Arrive airport; transfer to Sofitel Centara Grand, Ladprao

After a long flight, you will enjoy the convenience of our location. Home to Bangkok's bustling middle class, the hotel's neighborhood of Laphrao encompasses nearby Chatuchak weekend market, and our hotel links directly to the huge Central Mall, where you can eat at scores of Thai restaurants inside, plus hawker stands lining the alleyways outdoors. (The hotel connects directly to the shopping mall via the carpark on mezzanine level, plus links by MRT subway into town.) For BTS skytrain, use a taxi or hotel shuttle to nearby Mo Chit station -- it will cost about a dollar (use Thai bath only) -- or connect via the MRT subway. The Sofitel also offers free shuttles to both the nearby sky train station, as well as to the center of town. Check with reception for the schedule. Also within 5 minutes' walking distance is megacentre Tesco Lotus and its three floors of megabargains!, plus (Use the rear hotel entrance, and pedestrian overpass to cross the highway.) Union Mall, accessed through the skybridge outside Central Mall is also a Bangkok favorite for discount buys, and there are several good Isan restaurants just outside that mall, near the subway entrance. Although not included in our tour price, indulge in a traditional 2-hour Thai massage, or a relaxing reflexology foot massage. It's highly recommended, but be forewarned: you'll easily become addicted to its pleasures. Thai massage – a combination of pulling and stretching, is called “the lazy man’s exercise” – and it’s something not to miss – either at the hotel, or (even cheaper) at numerous legitimate massage parlors around the city. We’ll give you a list of some of our favorites. Hotel gym and pool facilities are complimentary.

Our first stop: visit the former homestead of Ho Chi Minh in the 1920; then the Khmer ruins of Phu Pek Pagoda; and (time permitting) Narai Jengv Weng Pagoda near Sakon Nakhon. The 6000 year old pottery excavations of Ban Chiang squarely puts Thailand at the cradle of Asian civilization. Roadside gai ob, or spit roasted chicken, are famous along the roadside. Udon Thani is rapidly becoming Isan’s biggest industrial hub and largest city, but more importantly, it’s home to some of Isan’s finest restaurants. Dinner tonight is on the lake, featuring central Thai specialties. The young lemongrass salad/yam tak kai, garnished with thin shards of sesame and peanut brittle, is the best we’ve ever eaten.

This morning explore Udon Thani’s main produce market with our hotel chef. After lunch, take your bags and drive to Ku Prapha Chai Khmer ruins, plus (time permitting) Ban Khok Sa Nga cobra village, where the locals offer a daily boxing match between man and cobra. The town developed about medicinal herbs and medicines derived from snake toxins. We’ve left tonight free, as there are some seven eateries to choose from at our hotel (the city’s best 4/5 star), all reasonably priced, plus many others just outside.

Morning markets in Thailand open traditionally at dawn, ensuring that perishables sell well before the hot sun peaks. Be ready to to meet our group bright and early to nearby shopping. Bring your walking shoes, as we explore the delicious varieties of Isan cooking. Learn about local ingredients, the best kitchen wares, and the difference between quality sticky rice steaming baskets and cheap manufactured ones. We’ll also stop at Khon Kaen’s oldest coffee and tea shop, for an introduction to the local brews. Lunch is the region’s best gai yang – grilled chicken, plus typical Isan dishes like som tam green papaya salad, sausages and larb – a meat and salad combo, and delicious! We then visit the local museum and city orientation. Remaining afternoon free. In the evening, dress for dinner at the city’s premier address, set amidst flowering gardens.

Isan is renowned for producing Thailand’s finest wilk weaving. Its local Ikat variant, matmee, is painstakingly tie died into the threads before re-weaving into a pattern.

The tiny village of Chonnobot produces some of the region’s finest examples, most still done in individual homes. We’ll visit local homes and factories, and time permitting, the famed stucco Buddhist paintings of Wat Baan Lan. After lunch, the jewel in the crown: the spectacular Khmer temple Phi Mai, dating back to the early 11th century. Then we are off to Khao Yai, Isan’s gateway, home to Thailand’s most prestigious wineries, and host venue of the Isan Food & Wine Masterclass. Your accommodation tonight and tomorrow is at the host resort, conveniently located for the Isan Food & Wine Masterclass activities. Our dinner tonight is Isan Paleng, a celebration of Isan dishes served traditionally on low pedestal trays. B/L/D

In the evening, dinner at the hotel and leisure. Ask about Pak Chong’s night market. As the town is at the crossroads of all major traffic from Bangkok to the kingdom’s Northeast, the street-side markets are a treat.

NB: Ensure you have a full 3 hours check in before departure – in other words flights after 11 p.m. Ask us about extra nights in upgraded deluxe rooms at the Sofitel Centara Grand in Ladprao, our coach terminus.