tours, and a rubber plantation project to support the local community.

An eco inspired oceanfront retreat, scattered amongst swaying palms and scented frangipani overlooking secluded Chalong Bay, the Vijitt provides a genuine luxury refuge away from the crowds.

The Vijitt Resort«««««


PHUKET

Rawai Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Villa


Special offers

Early booking: Book 60 days prior to arrival and receive 25% off. Valid 1 - 15 Apr 14; 1 Nov - 26 Nov 14; 6 Jan - 31 Mar 15. Book 30 days prior to arrival and receive 30% off. Valid 16 Apr - 31 Oct 14.

Honeymoon: Receive In-villa check-in, one bottle of wine, honeymoon decoration and fresh fruit on arrival. Subject to minimum 4 night stay.

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LOCATION: 5 minute drive to Patong Beach, approx 45 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: range of 150 luxury rooms & suites. Suites come with Jacuzzis and/or private infinity pools DINING: Vista (Thai, International), barbecue terrace, private dining, rooftop bar, pool bar FEATURES: 3 pools, spa, fitness centre, library, putting green, butler service, complimentary shuttle service to Patong, kids club, business centre, internet café. HKTHID

Despite being one of Phuket’s newest 5* hotels, the Avista Hideaway has already amassed a reputation as one of the finest located, luxurious and refined resorts on the island. Only a few minutes drive from Patong’s hedonistic bars and restaurants, the resort itself is gloriously peaceful and secluded. Taking its design and ethos from the uninhibited space and freedom afforded to it by its idyllic clifftop position, the hotel fits organically into picturesque surroundings with majestic temple pitched rooftops rolling onto rich forest, blonde coastline, and limitless blue horizons. Contemporary open spaces flow freely around the resort, inviting you to languish on day beds beside cliff dropping infinity pools, eat freshly grilled seafood on the outdoor barbecue terrace or drink exotic cocktails on the rooftop bar under dappled scarlet sunsets.

The airy and contemporary rooms encourage absolute freedom and indulgence, with a minimum of 55 sq metres, high ceilings and private terraces in the Buena Vista rooms to 145 sq metres of indoor/outdoor living, private pools and outdoor bathtubs in the Tropical Hideaway Pool Suites. Facilities are unquestionably luxurious and individually thought through with specialist Ayurvedic holistic therapies performed in the beautiful spa or under traditional outdoor massage salas (pavilions), a library for contemplative reading, refreshing swim-up cocktail bar and a fitness centre surrounded by tropical planting for an indoor-outdoor work out.

Perched on a heady peninsula between Patong and Tri Trang beach, this world-class luxury hideaway is second only to the awe-inspiring views across emerald forests and cerulean seas.

Avista Hideaway Resort & Spa«««««


PHUKET

Patong


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Buena Vista Double Room.


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 5 nights Pay 4 nights; Stay 7 nights Pay 5 nights. Valid for stays 1 Apr - 31 Oct 14.

Honeymoon: Receive welcome fruit basket, flower decoration, honeymoon cake and one bottle of sparkling wine. Subject to a minimum 3 night stay.

WE LOVE the discreetly personal service, from private chefs to a 24-hour butler service, you are guaranteed to know the names of all the staff you come into contact with during your stay.

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The Merlin is a luxury tropical idyll. Four shimmering blue pools and free-form rivers, cascading into small waterfalls and rock pools, meander through gently sloping jungle straight onto 190 metres of tranquil beachfront. Incredibly close to nature, the resort’s landscaped grounds have a remote rainforest feel and atmosphere while being perfectly located to experience local village life with a few restaurants, tailors and beach shacks within a few minutes stroll. Bar the occasional sound of crickets and chirping of birds, you can expect absolute peace and stillness here. The sprawling verdant grounds allow for the traditional Thai-style rooms and spacious villas to be shrouded in privacy by the abundant exotic vegetation. Each palatial room, cool and airy in size but warm in tone, open onto large jungle balconies with options for opulent toe-dipping pool access from your private terrace.

After a day exploring the surrounding network of caves, thundering waterfalls, remote limestone islands or simply lazing on the pristine stretch of quiet beach in front of the hotel, the luxury spa is the perfect place to be massaged and pampered before heading for icy sundowners and a sunset dinner. Eating at the Merlin is wonderfully literal and apt in name, with the ‘Tropical Garden’ restaurant serving Asian classics and vegetarian food amongst well, a tropical garden, while the ‘Veranda’ fittingly serving delicious seafood with Andaman Sea views under traditional thatched roofs on the stunning beachfront terrace.

WE LOVE the proximity of hotel luxury to local jungle life and beachfront living, with mahouts (carers) often seen walking their elephants across the beach outside the Merlin.

With balmy tropical forests meeting gentle sea breezes at the Merlin’s beachfront, this 15 acre rainforest resort is perfectly positioned to experience castaway jungle life and quiet local living.

Khao Lak Merlin Resort««««


KHAO LAK

Khao Lak


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Superior Double Room.


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 4 nights. Valid for stays 1 Apr - 31 Oct 14.

Honeymoon: Guarantee King Size bed, fruit basket and flower decoration in the room on arrival.

LOCATION: beachfront Khao Lak beach, 5 minutes from local shops, approx 55 minute transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 236 superior, deluxe & pool access rooms DINING: Tropical Garden (Asian, vegetarian), Veranda (beachfront, seafood), Sanook Bar & Lounge, Lobby Lounge FEATURES: 4 pools, children’s pool & playground, spa, gym, beauty salon, tennis court, souvenir shop, tailor, tour desk booking local national park trips. FYLKAO

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La Flora, as its name suggests, is captivatingly close to nature. Immaculate fertile gardens scattered with gorgeous pavilion villas hem the quiet palm fringed sands and tranquil waters of Bang Niang Beach - affording La Flora the most coveted beachfront position in Khao Lak. Mountain bikes, kayaks, snorkels and sailboats are on hand to give you instant access to the surrounding mountain and ocean wilderness. However, there is little need to venture too far as nature and luxury are harmoniously balanced here. A spectacular oceanfront infinity pool blends the resort into the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea, while a sapphire serpentine free-form pool meanders through the grounds flowing into bays, waterfalls and directly up to your own private terrace in the pool access villas.

The rooms and villas are discreet sanctuaries of cool Asian design, mixing natural wood with rich umber and Thai spice tones, with cooling day beds reclining on peaceful ocean or garden fronted balconies. Stretch and meditate your way through an outdoor yoga class or rejuvenate in the spa specialising in traditional Asian medicine and holistic remedies. Later, sip a happy hour cocktail under billowing white canopies at the rustic oceanfront restaurant or, a few minutes stroll with the finest sand between your toes, will lead you to vibrant markets and laid-back sunset beach bars.

WE LOVE that we have yet to come across a hotel whose staff prompts such a loyal following of guests. Expect personal touches, from welcome canapés to birthday cakes, which would satisfy the pickiest of reviewers on trip advisor.

Hugging a champagne ribbon of talcum fine sand and green topaz waters, this award-winning resort is revered for its unsurpassed hospitality and discreet luxury amongst rustic surroundings.

La Flora Resort & Spa««««


KHAO LAK

Khao Lak


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Room


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 4 nights. Valid for stays 1 Mar - 31 Oct 14.

Honeymoon: Receive heart-shaped petal bed decoration, one bottle of wine, honeymoon cake, flower arrangements and king size bed. Valid 1 Apr 14 - 31 Mar 15. Minimum stay 5 nights.

LOCATION: beachfront on Bang Niang beach, 5 minutes to Khao Lak centre, approx 1 hour transfer from Phuket airport ROOMS: 138 garden and sea view suites and villas, some with direct pool access and Jacuzzis DINING: View 59 (beachfront, Thai, International, seafood), private beach dining FEATURES: 2 pools, tennis court, extensive water sports, sailing, beach lifeguard, mountain bikes, fishing, spa, fitness centre, library, business centre, tour desk booking national park trips. FYLFLO


ANDAMAN COAST PACKAGES

Elephant Hills Jungle Safari

Day 1: Morning pick-up from your Phuket, Krabi or Khao Lak hotel and transfer through local villages and forest covered mountains to the elephant camp - a project for retired working elephants and their carers (mahouts) since the banning of traditional logging in Thailand. Participate in this sustainable project by feeding, bathing and learning the secrets of these magnificent gentle giants. After a jungle lunch, experienced local river guides will lead you in canoes down the majestic Sok River through untouched rainforest and wildlife. Return to the camp, relax by the jungle-clad pool and enjoy a cocktail at the Jungle Explorers Club before a memorable rainforest dinner and traditional entertainment. As the

rainforest goes quiet, retire to the tailor-made luxury permanent tents, all featuring locally handcrafted furniture and en-suite bathrooms.Day 2: As the jungle comes alive with the call of birds and monkeys, wake up and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a guided trek on foot through the rainforest. Take this unique opportunity to look and learn about the indigenous flora and fauna with a possibility of seeing hornbills, gibbons, leaf monkeys and reptiles. Weather permitting, lunch will be cooked on traditional bamboo in the rainforest. Afterwards, return to the camp at Elephant Hills for one last look at this remote wilderness paradise. Transfer back to your chosen hotel or airport.

Khao Sok NP

Phuket Sailing Adventure

Day 1: Arrival dayMeet the crew this afternoon at the marina before setting sail towards the Northern Phuket islands. With an average of 10 people aboard this comfortable catamaran, the skipper will be happy to teach you the ropes or lie back on the breezy decks and let the experienced crew do all the work. Moor up and take your first sunset swim.

Day 2: Phang Nga Bay, Khao Phing Kan & Sea-Gypsy VillageSail through the emerald waters of idyllic Phang Nga Bay to James Bond Island, the famous setting for ‘The Man with the Golden Gun,’ before heading ashore to explore one of the last sea gypsy villages.

Day3: Krabi Islands & Railay BeachToday you will journey through calm waters to laid-back Railay Beach. Snorkel the crystal clear waters before strolling up to the local view point, relax with a massage, visit the local shrine, or kick back at the beach.

Day 4: Koh Phi Phi & Maya Bay Snorkel beautiful Monkey Bay on the way to the famous Phi Phi Islands. Spend the day at the dramatic limestone and iridescent marine paradise made famous by the movie ‘The Beach’.

Day 5: Southern Phuket Islands A full day of sailing as the crew slowly navigates through jungle-clad remote islands and secluded white bays with stops for lunch and refreshing swims.

Day 6: Koh Yao Yai, Koh Khai Nai & Phang Nga BayYour penultimate day heads to the tiny tropical island of Koh Khai Nai before sailing into Phang Nga Bay for your last delicious dinner in a secluded anchorage.

Day 7: Departure dayAfter dropping the anchor for one final swim, you will sail back to Phuket and dry land just before lunch.

From £949 per person based on twin-share cabin Departures weekly seasonal departures Oct – Apr from Phuket Accommodation 6 nights standard class cabins with shared bathrooms aboard sailing catamaran Group Size Max 14, Avg 10 Inclusions 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners (allow USD85-120 for meals not included), full service crew. For full inclusions please ask our Travel Experts for the trip dossier and deck plans. GAATSA

KOH PHI PHI

PHUKET

KRABIISLANDS

THAILAND

SOUTHERNPHUKETISLANDS

We love lazing on Thailand’s beaches but no trip to the Andaman Coast would be complete without an adventure into its magical wilderness interior. Deep in the steamy tropical jungle of Khao Sok National Park, surrounded by mist-covered towering green peaks, raging waterfalls and a cacophony of exotic birds and monkeys, is Thailand’s first luxury tented camp - Elephant Hills. Your stay here is a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with the largest land mammal in the world, canoe past dramatic limestone cliffs on the meandering Sok River, trek through southern Thailand’s largest rainforest, and spend a truly memorable night in remote wilderness luxury.

Snorkel secret jewelled underwater gardens, explore castaway white beaches, sample delicious food and sleep moored under the stars. This week long adventure gives you full access to the Andaman Sea’s remote marine paradise and hidden island archipelagos aboard this dazzling white sailing catamaran.

SMALL GROUP TOUR

From £225 per person based on a twin/double luxury tent Departures daily, all year round Return transfers from Phuket, Krabi or Khao Lak hotels Accommodation 1 night stay in luxury 2 person en-suite permanent tents with bathrooms, hot/cold water, electricity, fans, mosquito nets Inclusions 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner. All activities and guides. Please ask your Travel Expert for tour extensions. ELHILL


AND koH LANTAkRABI


With 130 rainforest covered islands dotted around its sparkling green topaz waters, Krabi province is the jewel of the Andaman Coast. The famous scarlet and amber streaked sunsets and dramatic craggy coastline, where traditional long tail ribboned boats moor between sheer vine-strewn limestone karsts, are the most photographed and archetypal tropical island scenery in Thailand. Historically inhabited by pirates and sea gypsies, Krabi’s famous jungle lined coves and the iconic Phi Phi islands are still only accessible by boat. The rest of the coastline is blessed with long quiet stretches of dazzling white sand and are lined with rustic casuarina trees, coconut groves, precious eco-balancing mangroves and secluded beachfront boutique hotels. Despite the growing number of adventurers who stay in Ao Nang to travel the province scaling vertical limestone cliffs, rafting through dense jungle and diving the iridescent coral reefs, Krabi remains sleepier than neighbouring Phuket. Reassuring snapshots of laid-back southern Thai life are still evident in the local fishing villages scattered along the coastline, amongst the aromatic street vendors that line the colourful lanes of Krabi Town, and across the estuary on the rustic eco-haven of Koh Klang.

Tub Kaek Beach

Nopparat Thara Beach

Andaman Sea

Phra-Ae Beach

Krabi AirportKOH KLANG

Krabi Town

KRABI

KOH LANTA YAI

AMARI VOGUE

LAYANA RESORT & SPA

RED GINGER CHIC RESORT

ISLANDA ECO VILLAGE RESORT

KOH LANTA NOI

KOH PHI PHI

Klong Muang Beach

Ao Nang

BAREFOOT LUXURY: Koh Lanta. Two hours from Krabi Town, sailing past an idyllic archipelago of remote islands, will maroon you on Koh Lanta -a beguiling and secluded blonde beach paradise and gateway to some of the Andaman coasts best seasonal sailing and diving.

200 metres from Ao Nang beach, on a characteristically Thai side street lined with colourful food vendors and wafts of tamarind, this locally inspired modern resort is delightfully eclectic.

The only hotel on this peaceful and rustic Andaman island, untouched by tourism and mirroring the pace of local village life, this rare luxury resort is the original beachfront hideaway.

Red Ginger Chic Resort««««

Islanda Eco Village Resort««««

Past the canary yellow rickshaws and aromatic Pad Thai sellers outside the Red Ginger Resort, turn right to the laid-back heart of Ao Nang or left to the sleepier shallow waters and craggy limestone islands of Nopparat Thara Beach. Whichever way you turn this quiet and characterful hotel on the edge of remote tropical white bays, sheltered coral reefs and laid-back local haunts, is a fantastic place from which to explore Krabi’s magnificent beaches, fragrant food and adventure sports. The resort is architecturally quirky and built in a unique open design that perfectly balances Krabi’s balmy tropical climate. Jungle weaved bamboo partitions, billowing ochre colour canopies and cool oriental tiled floors open out from a central cobalt freshwater pool with refreshing swim-up bar and luxurious pool access to the ground floor rooms. With only 63 open-style balcony rooms, and one exceptional Thai restaurant to rival the locals outside, the resort is affordably exclusive, gloriously individual and elegant rather than rustic. WE LOVE the mix of 4* hotel luxury with eclectic oriental style. We even spotted an ornamental birdcage.

LOCATION: 10 minute walk to Ao Nang, 200m to beach, approx 25 minute transfer from Krabi airport ROOMS: 63 including pool access and 4th floor loft-style duplex rooms DINING: Spice Room (Thai, fusion), Ginger Bar, swim-up bar FEATURES: freshwater pool with separate Jacuzzi and kids pool, outdoor fitness terrace, bike hire, use of Pakasai Resort spa. KBVRED

Protected from the sweeping wave of tourism by a 5 minute long tail boat ride from Krabi, the Islanda is the only hotel on the laid-back island paradise of Koh Klang - an intriguing tapestry of pristine mangrove forests and rice paddies interwoven with local fishing villages and indigenous communities. A temporary reprieve from the frenetic modern world, you’ll love the simplicity and natural beauty of undisturbed island life. Cycle through local villages selling handicrafts, kayak along the mangroves, and explore local tropical islands on traditional boats. Built in the style of a Southern Thai fishing village, the resort is made up of luxury stilted and thatched bungalows, all of which have ocean facing verandas open to gentle sea breezes and sunset views past silhouetted fishing boats. Despite commanding a remote island position, there is nothing rustic about the resort, which has a stunning azure beachfront infinity pool, natural spa treatments, and cocktail bar. WE LOVE experiencing local culture with village tours, batik painting, clam digging and Thai boxing.

LOCATION: private beachfront Koh Klang, 5 minute long tail boat from Krabi Town plus 15 minute tuk-tuk to resort, approx 1 hr from Krabi airport ROOMS: range of 30 luxury Thai bungalows, all with sea views DINING: Sea Breeze (local Thai, seafood), Village Bar FEATURES: infinity pool, Jacuzzi, massage and spa treatments, library, bike hire, tour desk, local island hopping trips. ECOVI7


KRABI

Ao Nang

Koh Klang


7 nights bed and breakfast in an Ocean Breeze Bungalow

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and private return road + boat airport transfers. Please ask for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offers

Complimentary: Welcome cold drink and towel on arrival and free Wi-Fi.

Honeymoon & Anniversary: Receive room upgrade, welcome fruit and flowers and one bottle of sparkling wine. Minimum 7 nights stay. Valid for stays 1 Nov-24 Dec13; 6 Jan - 31 Oct 14.


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Superior Room


Special offers

Early booking: Book by 30 Apr 14 and receive 20% off. Valid for stays 1 Apr - 31 Oct 14.


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Other than a small fishing village 5 minutes away, the Amari Vogue is a blissfully remote piece of beachfront paradise where you’ll find yourself luxuriously marooned from the outside world. The view from wooden balustrades across the tiered blue-topaz pool and pitched rooftops, reminiscent of ancient Lanna Kingdoms, onto the private stretch of pristine beach will continually reward you with the perfect archetypal Krabi snapshot. This hotel is also the ideal luxury gateway into unspoilt wilderness with kayaks and bikes on hand to lazily explore the mangroves, jungle covered emerald coastline and national parks. Ask the helpful hotel staff to prepare you a picnic hamper and hire a fisherman and traditional long tail boat from the beach outside the Amari Vogue to discover remote vine strewn limestone islands. The hotel is also affiliated with a PADI dive centre to delve deeper into Krabi’s jewelled underwater gardens.

Taking up much less energy, the white alabaster pillars and ornate arches of the Breeze Spa and outdoor massage pavilions are lavishly soothing, healing and balancing. This heritage design, with vaulted ceilings and carved wooden shutters, also runs throughout the 57 orchid-scattered balcony rooms evoking a distinctive rich, luxurious and exotic feel. Two of the hotel suites also have their own en-suite treatment rooms. The fragrantly named Lotus Thai restaurant and warm caressing openness of the beachfront seafood and Italian bar more than compensate for the remote location away from the restaurants and bars of touristy Ao Nang.

WE LOVE the endless un-polluted violet and amber streaked sunsets, interrupted only by distant island archipelagos.

This intimate boutique hotel rears majestically out of dense tropical jungle onto a remote castaway stretch of powdery sand, iridescent opal water and distant limestone karsts.

The Amari Vogue«««««


KRABI

Tub Kaek Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Double Room.


Special offers


Honeymoon: Receive petal bed decoration, fruit, flowers and honeymoon cake. Valid for stays 16 Apr 14 - 31 Mar 15.

LOCATION: remote location 5 minutes drive to Klong Muang, 20 minute drive to Ao Nang, approx 40 minute transfer from Krabi airport ROOMS: 57 deluxe & grand deluxe rooms, spa suites and villas DINING: Lotus restaurant (authentic Thai), Bellini Bar (seafood, Italian), Sunset Lounge FEATURES: free-form pool, Breeze Spa, plunge pools, Jacuzzis, fitness centre, kayaks, affiliated PADI Kon-Tiki dive school, complimentary Wi-Fi, tour desk arranging local trips, 2 complimentary shuttles per day to Ao Nang. KBVAMA

LOCATION: beachfront Phrae Ae Beach, transfers approx 1hr15min by road and boat from Krabi airport (may be longer between May-October) ROOMS: Adult only - 44 garden suites, 3 beach suites, 3 ocean deluxe suites and La Maison (2-bed pool villa) DINING: Tides restaurant (beachfront, ‘resort casual’ dress code), Sundowners Bar FEATURES: saltwater infinity pool, poolside Jacuzzi, library, fitness room, seasonal sailing, snorkelling and diving trips, sunset cruises, kayaking, mountain bikes, cookery courses, complimentary wine tasting. IAVLAY

This sophisticated ‘adult only’ resort is an escapist’s luxury paradise on Thailand’s most desirable castaway island hideaway. With a devoted following of repeat guests and new converts, and with just 51 beautiful suites to accommodate them, the Layana has an intimacy and exclusivity that has cemented its standing as one of the most illustrious 5* resorts and spas in Thailand. As you step off the speedboat transfer onto the silken stretch of famous Phrae Ae Beach (Long Beach) that spill out of the hotel’s immaculate gardens, it is easy to see why. Creamy pavilion villas with temple rooftops, spaciously scattered beneath slender palms and around a central smooth saltwater infinity pool, sit against a spiritual backdrop of blue tinged hills.

The Layana has an archetypal sleepy island setting so, if you appreciate this as much as we do, you will love that there are little more than a few laid-back beach bars close by. The location and resort itself, flawlessly run with pride and subtle attentiveness, is the lure. The Layana is a true spa retreat with a world-class spa set within a fragrant walled garden offering treatments designed to boost your mental and physical wellbeing. Dining at the balmy and magically lit oceanfront restaurant is infinitely elegant, with exquisite Thai and a la carte cuisine, while the relaxed and aptly named Sundowner Bar is the perfect setting to perch on a stool, chat to the barman and set up a tripod for the inevitable coral sunset.

WE LOVE jetting out on the Layana’s speedboat to explore the deserted islands dotted around Koh Lanta’s tropical waters.

With just 51 rooms fringing Koh Lanta’s most coveted beach, the only drawback that we can find about this prestigious luxury island utopia is finding an unoccupied room for your stay.

Layana Resort & Spa«««««

KOH LANTA

Koh Lanta Yai


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Garden Pavilion

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and return road + boat airport transfers. Please ask for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 4 nights. Valid for stays 1 May 14 - 30 Sep 14.

Honeymoon: Receive tropical flowers, one bottle of sparkling and a box of chocolates. Valid for stays 1 Apr 14 - 31 Mar 15.


koH SAMUI

The largest of an idyllic island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is a photogenic bounty island paradise where gently sloping virgin rainforests spill onto coconut fringed white beaches and famous crystal clear waters. Originally a backpacker enclave, now with short and frequent flights from Bangkok and other Asian gateways, Koh Samui has become a cosmopolitan island escape where sophisticated boutique hotels sit amongst the backpacker beach bungalows and paradisaical natural beauty that first charmed travellers in the 1960’s. The blissful east coast beaches and calm waters of Chaweng and Lamai remain picture perfect but are now lined with luxurious hotels and vibrant nightlife. The quieter northern beaches around Bophut are home to the iconic Big Buddha and charming Fisherman’s Village - a preserved colonial outpost of colourful beachfront Chinese shopfronts, elegant boutiques, galleries and restaurants. The island’s winding and lush jungle interior hides waterfalls, temples, secret Buddha gardens and treetop restaurants with majestic views over rainforest canopies to the dotted emerald islands of Angthong NP and a submerged marine paradise.

koH TAo AND koH PHANGAN

Bang Po Bay

Samui Airport

KOH PHANGAN

KOH SAMUI

PEACE RESORT

NORA BURI RESORT & SPA

AMARI PALM REEF

SALA SAMUI RESORT & SPABig Buddha

KOH TAO

PAVILION SAMUI BOUTIQUE RESORT

THE LIBRARY

Mae Nam Bay

Lamai Beach

Hua Thanon

Bang KaoThong Krut

Taling Ngam

Nathon Pier

Laem Yai

SANTHIYA RESORT & SPA

HAAD TIEN BEACH RESORT

Sairee Beach

Bottle Beach

Mae Haad Port

Thong Sala Port

Haad Rin Beach

Choeng Mon Beach

Bophut

Chaweng Beach

BAREFOOT LUXURY: Koh Phangan & Koh Tao. Koh Samui is a jumping off point to two of Thailand’s most idyllic castaway islands that, only accessible by boat, have largely fought and won against over-development. With both offering unspoilt powder soft sand, swaying palms and gentle waters full of rich marine life, we had to include both. Remote and luxurious oceanfront hotels will throw your backpacker preconceptions about both islands out of their perfect turquoise waters.


Scattered amongst exotic fruit trees, birds and flowers spilling onto the white sand of beautiful Bophut beach, the Peace Resort balances luxury with family run authentic charm.

Commanding a blissful palm fringed stretch of the island’s quieter southern shores, this elegant and contemporary boutique resort is the perfect laid-back beachfront retreat.

Peace Resort««««

Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort««««

For 30 years the Peace Resort has been perfecting the ultimate in relaxed island ambiance. The resort is luxuriously elegant, with daily afternoon tea served from the in-house bakery, whilst paying the utmost respect to its abundant natural surroundings with a guest ‘plant-a-tree’ scheme ensuring the resort is also compassionately green. Embracing pure beachfront luxury, charming garden or beach bungalows are only separated from 250 metres of silky pale sand and warm shallow water by a line of palm trees and beachfront massage pavilions. From the mosaic blue topaz pool, dusky sunset bar and the swinging lanterns of the exquisite restaurant, you are treated to glorious sweeping views across the Gulf to neighbouring Koh Phangan. A 15 minute barefoot walk past the satay and fruit sellers on the beach will lead you to the colourful shop-fronts and restaurants at Fisherman’s Village, making the Peace Resort the perfect retreat from which to explore this lovely laid-back corner of Koh Samui. WE LOVE sunset dining cross-legged on huge cushions at low candlelit tables on the sand.

LOCATION: beachfront Bophut, 15 minute transfer from Koh Samui airport, 30 minute drive to Nathan Pier ROOMS: 20 deluxe rooms, 102 garden & oceanfront bungalows DINING: Sea Wrap (Thai, International), beach dining, BBQ, pool bar FEATURES: pool, separate kid’s pool, Jacuzzi, beachfront massage, culinary school, fitness centre, use of Peace Tropical Spa. USMPEA

Koh Samui is renowned for its picture perfect coconut clad tropical beaches. The Pavilion Resort is eminently located straight off the talcum fine sand and gentle translucent swimming waters of the island’s most coveted beachfronts in Lamai. Just a 5 minute stroll from relaxed bars and restaurants, quiet hazy days can be spent lying under shady calico umbrellas on the private beach, beside the swirling oceanfront pool, or rejuvenating with a coconut scrub at the spa. The resort wonderfully mixes tropical Thai style with palatial, light and contemporary design, with a lavish choice of spa suites, plunge, hydro and beachfront pool villas offering the ultimate in private restful luxury. At night, lit by swaying lanterns, the resort’s atmospheric oceanfront restaurant serves up delicious creative dishes while the Look Out beach bar is perfect for pulling up a stool and gazing across the silvery moonlit gulf. WE LOVE that, on the edge of marine paradise, the hotel tour desk organises fishing, snorkelling and diving trips around Angthong National Marine Park.

LOCATION: beachfront Lamai Beach, 5 minute walk to Lamai, approx 20 minute transfer from Koh Samui airport ROOMS: 70 suites and villas. All have Jacuzzis, options for private pools DINING: Patio (beachfront), Scenic Corner (poolside), Look Out Bar FEATURES: beachside pool and Jacuzzi, library, gym, spa, tour desk, watersports.


KOH SAMUI

Bophut Beach

Lamai Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Superior Bungalow


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 5 nights. Valid for stays 1 Apr 14 - 15 Jul; 1 Sep -23 Dec 14.

Honeymoon & Anniversary: Receive fruit platter, cake and bottle of wine. Stay 7 nights and receive 1 hr couples massage. Valid for stays year round.


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Jacuzzi Room


Contemporary spacious design, impeccable hospitality and a tranquil beachfront position north of Chaweng, the Amari Palm Reef offers peaceful luxury on the edge of local nightlife.

This stunningly conceived hotel, built into jade terraces staggered out of a rocky hillside, is carefully designed to maximise unparalleled open views across the Gulf of Thailand.

Amari Palm Reef««««

Nora Buri Resort & Spa««««

A 5 minute sandy stroll from vibrant Chaweng, this hotel perfectly positions itself between secluded beachfront luxury and those craving a little more life. Inching out of the tree lined white sand of one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, gleaming modern and uncluttered Thai-style wooden chalets stretch across three wings of immaculately manicured emerald gardens and slender palms. The atmosphere is one of cool, contemporary and spacious luxury, with vast shaded day beds and two pristine glassy pools providing an idyllic daytime pastime. The resort’s dive school and serene champagne and stone coloured spa are run with a flawless professionalism and personality that has become synonymous with the hotel. Either the renowned open Italian kitchen, private beach dining, refined 1am cocktail bar, or elevated airy oceanfront restaurant, provide the perfect setting to soak up the ambiance and breathtaking views across the Gulf of Thailand. WE LOVE the freedom of choosing between the vivid lights of Chaweng one night and the violet streaked vanilla skies from your balcony the next.

People quite literally fall in love with Koh Samui from Nora Buri’s terraces. Integrated into a wooded hillside sloping onto a white rustic beach, the resort has been cleverly executed to take in the jaw-dropping ocean views without impinging on the natural terrain that this magical position has afforded them. From affordably luxurious garden and sea view rooms, to lavish hillside and beachside villas with outdoor showers and private infinity pools, every room is free to take in the spectacular panoramas. During balmy days, guests rarely travel the 5 minutes to Chaweng Beach, choosing instead to float in one of two deep infinity pools that jut out from the high tropical hillside and optically flow straight into the ocean. In the evening, the airy open sides and wooden decks of the vaulted clifftop restaurant and beachfront terrace are the perfect setting for ambient live music, seafood barbecues or intimate sunset champagne and canapés. WE LOVE the proximity to Chaweng and Bhoput without compromising on epic natural beauty and remote island vistas.

LOCATION: beachfront northern Chaweng Beach, approx 10 minute transfer from Koh Samui airport ROOMS: 188 superior, deluxe rooms & suites across 3 wings (Thai Village & Garden Wing separated from Beachside Wing by small manned road) DINING: Prego (Italian), Merante (beachfront Thai), Bar@C FEATURES: 2 pools, gym, Breeze Spa, PADI dive centre, watersports. USMAPR

LOCATION: hillside & beachfront, 5 min shuttle to Chaweng Beach, 10 min to Bophut, 5 minute transfer from Koh Samui airport ROOMS: 144 hillside & beachfront rooms and pool villas DINING: Manora (International), Barge (buffet), Rice Barge (Thai), hillside & beach pool bar FEATURES: 2 infinity pools, 2 swim-up bars, gym, Anodas Spa, golf buggy around resort. NORBUR


KOH SAMUI

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Superior Room.


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 4 nights. Valid 1 Sep - 20 Dec 13.

Honeymoon: Receive petal bed decoration, fruit, cake, bottle of sparkling wine and upgrade to Deluxe Room. Minimum 3 nights stay. Valid for stays 1 Apr 13 - 15 Apr 14.


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Hillside Room.


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 5 nights. Valid for stays 1 Apr-31 Jul 14; 1 Sep-19 Dec 14.

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It is rare to find a true concept hotel on the Thai islands. It is unique therefore, to find a hotel that in very literal terms, takes its name and concept from books. There is nothing pretentious about The Library. In fact, the whole inspiration and ethos is decidedly unpretentious. The blissful oceanfront location, spread across vast lush gardens on the quiet southern shores of Chaweng Beach, has served as a blank page for the native owners to design an uncluttered and ultra-modern boutique hotel borne out of a philosophy that is entirely reflective of the simple and idyllic natural beauty of their surroundings.

Literary puns aside, this resort is pure design poetry. However, like the 1,300 books in the resort’s gleaming white library, it can be subjective so you have to love the quasi-spiritual ethos, sleek minimalist and, at times, whimsical design as much as we do. The sublime location, uncomplicated relaxed atmosphere, technical gadgetry, sophisticated modern fusion dining and all the luxurious trappings of a world-class hotel, are flawless but perhaps conventional. What we truly adore is what makes The Library exquisitely and exclusively different - the famous signature red infinity pool tiled to the colour of a burning sunset, the resident mixologist’s 101 designed cocktails served in jam jars on giant cushions on the fine champagne sand, gleaming white and glass cubist architecture juxtaposed against clear ultramarine skies, and the playful white sculptured ‘readers’ quietly scattered throughout the gardens.

WE LOVE the original experiences offered at The Library, our favourite being a take on the ‘ultimate breakfast in bed’ – eating your delicious breakfast on blow up mattresses on the beach warmed by epic sunrises.

‘Life is like a story, don’t live in others. Real happiness is not complicated at all’ Designer of The Library

The Library««««


KOH SAMUI

Chaweng Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Smart Studio


LOCATION: beachfront Chaweng beach, 5 minute transfer from Koh Samui airport ROOMS: 13 Smart Studios with gardens, 12 Exotic Suites with balcony, 1 The Bookmark (102sq m garden studio). All feature Apple technology, plasma TVs DINING: The Page (upscale fusion), The Beach Bar (cocktails, snacks, music), Drink Gallery (east-west dining, DJs), ‘Original Experiences’ (beach dining and breakfast) FEATURES: signature red infinity pool, gym, extensive library, sculpture garden.

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SALA is one of the most prestigious hotels on the island. Eminently positioned amongst exotic grounds on the soft sands and translucent opal waters of quiet Choeng Mon Beach, with characterful local restaurants a few minutes walk away, SALA is a heavenly oasis within this beautiful corner of Koh Samui. Radiating an aura of total peace and relaxed intimacy, there is certainly something celestial about SALA. The resort is built from a calming creamy palette where luxurious stucco white villas, adorned with majestic pitched roofs, house spacious interiors and cool toned décor underneath gossamer muslin and wooden rafters. Reflecting the hotel’s ‘personal and private’ philosophy, 53 of the intensely private 69 villas extend through wooden bi-folding doors onto luxurious personal pools in walled courtyards and gardens.

Two beautiful deep pools, one with sole adult use, are surrounded by sun bleached wood decking, lily ponds and optically flow straight into the ocean. Sensuous treatments are performed either in the discrete SALA Spa amongst jasmine scented gardens or in the namesake outdoor sala pavilions that seemingly float upon lotus strewn ponds. Accompanied by jazz and blues, world-class dining at the beachfront restaurant is relaxed in atmosphere but sophisticated in culinary flavour and design. Alternatively, private barbecues can be arranged on your veranda. Two lavish ‘happy hour’ slots at the beach bar are the perfect way to drink in the glorious rustic ocean surroundings.

WE LOVE the bespoke service and delightful personal touches, with made to order tropical fruit breakfast smoothies and a choice of signature fragrance soaps and moisturisers for your stay.

Like the 80 metres of blissful white sand spilling out of SALA’s scented gardens, this flawlessly elegant and distinguished 5* hotel radiates natural beauty and purity.

SALA Samui Resort & Spa«««««


KOH SAMUI

Choeng Mon Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Balcony Room


LOCATION: beachfront Choeng Mon beach, approx 10 minute drive to Bophut & Fisherman’s Village, 5 minute transfer from Koh Samui airport ROOMS: 69 private suites & villas. All with private balconies, courtyards, 53 with own pools DINING: SALA (Thai,Western), Panagea (Italian) villa and beach dining, wine cellar, beach bar FEATURES: 2 pools (1 adult only), library, cookery classes, complimentary yoga classes, SALA Spa, fitness centre.

Hemmed by granite cliffs and hidden amongst palm groves on its own secluded 350 metre beach, this all-villa beachfront resort is the ultimate castaway island sanctuary.

Santhiya, deriving from Thai for ‘natural’ and ‘beauty’, perfectly describes this eco luxury resort hidden in a remote corner of archetypal jungle-clad island paradise.

Haad Tien Beach Resort««««

Santhiya Resort & Spa«««««

This 45-acre slice of untouched island paradise, creeping out of luscious jungle and granite boulders to wrap around a warm tropical lagoon and reef, has been protected by this family owned property for 30 years. The resort, created symbiotically and reverently to maintain this remote and unspoilt sanctuary, is pure understated elegance. The luxury stilted villas are charming interpretations of traditional Thai cottages, built from reconditioned timber and adorned with thatched roofs, each nestling within the grounds and along the tree-clad sand. Far from your average beach bungalow, some have luxurious private pools. Each night, the resident chef designs a Thai-Western menu using the local catch with freshly picked vegetables and herbs, while the barman at the beach bar mixes cocktails using fresh fruits from the grounds. A marine-lover’s paradise, after a massage at the Thai spa, grab a snorkel from the resort’s dive school and float along the warm sheltered house reef or tank up to delve into Koh Tao’s famous underwater coral gardens. Incredibly special, remote and the epitome of barefoot luxury, WE LOVE absolutely everything.

LOCATION: own secluded beach, 10 minute drive to Sairee town. From Koh Samui approx 2hr30min ferry + 15 minute drive from Mae Haad port ROOMS: range of 70 beachfront & oceanfront villas, some with own pool DINING: In Sea Beach Bar & Grill (local Thai, Western), beach bar FEATURES: 28 metre pool, snorkelling, dive school, spa, tour desk for yoga, rock climbing, hiking. HAATI1

A 45 minute drive across the island from the hedonistic full moon parties at Haad Rin, Santhiya will blow all preconceptions about Koh Phangan’s backpacker party reputation out of its warm coral waters. Creeping discreetly out of 18 acres of steamy tropical jungle, to the inevitable accompanying cacophony of tree frogs, you would hardly notice the exquisite locally crafted steep-roofed teak villas sloping onto the untamed beach and uninterrupted stretch of graduating blue ocean. With just a few local restaurants and bars hidden behind the rocky headland that flank the private beach, this is as close to nature as you can get. However, there is nothing rustic about Santhiya. A beautiful holistic spa, vast turquoise beachfront free-form pool, 30 foot cascading waterfall and elegant open-air dining remind you that this is, in fact, 5* barefoot paradise. WE LOVE the juxtaposition of traditional ornately crafted rooms, inspired by the King Rama V period, opening out onto luxuriously modern features such as toe-dipping private pools and outdoor rain showers.

LOCATION: secluded private bay next to Thong Nai Pan Beach, approx 30 minute speedboat transfer from Koh Samui ROOMS: 99 mountain & seaview rooms and villas, some with pool-access & private pools DINING: Chantara (Thai, International), By the Sea & Bar (beachfront, cocktails), Mahkok (cafe, bakery), private beach dining FEATURES: Spa, massage salas, 2 pools, open-air fitness centre, kayak hire, tour desk. USMSTF


KOH TAO AND KOH PHANGAN

Koh Tao

Koh Phangan


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Santhiya Deluxe Room

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and return boat transfers. Please ask for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offersEarly booking: Book 45 days prior to arrival and receive 15% discount. Valid for stays 1 Nov - 22 Dec 14.

Free nights: Stay 6 nights Pay 4 nights. Valid for stays 1 May - 14 Jul 14; 16 Sep - 31 Oct 14; 1 Nov - 22 Dec 14.

Honeymoon: Floral bed decoration, fruit plate and king size bed.

Guide price from £321 per person (hotel only)

7 nights bed and breakfast in a Hideaway Villa.

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Please talk to your Travel Expert about travel arrangements to Koh Tao, room upgrades and international flights to complete your trip.

Special offers

Early booking: Book 60 days before arrival and receive 10% off. Valid for stays 1 Nov 13 - 31 Oct 14.


AND CHA AMHUA HIN

Just a two and a half hour drive south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is an elegant working fishing port blessed with a 5 mile band of golden sand, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience authentic Thai life during their beachfront getaway. Known as the Royal Thai Riviera on account of its proximity to the capital and sunny weather mostly void of the unpredictable monsoonal rains that affect the islands, be prepared to be outnumbered on the beaches and lush green golf courses by wealthy Thai’s swapping the city for the seaside. Regally endorsed in the 1920’s when King Rama VII succumbed to the charms of this once fishing village and built his summer palace here, Klai Kangwon (Far from Worries), Hua Hin became a sophisticated and aristocratic seaside resort. Almost a century later, this modern coastal resort serves both Thais and tourists in their luxurious beachfront residences but retains a beguiling old-world charm reminiscent of a golden age of Siam nobility. Expect classy hotels, boutiques, legendary seafood restaurants and six world-class golf courses sitting alongside a working port and beautiful countryside hiding opulent palaces, temples and traditional village life.

CHA AM: A two hour drive south of Bangkok is the traditional Thai beach resort of Cha Am. Quieter and more laid-back than Hua Hin, experience peaceful days lazing on long stretches of golden beaches until the weekend when everything comes to life with visiting Thai families and Bangkok students.

Almost reaching the gentle lapping waves that expand into the Gulf of Thailand, the Rest Detail wonderfully combines serene seaside charm with gracious Thai hospitality.

Following decades of illustrious patronage, this beautiful 1920’s heritage hotel epitomises the colonial grandeur of Hua Hin’s aristocratic heyday and remains the Gulf Coast’s classical luxury resort.

Rest Detail Hotel««««

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas«««««

This lovely and intimate ocean front resort, a 5 minute drive from the centre of Hua Hin, is befittingly literal in its name and its playful logo of 3 Wise Monkeys – encouraging you to surrender mind, body and soul during your stay. There is little chance that you could do otherwise here as the ‘rest’ is extensively catered for. A range of 1 to 4 bed suites and private pavilions, all with either heady mountain or balmy ocean views, charmingly combine elegant seaside chic with ultra-modern details. Some suites even have luxurious jump off access into the spectacular blue depths of one of the vast mosaic pools via personal floating wooden platoons topped with day beds. The restful Mediterranean tiled spa, elegant colonial café for afternoon tea and breezy ocean front relaxed dining, all encourage you to relax all day or invite you to return after a day out on the hotel’s bikes meandering through the quaint countryside villages, temples and mosques. WE LOVE serene sunrise poolside yoga classes before the rest of the resort wakes up.

LOCATION: 5 minute shuttle to centre of Hua Hin, approx 2hr30min transfer from Bangkok ROOMS: 56 rooms, some pool access, 2-4 person private pavilions with pools & Jacuzzis DINING: 2 restaurants (Thai, Mediterranean, BBQ), The Leaf (afternoon tea), private dining FEATURES: pool, Restfully Yours Spa, yoga, painting & cooking classes, concierge to arrange local golf and activities. HHQRES

The Centara Grand is privileged in every way. Historically the old railway hotel that first brought the wealthy to this royal seaside resort during its golden era, this classic resort holds an unsurpassed heritage, reputation and privileged position across 16 peaceful acres of Hua Hin’s splendid beachfront. Modern luxury sits perfectly alongside old world grandeur where elegant colonial style suites or villas open out onto tropical balconies or walled gardens with personal Jacuzzis or private blue-topaz pools. Amongst the scattered topiary peacocks sit spectacular modern facilities incorporating a vast ocean front pool, manicured tennis courts, beautiful Asian spa and two putting greens. The lush hotel grounds house the best array of dining in Hua Hin with authentic flavours of Siam served in tropical gardens, fresh seafood in the beachfront pavilion, tea and cakes in the colonial lobby, and signature cocktails in the Elephant Bar. WE LOVE that local Thai street life and vibrant night markets sit on the doorstep of classical hospitality reminiscent of a by-gone era.

LOCATION: beachfront central Hua Hin, approx 2hr30min transfer from Bangkok ROOMS: 207 luxury rooms, suites, spa & pool villas DINING: 7 restaurants including international, Thai, beachfront seafood, Japanese, in-house bakery FEATURES: 4 pools, Spa Cenvaree, tennis courts, library, playground, gym, putting green, within 20 minute drive of 6 golf courses. HHQSOF


HUA HIN

Hua Hin

Hua Hin


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Superior Room

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and private return airport transfers from Bangkok. Please ask for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offers

Early booking: Book before 31 Jan 14 and receive 10% off room rate for stays 1 Mar - 31 Mar 14; book before 31 Oct 14 and receive 10% for stays 1 Nov - 24 Dec 14.



7 nights bed and breakfast in a Rest Green Room


Special offers


27

The Hotel de la Paix is full of surprises. Quietly hidden away in Cha Am, this oceanfront hotel and Asian spa exudes complete seaside serenity and lives up to its translation, ‘hotel of the peace’, in every possible way. However, despite the colonial sounding name, there is nothing old or conventional about this hotel. Designed by a leading Thai architect, the abundant 5* grandeur here is contemporary, bold, and more typically urban than seaside.

The sleek linear façades and geometric open spaces around the resort have been innovatively created using natural wood, concrete and live walls of luscious planting, which wonderfully compliment rather than detract from the simple beachfront tranquillity that this location affords. Whilst soothingly minimalist and understated, there is certainly nothing simple about the vast 5* garden and pool studios. All are ultra-modern in both design and content and feature huge plush beds, built in home theatre systems, Apple technology, and sensational bathrooms with monsoon sized rain shower heads. Iconic to the resort’s design is a flat monolithic pool that reflects the trees and wooden studios that flank its sides, while an oceanfront active pool has direct access onto the pristine beach. Away from the hawkers and crowds, and with just a scattering of locals, this long stretch of sand feels more like a private hotel beach. Shaded wooden beach cabanas invite you to laze all day and stay for a moonlit private dinner or head up to either the poolside open kitchen or elevated Clouds Loft for refined modern signature dishes with atmospheric rooftop views.

WE LOVE the unfussy and open approach to traditional hospitality, where mini bars are free and replenished daily.

Sitting on a gloriously quiet and private stretch of Gulf coastline, this architecturally innovative and designer boutique hotel stands apart from the crowds in both location and design.

Hotel de la Paix«««««


CHA AM

Cha Am Beach


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Horizon Room


Special offers

Early booking: Book 60 days prior to arrival and receive 10% off room rate. Valid for stays 16 May - 31 Oct 13; 1 May 14 - 31 Oct 14.

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 5 nights. Valid for stays 16 May - 22 Dec 13; 6 Jan - 31 Mar 14; 1 Apr - 22 Dec 14; 6 Jan - 31 Mar 15.

Long stay: Stay 5 nights receive THB1000 credit per room to spend on resort services and outlets; Stay 8 nights receive THB2000 credit per room.

LOCATION: beachfront Cha Am, approx 25 minute drive to Hua Hin, approx 2hr transfer from Bangkok ROOM: 79 rooms including garden terrace, horizon & pool villas DINING: Motion (beachfront Thai, International), Clouds Loft (rooftop gourmet), Red Bar, private beach cabana dining FEATURES: 2 pools (1 adult only), Spa Indochine, gym, yoga classes, culinary tour, bike hire, library. HHQPAI


PATTAYAAND koH SAMET

A comfortable 2 hour drive east of Bangkok, colourful Pattaya is a popular weekend escape for Bangkok residents and tourists alike who enjoy the proximity to the Gulf beaches, lively entertainment and year round sunny weather largely free of the tropical rains that hit the southern islands. With over 20 world-class pristine green courses Pattaya is something of a mecca for golfers and has encouraged a boom in luxury 5* spa resorts teaming with lavish facilities, cosmopolitan dining and sophisticated shopping, helping to offset Pattaya’s more hedonistic reputation.

A secluded garden oasis at the quieter northern end of Pattaya, the Woodlands resort is a tropical gem on the edge of this lively and popular Gulf Coast resort.

Woodlands Hotel & Resort««««

Woodlands Hotel & Resort is perfectly positioned 500 metres from the beach in Naklua, a more peaceful and exclusive area of Pattaya, yet only a few minutes walk to local restaurants, bars and a short hop to the lively centre. Intimate by Pattaya standards, the resort has 134 fresh and contemporary Thai-style rooms and suites, all with private balconies and terraces opening onto lush tropical planting and exotic flowers that afford a private and secluded atmosphere that is lacking in larger neighbouring hotels. Pool access rooms and palatial one and two bed suites have lavish wooden sun terraces that lead directly into the cooling depths of the resort’s immaculate and uncrowded tree edged turquoise pools. Dining at the hotel is an elegant mix of colonial style with classical cuisine and local Asian flavours, served either under the breezy wooden rafters of the Garden café, in the Mediterranean Grappa Restaurant, or in the classic and characterful French brasserie. WE LOVE the gorgeous French bakery with home-made cakes, pastries and breads served in rustic vintage surroundings.

LOCATION: Northern Pattaya, 500m to Pattaya Beach, 500m to centre, approx 1hr30min drive from Bangkok ROOMS: 134 rooms & suites, some with direct pool access DINING: 5 restaurants (including Thai, Mediterranean, French), bakery, poolside bar, in-room dining FEATURES: 2 pools, spa, gym, library, tour desk, eco-friendly initiatives. PYXWHR

Pattaya


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Superior Double

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and private return airport transfers from Bangkok. Please for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offersEarly booking: Book before 31 Mar 14 and receive 10% off room rate. Valid for stays 1 Apr - 30 Sep 14.

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 5 nights. Valid for stays 1 Apr - 31 Oct 13; 1 Apr - 31 Oct 14.

Upgrade: Complimentary upgrade to Deluxe Room for stays 1 Jun 13 - 30 Sep 13; 1 Jun - 30 Sep 14.

BAREFOOT LUXURY: Koh Samet. An idyllic island off the eastern Gulf Coast, just 3 hours from Bangkok, Koh Samet’s dense jungle interior, beautiful white crescent bays and clear gentle waters free from churning monsoon rains, remain remarkably unspoilt despite the island entertaining a harmonious mix of backpackers, holidaymakers and Bangkok weekenders. Thankfully free from monolithic high rise hotels, the quiet palm-clad sandy coves on the picturesque west coast are home to tranquil boutique luxury beachfront resorts and epic sunsets.

Built into an exclusive 64-acre tropical headland with panoramic views overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the illustrious and luxurious 5* Royal Cliff is regally apt in name, location and execution.

This boutique tropical hillside village, built into a green-blanketed cove and sloping onto a remote coconut strewn bay, offers unspoilt and rustic beachfront luxury within hours of Bangkok.

Royal Cliff Beach Hotel«««««

Le Vimarn Cottages Resort & Spa««««

This hotel is one of a collection of four accoladed 5* Royal Cliff hotels that share this exclusive tropical peninsula between Jomtien and Pattaya beaches, just 800m from the Buddhist temples of Wat Khao Phra. Each luxuriously appointed hotel captures Thai grace, charm and hospitality, whilst also bestowing its own distinctive character and philosophy. The Royal Cliff Beach Hotel epitomises ‘casual luxury’ with a range of elegant and contemporary Thai-style suites, all of which feature state-of-the-art technology and balconies that extend onto either serene mountain or sea views. Guests have access to the lavish array of facilities across the whole resort which, by no means exhaustive, includes two private beaches, an iconic clifftop infinity pool with 180 degree sea views, opulent spas, tennis courts and a putting green to practice on before visiting one of the championship golf courses nearby. WE LOVE: the gastronomic array of fine dining - a world tour of award-winning cuisine including Thai, Japanese, European and Indian, all served in elegant restaurants or on beachfront or pool terraces.

Your senses and expectations will be immediately overwhelmed from the second you step off the boat onto the remote powdery sand of Ao Prao Beach and first encounter the balmy forest backdrop, sound of tree frogs and warm tropical breezes. This charming collection of 31 luxury cottages and spa villas, each a locally crafted mix of gleaming teak, rattan and natural fabrics, holds a privileged position upon this idyllic castaway island. A bumpy 10 minute tuk-tuk will take you to the bars and restaurants on the livelier east coast although, with breathtaking west facing sunset views from your private terrace, and safe sheltered waters perfect for snorkelling and kayaking, we would hardly expect you to venture too far from this secluded tropical wilderness. The wonderful oceanfront dining which includes rustic wood-fired ovens, holistic thatched roof spa, and vast aquamarine infinity pool, all give you instant access to the beach. WE LOVE that, bar the occasional barbecue or fire dancer, this bounty island bay remains gloriously undiscovered.

LOCATION: approx 1hr30min drive from Bangkok ROOMS: 544 rooms, mini suites & 2 bed suites DINING: use off 11 restaurants, 7 bars FEATURES: use of 4 pools, 2 spas, fitness centres, 7 floodlit tennis courts, 2 squash courts, 4-hole putting green, private charter catamaran, cookery school, tropical park, jogging trails, concierge arranging local golf and activities. PYXRCB

LOCATION: beachfront Ao Prao on Koh Samet, approx 3 hour transfer from Bangkok (drive + scheduled boats + speedboat) ROOMS: 31 garden cottages & villas with private spas DINING: ‘O’ restaurant (beachfront, Italian), Buzz (beachfront, Thai), beachfront bar FEATURES: infinity pool, Dhivarin Spa, watersports, boat trips. KSZLEV


PATTAYA AND KOH SAMET

Koh Samet

Pattaya


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Mini Suite Mountain View


Special offers

Honeymoon: Receive flowers, fruit platter, cake, flower petal decoration and king sized bed. Valid for stays 1 Apr 13 - 31 Mar 15.


7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Cottage Double

Above prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices include economy class flights, taxes and return road + boat transfers from Bangkok. Please ask for prices of additional nights, room upgrades and business or first class flights.

Special offers

Free nights: Stay 7 nights Pay 5 nights. Valid for stays 1 May - 19 Dec 13; 11 Jan - 30 Apr 14.

Honeymoon: Receive flower room decoration, fruit platter and honeymoon cake on arrival. Stay minimum 3 nights receive one set dinner for 2 people at the restaurant (food only). Valid for stays 1 May - 19 Dec 13; 11 Jan - 30 Apr 14.


BANGkok

Historic, futuristic, spiritual, frenetic - Bangkok is a captivating melting pot where skyscrapers and sky trains are as much a part of this eclectic city’s charm as the quintessential temples and tuk-tuks. As you stroll the wide polished walkways of Bangkok’s shopping centres, turning suddenly into colourful and meandering soi’s (lanes) home to tailors, guest houses, markets and mouth watering food carts, you will inevitably fall in love with this city. Amongst all the heat, chaos and congestion, Bangkok’s streets are scattered with historic and holy sites - small patches of serenity where you’ll abandon your shoes to enter golden temples and cooling shrines housing emerald Buddhas and saffron-robed monks. A trip to the Grand Palace in the morning, massage in the afternoon and sunset over majestic Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) with a cocktail at a sleek panoramic riverfront bar, is a rite of passage for any visitor. We have handpicked hotels that allow you to escape the delightful pressure cooker of the streets outside but whose design, like the city itself, envelops the modernity, richness and heritage that makes Bangkok such an enchanting stopover.

Siam @ Siam Design

Sivatel

Rembrandt

Shangri-la

Beyond Bangkok: Even if you are heading north to the temples and jungles of Chiang Mai, no visit to Bangkok is complete without first visiting the iconic multi-coloured floating markets, majestic temples of the ancient fabled capital of Ayutthaya, or Kanchanaburi – a jungle wilderness between Bangkok and the Burmese border home to trekking, rafting and the poignant River Kwai.

An established favourite, the Rembrandt offers great value for money and calm 4* luxury that belies the central position off the bustling and cosmopolitan Sukhumvit road.

A daring combination of world-class hotel luxury and Asian urban art space has turned this hotel into an iconic masterpiece of both hospitality and design.

The Rembrandt««««

Siam@Siam Design Hotel and Spa««««

Located on a quiet soi (lane) on the vibrant doorstep of Bangkok’s upmarket shops and nightlife, the Rembrandt creates a peaceful sense of space that has amassed a deservedly loyal following of guests who love the central location, famous Thai hospitality, and relaxed 4* luxury that doesn’t command an over the top price tag. Newly renovated spacious and contemporary rooms and suites, where you can choose to watch your LCD TV or the wraparound picture window onto Bangkok’s vivid skyline, will become personal inner-city sanctuaries during your stay. A spectacular outdoor L-shaped pool and sun terrace provide either the perfect cooling retreat from the heat of the midday streets or the breezy setting for a cocktail after an exhausting day of shopping and sightseeing. Even if you are just stopping through Bangkok for a taste of Thailand, the wellness spa and 5 award-winning restaurants offer some of the best traditional Thai treatments and food that the city has to offer. WE LOVE the combination of modern 4* luxury with authentic guest experiences at the hotel’s Thai cookery studio.

The self-imposed tag line ‘not just a hotel’ sets this towering concept hotel apart both figuratively and physically from its traditional counterparts. The unique industrial design reflects the prosperous and abstract boldness of modern Asian cities and sits seamlessly aloft the city’s eclectic architectural landscape. Internally the quirky design embraces the vibrancy and daring street fashions of the unbeatable location off Siam Square without losing the flawless 4* luxury feel. With floor to ceiling windows, all the rooms are impossibly spacious and sumptuously decorated evoking an unexpected serenity amongst such individuality. World-class facilities and personality extend upwards from a New York-style loft with live music, 10th floor spa, infinity pool, and ‘Mezzawine’ bar - all of which are gloriously crowned with a panoramic rooftop bar set to become an iconic Bangkok landmark. WE LOVE the lack of pretension at the 25th floor bar and infinity pool where everyone is well aware they have been totally outdone by the mind-blowing views.

LOCATION: off Sukhumvit road, 5 minute walk to the Sky train, 45 minute transfer from Bangkok airport ROOMS: range of 407 superior, deluxe, family rooms & suites DINING: 5 restaurants including an open kitchen, outdoor pool bar and lobby jazz bar FEATURES: sanctuary wellness spa, fitness centre, outdoor pool & terrace, cookery studio, tailor, tour desk., business services. BKKRHT

LOCATION: Siam Square, 45 minute transfer from Bangkok airport ROOMS: 203 rooms & suites in 4 individual art house themes DINING: Mix of 8 bars & restaurants from a sushi bar to a french restaurant, roof top bar FEATURES: spa, state-of-the-art gym with personal trainers, outdoor pool, Jacuzzi. BKKSIA


BANGKOK


Superior Double Room including breakfast

Above prices are per person per night based on 2 people sharing. Please ask your Travel Expert for room upgrades, flight prices and transfers to complete your trip.

Special offersUpgrades: Stay 3 nights in Superior Room to receive upgrade to Deluxe Room; stay 3 nights in Deluxe Room recieve 1 hr spa treatment per adult. Valid 1 Apr - 31 Oct 14.


Honeymoon: Receive fruit, flowers and upgrade to Deluxe Room on arrival. Valid for stays year round.

Special offersFree nights: Stay 3 nights Pay 2 nights. Valid for stays 1 Apr - 31 Oct 14.

Honeymoon: Receive fruit, flowers, honeymoon cake, sparkling wine and canapes on arrival plus, 30% off normal spa treatments, 50% off foot or Thai massage and nightly turn down. Valid year round.


Leisure Double Room including breakfast


A truly outstanding value 5 star hotel that delivers flawless world-class elegance and luxury based on an uncompromising philosophy towards simplicity and sustainability.

Exhibiting hallmark opulence, class and hospitality from its illustrious position on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Shangri-la remains Bangkok’s ultimate 5* urban luxury retreat.

The Sivatel«««««

The Shangri-la«««««

5* hotels, by definition, should warrant exceptional reviews. However, we cannot remember the last time we came across such faultless feedback within a city that is saturated with luxury hotels. It is easy to see why this hotel stands out on paper. By no means exhaustive it houses an 8th floor signature spa, health club teaching yoga, charming garden café, exclusive 17th floor terrace, and a mesmerising 22 metre infinity pool with elegant outdoor bar. Furthermore, as an ‘all suite’ hotel built to executive standards with private sitting rooms and panoramic picture windows, your stay is ensured to be one of palatial and private luxury. What is so successful about this hotel is the philosophy behind your stay and the commitment to harmony, balance and the environment. This is reflected architecturally in the designed green open spaces but more subtly in the ethos of the staff and their unwavering commitment to creating a 5* sanctuary within the confines of a crowded city. WE LOVE waking up early to grab an outdoor table by the infinity pool for breakfast overlooking Bangkok.

LOCATION: Central Business District, 5 minute walk to Sky train, 45 minute transfer from Bangkok airport ROOMS: 75 luxury suites with separate living rooms, walk in wardrobes, iPod docking stations, Apple TV systems DINING: The Porch (pool bar), Café Jardin, The Sky Lounge FEATURES: infinity pool, health club, spa, massage rooms. BKKSVT

Set in tropical landscaped gardens that command the banks of central Bangkok’s ‘River of the Kings’ and defy the surrounding frenetic city, the Shangri-la is characteristically majestic and luxuriously serene. World-renowned hospitality and signature attention to detail promise an intimate stay amongst restful luxury that belies the size and array of the hotel’s classically elegant river view rooms, suites and dining options. Intricate authentic details, from the restaurant’s riverbank temple pitched pavilions to the teak and silk adorned rooms, sit beautifully alongside both classical chandeliers and Bangkok’s modern neon skyline. Making the most of the glamorous river location sits a fabulous tropical fringed outdoor pool, tennis courts, cosmopolitan terrace dining, iconic river view cocktail bars and the Shangri-la’s own luxury riverboat. WE LOVE at almost 1000sq metres, the award winning ‘Chi’ Spa is one of the most luxurious spas in Bangkok. Modelled on a Tibetan temple it replicates the ancient healing and balancing rituals of the Himalayan Shangri-la legend, creating a true urban sanctuary.

LOCATION: riverfront, adjacent to Sky train, approx 40 minute transfer from Bangkok airport ROOMS: 802 luxury river, pool, city view rooms & suites spread across 2 wings DINING: 5 restaurants & 3 lounge bars including river boat dining FEATURES: extensive health club, signature CHI Spa, 2 pools, boutiques, business centre, boat and van shuttles, concierge services.


BANGKOK


Deluxe Shangri-la Room including breakfast



Regal Double Suite including breakfast


33www.bridgetheworld.comwww.bridgetheworld.com

BEYOND BANGKOK

Ancient Ayutthaya

For over 400 years, until the 18th century Burmese invasion, Ayutthaya was the prosperous merchant and political capital of Siam (modern Thailand). Now a UNESCO World Heritage City, the historic ruins and fallen palaces show a glimpse of the former grace, splendour and glory of the ancient royal Thai Kingdoms. Just 50 miles from Bangkok, this day trip drives to Ayutthaya via Banh Pa-in, the former Summer Palace of King Rama V, and the remarkable ruins of the majestic 15th and 16th century wats (temples). At midday, board the luxurious Grand Pearl for a delicious lunch before returning back to modern Bangkok in the only way that makes it possible to appreciate the heritage and architectural history of Ayutthaya – past the temples and palaces along the River of the Kings.

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, long before the rickshaws and traffic jams, Bangkok’s canals were once at the heart of local life and trade. The floating markets still present in Bangkok’s rural provinces, where colourfully clad merchants paddle alongside the canals in wooden canoes laden with fresh fruit and vegetables, are a characterful reminder of this by-gone era. An hour outside Bangkok is Damnoen Saduak, the most famous of the markets. Best seen in the morning before the heat of the day, this 5 hour trip is an absolute must for any visitor passing through Bangkok. Expect crowds, chatter, bartering and great photos. As well as the bustle of the markets, this trip also includes a more serene visit to Phra Pathom Chedi, the largest pagoda in southeast Asia.

From £22 per person Departures daily from the River City Pier in Bangkok at approx 07:30 Inclusions guide, chartered coach to Ayutthaya, admissions and entry, buffet Oriental/Western lunch, river cruise back to Bangkok aboard the Grand Pearl, arrive Bangkok approx 16:00. BKKAYU

From £45 per person Departures daily pick-up from central Bangkok hotels at approx 07:00. Minimum of 2 passengers required to run Inclusions hotel transfers, English speaking guide (other languages available for a surcharge) Duration 5 hours. BKKDAM

Journey along the historical life-source of central Thailand, the Chao Phraya River or ‘River of the Kings’, aboard the luxurious Grand Pearl to the ancient Siam capital of Ayutthaya.

Take a trip into Bangkok’s provinces and Thailand’s colourful past and traditional way of life, with this half day tour to Thailand’s iconic and vibrant floating markets - Damnoen Saduak.

The Float House River Kwai

Day 1: Early morning pick-up from your Bangkok hotel followed by a 2-3 hours drive to Kanchanaburi province. This morning visit the Thailand-Burma Railway museum, world famous bridge and Allied War cemetery - resting place of 6,000 Allied POWs. A traditional long-tailed boat will then take you to the Float House to check-in and have lunch before continuing downstream to Resotel Pier and Hell Fire pass. Return to the hotel for an atmospheric dinner at the floating Pontoon restaurant and

traditional tribal Mon dance show. Tonight you will sleep in your private and luxurious floating villa wrapped in complete jungle tranquillity.

Day 2: After breakfast, visit a nearby ethnic Mon village before going on a guided trek through the jungle (additional option for elephant trekking). After checkout, lunch at a local restaurant before taking a historic ride on the Death Railway train. Sadly return to busy Bangkok by early evening.

From £206 per person. Departures daily, minimum of 2 people required to run Return transfers from your Bangkok hotel Accommodation 1 night in twin/double floating villa with sun deck, hot & cold water rain shower, a/c, TV Inclusions 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, plus all inclusions as per the itinerary. Please speak to your Travel Expert for additional activities and extensions. BKKRKT

A couple of hours drive through peaceful mountain villages from frenetic Bangkok will lead you into the emerald jungle wilderness of Kanchanaburi - home to the iconic River Kwai. This magnificent and historic part of central Thailand is an absolute must for any visitor to Bangkok but few get to experience it in this unique way. Snaking down the centre of this legendary river, flanked on all sides by dense forest and cliffs hiding waterfalls, caves and local tribal villages, is the Float House – an award winning collection of 18 boutique villas. This floating concept resort is original, sustainable, and luxurious in design with each enchanting en-suite villa opening out onto its own floating wooden sun deck. Within this eco-haven, elephant trainers are not permitted to use bullhooks and the resort supports the local ethnic Mon tribes through its projects. This is a magical way to explore this hidden natural paradise, learn the poignant history of the region and is an experience that will commit this wonderful hotel to memory for life.

Kanchanaburi

Floating Markets


ANCIENT NoRTHERN kINGDoMS

Worthy of a trip in itself, or as a cultural diversion before a tropical island sojourn into southern Thailand, the rich spiritual and majestic mountain beauty of the north is truly magical. Nowhere else can you witness the past greatness of Thailand’s ancient kingdoms, revere the country’s deep Buddhist spirituality or understand the diverse cultural heritage that spills over from neighbouring Burma, Laos and China to mix with present day ultra-modern Thailand. Chiang Mai, the Lanna Kingdom’s alluring historic capital, has retained a lovely laid-back, bohemian and provincial charm despite being Thailand’s second largest city. The ancient 13th-century city walls hide over 300 Buddhist temples, colourful markets selling handicrafts from the surrounding tribal villages, the aromatic delights of Thailand’s culinary capital, holistic wellness spas, and enchanting lantern lit night bazaars. Beyond the ancient city moat lies a thriving and bustling modern city that in turn is encircled by cooling mist-cloaked mountains concealing rivers to raft, dense jungle paths to trek, retreats to meditate, and peaks and valleys that are home to northern Thailand’s ethnic hill tribe communities.

BEYOND CHIANG MAI: Past spiritual mountain towns and miles of rolling emerald green rice paddies, is the quiet and contemplative town of Chiang Rai and the gateway to the mystical Golden Triangle – the breathtaking and awe-inspiring point where the Mekong and Ruak Rivers merge at the frontiers of Burma, Thailand and Laos.

This 17 floor modern East meets West hotel provides clean and spacious living with crowning views that stretch across the city’s temples and rooftops to the circling mountains.

Built around a beautiful tiled pool, scented lotus ponds and exotic hanging gardens, the Manathai is a rich and enchanting heritage hotel hidden in the colourful heart of Chiang Mai.

Furama Chiang Mai««««

Manathai Village««««

The Furama sits on the edge of Chiang Mai’s CBD, affording space and modern elevated luxury while still only a short colourful tuk-tuk ride to the city’s bustling streets and markets. The feeling of space extends inwardly from 2 luxurious outdoor swimming pools to a palatial marble and rich dark wood lobby and range of spacious contemporary Thai-style rooms. With a minimum of 43 sq metres in the superior rooms to 194 sq metres in the 2 bedroom suites, all the rooms are light and airy with either city or mountain views but are warm and traditional in tone mirroring Chiang Mai’s rich culture. Reflecting the city’s foodie reputation, the hotel has a vast range of dining options with a panoramic open air rooftop Thai restaurant, French restaurant, heritage café serving modern classics, and chilled out lobby lounge. WE LOVE the dizzying rooftop pool that will reward you with 360 degree views over the city’s eclectic modern and ancient skyline all the way to the famous peaks of Doi Suthep mountain.

Tucked away down a characterful lane, just 10 minutes walk from the famous night bazaars and old city gates, the Manathai Village is an intimate and unique tropical oasis rich with local personality and historical charm. Extending from a palatial 100 year old house, 29 traditional Lanna style rooms replete with dark wooden balconies are set around a central cobalt pool, exotic koi ponds and laid-back outdoor pool bar. Inspired by a city shrouded in majestic architecture, temples and ancient cultures, each deluxe room has its own personality and quirkiness having been individually designed and luxuriously hand crafted with one-off pieces using local wood, natural textures and sumptuous fabrics. Traditional spa treatments, two restaurants serving local and international delicacies, relaxed poolside dining, and a concierge to organise trips beyond the ancient city walls, complete this lovely hotel. WE LOVE the bespoke heritage luxury and beguiling attention to detail that perfectly reflects this fascinating Northern capital.

LOCATION: Central Business District, 15 minute transfer from Chiang Mai airport ROOMS: 295 rooms, executive, 1 & 2 bed suites DINING: Xanadu (rooftop Thai), Grill Room (French), Heritage Cafe (International), Lobby Lounge FEATURES: 2 outdoor pools, gym, health club & sauna, conference rooms, tour desk. FURAM1

LOCATION: central to markets & temples, approx 20 minute transfer from Chiang Mai airport ROOMS: 29 deluxe rooms & suites, all with balconies DINING: Weaves (Thai, International), The Living Room (light meals, drinks), Pool bar FEATURES: outdoor pool, gardens, spa treatments, library, tour desk. CNXMAN


CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai


Superior Double Room including breakfast


Special offers

Free nights: Stay 4 nights Pay 3 nights. Valid for stays 1 Mar 14 - 31 Oct 14.

Special offers

Honeymoon: Receive welcome drink on arrival plus fruit basket and heart shaped petal bed decoration. Valid year round.


Deluxe Double Room including breakfast


LOCATION: riverfront, few minutes drive to Chiang Rai, 10 minute transfer from Chiang Rai airport ROOMS: 78 rooms, 1 & 2 bed pool villas DINING: Riverside (outdoor grill), Wine Casa & Bar, Suan Chaibam (riverfront BBQ, beer garden) FEATURES: infinity pool, spa, outdoor massage, bike hire, local tricycle tours, trips to local golf courses, hill tribes treks and Golden Triangle.

This heritage resort and spa, shrouded by centuries of northern legends, is an unforgettable place to take stock, rejuvenate and explore mist covered jungles and ancient cultures. Majestic and graceful Lanna-inspired architecture spills down through lush landscaped gardens and lotus ponds onto fragrant open air massage salas, atmospheric riverside dining terraces and a deep blue infinity pool that flows optically into the mesmerising meandering river. Wonderfully serene and secluded, but with the Buddhist temples and night markets of Chiang Rai just a few minutes away by bike or traditional tricycle, the Legend Resort has just 78 rich and locally inspired rooms and villas, the latter with luxurious riverfront private pools. All rooms wonderfully embrace the mountain climate with tropical open bathrooms and terraces that open onto exotic gardens of Thai orchids, African tulips and epic mountain views. WE LOVE the riverbank beer garden, a magical location to observe the changing moods of the river with a local draught beer, vintage wine or cocktail.

Built on the peaceful verdant banks of the majestic Mai Kok River, against a panoramic backdrop of distant mountains, the Legend perfectly captivates serenity and ancient cultural charm.

The Legend Boutique River Resort & Spa ««««CHIANG RAI

Golden Triangle

Day 1: Travel into the jungle to an elephant camp to bathe and ride these majestic gentle giants. After lunch, explore the Chiang Dao Caves before driving to Doi Mae Salong – an enchanting Chinese inspired town. Drink tea in traditional teahouses overlooking mist covered mountains, explore the colourful markets.Day 2: Journey to Mai Sai, the northernmost town in Thailand, before arriving at the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos and the Golden Triangle. Have lunch overlooking the Mekong River, take a sneaky step into Laos and visit the opium museum before sailing on a traditional long tail boat to Chiang Saen, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom.Day 3: Travel back to Chiang Mai via Wat Rong Kun temples and Mae Ka Chan hot springs.

It is true, you cannot have bad Thai food in Thailand. Less, however, may be said for when you get home! This series of five one-day Thai Cookery courses, with local chef Sompon at the established Chiang Mai Cookery School, will hopefully go some way to making sure you take a bit of exotic Thailand back to drizzly Britain. This course will immerse you in all elements of Thai cookery - from shopping at the market, learning all the techniques to cook a full Thai feast of up to six dishes, eating them (of course) and receiving a recipe book at the end of the day with all your dishes in. The courses run and rotate daily so take pot luck and see what you end up cooking or, if you have a preference, ask your Travel Expert for the days your preferred course is on. Do one day or all five - up to you. Just don’t be afraid to bring in some of your new found skills to us when you get back.

From £247 per person. Departures Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun Return transfers from your Chiang Mai hotel Accommodation private en-suite rooms in comfortable tourist class hotels Inclusions 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches. English speaking guide, all accommodation, transport, entrance fees and activities as per the itinerary. BKKG3D

From £38 per person. Departures Daily. Duration 6 hours 10:00-16:00 Minimum of 2 people per day to run. Return transfers included from Chiang Mai hotel Inclusions all ingredients, full tuition, trips to market on courses 3 & 4, meals that you have prepared, cookery book. Please ask your Travel Expert for the details of each daily course and the days that they run. CNXTCC

Get off the beaten beach track and journey through the jungle covered mountains of northern Thailand to the mystical Golden Triangle - a land rich in history, shrouded in myths and a melting pot of Asian cultures.

There is nowhere better to try your hand at making a hot Tom Yum Soup, zesty Papaya Salad or the ubiquitous fragrant Green Curry, than in colourful Chiang Mai - the culinary capital of Thailand.

Cookery CourseSMALL GROUP ESCORTED TOUR

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE


Superior Studio including breakfast



NORTHERN THAILAND TOURING

Highlights Of Thailand

Day 1: If you are arriving today you will met at Bangkok airport and transferred to the joining hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Bangkok’s eclectic mix of pagodas and skyscrapers before a welcome meeting at around 6pm with the rest of your fellow travellers and experienced tour leader. Day 2: Today you leave the bustling modernity of Bangkok for Kanchanaburi, a peaceful steamy jungle province with a WWII bloodied past. Visit the immortalised Bridge over the River Kwai, Allied war Cemetery, Thai/Burma War Museum and take a sobering and historical journey on the ‘Death Railway’. Day 3: Kanchanaburi’s mountain and jungle wilderness is full of hidden secrets. Relax by the cooling tiered waterfalls of Erawan NP, named after the 3-headed elephant of Hindu mythology, explore the jungle, local caves and visit ethnic tribal villages. Upon reaching the ancient Siam capital of Ayutthaya you will witness its architectural heritage and the remnants of its former majestic past aboard a wonderful converted 1930’s rice boat. Day 4: After exploring the ancient Khmer temples and palaces of this UNESCO World Heritage City, the group boards an overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. Don’t worry, this one has twin bunk cabins and air-conditioning. Days 5-6: Arriving into the spiritually and culturally rich northern capital, Chiang Mai, a host of experiences await. Climb the steps of the Doi Suthep Temple, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Thailand, for stunning and serene mountain views. The culinary capital of Thailand, a teacher from a private Cookery School will take the group to the famous colourful food markets to buy the ingredients for your Thai cookery course. Leaving the historical city walls, head into the rural hills for a traditional Khantoke dinner with local families. Options to visit an Elephant conservation centre.

From £839 per person (‘my own room’ supplement available) Departures selected Saturdays year round Accommodation 6 nights twin/double rooms in comfort class hotels, 1 night sleeper train. Group Size Max 16, Avg 10 Transport Private bus/minivan, tuk-tuk, boat, train, internal flight Meals 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners (allow USD120-150 for meals not included) Inclusions Experienced guide throughout, local guides, arrival transfers, entrance fees and activities as per the itinerary. Please ask your Travel Expert for the full Trip Dossier. GA ATTC

It has been difficult to fit all the historical and natural wonders of ancient northern Thailand into just one week but we found the perfect way. This journey includes a delightful mixture of internal flights, boats, overnight trains and the omnipresent tuk-tuk. We have combined it with handpicked and characterful comfort accommodation so there is no need to sacrifice luxury in the face of magnificent cultural and authentic adventures. The jewels of northern Thailand await with golden monasteries, mystical emerald mountains, fragrant cooking classes and thriving night markets. Whether you are riding aloft an elephant through remote hill tribes or learning of the sobering and poignant history of the River Kwai, prepare to return home a different person.

Day 7: Today the group abandons the trains and takes a flight back to Bangkok. Ease yourself back into the frenetic city with a long-tail boat down the Chao Phraya River, past Bangkok’s traditional and spiritual riverbank skyline, to Wat Po temple. Day 8: Depart Bangkok anytime after breakfast.

SMALL GROUP COMFORT TOUR

KanchanaburiAyutthaya

Bangkok

THAILAND

Chiang Mai

For a more relaxing end to your trip, talk to us about adding an 8 day luxury island sojourn with the ‘Southern Thai Highlights’ from £1089. GA ATTS Or, if you are still keen for more temples and pagodas, ask your Travel Expert about adding on a 4 day extension to Cambodia to visit ‘Ancient Angkor Wat’ from £319 per person (excluding flights). GA TAKAAC



IMPORTANT BOOKING CONFIRMATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In these terms and conditions, references to “Bridge the World”, “we”, “us” or “our” mean STA Travel Limited (our registered office is at Priory House, 6 Wrights Lane, London, W8 6TA and our company number is 01263330). References to “you”, “your” and “your party” are references to you and all of the persons named in your booking.

Our Agreement With YouWe are Bridge the World. a trading name of STA Travel Ltd and Our Agreement with You sets ouit what you are legally entitled to expect from us and our suppliers (for whom we vact as a booking agent) when you purchase travel services through us. Because we sell a variety of travel products, you should make sure you understand the terms and conditions which apply to your particular arangements in addition to these general terms and conditions.

Your Travel BookingWhen you make a booking, you guarantee that as the lead name, you have the authority to accept and do accept, on behalf of your party, these terms and conditions and those of any other suppliers of travel services applicable to your booking. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the details on your travel documents are correct and to bring to our attention any errors or discrepancies immediately.

Who your contract is with and the legal protections that apply to your booking will depend on the type of arrangements you book. A contract will exist (either between you and us or you and the other suppliers of travel services, as described below) as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice. The types of arrangements we offer are as follows:

PackagesUnless otherwise stated on your booking confirmation, your contract will be with us if we sell you a Package. These terms and conditions are incorporated into the contract between you and us in relation to the sale of the Package.

Your holiday will be a Package if:

(1) it is a pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following components: a) transport; b) accommodation; and c) other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation which account for significant part of the arrangements; and

(2) the services are sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price; and

(3) the services cover a period of more than 24 hours or include overnight accommodation.

If we sell you a Package, the Package has protection under The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992 (Regulations) and The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) Regulations 2012 (ATOL Regulations). Please see the “Your Financial Protection” section below for what this means.

If you select and purchase a combination of services which are sold by us separately (i.e. not pre-arranged) and which are individually priced, this will not be considered to be a Package. In some circumstances, this may be considered to be a Flight-Plus – please see below for details.

Flight-PlusYour arrangement will be a Flight-Plus if you request and we arrange the following for you: a) a flight (provided that the outbound flight departs from the UK or the flight is into the UK and you have commenced your journey in the UK and departed the UK using another means of transport); and b) accommodation outside the UK or self-drive car hire outside the UK (or both) in connection with the flight, provided that:

(1) the accommodation or self-drive car hire is requested to be booked on the same day, the previous day or the day following the day that you requested to book the flight; and

(2) the arrangement covers a period of more than 24 hours or includes overnight accommodation.

Other services supplied in connection with the flight which were requested to be booked on the same day, the previous day or the day following the day that you requested to book the flight and which account for a significant proportion of the arrangement (but which are not ancillary to the flight or accommodation) will also be included in the Flight-Plus.

Your arrangement will not be Flight-Plus if your flight begins and ends in the UK or if you are purchasing the flight and other services in the course of your business or trade (i.e. not as a consumer).

Your arrangement will stop being a Flight-Plus (and the protections set out in the “Your Financial Protection” section below will not apply to your arrangement) if you cancel any part of your Flight-Plus and, as a result of that cancellation, the requirements set out above are no longer met.

If we arrange a Flight-Plus for you, the contract for each of the services within the Flight-Plus will be between you and the supplier(s) of those services. The name(s) of any supplier(s) who will be supplying the services will be stated on your booking confirmation. Where the services are supplied by other suppliers of travel services, we act as a Booking Agent and we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions made by other suppliers of travel services in relation to the relevant services.

The relevant supplier’s terms and conditions will apply to the supply of the services by the supplier to you. These will be provided to you by the relevant supplier or, if they are not, they are available on request from us or the relevant supplier. Please read the supplier’s terms and conditions carefully as they are incorporated into the contract between you and the supplier for the supply of the relevant services.

Although your contract for the services within the Flight-Plus will not be with us (it will be with the relevant third party supplier(s)), if we have arranged a Flight-Plus for you, it is protected by the ATOL Regulations. For full details of what this means, please ensure you familiarize yourself with “Your Financial Protection” section of Terms & Conditions.

Flight-Only, accommodation only and other individual services

We also offer travel services (including flights, accommodation, excursions, etc.) for purchase as individual items (and each of these items are priced separately). If you purchase a flight, accommodation or other services from us as individual items (i.e. not as a Package or a Flight-Plus arrangement), the contract for the relevant service will be between you and the supplier(s) of those services. The name(s) of any supplier(s) who will be supplying the services will be stated in your itinerary.

In the case of Flight-Only services, we act as an Airline Ticket Agent on behalf of the relevant airline. In the case of accommodation only and other individual services, we act as a Booking Agent. In either case, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions made by an airline or other supplier of travel services in relation to the relevant services.

The airline and other suppliers’ terms and conditions will apply to the supply of the services by the airline and/or any other suppliers to you. These will be provided to you by the airline or other suppliers or, if they are not, they are available on request from us or the relevant airline or other suppliers of travel services. Please read the airline and any other suppliers’ terms and conditions carefully as they are incorporated into the contract between you and the airline and/or the other supplier of travel services for the supply of the relevant services.

Unless otherwise stated in your booking confirmation, Flight-Only, accommodation only and other individual services are not covered by the Regulations or the ATOL Regulations and the protection described in the “Your Financial Protection” section below does not apply to these services.

Your Financial ProtectionAll the Package and Flight-Plus holidays we sell come with protection for your money. If you buy a single travel service (such as Flight-Only, accommodation only or other individual services) then this might not apply.

Our Package and Flight-Plus holidays are ATOL-protected (our ATOL number is 3206). If we are not the organiser of your Package, the Package is still protected by the Package organiser and we will provide you with their confirmation.

When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. On all Flight-Plus holiday arrangements, your money is ATOL protected meaning that you will be able to continue with your holiday or receive a refund of the amount paid to us in the unlikely event of our insolvency or the insolvency of your suppliers. Please note however that we have no liability beyond that for insolvency as set out in the ATOL scheme, because we act as agent of the suppliers.

The price of our Packages and Flight-Plus holidays includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC). This amount is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as part of the ATOL scheme. This charge is included in our advertised prices for Packages and Flight-Plus arrangements.

In respect of our Flight-Plus holidays, we are obliged to tell you: • Weorthesuppliersoftheservicesyouhaveboughtwillprovideyou with the services you have bought (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances, the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract

to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).

• Ifwe,orthesuppliersidentifiedonyourATOLcertificate,are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk

Deposits and PaymentDeposits are non-refundable. Payment of a deposit enables us to hold a reservation for you but does not guarantee the price. The price can only be guaranteed once we receive full payment and tickets and/or other travel documents have been issued. We will advise you of the date that full payment is required. All prices shown are ‘from prices’ and we reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the holidays shown in our brochure. You will be advised of the current price of the holiday that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed.

If payment for your booking is made by credit card, an administration fee is payable, as advertised. No charge is made for payments made by debit card. We reserve the right to refuse personal cheques as a method of payment.

After full payment, if we are your Booking Agent or Airline Ticket Agent, the conditions of the contract with your airline or other supplier of travel services may permit them to increase the cost of your arrangements. We will pass on the details of any such increase to you and we will collect the additional amounts from you on behalf of the airline or other supplier of travel services (as their agent).

If we have arranged a Package for you, changes in transportation costs including the cost of fuel, taxes, fees and exchange rates mean that the price of your Package may change after you have paid in full. You will not be charged for any increase equivalent to 2% or less of the price of your Package. You will be charged for any amount over and above that. No price increases will be charged to you in the period of 30 days or less prior to your departure date.

DocumentationOur general practice is to send documents to our customers electronically whenever possible. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee should you make a request for such documents to be sent as hard copy.

Your travel documents are valuable and should be safeguarded as if they were cash. It is not always possible to replace travel documents in the case of loss, theft, damage etc.

Cancellations and ChangesIf we are your Booking Agent or Airline Ticket Agent, your contract with your airline or other supplier of travel services may permit them to cancel or amend bookings. We will ensure that you are promptly notified of any significant changes to your booking, but we accept no liability for any changes or costs incurred which may result.

If you have booked a Package and we make a significant change to your booking, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure. You will have the choice of either accepting the change of arrangements, accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard from us (we will refund any price difference if the alternative has a lower value), or cancelling your booked arrangements and receiving a full refund. We will pay compensation in respect of any significant changes that we make to your booking, using the scale below. These may include (but are not limited to) the following changes: a change in accommodation to that of a lower official category, a change of UK departure airport (except between London airports), a change of supplier, a change in the time of your departure or return flight by more than 12 hours.

This standard payment will not affect your legal or other rights. We will only make one payment for each full fare paying adult in the booking. Any children not paying the full adult fare will receive 50% of the listed amount. If the value of your booking is less than the compensation outlined, we will pay compensation only to the value of the booking.

Our Agreement With You

38

IMPORTANT BOOKING CONFIRMATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Period before departure when Compensation a significant change is notified payable per person

More than 56 days £0

55-29 days £10

28-15 days £20

14-7 days £30

7-0 days £40

Important note - changes beyond our controlCompensation will not apply if a significant change is made for reasons beyond our control. These reasons include (but are not limited to): war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks, changes due to rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline or alteration of the airline or aircraft type; closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual or potential severe weather conditions, and any other similar event.

If you have booked a flight and we are alerted to a significant schedule change by your airline before you leave the UK, we will contact you by email to advise you of this. Please ensure that you have given us your contact email address and that you regularly check for messages before you leave. We have no control over airline schedule changes and we accept no liability for costs which may arise as a result of such changes. After you have left the UK, it is your responsibility to check with the airline that any onward flights you have confirmed are operating as booked. We strongly recommend that you contact your airline at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of each flight to do this. Please note that for some airlines it is mandatory to confirm with them your intention to fly.

Our Responsibility For Your ArrangementsNothing in this section or elsewhere in these terms and conditions is intended to or shall operate to exclude our liability for performance of our obligations under the Regulations and/or the ATOL Regulations.

In all circumstances, we will not be liable where any failure in the performance of the contract is due to: you (including, without limitation, unacceptable behaviour by you); or a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements and where the failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or an event which we or the other suppliers of travel services, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall.

If we have arranged a Package and the contract we have with you is improperly performed by us or the other suppliers of travel services, we will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travel arrangements.

Our liability to you in relation to any Package arranged by us, except in cases involving death or injury caused by our negligence or fraud, shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your Package.

Our liability will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to:

(1) the contractual terms of other suppliers that provide the transportation and other services for your Package (the terms and conditions of those suppliers are incorporated into our contract with you); and

(2) any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of compensation contained in these or any conventions.

In relation to Flight-Plus and Flight-Only, accommodation only and other individual services, we have taken all reasonable care to make sure that all the services that make up the arrangements are provided by efficient and reputable suppliers. These suppliers should follow the local and national laws and regulations of the country where the services are provided (however, please be aware that overseas safety standards may be lower than in the UK).

Except as otherwise stated in these terms and conditions, any relevant international convention and in cases involving death or injury caused by our negligence or fraud, we have no liability to you for the actual performance of the services by the other suppliers of travel services unless it is proved that we have breached our duty to select the suppliers with reasonable care and skill and damage to you has been caused as a result of that breach.

Please note that any other suppliers of travel services who provide services as part of your arrangement may also limit their liability to you. We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of the contract between you and us. As such, you are advised to read the terms and conditions of any other suppliers of travel services who are supplying services to you.

You can ask for copies of the suppliers’ terms and conditions, or the international conventions, from the relevant supplier or from us by contacting Customer Relations, Bridge the World, St Georges House, 56 Peter Street, Manchester M2 3NQ. Or email your request to us at www.bridgetheworld.com/customer-services.htm.

Your Agreement With UsBy finalising your arrangements with us, you are accepting that these terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of any contract made with any other suppliers of travel services within your arrangements apply to your booking and your travel arrangements. You also consent to our processing personal information about you and other members of your party for the purposes of performing our obligations in relation to your booking (which includes, but is not limited to, giving your personal information to airlines, other suppliers of travel services and public authorities (such as customs or immigration) where this is required for the fulfillment of your arrangements).

If you travel outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers of travel services, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making your booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons. The protection of your personal information is important to us, please see our privacy policy (available at www.bridgetheworld.com/general-policy.htm) for further details of how we use your information.

Your contract with us is subject to the laws and jurisdiction of England and Wales. You may, however, choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland instead.

If You Change Your BookingWhere a change to your travel arrangements is permitted and possible, Bridge the World service fees apply in addition to any additional supplier charges. Please see the ‘FAQ’ pages on www.bridgetheworld.com for details of how to request changes. Please note that all reservation changes are subject to availability and the terms and conditions of the services purchased. Changes to name details are not allowed by many airlines and other suppliers of travel services. Whilst we do our best to make such a change if necessary, please bear in mind that most airlines and other suppliers of travel services treat a name change as a cancellation, to which standard conditions and cancellation charges apply.

Flights must be taken in the sequence they appear on your ticket or eticket confirmation. If you plan not to take a flight as booked, please contact the airline as far in advance as possible to discuss your options. If you do not check in on time for a confirmed reservation, the airline may register you as ‘no-show’, which could result in extra charges and/or your whole flight itinerary being cancelled and/or render your ticket void.

If You Cancel Your BookingIf you cancel your arrangements, you may be entitled to a partial refund. In addition to any cancellation fees set out in any supplier of travel services’ terms and conditions (which may be 100% of the cost of the travel arrangements), we will also charge the cancellation fees outlined on your receipt. We need to receive written notification of cancellation and your original ticket/voucher from you before any refund can be considered. If you decide to cancel arrangements before the balance due date, any deposits paid are non-refundable. Refunds will only be paid to you once we have received the funds back from the relevant supplier of travel services. Generally flight tickets cannot be refunded if they are partially used. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your travel insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim your cancellation charges through your insurer.

If the person paying for the booking (the paying customer) is different from the travelling customer, and the paying customer wishes to cancel or withdraw the funding of any booked tickets, Bridge the World will notify the travelling customer of the paying customer’s funding withdrawal and give the travelling customer the option of continuing with the booking, subject to payment of the full cost of the travelling customer’s booked ticket by the travelling customer. If, following this notification, the travelling customer does not pay the full cost of his or her booked ticket, the booked ticket will be cancelled and the amount paid by the paying customer in relation to the booked ticket will be refunded to the paying customer (subject to the relevant supplier of travel services’ terms and conditions and the provisions of previous paragraph of these terms and conditions). Any airline costs/charges associated with the cancellation will be deducted from the refund due to the paying customer. Bridge the World will not charge a cancellation fee in these circumstances.

If You Have A ComplaintIf you have a problem during your holiday, please inform the relevant supplier of travel services (e.g. your hotel or airline) immediately. Should they be unable to resolve the matter, please contact us in the UK, either through the office where you made your arrangements, or through www.bridgetheworld.com/customer-services.htm If you fail to contact us, we will not be able to investigate your complaint and rectify any error whilst you are away and this may affect your rights under this contract.

We are a member of ABTA (membership number V1958) and operate according to ABTA’s Code of Conduct. ABTA can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes involving us or another ABTA member. Further information can be found at www.abta.com.

Passport, Visa and Immigration RequirementsIt is your responsibility to fulfill the passport, visa and other immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. You should confirm these with the relevant High Commissions, embassies and/or consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you are unable to travel due to not complying with any such requirements.

InsuranceTravel insurance is a vital part of your arrangements. We strongly recommend that you have taken out adequate insurance for the duration of your journey. Travel insurance is a mandatory element of some travel arrangements. We can arrange travel insurance for you and provide you with a quote and answer any queries you may have regarding the insurance we can offer.

Travel Advice and VaccinationsBritish Citizens should refer to the travel advice posted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk for all the countries you intend to visit. You should take advice about the health precautions you need to take prior to departure.

Vaccinations may be required for some or all of the places you are intending to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged necessary vaccinations for your itinerary. Information on health and any vaccinations required to travel is available from your GP and on the Public Health England website www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england. Alternatively, the STA Travel Clinic offers a full range of travel vaccinations, anti-malarials and expert advice as well as other services for your travel health needs. Locations, open hours and consultation appointments can be viewed/booked online at www.statravelclinic.co.uk.

It is your responsibility to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner over the course of your travels, including abiding by any local laws and bi-laws. We reserve the right to immediately cancel any travel arrangements in the event of unruly behaviour towards airline/ hotel / supplier representatives or other guests and you will be liable in full for cancellation charges and the costs of purchasing replacement accommodation and air tickets.

EU Notice RequirementsUnder EU law (Regulation (EC) 2111/2005), we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a ‘Community List’, which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The Community List is available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air-ban/index_en.htm. We are also obliged to notify you of the airline(s) to be used in your booking. For details please see your booking confirmation or itinerary. You will be notified if any carrier changes as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. Please note that a change of carrier is not considered to be a significant change to your arrangements.

Under EU law (Regulation (EC) 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from your airline. The airlines are responsible for compensating you in these circumstances. Please note that, if affected flights comprise part of a Package arranged on your behalf, any reimbursement from the airline under these regulations will not automatically entitle you to cancel and/or obtain a refund of your Package cost from us. Further information about your rights is available from the CAA www.caa.co.uk


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bridge the world thailand brochure 2013

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