thanks for your help -trip booked
 

thanks to all who held my hand as I planned next xmas's trip for my family to thailand
we originally priced a trip through a travel agent that was way overpriced, and a not great itinerary. the cost for the 4 of us was going to be$23,000 before food and taxes, and it was not high end at all. thanks to everyone who gave us advice- we estimate that the trip is now costing about$16000 and the only thing to add is dinners, some taxes and shopping. a huge difference in cost, and a bigger difference in the quality of accommodation and itinerary. couldn't have done it without you!

day 1 arrive bkk in pm, overnight at airport novotel

day 2 early am flight to phuket
Chedi
day 3 chedi
day 4 chedi
day 5 fly to chiang mai via bkk in am
afternoon and eve on own in chiang mai

day 6 day with sgt kai, hiking
day 7 2 day mahout camp at TEC(really this is 1&1/2 days)
day 8 am at Tecc, then afternoon pick up by sgt kai to tour

day 9/10/ tour with sgt kai, ending up in chiang rai via mae salong and several stops

day 11 fly chiang rai to bkk in am
marriott resort and spa
rest of day on own
day 12 full day with one of tong's people seeing fishing village and bangkok- - marriott resort

day 13 1/2 day with tong's guide see floating market, 1/2 day on own
sleep at novotel airport hotel

day 14 early flight back to toronto

You have done really well...a much better itinerary than the tour option you had, and MUCH better hotels. Enjoy!

This looks really good.

I would not stay at the Novatel the night before you leave. You will have to leave an in town hotel very early, but remember your sleep cycle will be destroyed anyway. It makes the last night in BKK much more pleasant.

this is excellent and as we agreed you will be sending 1/2 of your savings to us as a group....we will take baht, dollars or even that canadian stuff you purport to claim as money....oh yes we take furs too...

Much better itinerary. Have you decided where to stay in Chiang Mai?

we will stay in chiang mai at yaang come village- family room

as for sharing the savings with all of you it is a lovely suggestion- but instead, how about you each tell me your favourite food and I will sample it in thailand and think of my new and helpful fodor friends who helped plan my trip!

Yom Pla Grab. It's a dried fish salad with red onions and a very spicy sauce. Very hard to find. However, it's addicting.

Forgive Bob for requesting 1/2 of your savings. He's a former banker and old habits come into play.

You can spend the savings on another trip to Asia and tell us. Remember the penalty for failure to file a timely report.

4bams,

1/. The family room, IMO, is not worth it at the YCV. Only 1 bathroom for the whole family! I would get 2 regular rooms that are next to each other instead.

2/. With your current itinerary make sure that your Bangkok - Phuket and Chiang Mai to Bangkok are from Suwanapoom aiport(and not Don Mueang) since you're staying at the Novotel.

Where are you staying in Chiang Rai?

Have a great trip. Happy Travels!