Bangkok is to Thailand as Pad Thai is to Thai cuisine—no more than a wonderful taste of an exotic sensory experience. On this Classic Journey, we step far beyond the temple-spired capital to reveal the richness of this dazzling land. We’ll visit an elephant camp deep in the foothills of Chiang Dao to meet the mahouts, men who are more the partners than the masters of the revered animals. Our walks take us from dike-top paths in emerald rice paddies to remote villages where proud hill tribes practice ancient traditions and crafts. We’ll seek the blessing of saffron-robed Buddhist monks at an early morning alms-giving…glide over rivers in classic long-tail boats…and be welcomed into one of the country’s finest kitchens. Because Thailand has a long history of hospitality to travelers, our accommodations here are especially fine—soothing ends to stimulating days.