From North to Bangkok: 2nights, Surin - Korat

Day 1: Surin

UBON RACHATANI – SURIN (Lunch, Dinner)
Departure for a morning excursion of Ubol Rachathani's most famous temples. We begin with Wat Pra That Nong Bua, displaying a peculiar architectural style reminiscent of Hindu temples in Bodhgaya, India. The second stop on the itinerary is Wat Tung Sri Muang, a large temple complex housing an unique, very old wooden structure used as a repository of ancient scriptures. It stands on stilts rising out of a water pond to prevents attacks
by termites. Free time to stroll around and visit the nearby park by the city's river. Transfer towards Surin. Along the way we visit the unique Wat Lan Kuad, literally “The Million Bottles Temple”. It is estimated that more than 1 million recycled beer bottles have been used to build this strange temple. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Visit Ban Tha Sawang Silk Weaving Village, a few km outside the city center. This is a very good opportunity to learn
how the famous Thai silk has been produced in this area for centuries. Time to watch the traditional hand-weaving process and check the shops. Arrival in Surin and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Nakhon Ratchasima

SURIN – KORAT (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Departure to Korat. Arrival at the Phanom Rung Historical Park, a large Khmer complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano. The most famous element of the temple is a decorative lintel placed above the eastern entrance known as Thap Lang Narai. Stolen in the 60's, it resurfaced at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1988 and after long negotiations it was returned to Thailand and placed here. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Departure to reach Phimai, an
impressive 11th century temple which was once part of the Khmer empire. Very large in size (the outer enclosure measures 1020 x 580 meters), it is definitely at the same level with the much more celebrated Angkor Wat complex. Arrival in Korat and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3:

KORAT – AYUTTHAYA - BANGKOK (Breakfast, Lunch)
Departure towards Ayuthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, founded in 1350. We visit the most important temples of the Historical Park: Wat Mahathat, Wat Phrasrisanphet and Wat Mongkolbophit. Lunch in a typical restaurant. We continue to the the Bang Pa In Summer Palace, a site used by the Royal Family to escape the summer heat of Bangkok, retiring in a lovely compound made of pleasant gardens, lotus ponds and delicate-looking villas, featuring
a blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles. Arrival in and transfer to the hotel/airport.