Thailand for Food Lovers: Complete Gastronomic Itinerary

Thai Cuisine

What to expect on this itinerary

Thai food is celebrated worldwide and for good reasons. Years of tradition and meticulous attention to invigorating all flavor profiles have culminated into a sensory cuisine that is unlike any other. Using a range of aromatic spices and locally-sourced ingredients, Thai chefs create beloved dishes for both traditional tastes and finer palates. On this immersive, 21-day tour of Thailand, you will travel to pivotal destinations that bring timeless recipes to life in perfect fashion. From authentic ethnic hill tribe meals to opulent recreations of classic meals at award-winning restaurants, you will experience much of the best of Thailand’s gastronomic scene.

Countries Visited

Thailand

Places Visited

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta

Suggested Duration

21 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 - 4

Chiang Mai – A Blend of Tradition and Sophistication

Nestled beneath the striking Doi Suthep Mountain lies the thriving city of Chiang Mai. It is often referred to as the Northern capital of Thailand as it holds significant importance to the Thai people. The city is a booming metropolitan paradise that is set amongst a sprawling and unspoiled landscape. The destination is steeped in rich history, and you will explore this heritage through enchanting experiences during your stay.

Beyond the alluring sights that await, Chiang Mai boasts the most authentic Northern Thai cuisine. The country’s food culture is no better expressed than on the plate of a traditional Chiang Mai Gaeng Hang Lay, which is a Burmese-inspired, sweet yellow curry. You will dabble in the delectable, northern flavors shortly after you have arrived and checked-in to your exceptional 5-star resort beneath Doi Suthep Mountain. You will witness surreal vistas of the surrounding scenery from the splendor of your private suite. Afterward, you can visit distinguished, local markets for wholesome Thai food experiences. The stalls spread spirited energy throughout the vibrant markets, and locals swarm the busy vendors as they fry timeless dishes in their works. You will become pleasantly lost in the exuberant bustle as you move from stall to stall and tuck into delightful delicacies along the way.

Though native chefs are revered for their traditional creations, Chiang Mai boasts a selection of prestigious restaurants for a modern twist on the classics. You can venture out on a guided food tour to the foremost restaurants in the city, where you will dine alongside the upper-class and enjoy award-winning dishes that are paired with elegant glasses of wine. You will depart Chiang Mai feeling inspired by the unique blend of tradition and sophistication that prevails in this sought-after, culinary-centered city.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Breakfast
Day 5 - 6

Chiang Rai – Feast Like a Local

Day 7 - 10

Bangkok – Thailand’s Celebrated Culinary Scene

Day 11 - 12

Hua Hin – Fresh Seafood with Sunset Views

Day 13 - 16

Phuket – Treasured Meals in the Tropics

Day 17 - 19

Krabi – A Taste of Stylish Seclusion

Day 20 - 21

Koh Lanta – Opulent Bites within Paradise

Trip Highlights

  • Discover the complex flavors of Lanna food, which is Northern Thai food, at Chiang Mai’s authentic eateries and stylish restaurants
  • Delight in a family-style meal with a local ethnic hill tribe of Chiang Rai and connect with their timeless culinary traditions
  • Indulge in a tour the bustling city of Bangkok in search of the most delectable gourmet meals Thailand has to offer
  • Bask in the sumptuous flavors of freshly caught seafood against a stunning backdrop of the Gulf of Thailand in Hua Hin
  • Cruise to hideaway beaches across Phuket’s sprawling coastline and encounter treasured cuisine at leading restaurants
  • Learn more about the culinary culture at a prestigious cooking school in Krabi and try your hand at preparing your own fashionable Thai food
  • Luxuriate in seclusion among the secret, snorkeling beaches of Koh Lanta and enjoy the delightful tastes of Thailand in style

Starting Price

$23,900 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 78 reviews

Thailand, Vietnam Travel Review: Bangkok, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Cruise, Elephant Sanctuary, Canoe Ride, 10 Nights

To our travel specialist,

We would like to thank you for putting such an amazing trip together for us.

Your hotel choices were spot-on! We were happy to be by the river in Bangkok.

In Hanoi, our guide was a walking Wikipedia. He adjusted our schedule to a perfect spot to see the train upon my request. The signature cruise on a lovely boat was a highlight of the trip.

Our guide in Ho Chi Minh City was great in communication. She reached out on WhatsApp before our arrival. We enjoyed the Happy Buddha and canoe experience.

The tunnel tour was very disappointing. We seemed very rushed and we listened to other tour guides for information. Lunch was at 10.45am and we arrived at the airport five hours before departure.

Our guide in Bangkok was so compassionate. She taught us about offerings and the lotus. The river location was perfect for us.

Our guide in Chiang Mai was very soft-spoken and gave us a fabulous tour. She wanted us to experience the “northern food!"

The elephant sanctuary you chose was perfect, with just the right amount of time.

In Phuket, we were not picked up by our assigned driver. Our guide was there with a driver. She was helpful in the airport upon our return to Hong Kong.

This was an amazing trip for both of us!

Thank you so much!

See more

Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam Vacation Review: Elephant Sanctuary, Private Tours, Local Culture, Cuisine, Angkor Wat, Cu Chi Tunnels, Trekking, Biking, Boating, 10-Night Trip

Our Zicasso travel agent did a wonderful job taking our requests and styling a complex, detailed itinerary. Everything worked perfectly. The guides all communicated with each other and the drivers were always at the expected locations. All accommodations were awesome and well-located. 

Beginning in Chiang Mai, Thailand, we visited Doi Inthanon National Park, the Doi Suthep mountain temple, and had an absolutely awesome time visiting with elephants at the elephant sanctuary, among other things. We even got to play with a two-week-old elephant. All our dining recommendations were awesome and we particularly enjoyed our time with the guides.

Next, we flew to Krabi for unforgettable views and relaxing beach time. Again, the resort was awesome. We even went mountain climbing on Railay Beach. My son got engaged at the New Year's gala at our hotel, which was spectacular; an unbelievable stay. We particularly enjoyed our time with the guide!

Next, we finished in Bangkok, where the highlight was riding in the tuk-tuks and doing a city food tour. Our guide was so awesome and knowledgeable.

Unfortunately, eight of the 10 of us then flew home, while my wife and I continued to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Our guide was such a good travel companion and we left Cambodia with a true knowledge of Cambodian life/history/temples. He was very forthcoming about his life growing up under the Khmer Rouge. Although a long day, the temple tour was unbelievable, culminating in Angkor Wat. Our hotel was awesome and blocks from the nightlife on Pub Street. It was such a great stay.

Next, we flew to Saigon. We were met by our guide, who noticed we were hungry and immediately stopped at a local street food vendor for our first foray into bun bo. It was so good. The mix of history, countryside visits, and city tours with our guide was awesome and she even left us with a customized pictorial of our visit. The other excursion that needs mention is the Vespa city and food tour. Our main guide was delightful, giving us a true taste of Saigon culture and food. The drivers were so great.  This tour finished with a surprise visit to a local bar/club, where we had front-row seats to an awesome Latin band for a nightcap. It was truly unforgettable. Also, we cannot forget our visit to the Cu Chi tunnels, where our guide did a great job educating and touring us through this unbelievable history.

Then, we flew to Hanoi to another awesome location. Highlights in Hanoi would be visiting the Hoa Lo prison, having dinner in a local family's home, and especially the Minsk backstreet tour. Our tour drivers were so awesome. This excursion really gave us a feel for the city/backstreets, as well as an idea of the frightening life of riding a motorbike through the city and back alleys of Hanoi. It was truly unforgettable. This tour finished with my knees about a foot away from the speeding train at Hanoi train station, another can't-miss site!

Next, we visited Ninh Binh for trekking, biking, and bamboo boating. The scenery was awesome and it was definitely a nice break from the busy city.

The trip finished with a two-night, three-day cruise on Hạ Long Bay. The scenery was unbelievable and the staff were excellent; so attentive and informative.

This trip truly was spectacular and we are so happy that Zicasso connected us with our agent to make all of this happen. We couldn't be happier with the entire trip!

See more

Thailand, Cambodia Trip Review: Bangkok, Food Tour, Temples, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Elephant Park, Cooking Class, Krabi, 11 Nights

We really enjoyed our trip. I'd like to give you a detailed review. Zicasso's travel agent did a great job setting up our itinerary. When we had a problem in Krabi, the team was great at helping resolve it.

Our evening food tour in Bangkok was a lot of fun and our guide was great at explaining a lot about the food. The guide who picked us up at the airport was excellent. He got us an extra SIM card. The next day, we had a wonderful experience with him at the Temple of Dawn and the Royal Palace. He took us to the airport and came in with us to make sure we were properly checked in.

Cambodia was an interesting trip. Unfortunately, the guide was not as good as all the other guides. He texted me that he was outside at the airport. I texted him back when we had our luggage and came outside. We couldn't find him for more than 15 minutes. All the other guides were lined up with signs. He finally showed up and said he had been sitting off to the side. He also did not have our SIM card. He said we couldn't stop for it because he had forgotten his ID card. He did bring the SIM cards to the hotel later. He was well-informed about the various sites we visited. At the end of the first day, when he was taking us back to the hotel, I mentioned we were supposed to go to the Killing Fields. He said he had forgotten and it was too hot and too late, even though we still had another hour of touring left. He rearranged our next two days so we could include the Killing Fields. On the last day, when he brought us to the airport, he dropped us off outside and left. This is not the attention we received from the other guides. I felt he knew the necessary information to share as a guide, but lacked the professionalism of the other guides.

Our guide in Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai was wonderful! She was very attentive, knowledgeable, and flexible, and a pleasure to spend time with. She also came into the airport with us when we were leaving to make sure everything was in order.

Krabi was nice and relaxing. There was a problem with our room at the hotel. They put us on a side where there was garbage and loud construction going on. When we originally booked Krabi, the hotel that was recommended no longer had the room available that was quoted and we did not want to spend extra to upgrade, so we were put in this hotel. This was not our agent's fault; the hotel should not have put any guests on that side of that building. Our agent was quick to address the situation and the next day we were moved to a nicer room in a different building.

Overall, it was a wonderful vacation. This was our second time booking through Zicasso and both trips were wonderful. Thank you.

See more

Thailand Birthday Trip Review: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Cooking Classes, Tea Tour, Spa, 2 Weeks

The Zicasso travel team made my birthday "bucket-list" trip incredible! Every detail of my trip was expertly taken care of. All my scheduled tours were on time despite a little "liquid sunshine".

Our trip entailed visits to three areas in Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui). In each location, our tour guides were amazing!

In Bangkok, we were greeted and expertly ushered to the various incredible sights and activities by two guides. In Chiang Mai, we were greeted and introduced to the sights and history by another guide. Everyone was very knowledge and made each tour interesting and engaging,

We could not have asked for more on this incredible trip! Without a doubt, I will be seeing Thailand again in my very near future and with no other than the team from Zicasso's travel company! Thank you to our agent and his team.

See more

Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam Trip Review: 29-Day Trip

We recently completed a 29-day custom-designed tour of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam with Zicasso’s travel company. As a couple, we have toured 100 countries on six continents. We always travel by ourselves and not in groups. We often plan and book our itinerary and activities on our own. We have experienced tour operators in the past who just string together “cookie-cutter” activities and call it a custom tour. I commend the travel company for not taking this path.

Our tour was completely tailored to our needs. We went through several iterations of the itinerary to match it to our interests and they were untiring in making adjustments to suit our particular needs. The hotels were all of excellent quality and very well located. The itineraries in each of the locations we visited met our expectations and addressed the interests we had discussed with the representatives of the travel company. All of the guides were good and several were amongst the best we have ever had. The support of the travel company was outstanding throughout our trip, with daily check-ins and immediate reactions when assistance was requested. I would rate the tour as exceptional. I unhesitatingly recommend the travel company.

See more

Cambodia, Thailand Vacation Review: Bangkok, Siem Reap, Phuket, Khao Sok, Angkor Wat, 3-Week Trip

During the trip, our Zicasso travel agent promptly responded to issues/inconveniences. Our guides in Bangkok and in Siem Reap were the best tour guides of them all, as were the foodie tour guides in Bangkok and Phuket. We truly enjoyed this trip.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

30,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews