Trip of a Lifetime: Thailand

The sun rises over the Chao Praya river in Bangkok

Visitors should plan to spend several hours exploring the Grand Palace, a sprawling complex that was the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th to the mid-20th centuries

Detail of the Grand Palace

At the Siam Hotel, the riverside main pool is a serene oasis within busy Bangkok

Bangkok's street food offerings are delicious and incredibly varied; hire a guide to explore the countless food stalls that line the streets

The Wat Pho temple complex contains more than 1,000 images of the Buddha

Taking in the view from the beautiful Four Seasons Tented Camp in northern Thailand

The entrance to a temple in Thailand's Golden Triangle

At the Four Seasons, guests are taught to care for, feed, train and ride elephants from the neighboring organization, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, which rehabilitates abused elephants

Guests of the Four Seasons Tented Camp at the Golden Triangle reside in luxe canvas tents fitted with hand-hammered copper bathtubs

Sundowners at the Four Seasons' Burma Bar are a nightly ritual

Feeding and interacting with the elephants at breakfast is another camp tradition

At the tiny Mae Sai village near the camp, guests can visit Thai food markets filled with fresh produce and herbs (pictured here)

Koh Samui, one of Thailand's largest islands, is known for its sparkling turquoise waters and white-sand beaches

Kayakers explore the pristine waters of Ang Thong Marine Park, a stunning natural preserve near Koh Samui made up of more than 40 small islands

On the Rocks, the fine dining restaurant at the Six Senses Samui, boasts one of the prettiest settings for sunset drinks

The overwater hammocks just off the shore at the Four Seasons Koh Samui are one of the dreamiest spots for lounging

The Four Seasons Koh Samui's beachside pool is a nice spot to soak in the late afternoon sun and watch spectacular sunsets