Using Bangkok as your home base, take a day trip to the western province of Kanchanaburi. See the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai—the subject of the movie by the same name—as well as the War Cemetery and the Jeath War Museum. For a more lighthearted day, you can instead visit Erawan National Park to see the waterfalls or stop by the nearby elephant camp. At the end of the day, return to Bangkok.

On Day 4, take a trip to Ayutthaya province, which is home to the ancient capital of Siam. You can either spend the entire day admiring the temple ruins and learning about the history of Buddhism in Thailand, or you can spend half the day exploring the ruins and the other half touring the nearby Bang Pa-In Palace, summer home of the famous King Mongkut (from the famous musical The King and I) and King Chulalongkorn. In the evening, take an overnight train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai in the north of the country for the next part of the journey.

Begin your journey in the capital city of Bangkok. Pick your accommodation in the vibrant backpackers’ district Khao San Road, and spend the first two days exploring the Grand Palace and ornate temples that Bangkok is famous for. You can also take a cruise along the Chao Phraya River or take a Thai cooking class if you want a more relaxing day.

Koh Tao, or “Turtle Island,” is one of the best places in the world for scuba diving. Take the ferry from Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Tao and spend the next two days enjoying water activities such as swimming, snorkelling, or diving. Lucky divers might see a whale shark during their excursion. The nightlife in Koh Tao is a little tamer than Koh Pha Ngan, making this island a popular spot for young travellers, families, and honeymooners alike.