· Return airfares from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Bangkok on Thai International.

· Five nights accommodation at the Manhattan Hotel Bangkok, a three star hotel, centrally situated in Bangkok’s popular Sukhumvit shopping and entertainment area.

· Eight nights accommodation at the Methavali Hotel in Cha’Am, the lovely resort town on the Gulf of Siam. Cha’Am is the favourite holiday resort for the Thai people and you have the chance to mix with the Thai people. The hotel is a lovely three-and-a-half star beachfront resort hotel.

· Full breakfast daily, with a great choice of Western and Thai food and a farewell dinner.

· All transport and transfers within Thailand.

· Services of an Australian tour leader and a Thai tour guide.

Most days there will be a choice of optional day tours and tour participants are free to do as much or as little as they wish with the group. This makes these tours suitable even for people who don’t particularly like group tours, as there is no regimentation.

We will make every effort to match up single travellers who wish to travel at twin share rates. For anyone requiring a single room, there will be an extra charge of $355.

THAILAND AT LEISURE – MAY 2005
NOTE: Breakfast is included daily plus all other meals listed in the itinerary.

11.05.05
Depart Melbourne at 4.20pm on TG 982 arriving in Bangkok at 10.40pm.

Depart Sydney at 4.30pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 10.55pm.

Depart Brisbane at 10.40pm on TG984, arriving in Bangkok at 5.00am the next morning (12.05.05).

All flights will be met at Bangkok Airport and transferred to the Manhattan Hotel, centrally situated in the Sukhumvit shopping and entertainment area and close to Bangkok’s monorail.


12.05.05
A morning optional tour to one of the seven wonders of the world, Bangkok’s magnificent Grand Palace, Coronation Hall, Emerald Buddha and replica of Angkor Watt. This is followed by a visit to the temple of the huge Reclining Buddha, with its massive mother-of pearl feet. Price $33.00.


13.05.05
Morning optional tour to see Bangkok’s beautiful flower market, followed by a boat tour of Bangkok’s klongs (canals) and the busy Chao Phya River. See the Royal Barges and the spectacular Temple of Dawn. This is followed by a visit to a jewellery manufacturer. Price $28.00

In the evening there is an optional tour outing to a Thai banquet with a magnificent presentation of classical Thai dancing. Price $34.00.


14.05.05
Optional full day tour to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, including a long-tail boat trip through rural klongs. Next visit a Thai handicraft centre. Then on to the Rose Garden for their internationally famous culture show followed by a short elephant show. A superb international buffet lunch is included. Price $55.00.


15.05.05
Optional full day tour to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, 90kms north of Bangkok. We visit its amazing world heritage historical park to see the extensive buildings that were sacked by the Burmese in the 18th century. Then we have lunch (included) at a renowned restaurant. Next we visit Bang-Pa-In, the old royal summer residence set in magnificent and extensive grounds. Price $68.00.


16.05.05
Morning free.

Early in the afternoon we depart our hotel for the three hour trip to Cha'am on the Gulf of Siam, staying in the beachfront Methavali Hotel Cha'am.


17.05.05
Optional evening tour of Hua Hin by night. We leave the hotel at 3.30pm and travel to inspect the interesting teakwood palace of King Rama Vl. We then travel to Hua Hin for a short stop at their central shopping area. Then we travel by foot-pedalled trishaws to Hua Hin’s historical railway station with its interesting Royal Box. Then the trishaws take us to the night market where we spend some time before going on to a harbour-side restaurant for a lovely seafood and chicken dinner. Price: $37.00


18.05.05
Optional tour to Petch Dam and Lake. Morning scenic drive to Petch Dam. First stop is at a Chinese temple with a huge lady Buddha statue. Then we board a long-tail boat for a two hour boat tour on the lake created by the dam, viewing beautiful national park country with small scattered Karen hill-tribe settlements. We stop on a small island and inspect its interesting temple. We then do a short walking circumvention of the island to see its interesting statues. We next have lunch (included) at a lovely restaurant overlooking the lake, before returning to Cha’am. Price: $38.00


19.05.05
Optional full day tour to Samroi Yod National Park. First stop at a coconut plantation to see a demonstration of monkeys harvesting coconuts. Then on to a fishing village where we have a boat trip to a secluded beach. Here we have lunch (included) at a rustic beachfront restaurant, and the more energetic can climb a large hill to view the beautiful Phrayanakorn Cave. On the way back to our hotel we go to Monkey Mountain to see and feed some of the hundreds of monkeys running wild. Price $46.00


20.05.05
This morning we have an optional traditional Thai massage in Hua Hin, lasting approximately two hours at a reputable establishment in Hua Hin. This is followed by an hour's shopping in the city. Price: $29.00 including tip.


21.05.05
Optional full day tour to Petchaburi, to see the mountain-top palace of King Rama IV (of “The King and I” fame). This is a fascinating place set in a garden of frangipanis. We then visit a large temple set in a natural cave. We then proceed to the beautiful European-style palace of King Rama V, Thailand’s greatest king. We have a nice lunch (included) at a beachfront restaurant. Price $48.00.


22.05.05
Tonight we have our included farewell dinner at our hotel.


23.05.05
Optional full day tour to the River Kwai. First we visit the beautifully-kept War Memorial cemetery where many of the Australian prisoners of war are buried. Then onto the infamous bridge itself. Next we have a train trip across the bridge and out nearly to the Burmese border. We then have lunch (included) at a good restaurant. This is followed by a long-tail boat ride to the Jeath War Museum, which we inspect before returning to Cha’am. Price $56.00.


24.05.05
Sydney passengers check out of hotel at approximately 11.00am and will be transferred to Bangkok Airport.

Sydney passengers depart Bangkok on TG 991 at 6.15pm, arriving into Sydney at 6.15am the next day (25.5.05).

Melbourne and Brisbane passengers have 3.00pm check-out from hotel and will have a separate transfer to Bangkok airport.

Brisbane passengers depart Bangkok at 10.55pm and arrive into Brisbane at 10.55am the next morning (25.5.05).

25.05.05
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok on TG981 at 12.15am, arriving in Melbourne at 12.05pm.

THAILAND AT LEISURE – JULY 2005
NOTE: Breakfast is included daily plus all other meals listed in the itinerary.

20.07.05
Depart Melbourne at 4.20pm on TG 982 arriving in Bangkok at 10.40pm.
Depart Sydney at 4.30pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 10.55pm.

Depart Brisbane at 10.40pm on TG984, arriving in Bangkok at 5.00am the next morning (21.7.05).

All flights will be met at Bangkok Airport and transferred to the Manhattan Hotel, centrally situated in the Sukhumvit shopping and entertainment area and close to Bangkok’s monorail.


21.07.05
A morning optional tour to one of the seven wonders of the world, Bangkok’s magnificent Grand Palace, Coronation Hall, Emerald Buddha and replica of Angkor Watt. This is followed by a visit to the temple of the huge Reclining Buddha, with its massive mother-of pearl feet. Price $33.00.


22.07.05
Morning optional tour to see Bangkok’s beautiful flower market, followed by a boat tour of Bangkok’s klongs (canals) and the busy Chao Phya River. See the Royal Barges and the spectacular Temple of Dawn. This is followed by a visit to a jewellery manufacturer. Price $28.00

In the evening there is an optional tour outing to a Thai banquet with a magnificent presentation of classical Thai dancing. Price $34.00.

23.07.05
Optional full day tour to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, including a long-tail boat trip through rural klongs. Next visit a Thai handicraft centre. Then on to the Rose Garden for their internationally famous culture show followed by a short elephant show. A superb international buffet lunch is included. Price $55.00.


24.07.05
Optional full day tour to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, 90kms north of Bangkok. We visit its amazing world heritage historical park to see the extensive buildings that were sacked by the Burmese in the 18th century. Then we have lunch (included) at a renowned restaurant. Next we visit Bang-Pa-In, the old royal summer residence set in magnificent and extensive grounds. Price $68.00.


25.07.05
Morning free.

Early in the afternoon we depart our hotel for the three hour trip to Cha'am on the Gulf of Siam, staying in the beachfront Methavali Hotel Cha'am.


26.07.05
Optional evening tour of Hua Hin by night. We leave the hotel at 3.30pm and travel to inspect the interesting teakwood palace of King Rama Vl. We then travel to Hua Hin for a short stop at their central shopping area. Then we travel by foot-pedalled trishaws to Hua Hin’s historical railway station with its interesting Royal Box. Then the trishaws take us to the night market where we spend some time before going on to a harbour-side restaurant for a lovely seafood and chicken dinner. Price: $37.00


27.07.05
Optional tour to Petch Dam and Lake. Morning scenic drive to Petch Dam. First stop is at a Chinese temple with a huge lady Buddha statue. Then we board a long-tail boat for a two hour boat tour on the lake created by the dam, viewing beautiful national park country with small scattered Karen hill-tribe settlements. We stop on a small island and inspect its interesting temple. We then do a short walking circumvention of the island to see its interesting statues. We next have lunch (included) at a lovely restaurant overlooking the lake, before returning to Cha’am. Price: $38.00


28.07.05
Optional full day tour to Samroi Yod National Park. First stop at a coconut plantation to see a demonstration of monkeys harvesting coconuts. Then on to a fishing village where we have a boat trip to a secluded beach. Here we have lunch (included) at a rustic beachfront restaurant, and the more energetic can climb a large hill to view the beautiful Phrayanakorn Cave. On the way back to our hotel we go to Monkey Mountain to see and feed some of the hundreds of monkeys running wild. Price $46.00


29.07.05
This morning we have an optional traditional Thai massage in Hua Hin, lasting approximately two hours at a reputable establishment in Hua Hin. This is followed by an hour's shopping in the city. Price: $29.00 including tip.


30.07.05
Optional full day tour to Petchaburi, to see the mountain-top palace of King Rama IV (of “The King and I” fame). This is a fascinating place set in a garden of frangipanis. We then visit a large temple set in a natural cave. We then proceed to the beautiful European-style palace of King Rama V, Thailand’s greatest king. We have a nice lunch (included) at a beachfront restaurant. Price $48.00.


31.07.05
Tonight we have our included farewell dinner at our hotel.


01.08.05
Optional full day tour to the River Kwai. First we visit the beautifully-kept War Memorial cemetery where many of the Australian prisoners of war are buried. Then onto the infamous bridge itself. Next we have a train trip across the bridge and out nearly to the Burmese border. We then have lunch (included) at a good restaurant. This is followed by a long-tail boat ride to the Jeath War Museum, which we inspect before returning to Cha’am. Price $56.00.


02.08.05
Sydney passengers check out of hotel at approximately 11.00am and will be transferred to Bangkok Airport.

Sydney passengers depart Bangkok on TG 991 at 6.15pm, arriving into Sydney at 6.15am the next day (3.8.05).

Melbourne and Brisbane passengers have 3.00pm check-out from hotel and will have a separate transfer to Bangkok airport.

Brisbane passengers depart Bangkok at 10.55pm and arrive into Brisbane at 10.55am the next morning (3.8.05).


03.08.05
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok on TG981 at 12.15am, arriving in Melbourne at 12.05pm.

Depart Sydney at 4.30pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 10.55pm.

Depart Brisbane at 10.40pm on TG984, arriving in Bangkok at 5.00am the next morning (1.9.05).

All flights will be met at Bangkok Airport and transferred to the Manhattan Hotel, centrally situated in the Sukhumvit shopping and entertainment area and close to Bangkok’s monorail.


01.09.05
A morning optional tour to one of the seven wonders of the world, Bangkok’s magnificent Grand Palace, Coronation Hall, Emerald Buddha and replica of Angkor Watt. This is followed by a visit to the temple of the huge Reclining Buddha, with its massive mother-of pearl feet. Price $33.00.


02.09.05
Morning optional tour to see Bangkok’s beautiful flower market, followed by a boat tour of Bangkok’s klongs (canals) and the busy Chao Phya River. See the Royal Barges and the spectacular Temple of Dawn. This is followed by a visit to a jewellery manufacturer. Price $28.00

In the evening there is an optional tour outing to a Thai banquet with a magnificent presentation of classical Thai dancing. Price $34.00.

03.09.05
Optional full day tour to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, including a long-tail boat trip through rural klongs. Next visit a Thai handicraft centre. Then on to the Rose Garden for their internationally famous culture show followed by a short elephant show. A superb international buffet lunch is included. Price $55.00.


04.09.05
Optional full day tour to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, 90kms north of Bangkok. We visit its amazing world heritage historical park to see the extensive buildings that were sacked by the Burmese in the 18th century. Then we have lunch (included) at a renowned restaurant. Next we visit Bang-Pa-In, the old royal summer residence set in magnificent and extensive grounds. Price $68.00.


05.09.05
Morning free.

Early in the afternoon we depart our hotel for the three hour trip to Cha'am on the Gulf of Siam, staying in the beachfront Methavali Hotel Cha'am.


06.09.05
Optional evening tour of Hua Hin by night. We leave the hotel at 3.30pm and travel to inspect the interesting teakwood palace of King Rama Vl. We then travel to Hua Hin for a short stop at their central shopping area. Then we travel by foot-pedalled trishaws to Hua Hin’s historical railway station with its interesting Royal Box. Then the trishaws take us to the night market where we spend some time before going on to a harbour-side restaurant for a lovely seafood and chicken dinner. Price: $37.00


07.09.05
Optional tour to Petch Dam and Lake. Morning scenic drive to Petch Dam. First stop is at a Chinese temple with a huge lady Buddha statue. Then we board a long-tail boat for a two hour boat tour on the lake created by the dam, viewing beautiful national park country with small scattered Karen hill-tribe settlements. We stop on a small island and inspect its interesting temple. We then do a short walking circumvention of the island to see its interesting statues. We next have lunch (included) at a lovely restaurant overlooking the lake, before returning to Cha’am. Price: $38.00


08.09.05
Optional full day tour to Samroi Yod National Park. First stop at a coconut plantation to see a demonstration of monkeys harvesting coconuts. Then on to a fishing village where we have a boat trip to a secluded beach. Here we have lunch (included) at a rustic beachfront restaurant, and the more energetic can climb a large hill to view the beautiful Phrayanakorn Cave. On the way back to our hotel we go to Monkey Mountain to see and feed some of the hundreds of monkeys running wild. Price $46.00


09.09.05
This morning we have an optional traditional Thai massage in Hua Hin, lasting approximately two hours at a reputable establishment in Hua Hin. This is followed by an hour's shopping in the city. Price: $29.00 including tip.


10.09.05
Optional full day tour to Petchaburi, to see the mountain-top palace of King Rama IV (of “The King and I” fame). This is a fascinating place set in a garden of frangipanis. We then visit a large temple set in a natural cave. We then proceed to the beautiful European-style palace of King Rama V, Thailand’s greatest king. We have a nice lunch (included) at a beachfront restaurant. Price $48.00.


11.09.05
Tonight we have our included farewell dinner at our hotel.


12.09.05
Optional full day tour to the River Kwai. First we visit the beautifully-kept War Memorial cemetery where many of the Australian prisoners of war are buried. Then onto the infamous bridge itself. Next we have a train trip across the bridge and out nearly to the Burmese border. We then have lunch (included) at a good restaurant. This is followed by a long-tail boat ride to the Jeath War Museum, which we inspect before returning to Cha’am. Price $56.00.


13.09.05
Sydney passengers check out of hotel at approximately 11.00am and will be transferred to Bangkok Airport.

Sydney passengers depart Bangkok on TG 991 at 6.15pm, arriving into Sydney at 6.15am the next day (14.9.05).

Melbourne and Brisbane passengers have 3.00pm check-out from hotel and will have a separate transfer to Bangkok airport.

Brisbane passengers depart Bangkok at 10.55pm and arrive into Brisbane at 10.55am the next morning (14.9.05).

14.9.05
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok on TG981 at 12.15am, arriving in Melbourne at 12.05pm.