Bangkok is one of the world’s great cities. You don’t need us to tell you that its temples are gold-encrusted masterpieces, or that the Grand Palace is really pretty neat. What’s trickier to access is the hidden side of Bangkok: the side the locals see. Begin with Portuguese pastries in Kudichin, then watch life unfold among the stilt houses of Bangkok’s waterways on a boat tour. Eat lunch among the litchi trees and coconut palms of Poomjai Garden, then discover the city’s temples come alive after the camera-clicking tourist groups have gone home. You’ll still have plenty of time for the classic sights, but this is about getting a feel for the Bangkok that exists beyond the “must-sees”.

Like many tropical cities, Chiang Mai comes alive after the heat of the day has dissipated, when its temples glow like beacons in the dark and its markets fill with the smell of sizzling pork knuckle and neon-colored desserts. After an evening tuk-tuk tour of these delights (concluding with a rooftop cocktail overlooking the city), swap hustle and bustle for waterfalls and jungle in Sri Lanna National Park, where you’ll take a longtail boat past water buffalo and rice paddies to lunch at a floating restaurant. Having seen these two contrasting sides of Chiang Mai, your last day is free to spend as you choose — perhaps exploring the city’s thriving independent arts spaces.

Phuket has been on the travelers’ radar for decades, but Thailand’s biggest island has more than enough miles of stunning, sandy beaches to go around. The accommodation here is second-to-none: think delicious food; indulgent spa treatments and affordable luxury. Spend a couple of days soaking it all up, then shoot out by speedboat to the Phi-Phi Islands, passing craggy limestone pinnacles and pristine beaches to spend the day swimming and snorkeling among the corals — keeping your eyes peeled for turtles, leopard sharks and alien-like nudibranchs. Finally, return to Phuket for a final day of beach relaxation before you return home.