Whitewater Seniors in the Park presents... 10 DAY WORLD HOLIDAY SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS! CALL FOR DETAILS! Amazing Thailand Departure Date: February 11, 2021 Amazing Thailand 10 Days • 16 Meals Experience the magic of Thailand. Discover the old world charm of Bangkok and visit its floating market, take a ride in an iconic Tuk Tuk, visit ancient and modern temples, learn to prepare traditional dishes and immerse yourself in local culture. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS 4 16 Meals (8 Breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners) 4 Airport transfers on tour dates when air is provided by Mayflower Cruises and Tours 4 Included city tour of Bangkok with visits to Wat Po, Emerald Buddha Temple, Bangkok Wat Trimitr and the Chedis of the Kings 4 Services of a full-time, English-speaking tour director 4 Included Street Food Tour in Bangkok on a Tuk Tuk DAY 1 – Depart the USA 4 Included traditional Thai dinner with folk dances in Depart the USA for your overnight flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Chiang Mai 4 Included Lanna Thai cooking class and visit to Lanna DAY 2 – Bangkok Wisdoms School Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a representative of Mayflower Cruises and Tours and transferred to your hotel situated 4 Included visit to Araksa Tea Plantation along the Chao Phraya River – the legendary River of Kings. The re- 4 Included visit to two famous temples in Chiang Mai – mainder of the day is free before enjoying a welcome dinner at the Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phan Tao hotel. Meal: D 4 Included visit to the famous “White Temple” and the “Blue Temple” DAY 3 – Bangkok 4 $50 in Mayflower Money Immersion into this ancient culture begins with a city tour visiting three of the most unusual Buddhist temples: Wat Trimitr with its in- valuable Golden Buddha; Wat Po, with its colossal Reclining Bud- 1 Overnight dha; and the Chedis of the Kings. At the Grand Palace, former Chiang Rai Tour Route residence of the Kings and Thailand’s most sacred site, admire the 2 beautiful architecture and intricate detail. See several palaces, each significant in its own right: the Funeral Palace, the Reception 3 Chiang Mai Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Having explored this landmark of the Thai King- dom, return to the hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure. Meal: B THAILAND DAY 4 – Bangkok Today is about exploring local markets. Begin with an excursion to a floating market, a true Thai phenomenon. Colorfully clad mer- 3 Bangkok chants paddle boats along narrow canals, same as they did in the an- cient times of the Siam Kingdom. See the traditional way of buying and selling fruits, vegetables and other goods and how the locals use the boats in everyday life. Amongst the hubbub of activity, visitors have the chance to bargain for handicraft items in the area. A visit to the rural Maeklong Railway Market is truly something to witness HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS as trains roll right through the center of the market, with inches to Days Two through Four – Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside or spare! This evening, it’s time for an eating adventure on a food tour similar, Bangkok, Thailand via the iconic 3-wheel Tuk Tuk! Cruise through local streets to taste Days Five through Seven – Siripanna Villa Resort and Spa or similar, a variety of savory menus at some of the most beloved spots of the Chiang Mai, Thailand locals. This unique experience lets you discover a side of Bangkok Days Eight and Nine – The Legend or similar, Chiang Rai, Thailand unknown to visitors. Meal: B, D Visit the floating market of Damnoen Saduak Wat Rongkun – the White Temple DAY 5 – Bangkok – Chiang Mai ing tea leaves. When the roasting is done, enjoy a cup of tea with a After breakfast, depart for the airport and the flight to Chiang Mai. delicious Thai snack. Cultural preservation, sustainable agriculture Upon arrival, meet your local guide and drive up the serpentine and healthy living are all demonstrated on this excursion. Follow- road to the magnificently situated Wat Doi Suthep. Perched atop a ing lunch at a local restaurant, visit Baan Tong Luang, home of the forested mountain with sweeping views of the city below, this most Long-necked Padong tribe whose female members are known for sacred of Chiang Mai’s temples houses a wealth of Buddha images, wearing numerous brass rings around their elongated necks. End murals and art. On your return to the city, visit two important tem- the day with a stop at an Orchid Farm to see some exotic species be- ples – Wat Chedi Luang, “The temple of the Great Stupa” is located fore returning to the hotel. Meals: B, L in the ancient walled part of the city. Continue on foot to Wat Phan Tao, an ancient temple known for its exquisite Lanna-style ordina- DAY 8 – Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai tion hall (Wihan). Entirely made of teakwood, it is one of the few Depart Chiang Mai and journey to Chiang Rai via Mae Kachan Hot remaining all wooden structures of its sort in Chiang Mai. A stop is Spring and Wat Rongkun, also known as the ‘White Temple’. This made at the city’s biggest market, Talat Warorot, before arriving at temple differs from most in that its history does not go back many the hotel for a bit of relaxation before tonight’s special event. This centuries. This extraordinary place of worship, the realization of a evening, enjoy a superb Northern Thai Dinner, complete with folk dream for Thailand’s noted artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, was built dances and presentations by hill tribes at the Old Chiang Mai Cul- only recently. Arriving in Chiang Rai, visit Wat Rong Suer Ten tural Center. Meals: B, D (Blue Temple), distinguished by its vivid color and intricate carv- ings. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit a local market before re- DAY 6 – Chiang Mai turning to the hotel. Meals: B, L After breakfast, head to the private Baan Hongnaul cookery school. Accompanied by an English-speaking instructor, travel to the Nong DAY 9 – Chiang Rai Hoi local market to purchase fresh ingredients for your class. Par- After breakfast, explore the mountainous area of Mae Salong (San- take in a hand-on experience, cooking a Lanna Thai meal and enjoy tikhiri), originally settled by the renegade KMT 93rd regiment that the finished product for lunch. After lunch, journey to the Lanna fled to Myanmar from China in 1949. Dine at a local restaurant for Wisdom School, known for its aim of compiling information of lunch. Explore the "Golden Triangle" (once a center for trading local knowledge and wisdom from village elders and traditional opium) taking its name as the location where the borders of Myan- teachers. The teachings include the Lanna language, local musical mar, Thailand and Laos meet. Relax on a one-hour boat trip on the instruments, basket weaving, traditional poem composition, danc- mighty Mekong River before continuing by minibus to Chiang ing, lantern making, drawing, making children’s toys, sculpting and Saen, a small crossroads town on the banks of the Mekong River. A carving among others. Return to your hotel for the rest of the day visit is made to the Opium Museum before returning to Chiang Rai at leisure. Meals: B, L for a farewell dinner. Meals: B, L, D DAY 7 – Chiang Mai DAY 10 – Chiang Rai – Departure Enjoy the beauty of the lush tea plantation and learn all about the After breakfast, transfer to Chiang Rai airport where you’ll connect tea growing process during the visit to the Araksa Tea Plantation. with your flight to your onward destination. Meal: B Meet local tea pickers and watch how the leaves are processed ac- cording to age-old traditions. At the roasting station, staff will Itinerary is subject to change. demonstrate the art of making tea by hand from kneading to roast- Optional Post Tour Extension to Cambodia Extend your stay with an optional 2 night 3 day program in Siem Reap, Cambodia 3 Days • 4 Meals Culture, history and entertainment awaits you at the historic city of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Visit the famous temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon. Learn about the history of the Khmer Empire and experience a Cambodian Circus. Enjoy a farewell dinner with an Apsara dancing show at a local restaurant. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Tara Angkor Hotel or similar, Cambodia $529 per person Twin / Single Room add $229 Add $220 per person for flight between Thailand and Siem Reap Price includes visa fee for Cambodia Wat Doi Suthep Travelers Protection Plan (TPP) - $299 per person (optional) This nonrefundable fee waives all cancellation fees when we are notified of cancellation one day before the tour departs. If you must leave the tour early due to personal illness, illness or death of a member 2021 DEPARTURE PER PERSON TWIN SINGLE ROOM of your immediate family, TPP guarantees full refund for any unused services after the departure of the tour. Other benefits include medical expenses for illness and injury, emergency transportation, 24 hour February 11 $4,019 add $849 hot line, and lost or stolen baggage assistance. Return air transportation is included ONLY if your air tickets were provided by Mayflower Cruises & Tours. If you purchase the optional Travelers Protection Plan (TPP), you will be refunded all payments, including deposit amount, less the TPP premium amount. Includes complimentary round trip home or local pick up and Cancellation Charges Without Traveler’s Protection Plan (TPP) round trip airfare from Chicago and inter-conutry air between • 91 days or more Deposit Amount • 90 to 45 days prior 20% of tour cost Bangkok & Chiang Mai • 44 to 15 day prior 30% of tour cost • 14 to 1 day prior 40% of tour cost • Day 1 of departure 100% of tour cost or early departure from tour • No refund on unused portions of the tour Air itineraries may not be available until documents are received.