Bangkok: Ancient Relics Set Against Ultra-Modern Cityscape

A statue known as the Emerald Buddha has been meditating in the same pose since the 14th century. Meticulously carved from a single block of jade, this Buddha—which now resides in Bangkok's Grand Palace—is considered the holiest and most revered in all of Thailand; three times a year, the Thai king changes a cloak on the statue in an important ritual that is said to bring good fortune to the nation. But whereas the Buddha has stayed locked in its position in the palace, the city outside now zooms at breakneck speed and flickers like a quasar—an ultramodern metropolis dedicated to style and decadence. Groups can begin to unravel Bangkok’s fascinating tapestry of history and 21st-century glitz with a seven-day, five-night guided tour of the city from SNA Tours.

Days 1–2: After departing from Vancouver on a China Airline economy-class flight (or from another city for an additional cost), travelers touch down in Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling, ultramodern capital city. Then, after settling in to the Arnoma Hotel Bangkok, a luxury hotel in the city’s swanky downtown, visitors are whisked away to a Thai dinner and traditional Thai dance. Waitresses in full costume attend to the dining room as performers in The Ultimate Cabaret Show give a glimpse into Bangkok’s legendarily bawdy nightlife.

Days 3–4: With the aid of an English-speaking tour guide and a hunting dog that sniffs out the best green curry, visitors will embark on a Bangkok City and Temples Tour. Highlighting the itinerary is a lengthy stop at the world-famous Grand Palace, an architectural masterpiece constructed in 1782 that housed Thai kings for 150 years. Grand Palace’s myriad temples and palaces recall the glory of Siam, with golden Thai spirals sprouting from gabled rooftops. The following day, it’s off to the enchanting Floating Market, where vendors sell colorful fruits and produce from boxy canoes that bob in the river.

Days 5–6: Not one single nail was used to construct Vimanmek Palace, the world’s largest golden teakwood mansion and the next stop on the tour. One can see European influences in the mansion’s 19th-century décor, parceled out among the palace’s three floors; throughout the day, performers at the palace demonstrate Thai dancing and Thai boxing. In the afternoon, travelers board a motorboat to take a canal tour, where they’ll cruise by the remarkable architecture and affluent homes that line the city’s waterways. On day 6, travelers become their own tour guides of Bangkok in a free day.

Day 7: Once they finish up breakfast and complete a prospective pen pal’s lie-detector test, travelers will head to Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport for a homeward-bound departure.

Consult the itinerary for more specific information and to see all the terms and conditions that apply.

About redeem-with-another-Groupon options:   The redeem-with-another-Groupon options are valid only in conjunction with a second Groupon, allowing you to combine your Groupon with a friend's for a two-person trip without putting the entire cost on a single credit card. Hotel stays are based on double occupancy, so single travelers should purchase the one-person option to get the full package.