Thailand Grand Tour: Krabi, Phuket, Pattaya & Bangkok, 8 Nights

Flights from India arrive at Phuket, and the private transfer continues by road to Krabi, around two and a half to three hours across the bridge and around Phang Nga Bay. Check in at Ao Nang, the beach town that faces a bay of limestone towers. With children after a long journey, the first evening is for the pool and an early dinner; Indian restaurants line the seafront and vegetarian food is simple to order.

Four short hops, which suits children well. Phra Nang Cave beach at Railay has cliffs overhead and a cave shrine; Koh Poda has a long, gently shelving beach; at Koh Tup a sandbar appears at low tide that you can walk along; and Chicken Island is good for snorkelling from the boat. Lunch is served on the islands. Back at Ao Nang by mid-afternoon for a rest.

The road back to Phuket, with the island's sights folded into the transfer. The Big Buddha, a white marble figure on the Nakkerd hills, looks out over Chalong Bay and the south of the island. Wat Chalong, Phuket's principal temple, is nearby. Karon viewpoint gives the classic photograph of three bays, and the drive continues along the coast past Kata and Karon to Patong. Check in by late afternoon.

A boat day among the tall islands of Phang Nga Bay. At Koh Panak and Koh Hong a guide paddles you by canoe through cave mouths into lagoons enclosed by cliffs and mangroves, which children love. Khao Phing Kan, the "James Bond Island", and the rock needle of Koh Tapu are the famous view. Lunch is at Koh Panyee, a Muslim fishing village built on stilts, where the food is halal. Back to Phuket by late afternoon.

The longest travel day. After breakfast, a transfer to Phuket airport and a flight to Bangkok, where a private vehicle meets you for the road south-east to Pattaya, about two hours. After check-in and a rest, the evening is the Alcazar show, a lavishly costumed cabaret of song and dance that has run in Pattaya for decades and is designed for all ages, including families.

Koh Larn, known as Coral Island, lies a short speedboat ride off Pattaya and has clearer water and better sand than the city beach. Most of the day is spent at one of its beaches, with lunch included. Water sports such as parasailing, sea-walking and jet skis are offered on the island and paid for locally; agree the price before you start. Back in Pattaya in the afternoon with time free for Walking Street or the malls.

A morning drive back to Bangkok, around two hours. After check-in, a guided afternoon introduces two temples. Wat Traimit in Chinatown houses a solid-gold seated Buddha of several tonnes, discovered when its plaster casing cracked in the 1950s. Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple, is built of white Italian marble with golden roofs and a courtyard of Buddha images. Cover shoulders and knees. The evening is free for Yaowarat's street food.

Safari World on Bangkok's north-eastern outskirts is two parks in one. The safari section is driven through by coach, past giraffes, zebras, tigers and lions in large enclosures. The marine park section is walked, with shows through the day and lunch included. It is a long, warm day, so bring hats and water. Back at the hotel in the late afternoon for a last evening in the city.

Breakfast and checkout. The private transfer to Suvarnabhumi is timed for Bangkok traffic, usually leaving three and a half to four hours before your flight. On a later departure the hotel can keep bags while you visit a nearby mall for last-minute shopping or have a foot massage close to the hotel. Keep receipts for larger purchases, as the tourist VAT refund is claimed at the airport before check-in.