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Phuket, the largest of Thailand's islands and a province in its own right, roughly the size of Singapore and once a port of call for shipping on trade routes between east and west. Although attracting visitors now for its tropical splendour, the early Siamese settlers came here to mine tin. Later, it became a magnet for Chinese immigration and sports a variety of cultures, with almost as many mosques in the province as there are Buddhist temples. See the remaining Sino-Portuguese architecture in Phuket town, reminiscent of Malacca. Visit Wat Chalong in Chalong bay south of the city. Judge Phukets reputation for its bounty by visits to the orchards (fruits on display depends on season), rubber plantation and an orchid farm. Also visit the Laem Phromthep, a cape at the southernmost tip. Pass Kata and Karon beaches before returning to your hotel.

Phuket is the largest of Thailand's islands and a province in its own right. Once a port of call for shipping on trade routes between east and west it now attracts visitors for its tropical splendour. The early Siamese settlers came to mine tin. Later, it became a magnet for Chinese immigration and sports a variety of cultures, with almost as many mosques in the province as there are Buddhist temples. See the remaining Sino-Portuguese architecture in Phuket town, reminiscent of Malacca. Visit Wat Chalong in Chalong bay south of the city. Judge Phuket's reputation for its bounty by visits to the orchards (fruits on display depends on season), rubber plantation and an orchid farm and also the Laem Phromthep, a cape at the southernmost tip popular for viewing the sunset. A Thai lunch is included.

Transfer from your accommodation by open-air local transport to the starting point of this short trek by elephant - a hill overlooking Le Meridien Hotel near to Patong Beach. Ascend through the rainforest mounted on your pachyderm to the hilltop for a vista out over the Andaman Sea, then return to base for transfers back to your accommodation.

Drive to the mainland province of Phang-Nga across the Sarasin Bridge, for a boat trip amongst the karst scenery of Phang-Nga Bay. We will board our bus and head to our first stop, Wat Tham Suwankhuha, where a cave temple with a reclining image of Buddha can be visited (entrance fee of THB 10.00 not included). Then sail to Koh Tapu, with its island - pillar familiar to anyone who has seen the James Bond film 'The Man With The Golden Gun'. Disembark at Koh Khao Ping Kan, where you can wander up the hill for some snapshots. Enjoy lunch at the Muslim Village at Koh Panyi nestled below the Peak of Panyi Island, with its wooden houses suspended above the sea on stilts, whilst a network of walkways connect the community. After touring the village, return by boat to Kra Som pier. There is time to visit a cashew nut factory shop and Gems Gallery before arriving back in Phuket.

The Phi-Phi islands in Had Noppharat Thara National Park, 48kms east of Phuket are amongst the most renowned in the Andaman Sea. Transfer to the Fishery Authority Port of Phuket to board the boat bound for the isles. The cruise takes around two hours. Disembark at the island of Phi Phi Don and enjoy Hat Yao beach at leisure for the next two and a half hours - take a stroll up the hill for a view over the isthmus, dividing the island into distinct parts and offering 2 crescent shaped bays with one beach. Buffet lunch is included. Cruise in the afternoon to the smaller island of Phi Phi Le and visit the Tham Phaya Nak where nesting swifts provide raw material for birds nest soup. Inside this cave, hollowed out by sea, there are paintings of Chinese Junks (although the given English name is 'Viking Cave'). Mid afternoon we return to Phuket and enjoy the facilities on board.

Simon Cabaret is Phuket's contribution to the transvestite cabaret scene. Since opening its doors in 1991, over two million visitors have filled up the 550 seat auditorium for the twice nightly performances. Routines are regularly updated and care is taken to choose authentic costumes for the various national song performances (typically from China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan as well as Thailand of course). Show themes change at a rapid pace, so the stage sets regularly transform themselves to mirror the theme of each routine and highlight the glamourous costumes of the performers. Transvestite cabaret as performed at the major Thai venues can sometimes be cheeky, but never in bad taste and the performance is suitable for all ages.

FantaSea Theme Park is devoted to the cultural heritage of Thailand and attempts to illustrate it in an easy and fun way. Enter through the Fantasy Village, whose shop facades illustrate the architectural achievements of Siam.
There are pageants, handicraft displays, elephant rides and a games centre. The restaurant offers a Thai and International buffet, with dinners served by 'kinarees', half human-half bird. The auditorium (Palace of the Elephants) boasts top-flight acoustics and hosts the highlight 'Fantasy of a Kingdom' show. The performance follows a mythical figure, the Prince of Kamala in his quest for 'Thai-ness'. The magnificent extravaganza sees him pass several tests on his way to this goal and this being the palace of the elephants, expect to see a few appear and disappear before your eyes.

You will be collected from your hotel by minibus and transferred to Khao Sok National Park.En route a stop is made to see the Royal Navy battleship that was washed around by the Boxing Day Tsunami. On arrival in Khao Sok enjoy an elephant ride along a forested trail to a waterfall. A break is taken for a Thai lunch. In the afternoon take a canoe ride along the Sok River and enjoy the magnificent view of the towering limestone karsts that dominate the landscape,before return to the accomodation in Phuket.