Steven Wallis teams up with Tell Tale Travel, on their Tamarind and Spice Tour across Thailand, 20th November - 4th December 2010

For all of you adventurous foodies out there, come and join me on Tell Tale Travel's Tamarind & Spice Tour across Thailand in November and December. Tell Tale Travel specialise in offering truly authentic holidays, that focus on real inside experiences that offer the opportunity to access the peoples and culture of each of their destinations. I am very excited to be acting as the escort on this 15 day trip, guiding and participating with the group (no bigger than 10) as we take in the culinary and sensory delights of Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chang Mai and Krabi.
You'll be taught by local cookery experts who will share their personal recipes and techniques, and of course I'll be on hand throughout the entire trip as we explore food markets, street food vendors and take in the incredible cultural richness of four contrasting regions of Thailand.

Tamarind & Spice Itinerary as follows:

Day 1: Direct flight from London Heathrow to Bangkok with Thai Airways or Eva Air. (If you are from the United States, email us about your flight options)

Day 2: Pick up Bangkok airport and transfer in air-conditioned private minibus to centrally-located boutique inn. Time to relax then a stroll through the local area for a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Morning lie-in/brunch. Afternoon cookery lesson at the Blue Elephant Cookery School. Evening trip to Suan Lum night market and Sky Bar.

Day 4: Morning, boat trip along the Chao Phraya Rivera and visit the magnificent Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha with an expert guide. After lunch, 1-1.5 hour drive to a sleepy village in the Central Plains. Settle in and followed by sunset boat trip. Dinner, lesson on Thai desserts and overnight stay at the village headman's elegant but simple teak house.

Day 5: Early morning at the local market with the headman's wife followed by a cookery lesson and lunch. Optional bike ride around the paddy fields and along the canal in the afternoon, transfer to nearby Ayutthaya, relaxing evening.

Day 6: Bike ride with guide (with minibus support) around the spectacular remains of Ayutthaya, one-time capital of Thailand, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Time to shower and change before overnight sleeper train north to Chiang Mai.

Day 7: Early morning arrival in Chiang Mai and minibus transfer to luxury private home. Welcome breakfast, settle in, then enjoy the swimming pool. In the afternoon, a guided walk around the village is followed by more relaxation and Thai massage. Minibus will drive to Chiang Mai for dinner and browsing the night market.

Day 8: Pick your own at an organic farm to pick ingredients for a northern Thai cookery lesson.

Day 9: A day's sightseeing in Chiang Mai with a local guide. Time to relax before dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 10: Cookery lesson in the jungle for some essential cookery survival tips. Learn how to make a makeshift kitchen of bamboo and banana leaves and cook over an open fire.

Day 11: Vegetarian cookery demonstration and lunch. Then fly to Krabi (via a quick change in Bangkok). Short transfer to mini-resort. Evening tour and dinner at Krabi night market.

Day 12: Morning at leisure by the pool. Afternoon at cookery school to learn sizzling Southern-style dishes.

Day 13: Island hopping around the Hong archipelago; a series of uninhabited islands with pristine white beaches and hidden lagoons that are considered to be the most beautiful in the region. Snorkelling amid tropical fish on the coral reef and picnic lunch.

Evening back on shore, with a visit to a local village and dinner with the Deputy Headman's family. Then a lesson in making Thai desserts.

Day 14: Free day, but optional minibus tour stops at a local village with good handicrafts, spectacular waterfalls and Tubkaak beach. Farewell dinner.

Day 15: End of your cookery holiday! Transfer to Krabi airport for a short internal flight to Bangkok, connecting with international flight home. Arrive at London Heathrow approximately 7pm UK time (same day).

Tell Tale Travel are offering a £50 discount to anyone who books the trip and quotes 'The Urban Foodie', if you are interested in joining us for a magical 15 days of gastronomic food heaven, get in touch with Tell Tale on tel. 0800 011 2571
Opening hours: 9am-9pm, 7 days, First Floor, 25a Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4LL United Kingdom, or at www.telltaletravel.co.uk or leave a comment and I'll forward any enquiries.

Steven