Bangkok to Phuket

South of the capital, Bangkok, Thailand extends for hundreds of kilometres along the Thai-Malay Peninsula, with the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Andaman Sea to the west. Entirely within the tropics, this is a fantastically scenic part of the world, with a mix of coastal and limestone mountain landscapes. Covering a total distance of 850 kilometres and crossing from the east side to the west side of the peninsula, this classic road tour traverses traditional rural areas, with many quaint little villages, colourful Buddhist temples and several attractive national park areas. Each night, we stop off in laid back coastal resorts, where we can walk on the endless beaches and try the delicious local seafood. Well away from the main tourist areas, the road is quiet and well maintained and is generally flat and fast with some undulating hills thrown into the mix. This is your chance to get to know the locals, wiggle your toes in Thailand's warm sand and absorb a slower pace of life. With our final stop off at the paradise island of Phuket, there is nothing to prevent you extending your holiday to spend a few extra days in the sun.