- ROYAL LANNA WEDDING -

7D/6N - HONEYMOON PACKAGE IN CHIANG MAI

Prelude : ... " Ancient Lanna culture has been the foundation of northern Thai lifestyle for more than 700 years. It represents peace and tranquility, where people tend to live in complete harmony which eachother and enjoy to its fullest the beautiful things of nature that surround them. There is no better way of experiencing that atmosphere and the ideals of Lanna culture, than with a Chiang Mai-based touroperator : ' SMILE of ASIA ' is run by a culturally mixed Thai-foreign couple. Travelling with us is not just merely an ordinary experience, but definitely a very romantic & cultural endeavour. One can indulge into an adventurous journey full of pleasures and exotic delights, while being completely fine-tuned, in harmony and in balance with an Ancient Old Lanna-Thai Tradition "...

Our Royal Lanna Honeymoon Package will provide you with the best of everything. The core of our service philosophy is attention to details and our utmost care for customer satisfaction, expressed through warm welcoming smiles and meticulous services from a happily maried couple ! We enjoy working with other couples, families and friends from all over the world, who strive to partake in a true cultural experience : an authentic- and real northern Thai wedding ! We love to share our unique northern Thai culture with the rest of the world, in a very romantic and a meaningful way. It may seem in this world of "watered down or merging cultures" that the true meaning and heart of a culture is harder to find,...this may be true, but it also makes it more important to retain and share what is special in a culture, in order to safeguard its true value and identity. That is what we do, by living a unique culture and sharing it, not only with westerners but with Thai people as well.

Inclusive :

Day 1 : WELCOME TO CHIANG MAI - ROSE OF THE NORTH

• Meet and Greet with flowers and garlands at Chiang Mai International Airport. You will be welcomed with impressive, friendly and warm Thai hospitality by our attentive- and experienced staff.

• Transfer with a private car to the city center and check-in at the hotel of your choice

• As our personal way of welcoming you to ' The Rose of the North ' : enjoy a sumptuous international lunchbuffet at HOTEL SHANGRI-LA CHIANG MAI and receive a wedding cake as one of our precious gifts.

• Afternoon - visit to Doi Suthep : tucked away in the mountains at 3,280 feet. The temple is reached by a staircase with 290 steps, flanked by a naga balustrade on either side. The monastery was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. The center is a big Chedi (spired pagoda), which contains partial relics of the Lord Buddha. The panoramic view over Chiang Mai city is simply just breathtaking.

• You then will pass the city's biggest market, Talaad Warorot, before enjoying an entertaining rickshaw-tour to three important city temples : Wat Chedi Luang & Wat Phra Singh & Wat Chiang Man.

• Wat Phra Singh Temple : The large chedi was built in 1345 by King Pha Yu, to house the remains of his father King Kam Fu. A typical scripture repository is located at this temple as well. These repositories were designed to keep and protect the delicate sa- or mulberry paper sheets used by monks to keep records and write down folklore. The high stucco-covered stone base of the repository protected the delicate scriptures from the rain, floods and pests.

• Wat Chedi Luang : This temple was originally constructed in 1401 by the orders of King Saeng Muang Ma. In 1454, reigning King Tilo-Garaj enlarged the chedi to a height of 86 meters. After an earthquake in 1545, the chedi lay in ruins until 1991, when it was reconstructed at a cost of several million Baht.

• Wat Chiang Man : is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. King Mengrai allegedly lived here while the city of Chiang Mai was being constructed.

• On your rickshaw tour you will also have the opportunity to see the Old City Walls around the moat : Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Gate, Chiang Phuak Gate, Suan Dok Gate & Sang Pung Gate.

• Dinner - set menu : royal Thai cuisine at THE GALLERY RESTAURANT CHIANG MAI. This restaurant has become quite famous, as it hosted, on several occasions in the past, the former first lady of the US : Hillary Rodham Clinton. This atmospheric eatery is located in a classic setting along the banks of the famous Ping River and guarantees you a superb evening with fine dining.

• Leasurely walk along the Ping River and the famous nightbazaar of Chiang Mai

• Overnight : at the hotel of your choice ( other hotels on request ) - complimentary fresh flowers & fruit in the couples' room

Cat. BDG = CHIANG MAI THAI HOUSE = http://www.chiangmaithaihouse.com/index.php

Cat. STD = BAAN ORAPIN = http://www.baanorapin.com/

Cat. SUP = CHIANG MAI PLAZA HOTEL = http://www.cnxplaza.com/

Cat. DLX = AYATANA RESORT & SPA = http://www.ayatana-resort.com/index.php

Cat. GLX = SHANGRI-LA CHIANGMAI HOTEL = http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/chiangmai/shangrila

Day 2 : SPA, HEALTH & WELLNESS DAY

• Breakfast at the hotel of your choice

• Come away...unwind and relax...rejuvenate, and indulge yourself into an exotic world of beauty, serenity and pleasure. Today you will participate in a complete menu and spa experience like no other. Allow us to pamper you to the delight of all your senses.The focus is on harmony between the mind, body and spirit - through massage, meditation, and herbal medicine. A combination of tradition and modern techniques is used, such as herbal remedies, steam compresses, natural ingredients,...to ensure clients the best in Asian Spa treatments.

• Firstly, we will warm your body with a 2-hour Thai traditional Massage, followed by a short Thai Herbal Steam Sauna.

• International lunch buffet at HOTEL SHANGRI-LA CHIANG MAI

• Continue with a relaxing 1-hour Foot Reflexology Treatment

• Our Spa, Health & Wellness day includes also a brief visit to the Beauty Salon, where the newly wedded couple can have their hair cut and maybe even completely re-styled ( expenses for coloring and special hair treatment products are not included in this package )

• To top it off, a Manicure & Pedicure treatment finishes our relaxing spa activities for today.

• Dinner - set menu : enjoy tantalising royal Thai cuisine at THE RAINFOREST RESTAURANT CHIANG MAI.

• Overnight : at the hotel of your choice - complimentary fresh flowers & fruit in the couples' room

Day 3 : ADVENTURE DAY

  

• Breakfast at the hotel of your choice

• After breakfast, transfer to Chiang Mai airport for a short morning flight with Thai Airways to Mae Hong Son.

• Thai lunch buffet at FERN RESTAURANT MAE HONG SON.

• After lunch, transfer to an elephant camp. Enjoy a 45-minute ride on the back of an elephant through the forest and across the Pai River. There you will board a motorized long-tail boat for a scenic journey upriver to a suspension bridge. Continue by 4WD to Ban Nai Soi to visit the Khaya (Karen) hill tribe village, home of the Long-necked Padong tribe. The women are wearing numerous brass rings around their elongated necks, which they never take off.

• On our way back to the resort we'll enjoy a brief stop at Pha Sua Waterfall.

• At leasure in your resort. Enjoy the magnificent surroundings and the facilities of your peaceful accommodation. There are two swimmingpools at your disposal for a pleasure-filling afternoon.

• Thai Dinner - FERN RESTAURANT MAE HONG SON.

• Overnight :GOLDEN SUITE RESORT MAE HONG SON - http://www.goldenpai.com/ - complimentary fresh flowers & fruit in the couples' room

• NOTE : in case weather conditions don't allow us to fly to Mae Hong Son, an alternative program will be proposed with a visit to Chiang Dao & Doi Angkhang National Park. In this case the couple will stay one night at AMARI DOI ANGKHANG NATURE RESORT - http://www.amari.com/angkhang/

Day 4 : SHOPPING & LANNA HANDICRAFTS' DAY

• Breakfast at GOLDEN SUITE RESORT MAE HONG SON

• After breakfast, drive uphill to visit Wat Phra Dhat Doi Kong Moo, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view over Mae Hong Son on clear days.  Visit the Burmese style temples Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang, located next to a large pond in the southern part of town. Shan people, who make up about 50% of the population of Mae Hong Son, built Wat Jong Kham nearly 200 years ago. Wat Jong Klang houses 100-year-old glass paintings and woodcarvings from Burma, which depict the various lives of the Buddha.

• Get ready for your return flight to Chiang Mai with the excellent services of Thai Airways International.

• On arrival back in Chiang Mai, transfer by private car to the hotel of your preference for refreshment & check-in.

• Lunch at THAISIN RESORT : a stylish restaurant with striking Lanna architecture and modern decor amenities.

• Shopping & Lanna Handicrafts Tour : make your choice and browse around several interesting handicrafts villages surrounding Chiang Mai. Discover your favourite shopping items :

1. Ban Tawai : famous for its wood carving

2. Hang Dong : famous for rattan weaving

3. Ban Jang Nak : an interesting elephant making village

4. Bor Sarng : famous for its world-reknown hand-made umbrellas & parasols

5. Sankampaeng : Silk - Lacquerware - Celadon - Gems & Jewellery - Furniture - Silver & Brassware - Wall carpets - Jade ...and many many more...

• Dinner at THE COTTAGE, a rocking restaurant and bar very popular with Thais. Every night there is a band playing at this venue, so you can dance the night away.

• Overnight : at the hotel of your choice - complimentary fresh flowers & fruit in the couples' room

Day 5 : ROYAL THAI CUISINE DAY

• We start the day early with our healthy breakfast at bed. In the privacy of your room, first the couple is welcomed by our attentive staff, wearing traditional Northern Thai attire. Then an extensive breakfast is served : a basket with a fine selection of bread - coffee / tea - fresh orange juice - cornflakes / muësli - milk - butter - jam - chocolates - cheese - yoghurt - tropical fruit of the season - a fresh bouquet of orchids for the bride and a local English newspaper for the groom + 1 bottle of French sparkling wine.

• Then we will take you on a tour to the local market, where you will have a closer look at Thailand's delicious vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices, which have - so many times - launched a thousand culinary love affairs.

• We send you to Chiang Mai Cookery School, where you will follow a speed course and enjoy the basic understanding of Thai cooking methods. The chef goes through all the main ingredients, shows you how to make your own pastes and learns you how to prepare a romantic meal to spice-up your love life. As one of the most established cookery schools ( since 1993 ) in Chiang Mai, Sompon and Elizabeth concentrate on well structured classes using the freshest ingredients. This includes not only fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit but also fresh fish from their own pond. From Basic Thai Cooking courses for beginners to Master classes appropriate for chefs and food enthusiasts, Sompon, a TV celebrity Chef makes sure you will learn while also having fun.

• Lunch at Chiang Mai Cookery School : RESTAURANT THE WOK

• Afternoon at leasure

• Dinner at THE COTTAGE, a rocking restaurant and bar very popular with Thais. Every night there is a band playing at this venue, so you can dance the night away.

• Overnight : at the hotel of your choice - complimentary fresh flowers & fruit in the couples' room

Day 6 : ROYAL LANNA WEDDING DAY

• Breakfast at the hotel of your choice
   

• Our ROYAL LANNA WEDDING DAY is comprised of the following services :

1. A previous visit to your hotel room has been arranged on Day 1, for the fitting & measuring of the brides'- and grooms' Lanna wedding attire. This costume can be used during this special day and shall be offered as a complimentary treat from ' SMILE of ASIA ', in honour and respect to the couple renewing their vowels, the honeymooners or the newly-weds.

2. Get up early ! Adorn your Thai clothing - we will pick you up just before 6am.

3. Hair dresser services, Thai jewellery ( day-use only ) and make-up for the bride / Dress-up assistance for the groom.

4. Head down to Wat Ram Poeng, where you will be instructed in and perform the proper cultural offering of food to monks for merit-making and good luck. Incense, flowers, candles and food is included in our package.

5. Break for breakfast - included as part of your hotel package - or better still just try some of the local foods on offer after the monk-merit-making.

6. Travel by rickshaw or tuk tuk to Wat Chiang Man, for another monks blessings, the release of birds and more merit-making.

7. Travel by rickshaw or tuk tuk to the actual wedding venue : an authentic traditional Thai Teak Home in a small rural village, just minutes out of Chiang Mai city center. Truly authentic it is really what we had looked for when we started offering weddings but couldn't find and now we have it. It is located on a shady pastoral park like setting and which the owners are kindly allowing us to share with other couples. The M.C. will perform the actual Thai wedding ceremony, with strings that Tie you both forever.

8. Decoration of the actual wedding venue with seasonal fresh flowers. A traditional Thai flower arrangement ( ' Bai Sri ' ) and Garlands as part of the ceremony, which will also be used later for the decoration of the nuptial bedroom.

9. Transfer by rickshaw or tuk tuk to SUTPRATTANA STUDIO - choice of yet another ( more elaborate ) Royal Lanna Wedding Attire for bride & groom ( rental only ).

10. Professional Photographer Services for a photo shoot-out : a) set of 12 pictures 4X6" size which will be available on CD disk - b) photo-album with 24 developed pictures, offered as a gift by our services - c) one big poster of the couple, which will be put in a nice frame and presented to you as yet another wedding gift.

11. A la carte Lunch at LE GONG KUM RESTAURANT - Suan Doi House / possibility to take some more pictures within the privacy of some beautiful botanical gardens.

12. Kanthoke Dinner :The Khantoke is a circular wooden tray set on pedestal that serves as a table. It will carry one of the most delicious meals you have ever eaten. About halfway through your meal a classical orchestra will begin to accompany troupes of dancers in gorgeous costumes, or occasionally a solo dancer, as they perform the graceful movements of Thai classical dance for your pleasure. These are absolutely authentic Northern Thailand dances, quite distinct from those performed in Bangkok and Ayuthaya. They are rooted in the region's history, literature and ways of life. After such classical opulence we offer you a refreshing change of pace. Donning one’s shoes, one can stroll casually to another part of the center for the hilltribe show. The handicrafts, garments and musical instruments of the various tribes are displayed on stalls along the way should you wish to buy a memento of your visit.The show features authentic dances from the Lahu (Musur), Hmong (Meo), Mien (Yao), Lisu (Leesaw) and Akha (Igor) tribes that are performed by the tribespeople themselves wearing their own distinctive costumes. The haunting sound of the pipes and the charming simplicity of many of the dances provides a strong contrast to the sophistication you have just left. But there is drama too in the Kinggala Dance from Shan State, performed by a Chiang Mai dancer, and in the Fire-Sword Dance.

13. The evening is capped off with a professional Thai fireworks display and the launch of some ' Kom Loi ' : you partake in setting off Traditional Fire balloons. It is common practice to light these balloons to send your bad luck away and in order to allow good luck to come.

14. Wedding Night in a secluded small garden retreat. Not your lavish huge western hotel but a real quaint Thai Lanna-style rustic retreat. Very comfortable for you and your bride to be : http://jaiya.infothai.com/

Day 7 : SURPRISE HIM/HER DAY

• Breakfast at the hotel of your choice

• We say farewell - transfer you by private car to Chiang Mai International Airport - end of our services

1. A choice of options to surprise your partner for this last half day of your honeymoon package : please consult us upfront for more information and a complete list of ideas to enhance your personal honeymoon experience even more.

2. Beach Breakaways - extend your romantic getaway for another week at one of Thailands' beautiful beach resorts : cool down packages 7D/6N available at : Hua Hin / Ko Samet / Pattaya / Ko Samui / Krabi / Phuket / and many many other ...

Tariff 2008 (valid until 31.12.2008 )

Please contact us for any other hotel requirement

© 2008