For those who love South-East Asia, Thailand is without doubt an essential destination: modern palaces, ancient temples, wonderful places, natural vistas and beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters. This is a rich and stimulating country with a great deal to offer; its centuries-old history and cultural complexities make it all the more fascinating in travellers’ eyes.

Today we shall try to sum up in a few points why you should visit Thailand, though the list could be far longer; it is no coincidence that those returning from a trip to this country would happily buy another plane ticket straight away, to set off again in search of new itineraries, each with its own fascinating story.

Rediscovering spirituality

Thailand is also known as “the land of spirituality and well-being”: Thai culture has, in fact, been imbued with spirituality since ancient times.

There are countless religious rituals rooted in the past whose purpose is to bring people into connection with their own spiritual well-being. Visiting the temples scattered across the country, you can grasp the depth of this aspect of Thai culture; here, too, you are spoilt for choice.

Bangkok offers a wealth of opportunities: from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace, with its gardens and, at the heart of the temple, the fabulous image of the Buddha carved from a single piece of jade, to the Temple of the Golden Buddha, a refined example of Sukhothai art; in the capital, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the largest and oldest in the city, the Temple of Dawn at Wat Arun and the Marble Temple at Wat Benchamabophit are also not to be missed.

A visit to Ayutthaya also lets you relive the glories of antiquity thanks to the imposing ruins dating from the time when the city was the capital of the kingdom. The site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is literally studded with ancient temples bearing witness to the splendour of the past.

In Chiang Mai, the city in the north of Thailand, the same spirituality can be felt in the many architectural treasures that certainly deserve a visit.

Unspoilt nature

The relationship with nature is closely linked to the first point: in this country the visitor has the opportunity to come into deep contact with the natural world.

Throughout the country the landscapes are breathtaking: from the mountains of the north to the valleys of the Mekong river; from rainforests to marshes rich in wild animal species; from the pristine landscapes of the rice paddies to the crystal-clear waters of the southern beaches, the ideal habitat for fish and marine life.

The country has several protected parks that can be visited, not only to admire the lush vegetation but also to encounter numerous animal species. A moving experience awaits some 60 km north of Chiang Mai at an Elephant Camp, where the animals live in a still unspoilt environment; visitors can observe these colossal creatures and help care for them.

An extraordinary culinary tradition

There must be a reason why Thai cuisine is famous the world over: travellers love it and, as soon as they return home, try to recreate the typical dishes with ingredients that can also be found in Europe, though of course it is never quite the same.

The key phrase, first and foremost, is “street food”: the locals often do not even have a kitchen at home, or are not in the habit of using it, because they usually eat at the stalls found along the streets. The specialities are endless, and in every region you can find variations on the national recipes.

Restaurants, too, are many and varied, offering a wide range of options for every taste.

Besides the hugely famous Pad Thai, stir-fried rice noodles of which there are countless versions, it is also worth trying Khao Soi, a soup of noodles steamed on a cloth. There are many variations of this dish, but it is generally served with pork, tomatoes, fermented soya beans, bean sprouts and shallots.

Not to be missed either are Khao Pad, jasmine rice stir-fried with meat, chicken, prawns, crab, egg, onion and garlic, and Tom Yum Goong, a soup traditionally made with prawns, spices and herbs of various kinds.

The warmth of Thai hospitality

The hospitality and friendliness of the locals are proverbial: it is no coincidence that Thailand is also known as “the land of smiles”. Visitors are always pleasantly struck by it and, shortly after landing, immediately feel at home.

In the frenzy of everyday life, where there is no time to smile or to chat with a stranger, the Thai culture of hospitality is a breath of fresh air.

This kind, welcoming way of treating foreigners has its origins in ancient local traditions handed down from generation to generation; the garlands of fragrant jasmine offered to visitors, a herbal infusion to quench your thirst, a warm scented towel to wash your hands… these are small gestures that stay with the tourists who experience the warmth of Thai hospitality.

Picture-postcard beaches

Crystal-clear waters, fine white sand, lush vegetation… these three elements make Thailand’s seaside resorts a true paradise on earth.

These spectacular, unspoilt places, which so often serve as the background on our office desktops, really do exist and every year attract countless tourists.

Indeed, visitors from all over the world spend their holidays on one or more of Thailand’s islands. Among these, one cannot fail to mention Phuket, the country’s largest island; it is also called the Pearl of the Andaman, precisely because of its allure as a tropical paradise.

On the island you can both relax and enjoy the sea and choose from a wide range of excursions into the lush forest; the restaurants and nightspots also satisfy those in search of fun. The island is large and has much to offer: cultural itineraries and dives in the crystal-clear sea.

Another unmissable destination is the Phi Phi Islands, a small archipelago of white beaches and spectacular limestone stacks, made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in the film “The Beach” (2000).

The archipelago is made up of four main islands, each with its own attractions and peculiarities; those who love relaxation combined with the chance to get about for tours, excursions and fun will find the perfect holiday here.

Guiness Travel has two tours in Thailand in store for you: all you have to do is choose the one you prefer.

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For Guiness Travel, travelling is an enriching experience to be savoured; indeed, in all our itineraries every last detail is taken care of.

All the itineraries in our catalogue are 100% independently planned and carefully designed and tested, allowing our product to evolve constantly and to reach a high, wide-ranging cultural standard.

This is why we created the Guiness Exclusive Tour, a unique travel experience, mindful of sustainability, that offers you considerable advantages:

  • organisation;
  • attention to detail;
  • carefully selected services on the ground (designed to give you maximum comfort, leaving you free to think of nothing but enjoying the moment).

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