{"id":143324,"date":"2019-10-02T13:42:59","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T17:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/?p=143324"},"modified":"2024-09-19T13:35:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T17:35:49","slug":"southeast-asia-trip-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/discover\/southeast-asia-trip-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Easy in Southeast Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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No matter where you happen to be in Southeast Asia, you can seamlessly combine urban and rural experiences that showcase the region\u2019s shopping, art, food, beaches and wildlife.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n \"Bangkok <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n
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Designed by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River feels like a resort in the heart of the city.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River<\/span><\/a> welcomes guests in the heart of Bangkok\u2019s dynamic Creative District, channelling the area\u2019s contemporary take on tradition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Architect Jean-Michel Gathy\u2019s forward-thinking design echoes the energy of the river, with a cascading structure of indoor-outdoor spaces arranged around green courtyards, delicate gardens and water features.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe inspiration was urban resort,\u201d Gathy says, \u201cbringing the soul of the landscape, the outdoors, into a sophisticated Four Seasons hotel.\u201d Many of the 299 rooms and suites have river views, and all have 4-metre [13-foot] ceilings for an airy aesthetic. Thai culture is referenced in the design details and the artwork Gathy chose.<\/p>\n

Another aspect of Thai culture is easy to discover there. \u201cNear the Hotel, both locals and tourists enjoy the scents and tastes of a variety of street foods,\u201d says Chief Concierge Thanart Menbangphung. \u201cFood stalls and restaurants can be found in almost every corner of the city, especially along Yaowaraj Road.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Get to know Bangkok’s vibrant culture by exploring its street art and sampling the variety of street food found in stalls along Yaowaraj Road..<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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The long life of Northern Thailand\u2019s fascinating culture makes a magic blend with its natural beauty. Discover the region with bespoke tours from Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai<\/a>. The Resort team can arrange a trip to the hilltop temple that houses an important relic of the Lord Buddha, a shopping excursion for local handicrafts or a deep dive into Chiang Mai\u2019s famous coffee culture.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the native elephants; trek past gushing waterfalls, terraced rice fields and hill tribe villages on a hike up Thailand\u2019s highest peak. And new custom art tours give guests access to some of the area\u2019s top galleries.<\/p>\n

At the Resort, you\u2019re invited to become a rice farmer for a few hours, or learn the\u00a0secrets of local plants and flowers on a guided walk through its spectacular gardens.\u00a0And the Resort has recently introduced a journey of well-being<\/a>\u00a0for guests who seek personal renewal. Spend two to seven customized days that incorporate yoga, cupping, massage, Thai herbal steams and personalized wellness cuisine.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The villas at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai offer serene, private sanctuaries surrounded by nature.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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To the south lies your chance for laid-back island life at\u00a0Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui<\/a>. Consider a yacht trip to Angthong National Marine Park \u2013 42 pristine and protected islands full of limestone caves, white sand beaches and colourful coral reefs. <\/strong>\u201cThere are many neighbouring islands around Koh Samui that you could visit for a half- or full-day trip,\u201d says the Resort\u2019s Boat Captain, Anuchit Chaisuk. \u201cWhether your idea of the perfect holiday is to do nothing at all, anchor off a remote beach for a day of pure tropical relaxation, or head to the best snorkelling or diving spots in the Gulf of Thailand, there\u2019s something for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, your days can be filled with adventure, relaxation or a little of both.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Get a taste of Muay Thai<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Thai kickboxing \u2013 at the Bill Bensley\u2013designed Muay Thai \u201cring with a view.\u201d In a one-on-one session with the Resort\u2019s in-house expert\u00a0Anuphong Deesamer\u00a0(Kru An), guests can try their hand at throwing a few punches and honing the technique.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is perfectly positioned for uncovering the area’s the natural wonders.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Malaysia: Langkawi<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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The island where Four Seasons Resort Langkawi<\/a>\u00a0stands is home\u00a0as well to fantastically diverse wildlife and one of the world\u2019s most ancient rainforests. And there\u2019s the water.<\/p>\n

Kayaks, catamarans and windsurfing gear are available for those who want to explore along the island\u2019s longest stretch of beach. The Resort is located within Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, where Resort naturalists can take you on kayak tours through lush forests to spot pythons, otters, eagles and sleeping bats.<\/p>\n

On land, sign up for a guided rainforest walk, which will be accompanied by plenty of birds. For more adventure, the Resort can arrange a guided trek to Gunung Mat Chincang, the island\u2019s second-tallest mountain, to traverse the rocky terrain near the famous Seven Wells waterfall. Or channel your inner Alex Honnold and scale a 40-foot natural limestone outcrop with the guidance of the Resort\u2019s Adventure Team.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark with expert guidance from Four Seasons.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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At the far end of the Resort\u2019s pristine beach, time stands still. Spend the afternoon with the Adventure Team at Rumah Ikan Fish House, a traditional fish house suspended above the Andaman Sea. Experience an old-school method of fishing, a fascinating process that involves a structure of wooden splints. Afterwards, join Pak Din, a local fisherman, as he uses his sharp eyes and fast hands to harvest the freshest lobster from the Andaman Sea. The Resort\u2019s culinary team will turn his catch into an ocean-to-table dining experience.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The breezy, open-air lobby of Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay immediately sets the tone for your visit.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Indonesia: Bali and Jakarta<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Further south at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay<\/a> and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan<\/a>, there\u2019s no time like mealtime.\u00a0\u201cBali has a cultural and culinary mix like nowhere else on Earth,\u201d says Executive Chef Phillip Taylor of Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. \u201cLike other areas in Bali, including Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Seminyak and Canggu, the Ubud dining scene has evolved in the last few years and offers world-class restaurants and high-profile local chefs as well as international names who now call Bali home.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sample dishes from across the Indonesian archipelago at Ayung Terrace at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Less than two hours from Bali by plane is the bustling city of Jakarta, and within the city stands its urban oasis,\u00a0Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta<\/a>. \u201cThe city is full of hidden gems,\u201d says Rizky Pratama, Concierge Supervisor. He recommends visiting\u00a0Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, \u201cIndonesia\u2019s Beautiful Miniature.\u201d This green space in East Jakarta celebrates the archipelago\u2019s heritage with 34 traditional house pavilions, one for\u00a0each of Indonesia\u2019s provinces, displaying its traditions.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The all-suite Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta is the the centrepiece of award-winning Capital Place, putting you right next to some of the city’s best dining and shopping.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cPay a visit to the biggest Chinatown in Indonesia,\u201d says Administrative Assistant Vera Catherine. \u201cWhile you\u2019re there, don\u2019t forget to check my favourite coffee in town, Kopi Es Tak Kie at Pecinan, Glodok.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE<\/h2>\n

Where will you go first? <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\"Balcony <\/picture>\n

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