What is a two-week trip to Thailand actually like?

Most people picture Thailand as beaches. The two-week programme we run is really three places doing three different jobs, and knowing which is which helps you decide whether it suits you.

Kuala Lumpur: the short city opening

The trip routes through Malaysia, and rather than treat that as a layover it gives you a proper day in Kuala Lumpur — the Batu Caves and their Hindu temples set in the limestone, Independence Square, the National Mosque and the Petronas Towers. A second free day in the city closes the trip on the way home.

Phuket: the busy half

Phuket is where the excursions are. A city tour takes in the viewpoints over Kata and Karon, the Big Buddha, the Chalong temple and the Sino-Portuguese quarter. Then two full days on the water: the Phi Phi and Khai islands by speedboat with snorkelling at Shark Point, and Phang Nga bay — the fishing village on stilts at Koh Panyee, kayaking around Talu island and James Bond island itself.

There is a free day built into the Phuket half. It is there on purpose: the island days are long and start early.

Krabi: the quiet half

Krabi is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Phang Nga and deliberately slower. One full-day boat excursion to the four islands, and otherwise time at Ao Nang. If your idea of a holiday is doing less, this is the part you will want to extend.

Who it suits

• First-time visitors to Asia who want variety without changing country twice
• Travellers happy with early starts on excursion days
• Families — the boat days are the ones children remember

Practical points

Fourteen days and thirteen nights, four-star hotels, internal flights and local guides included. Excursions are priced separately so you only pay for the days you want, and the programme is built around a set departure rather than dates you choose.