Having just spent a week taking in all the sights and sounds in Bangkok and the peace and tranquillity of the southern islands, I can say with confidence that Thailand is the perfect place for any kind of trip. With many internal flight options, it's really easy to organise a seamless multi-centre trip, but it does also cater really well for those looking for a one-stop holiday.

Flying direct to Bangkok with Eva Air was the perfect way to start our trip. With the addition of flying in Premium Economy I couldn’t have had a better start to our travel to Thailand. With a fantastic choice of food catering for all needs, and those with specific dietary requirements served quickly. Considering I am over 6ft in height, flying in premium was hugely beneficial, allowing me to feel well rested and start my trip in Thailand on the front foot. I would recommend everyone considering this upgrade, as it does significantly change your flying experience for the better! Once breakfast is served, the use of the Payot products help me to feel refreshed and ready for our Thailand journey.

Our first stop on the trip was the island of Koh Samui, and it really does show off the best of what Thailand's islands have to offer. From bustling nightlife to quieter and peaceful beaches, there is something for everyone here. We stayed in the Choengmon Beach area, and this was an ideal location as it was within a ten minute walk to the famous Fisherman's Village, which offers a great variety of restaurants, bars and street food markets. For a livelier stay on the island, Chaweng Beach is the place to go, and there are a good variety of high quality hotels there too. However, this area is only around a 15-20 minute taxi ride away, making it very easy to visit just for the evening.

Koh Samui is a very accessible place, with a maximum driving distance of around 45 minutes, so it’s a great option for those wanting to get out and explore. I would recommend a visit to the iconic Big Buddha, the Lad Koh Viewpoint for an unbeatable view of Choengmon Beach, and any of the local markets to experience this part of Thai culture. 

Another unmissable experience I would recommend is the Thai cooking class. This fantastically organised class takes place over a few hours where you learn to make some of the most famous traditional Thai dishes, including Pad Thai, drunken noodles, along with red and green Thai curries. The class started with a tour of her organic garden, where all the food that you cook is grown, and this is followed by learning how to make the dishes. The learning process is brilliantly organised, as the team do all the prep for you, so you’re able to just enjoy the end product, but ensure you take it easy on the chillies!

Our next stop was a stay on Koh Phangnan, an easy 35 minute speedboat journey from Koh Samui, and this is a whole experience in itself. Although this island is famous for its Full Moon Parties, this is not all that it has to offer. We stayed on the northern shore of the island, which is much more tranquil (and equally beautiful) than the southern coast where the parties are, so certainly don't rule out a stay here. As well as providing a relaxing escape, there are also amazing hikes you can do as well as plenty of local experiences to immerse yourself in.

After our stay on the islands, we finished off our week off with three nights in Bangkok. As it was my first time in the city, I was a little apprehensive and I really didn't know what to expect but having experienced it now I think it's a must-see for any Thailand itinerary. The city is full of life and energy, with vibrant street food markets, sampling some of the best Thai food you can get anywhere in the world. For those looking to stay a little outside of the hustle and bustle, any of the riverside hotels are a great option, with excellent transport links to get anywhere across the city.

For anyone looking for a holiday destination that provides an array of immersive culture, food and nature experiences as well as world-class beaches and incredible scenery, look no further than Thailand!

For more inspiration, take a look at our Thailand Holidays pages.