My Feb trip to Thailand is still being planned but the only uncertain part is Feb 11-14. We will have 4 full days in Bkk (I am not counting the arrival day) and then will fly to Chiang Mai on the evening of the 10th. We have reservations in Chiang Mai on the 10th and 11th but must be at the Anantara late in the day on the 14th. We will have Poon the 11th to the 14th to be a guide and to drive. I know the roads are bad and I am definitely a less is more traveller who is interested in historic sites and natural beauty. I know I want to see Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Phra That Lampang Luang as well as Chiang Rai but otherwise I have no specific must sees. While at the Antara I dont want to do more than 1 day of sightseeing as I would like to take a cooking course and will probably need some down time (we are off to Laos early on the am of the 17th). Poon did suggest the elephants at Taeng Do and a ceramic factory. My inclination is perhaps yes to the elephants somewhere and no to ceramics. Any comments? Any suggestions as to the itinerary given my comments? Any comments as to what is easy to do from the Antara on the 15th or 16th so I dont do that with Poon?

in fact the roads are very good, just not highways....it is a comfortable ride....its about 3 hours from chiang mai to chiang rai and one hour further to the anantara...

from the anantara you will want to spend at least one half day or more at doi tung, the princess mother's former estate....beaurtufl gardens, lovely villa which you can tour, work shops, shopping, natural beauty....the view from the villa is lovely and worth the time ....

cooking classes at anantara are fabulous....the chef is lots of fun...take at least one if not more....the anantara is a good place to veg out....intalian restaurant is excellent...

the opium museum just across from the hotel entrance is only one year old and a fabulous modern museum...worth maybe 2-3 hours....hotel car will take you there and fetch you back...

there are elephants on the hotel property and they have an elephant program...
spa at hotel is excellent, albeit expensive...

..Thanks for the info. I will certainly visit doi tung perhaps on the pm of 14th on the way into the Anantara and will skip the elephant camp if there are elephants on the grounds...I am already skipping coffee at work and saving those pennies for the spa!

Doi Tung isn't really on the way to the Anantara. You may wish to save it for another day rather than trying to add it to your drive from Chaing Mai.

kathie is right....it is out of the way and you would want to be fresh there...there is quite a bit of walking...

..any more comments. Has anyone visited the "ceramics factory"? is this just a tourist trap?

All of the places called "xxx factory" or "xxx handicraft village" are simply places where that specific thing is made and you can buy. "tourist trap"? well, let's say shopping opportunity. If you had a special interest in buying ceramics, you might want to stop, otherwise forget it.