Thailand Real Food Adventure
| Resort: | Thailand Real Food Adventure |
| Operator: | Intrepid |
| Destination: | South East Asia |
| Price From: | £814.00 |
Over ViewIndulge in the complex flavours, fresh aromas and heavenly spices that make Thai food so addictive. Explore bustling markets spread out over land and water and taste exotic fruits and aromatic dishes whipped up in front of your eyes. Learn the trick behind making palm sugar, experience the thrill of a passing train in the Mae Glong railway market, slurp noodles alongside the locals in Bangkok, whip up a local feast in Suphanburi, enjoy some home cooking with a family in Chiang Mai, sit down to a Khantohk feast and tour all the must-see sights of Thailand. This is an incredible culinary journey through one of South-East Asias most seductive food cultures. Highlights
ItinerariesDay 1 BangkokSa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Your food adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore, so perhaps arrive a day or so early to uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in some Thai massage. After the meeting tonight, hit China Town for an introduction to the city’s famous street food scene and get to know your fellow travellers over a few drinks at a local bar. Day 2 BangkokHead to the Mae Glong Railway Market (approximately 1.5 hours) after an early breakfast this morning in time for today’s first snack. Sample the local favourites khnom krok (rice pudding) or khnom gui chai (fried Chinese chives rice cake). Prepare for stalls to be quickly pulled to one side when the train quite literally passes through the centre of the market. Continue by minivan to swap tracks for water at the Tha Kha Floating Markets. Walk past canals filled with sellers hawking their colourful fruits and wares at this authentic local market, then board a paddle boat to explore the waterways further. The area is well known for coconut palm sugar production and along the way youll stop past a riverside operation to see how it is made. Afterwards, travel back to Bangkok, where you will have a free afternoon to shop, sightsee or simply relax at a cafe. Tonight, you’ll take the train to the Ratchada Train Night Market. This vibrant market is a great place to sample some local street food, so ask your leader for their recommendations! You might also like to browse the vintage stalls for a unique souvenir or enjoy live music at one of the quirky bars. Day 3 AyutthayaAfter breakfast leave the city and drive (1 hour) to a local village and community farm for an epic day of cooking Central Thai regional specialties and feasting with your hosts. Learn about the ancient traditional agriculture still being practiced today and enjoy the freshest ingredients straight from the garden. You will help to prepare a home cooked lunch of local delicacies, such as Kaeng Som’ (green papaya soup), spicy fish cakes and watercress salad with chicken, followed by multiple desserts utilizing ingredients such as coconut, rice milk and crispy noodles! Later this afternoon board a long tail boat and cruise the Chao Pharaya river to visit a Buddhist temple located on a small, remote island. Return to Ayutthaya city for a free evening to explore and, of course, eat more! Day 4 Ayutthaya / Overnight TrainToday we explore Ayutthaya, the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai, and once one of the most powerful cities in Asia. Stop past a street food stall for a demonstration and tasting of roti sai mai, a dish synonymous with the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. It consists of a thin pancake wrapped around delicious, fine strands of thin-spun cotton candy. Lunch today is a steaming bowl of guay-tieo-ruea, or boat noodles. The combination of fragrant pork broth, roasted slices of meat, Thai-style pork balls and crackling skin, sliced morning glory stalks, fresh green onion and a choice of rice noodles served in Ayutthaya is thought of as the original and best. While no longer served from sampans on the river, these narrow rowboats adorn the roadside eateries as a marker of what’s on the menu. See the remains and reminders of Ayutthayas golden age with a guided tour of the picturesque ruins and temples spread across the town. The rows of headless Buddhas at Wat Phra Mahathat, sacked by the Burmese in the 18th century, are very atmospheric, and a Buddha head surrounded by Banyan tree roots is perhaps the most photographed site in all of Ayutthaya. Freshen up at a hotel and grab a bite to eat before boarding your overnight train to Chiang Mai (approximately 13 hours). Day 5 Chiang MaiArrive in Chiang Mai by mid-morning. The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has many famous temples and an interesting old city area. Renowned for dazzling beauty and extremely welcoming locals, the Rose of the North will leave you spellbound. Chances are, you wont want to leave. Most importantly, Chiang Mai is famous for its northern Thai cuisine and may just be home to many of your favourite Thai dishes. Lunch today is the renowned Khao Soi: a curry noodle dish that is acclaimed in the region. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to relax. Meet up with your leader in the early evening and wander through town to Wat Chedi Luang temple. Visit a local restaurant for an included dinner. Afterwards, you might like to check out the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, full of local handicrafts and fabulous northern street food dishes. Day 6 Village HomestayToday, meet Aoi, your gracious host for an incredible homestay experience in a small Thai village for tonight. On the way to the village, stop by a restaurant specialising in the local delicacy of fermented rice noodles for lunch. Next, head to the homestay via some producers, including a mushroom farm, where you’ll pick up ingredients for a northern Thai cooking class. Journey on to Aois home and get ready to cook up a feast quite literally! Over the years, a khantohk dinner has become a traditional way to welcome guests. Khantohk refers to a raised tray used for serving food in northern Thailand. Eleven dishes are featured on this traditional Khantohk menu, so roll up the sleeves and spend a fun afternoon learning the ins and outs of this northern Thailand cuisine. Cut, chop and sizzle the day away, then tuck into dishes like northern style gai tod (fried chicken) and naam prig ong (minced pork & tomato chilli paste) while listening to local musicians sing and dance through dinner. Day 7 Chiang MaiWake up and enjoy a sumptuous northern Thai breakfast of fried rice, sweet sticky rice and egg custard. Bid farewell to your homestay hosts and take a scenic, winding drive (1.5 hours) to one of the country’s most stunning temple complexes: Doi Suthep. A 300-step naga-guarded stairway leads you to the temples, and the climb is well worth the effort. The hypnotic atmosphere of chanting Buddhist monks and sweeping views of the city make for a memorable experience. Head back into town for a delicious local lunch recommended by your leader. This afternoon you might like to check out the bustling Warorot Market (Kad Luang). One of Chiang Mais largest markets and a thriving social hub, this is the perfect place to get a glimpse of daily life in northern Thailand, as well as some of the ingredients and snacks unique to northern cuisine. Taste your way through the stalls and be sure to try sai ua (Chaing Mai sausage) or bamboo worms. Day 8 Chiang MaiThere are no activities planned for today, and so, your delicious Real Food Adventure comes to an end this morning. You are free to leave at any time, but this doesnt mean your own adventure has to end! If you would like to spend more time in Chiang Mai, well be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). |
