Peaks & Pagodas

Essence of Bangkok | 3 Nights | $1099pp

Explore Bangkok like a local as you discover its temples, markets and the secrets of traditional Thai canal life. Tour several sites by tuk-tuk, including Chinatown, a fragrant flower market and striking Wat Po, the oldest temple in Bangkok and also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. During a canal cruise, discover floating shops, teakwood houses and hidden temples as you glide among Thonburi’s complex network of canals. Also, visit The Jim Thompson House, a private Thai-style residence that now serves as a museum.

Note: All travelers must now complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, within 3 days of arriving in Thailand including the date of arrival at https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home

Day 1
After arriving at the Bangkok International Airport and proceeding through luggage claim and Customs, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the Bangkok city center. Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you be arriving very early in the morning you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.

For groups with fifteen or more guests, a Regent Seven Seas Hospitality desk will be available at the hotel providing local information and optional sightseeing tours that can be booked. Please refer to your welcome letter for more details.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure and meals are on your own.

Day 2
Following breakfast at the hotel you will begin your exploration of Bangkok by coach, traveling through vibrant China Town, Bangkok’s commercial center for more than 200 years while en route to Pak-Klong-Talad.  Here, you’ll be treated to a short stroll through the amazing kaleidoscope of colorful blooms and perfumed scents of what is considered the city’s primary flower market.

Next you will have the opportunity to experience travelling through the old city of Bangkok like a local – via Tuk Tuk – a 3-wheeled motorized taxi that truly puts you in the heart of the action and allows you to fully absorb the atmosphere of this fabulous city.

Your next stop is at Wat Po, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest temple in Bangkok. This popular temple is where you will find Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha. Incredibly the grounds house over 1,000 Buddha images. The focal point of your tour is an opportunity to visit the immense gold-plated Buddha that extends to a length of 150 feet and rises to a height of 49 feet.

Continuing, you’ll next venture to a high-quality shop where you can take time to browse for souvenirs. Thailand is famous for its beautiful Thai silk, jewelry and local handicrafts and the shop offers a diverse selection of merchandise for your perusal.

Return to your hotel where you can freshen up and enjoy lunch on your own.

This afternoon, embark on a tour of the city by canal. Board a local river boat for an enlightening cruise along the bustling Chao Phaya River and through the complex network of klongs (canals) in the Thonburi district. Along the way, you will enjoy picturesque scenes of traditional Thai canal life, including floating grocery stores, speeding water taxis, teakwood houses built on stilts and hidden temples.

Your first stop is at the Royal Barge Museum which houses the ornately decorated longboats that were once used for royal functions. Here, you can see the lavish Suphanahonge, a gold encrusted swan-shaped barge used solely by the king. In addition to Suphanahong, there are many other fascinating and unique barges on display, each revealing a remarkable degree of exquisite craftsmanship.

Leaving the Museum, you’ll next travel to Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. The Temple is one of the most well-known and popular tourist attractions in Bangkok and you’ll have some time to stroll around the lovely temple grounds and view the various decorative murals.

Arrive back at the hotel where the remainder of your day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.

Day 3
Following breakfast, visit the former residence of Princess Chumbot of Nakhon Sawan – Wang Suan Pakkard. The Palace is a collection of five traditional Thai-style houses including the “Lacquer Pavilion” which dates from the Ayutthaya period. The buildings are now home to a priceless Asian antique collection and exquisite wood carvings.

Continue with a visit to the private Thai-style house of Jim Thompson, the “father” of the famous Thai silk industry. The house now survives as a museum after the mysterious disappearance of the legendary Mr. Thompson in Malaysia. On display in the main house is his splendid small Asian art collection as well as his personal belongings.

Return to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 4
Following breakfast and check out at the hotel, you will be transferred to the ship in Laem Chabang to begin the cruise.

All About Bangkok | 3 Nights | $1099pp

Discover the joys of Thailand’s effervescent capital by cruising to a floating market, visiting iconic temples, browsing the Ancient City museum park and enjoying time to explore further on your own.

Note: All travelers must now complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, within 3 days of arriving in Thailand including the date of arrival at https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home

DAY 1
Upon arrival to Bangkok’s international airport, a local English-Speaking guide will be waiting in arrivals to meet you and assist with your transfer to your city-based hotel for check-in.

Check in time is at 3:00pm at the hotel. Should you have an earlier arriving flight you may wish to book an extra night so a room is available upon your arrival. Luggage can also be stored at the hotel if your room is not ready when you arrive.

The day is at your leisure to settle in with any meals on own

The Shangri-La has a prime location nestled along the Chao Phraya River. With direct access to the SkyTrain, public ferries terminal and buses, the hotel is the perfect gateway to explore and discover Bangkok.

DAY 2
Following breakfast, set off on one of the most exciting and unique shopping sprees you’ll ever experience. Travel to the vibrant Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a hodgepodge of merchants piloting small wooden boats filled with handicrafts, souvenirs, local food, and all sorts of unique finds. Even getting here is a special experience.

On a small boat, you’ll wind through a labyrinth of canals, lined with wooden houses on stilts, to reach the floating marketplace. Upon arrival, you’ll immediately find yourself immersed in the market’s rather chaotic, but always friendly, energy. Watch local women paddle their boats into position with incredible skill. Haggle for hand-carved wooden elephants, tiger balm, even traditional souvenir T-shirts. There are also plenty of places along the docks selling tasty Thai treats certainly worth trying. If you’re looking for a wonderfully unique shopping adventure, nothing tops the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market!

Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

DAY 3
After breakfast, meet your guide and tour of the city of Bangkok with a visit to the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Siamese court.

Built at the beginning of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782 by King Rama I and covering nearly one square mile, the Palace served as the residence of the Thai Kings until 1949. Today, it is still used for Royal ceremonies and state occasions. Within the Palace compound is a collection of lavishly decorated buildings bejeweled with gilt and multi-colored glass mosaics and soaring finials topped with glittering spires. The highlight of your guided tour of the palace grounds is the Wat Phra Keo, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. One of the most celebrated sites in all Thailand, the temple houses one of the country’s most sacred objects – a splendid Buddha statue carved from a single piece of emerald-green jasper.

Following your visit, return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own.

DAY 4
After breakfast and on the way to the port of Laem Chabang, stop at the Ancient City, built on a 200-acre site. This is like an open book of Thai history and allows visitors to gain a view of the real Thailand. During your tour you will see the numerous reproductions of palace halls, temples, stupas, stone sanctuaries, and traditional houses. You can also see several reconstructed historical buildings, authenticated communities with their daily chores and sample villages from all regions of the country.

Due to the enormous size of this fascinating attraction, you will view most of the city from the local tram, although some stops will be made along the way for interior or close-up looks at some of the sites such as the Old Market Town, Khao Phra Vihan (Preah Vihear), Sanphet Prasart Palace

Following your two-hour visit at the Ancient City, continue to Laem Chabang port and your ship.

Balinese Traditions | 3 Nights | $1899pp

Enjoy a balance of idyllic days luxuriating at your beachfront hotel and exploring cultural landmarks that include a Hindu temple, bustling markets, countryside villages and a monument that commemorate Bali’s independence.

DAY 1
Disembark the ship in Benoa, meet your guide and drive to Denpasar City, the current capital of Bali Province. Historically, it was the capital of the Badung Empire, controlling the southern region of Bali Island from the end of 18th century until conquered by the Dutch in 1906.

Your first stop will be at the Bajra Sandhi Monument, which commemorates the Balinese struggle against Dutch colonialism. Designed in the shape of a Hindu bell, the monument contains dozens of detailed dioramas that depict Bali’s long history, including the introduction of Hinduism and the country’s eventual independence.

Next, visit the traditional Badung Market which is located in the heart of the city. It is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day making it the busiest market in Bali. This market has become the main trade center for all convenience goods from groceries to spices, fish and meat, clothing, kitchen crafts and batik textiles. It offers a glimpse into the hustle and bustle of the lives of the locals. If you find something you like don’t be shy to negotiate!

Next, visit the Temple of Jagatnatha, a Hindu Kahyangan Temple and then stop briefly at the Bali Beach Hotel for a refreshment break.

Following your brief refreshment stop, you will drive to your hotel for check-in.

The Apurva Kempinski Bali is a luxurious beachfront hotel perched atop a majestic cliff and offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure and lunch and dinner are on your own. You may choose to enjoy the amenities of the resort or head out and see some of the local sites on your own.

Check in is 3:00pm. If your room is not ready when the group arrives, you may temporarily store luggage at the reception desk and then begin to enjoy the facilities of the resort.

DAY 2
Following breakfast at the hotel, the morning will be at your leisure, allowing you to explore freely and then enjoy lunch on your own.

Later in the day you will be met and transferred to a lovely beachside restaurant in the Nusa Dua area. Here, enjoy a delicious meal of authentic Indonesian and Balinese dishes while enjoying the picturesque views.

After dinner, return to your hotel where the evening is at leisure.

DAY 3
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel followed by a journey into the countryside to visit small villages known for their trades and local temples.

Your first stop is at Celuk Village which is known for its production of gold and silver handicrafts. Here, almost all of the villagers are skilled at crafting beautiful pieces that are sold worldwide.

Continue to Penglipuran Culture Village where you will be charmed by the beautifully landscaped homes sitting neatly in a row along a street that runs through the center of the village toward the local temple. The village people live under strict rules just like their ancestors centuries ago, and their architecture is a reflection of this tradition: the front side of the house faces Mt. Agung, home of the gods and each house has its own temple.

Through the years, Penglipuran Village has evolved into a community-based tourism destination. You can enter any of the houses where you’ll be welcomed by friendly residents who are typically willing to show you around their compound, each following old Balinese spatial and architectural rules.

Following a typical Balinese lunch, return to your hotel where the remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure and dinner is on your own.

DAY 4
Following breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to Ngurah Rai International Airport based on your flight details. Hotel check out time is at 12:00pm. Should you have a later flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time. Guests who book an extra night will be able to stay in / use their room until transfer time.