COOKING FOR TWO IN AN AUTHENTIC THAI HOUSE …
A ROMANTIC & WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE
IN THE OLD TRADITIONS

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This program could be a Saint Valentine’s special, a culinary vacation to be shared with your lover, wife or husband... It’s also a wonderful gift for the Mother’s Day, an experience that a mother and her daughter can share together.
That’s the way it has to be... because the place is really magnificient and cooking naturally comes from the soul and the heart.

You will stay in a traditional Thai house located about 15 miles in nothwest of Bangkok in the quiet village. The house is built with a golden teakwood structure in an architectural style that was popular around the Ayutthaya region in central Thailand some 150 years ago. The first floor lay-out consists of three separate houses symmetrically linked together consistent with the traditional practice of keeping extended families living and working together in the same compound to create the sense of belonging to the family. As one stands on the first floor terrace with a view overlooking the orchard garden, the adjacent structures are no higher than the coconut palms. The tranquility and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape is both striking and mesmerising.

Each house has two rooms which can be partitioned into two adjoining bedrooms by an optional opening door or a family suite. For respecting the ancient tradition, there is no air-conditionning but with its many windows which open out onto the vast lush gardens and verdant orchards and the height of the ceiling , he house is very well ventilated. Adjacent to the sleeping quarters is a separate room which serves as the Thai-style bath house. The bathroom is equipped with modern western-style facilities. On the lower floor, there is ample indoor dining hall for banquet-style seating for 30 to 50 persons as the house can receive visitors for lunch. Breakfast and lunch are usually served on the sheltered outer patio area. Taking in the fresh country air, most guests enjoy a healthy appetite.

The busiest quarters on the premises is the kitchen area. A highly social affair, the joy of cooking and the immense pleasure of eating in the midst of good company is very much central to the traditional Thai way of life. The stay at The Thai House features opportunities to sample home-style cuisine at various intervals throughout the day, so no one ever complains of being hungry.

As you enjoy cooking and you want to have a true Thai culinary experience, you will spend three fun-filled days learning the secrets of Thai cuisine at the Nonta-Cooking School. Lessons are only conducted in English and include brief lectures, preparation of ingredients, hands-on demonstrations and time for discussion and eating. Each session is limited to 10 participants.
Besides your courses, you can hire a boat and explore the canal, have a bicycle ride in the surrounding areas, walk to a nearby horticultural garden, visit a local temple or a primary school.

This program is an exclusivity of Lifestyle Vacations.

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SAMPLE ITINERARY

> DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN THAILAND
Welcome at Bangkok international airport by our English speaking guide and transfer by boat or by minibus (your choice) to the property.

> DAY 2 : INTRODUCTION TO THE THAI CUISINE
After your breakfast, at 10:00am, you will have first three-hour cooking lesson which is an introduction to the Thai herbs and spices. The appetizer is Larb Moo (a spicy Thai pork salad), the soup is a Tom Yam Kung (hot and sour prawn soup), luncheon dish is Phad Thai (Thai fried noodles), main dish are Kaeng Ka-Ri Kai (yellow chicken curry) and Paneang Nua (coconut beef curry).
The rest of the afternoon is fre. At your convenience, you can hire a boat and explore the canal, take a bicycle ride in the surrounding areas, walk to a nearby horticultural garden or visit a local temple or a primary school. Overnight at property.

> DAY 3 : FULL-DAY COOKING EXPERIENCE
After your breakfast, in the early morning, you will visit with your chef a traditional open-air market to buy ingredients. The menus is the following : Tom Khaa Kai (coconut and galangal soup), Phad Phrik Khing Moo/Kai (savoury stir-fried pork or chicken with long beans), Kaeng Kai Sai Normai (chicken in red curry with bamboo shoots), Kaeng Kheo Waan Neua (green beef curry).
Lunch and dinner will take place at the House - Overnight at property.

> DAY 4: MORNING COOKING & TRANSFER TO BANGKOK
For your third cooking lesson you will learn how to prepare : Phad Khing (chicken fried with ginger), Preaw Waan Moo (sweet and sour pork), Phad Pak Ruam Mit (stir-fried prawn with mixed vegetables), Nam Phrik Ong (pork and tomato chilli dip), Tom Fak Jeud (clear melon soup). You will also experience the fruit and vegetable carvings. After your lunch, around 4:00pm your driver will pick-up you for reaching downtown Bangkok. Installation at the five-star luxe hotel Mandarin Oriental. Dinner at the Blue Elephant, one of the most “chic” restaurant of Bangkok. Night at the Mandarin Oriental.

> DAY 5 : FULL-DAY EXCURSION IN BANGKOK
This morning is a cultural guided tour of Bangkok. Visit of the Grand Place Complex highlighted by the amazing Temple of The Emerald Buddha called the “Wat Phra Keow”, the Grand Palace, once the official home of the Kings of Siam-built in traditional Thai architecture mixed with European designs, the Royal Funeral Hall and The Royal Coronation Hall. After your lunch, you will make some shopping and your will find great ideas for the home and table decoration, silk and so on. After this tiring day, you will enjoy the luxury of the Mandarin, its swimingpool before packing your luggage and having your farewell dinner and night at the Oriental.

> DAY 6 : BANGKOK - AIRPORT
Early morning private transfer to the airport after your tasty American breakfast.

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PRICES PER PERSON

$1,995.00 (based on double occupancy)
Single supplement : $ 590.00

Our prices include : 5 nights accomodation at the Thai property in Nontha and at the Mandarin Oriental****L, all meals, 3 hands-on cooking classes, private transportation, tour programs as mentioned in the itinerary, the services of a private English speaking guide, entrance fees.
Not included : international airfare, the BKK airport tax (500 THB), beverages, personal expenses, tips and all which is not mentioned in “our prices include”.

Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates.

TOUR DATES

This program is available all year but recommended from October to April.

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