At the Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa, modern international twists on local dishes are served either in the formal dining room or out on the terrace with views of the temple.

Expect a visceral experience immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of traditional Balinese street food. Browse the stalls and try something different.

Built in the 8th century, the world's largest Buddhist temple was lost for centuries as the population fled volcanoes. It was rediscovered in the 19th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit at dawn.

No visit to Komodo is complete without an encounter with the Jurassic throwback that is the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard. Visit the UNESCO-listed National Park.

Krakatau's eruption in 1883 was the world's most violent and its effects were felt around the globe. Anak Krakatau, or Child of Krakatau, emerged in the resulting caldera in 1927 and continues to be active.

Anchorage

Between Gam and Waigeo Islands, Kabui Bay is home to some spectacular limestone karst formations rising vertically from the bay and cloaked with tropical vegetation, colourful birdlife, mangrove forests and small sandy beaches to explore by kayak and paddleboard.

This is one of fewer than 10 pink beaches in the world. It owes its delicate hue to foraminifera, tiny red organisms that become washed out of their coral habitat and onto the beach.

Beach

Padar Island has a famous, if short, hike to the viewpoint for one of the most photographed views in Indonesia. It’s challenging to reach but you’ll enjoy the view all the more when you get there.

A tropical paradise on the North Western tip of Phuket.

The Racha is set on Batok Beach on Racha Yai Island, 12 miles south of Phuket.

On the shores of the Andaman Sea, Aman’s first resort offers exceptional restaurants and a holistic spa from its own peninsula.

A secluded, village style beach hideaway at a beautiful location on Emerald Bay with a 600m beachfront.

Clever reinterpretations of traditional Thai recipes celebrate expertly locally sourced ingredients and Asian flavours.

A hotel with three outstanding restaurants. Right on the sands on Pansea Beach, the Beach Restaurant is the most romantic location.

Innovative Asian cuisine with an international twist on traditional Thai dishes.

Serving Thai cuisine, with interiors by Italian design star Paola Navone.

Off the east coast of Phuket, this restaurant and spa is the only property on the secluded island.

A colonial style mansion set in its own grounds serving Thai dishes with influences from all over Asia.

One of the region's best established restaurants serves freshly caught seafood and local delicacies.

Located right on the beach at Kata, this hotel serves expertly prepared Thai dishes and European cuisine.

A boutique resort on a headland overlooking the Andaman Sea and the white sands of Kata Noi Beach.

A restaurant with contemporary design and great views over the Andaman sea serving elegant European dishes.

The 85m ferry King Cruiser struck Anemone Reef and sank in 1997 with no loss of life. Today it is one of Thailand’s best wreck dives.

Tiger Zoo. Revenue generated by tourists visiting Tiger Kingdom is mainly used to finance the breeding of tigers in captivity.

Between Phuket and the Phi Phi, this tiny island, protected since 1992, is named after the approachable leopard sharks that proliferate here.

Explore the rainforest on the back of these gentle giants revered across Thailand.

A prestigious golf club in a green valley with two award winning championship courses flowing through rubber plantations and tin mines.

A peaceful sanctuary within a spa resort.

COMO Point Yamu is a spa resort located at the tip of Cape Yamu overlooking the Andaman Sea and the dramatic limestones of Phang Nga Bay.

Atop Nakkerd Hill near Chalong, the Big Buddha statue has all round views of Phuket Town, Kata beach, Karon beach and Chalong Bay.

An 18-hole championship golf course designed by Nicklaus Design - a golfer's paradise.

Café del Mar has a new beach club in Phuket featuring all the laid back style you would expect from this iconic Ibizan brand.

The two Racha islands lie just south of Phuket and the northernmost, Koh Racha Yai, has two beautiful white-sand beaches on its northern tip, Siam Bay and Racha Bay, with the latter best positioned for amazing sunsets.

The island-speckled bay between Phuket and Krabi on the mainland is famed for its jungle topped limestone cliffs, James Bond Island and picture-perfect beaches like Laem Haad Beach on Koh Yao Yai.

On the mainland south of Krabi, these islands are home to mangroves, rain forest, cave networks, some jaw-droppingly pretty beaches and small desert islands, just specks of sand.

A pair of islands with imposing limestone cliffs on the west coast and soft sand beaches on the east. There's some amazing snorkelling too and amazing sunset views through the channel between the two islands.

In the heart of the Krabi, Phuket and Phi Phi triangle, this is an unspoilt gem with a rain forest-clad mountainous interior, deserted beaches and tiny, uninhabited islands just offshore like Koh Nok.

At the southern end of Bang Tao Beach overlooking the Andaman Sea, this chic destination offers bars, beach front dining, cabanas around an infinity pool and themed parties and renowned DJs by night.

The Phuket outpost of the Ibiza institution is towards the northern end of Kamala Beach, lapped by the Andaman Sea. Spend a chilled afternoon dining on pizza and sushi, picking up drinks from the pool's swim-up bar. As the sun sets, the music swells and the party begins.

This island is famous for its famous back-to-back moon-shaped beaches. If you like hard hiking, head to Koh Phi Phi Don view point for magnificent views of the aqua, emerald and jade colours of the ocean. Alternatively visit the spectacular Koh Phi Phi Lee to the south, where The Beach was filmed.

Named after the Royal Thai Navy's Vice Admiral Richelieu, who surveyed the Andaman Sea in the early 1900s, this pinnacle is home to a variety of soft corals, delicate marine life like seahorses and harlequin shrimp. Fairly strong currents stir up nutrients that attract barracuda, snapper and trevally, and you may also see mantas and whale sharks out in the blue.

There are many Michelin-starred restaurants in Thailand but don't miss the only one with a Michelin green star. Named after its philosophy of Plant, Raise, Understand, this restaurant's menu revolves around the finest produce available from local artisan farmers and the resort's own farm.

In the charming surroundings of a Sino-Portuguese colonial house dating back to the late 1890s, the cuisine is authentic, high quality, unfussy and absolutely based in the Thai tradition.

At the Four Seasons Resort, this restaurant in a converted anchovy fishing village celebrates traditional Malaysian cuisine, with each dish given a slick, modern twist.

This is the Phuket outpost of Chef Nooror’s institution that popularised Thai food in Europe. Based in the former colonial governor’s mansion, expect Thai classics prepared with an uncompromising approach to authenticity and quality.

This St Regis Resort restaurant, the hotel's flagship diner, serves Asian-fusion cuisine bursting with flavour in a theatrically decorative dining room over the water.

Chef Alessandro Frau’s award-winning restaurant at the northern end of Kalim Beach serves modern European cuisine with an Italian emphasis using exceptional ingredients, sourced without compromise.

Fantastic sunsets light up the Strait of Melacca at this restaurant sheltered by an outcrop at the bottom of Pantai Cenang beach on the southwest of the island. Expect a combination of classic Asian flavours and modern European precision.

Try this restaurant at the Anantara Resort. Start with a cocktail then choose caviar and oysters, start with the beef tartare, follow up with the beef cheeks and finish with the dark chocolate souffle, all paired with one of 350 sommelier-picked wines.

Literally the House of Spice and exotically tucked away in the rainforest above Datai Bay, this Malay Kampung-style building celebrates spices and herbs, heavily influenced by ancient trading routes through Indonesia, India, China and the Middle East.

At the base of Chalong Pier and its marina, this waterside eatery serves spectacular seafood straight from the sea, with authentic Thai style. Don’t miss the Phuket lobster, and it’s always popular so book ahead.

This kampung-styled open-sided restaurant launches into the rainforest canopy supported as it is on its northern edge on 30m piles. Expect sophisticated Thai flavours and keep an eye out for the treetop wildlife.

Thai street food in an authentic setting. Always busy (popular dishes may sell out) for its signature pork in peppery broth and rice noodles. The fragrant dry-broiled rice with crispy pork, tender pork offal and aromatic soup comes highly recommended.

Overlooking Kata Noi beach and the wide-open Andaman, this is a great place for sundowners. Continental, Asian fusion and Thai cuisines served in a beautiful setting and with an award-winning wine cellar of 750 labels.

Facing north over Tri Trang Bay on the west coast, this resort offers four very different restaurants and the Asaya Spa, offering assessments of mind and body as well as a range of treatments for couples and individuals.

A sensational seafood restaurant overlooking the peninsula’s southernmost beach, Ra Wai. Banks of tanks teem with live tiger prawns, squid, crab, and Phuket lobster. Ask for a table with views of the bustling seafood market on the beach.

This resort restaurant overlooks Kata Beach and serves authentic Thai dishes as well as modern European cuisine. It has an award-winning wine cellar too.

The name is an acronym of the restaurant’s philosophy: Plant. Raise. Understand. It is the proud owner of Thailand’s one and only green Michelin star. Expect home-grown organic produce and the finest locally sourced ingredients combined in a modern European style with various global influences.

This Marriott Bonvoy resort has four restaurants, including a grill serving Australian steaks and Phuket lobster, and a six treatment-room spa to revive mind, body and spirit.

This island resort lies 16km south of Chalong Bay and offers a range of restaurants including the Sunset where you can indulge in Thai classics by day and a super-fresh seafood BBQ by night. Bliss out alone or as a couple in the resort’s Anumba Spa.

This restaurant is part of the Pimalai Resport and Spa and serves a modern European menu on a hillside terrace with wonderful views of sunset across Kantiang Bay.

Expect exquisite local delicacies served in a 130-year-old colonial mansion and prepared using excellent local produce and meticulous attention to detail. Highly recommended are the slow-braised pork belly with pepper and garlic (Mu Hong), and the fresh crab meat in coconut milk (Kaeng Pu Bai Cha Phlu).

This resort, south of Railay Beach, has four restaurants. Enjoy Thai classics, air conditioned or al fresco, then sip your espresso watching the moonlight on the water. There’s also The Grotto, where you can dine on the sand in the shelter of dramatic limestone cliffs.

This archipelago of five islands is 55km off the west coast on the oceanic border of Burma. Divers love the pristine reefs fringing the coast, swimming with turtles and ocean giants such as whale sharks, manta rays or Napoleon wrasse. It’s also just 15km away from Richelieu Rock, another diving paradise.

Play around on the only golf course to host the Johnny Walker Classic three times. Designed by Yoshikazu Kato, the course reclaimed an abandoned tin mine and fashioned the course around the natural landscape’s canyons and woodlands.

Just outside the National Park borders, Banta has many deep bays and arcing sand beaches with very good diving and snorkelling. Swim with giant turtles and manta rays or grill fresh fish on a sunset beach BBQ.

Spend the morning with these gentle giants, get to know them as individuals and why they need protection. Watch them forage and bathe from Thailand’s longest treetop walkway.

Spectacular dive site about 50km off the west coast, so perfect for early morning visits by yacht. Thailand’s deepest drop-off is a sea mount that just touches the surface from 70m down. It attracts manta rays to its cleaning stations, whale sharks and theirs is a huge diversity of fish species ad soft corals.

A fantastic spot for snorkel safaris and drift diving, where nutrient-rich waters from the Indian Ocean meet the Flores Sea. Oceanic manta ray, giant trevally and big schools of barracuda are regularly sighted here.

Brush up your swing on the 22-bay driving range before playing 18 holes on this Thai-style course by Nicklaus Design overlooking Phang Nga Bay.

Here you’ll find the largest population of Komodo dragons anywhere in these islands. Stroll alongside these prehistorical animals, the world’s largest lizards.

The country’s third tallest statue at 45m, the Great Buddha of Phuket sits atop Nakkerd Hill near Chalong and gazes beatifically towards Ao Chalong Bay.

Padar Island has a famous, if short, hike to the viewpoint for one of the most photographed views in Indonesia. It’s challenging to reach but you’ll enjoy the view all the more when you get there.

A spectacular and storied dive site 15km east of Surin Island. This limestone pinnacle rises from 40m to just break the surface at low tide and rising nutrient-rich waters make it a paradise for corals and marine life. Also, as it’s beyond the reach of dayboats, you can beat the liveaboard rush with a pre-breakfast dive.

Right at the heart of the action, this bay is just south of the island’s two signature half-moon bays. It’s bustling most of the time as the pier is the main arrival point.

Cruise to the beautiful palm grove surrounding the legendary Amanpuri Resort and Surin Beach with white sands and turquoise waters. Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is known world-wide for its fantastic resorts, stunning beaches, and party atmosphere. You can also check out the elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary for retired working elephants.

Your gateway to another world and an underwater paradise for scuba divers. Spend the day discovering the 11 islands, above and below the water. If timing is right, you may see whale sharks and turtles while you snorkel and scuba around the islands. There are numerous trails on the various islands as well as bird watching, white coral-sand beaches, and boulder fields to explore.

Head inland to see the iconic Big Buddha of Phuket or enjoy a scenic tour by helicopter. For the young ones, speed around the go-kart track across the peninsula or visit the tiger park to see the majestic creatures up close. In the evening, Bangla Road buzzes on streets lined with bars, live music venues, rooftops and night clubs.

Enjoy exceptional snorkelling and diving along the sloping rocky reefs and hard coral gardens. This anchorage is also ideal for high-speed watersports and the best fishing is around sunset, followed by a private beach BBQ prepared by your yacht chef.

Anchor on Naka’s west coast to explore Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island, made famous in 007’s ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’. There are great swimming holes and beaches, golf at Mission Hill and adrenaline-fuelled fun on the watertoys before you enter the National Marine Parks.

A calm, protected anchorage thanks to the massive limestone cliffs and rock formations that surround you. Snorkelling and rock climbing is superb around these islands. In the evening, take a short cruise to anchor off Rayavadee Resort for dinner and check out the nightlight of Krabi.

Literally the inner and the outer Koh Rok islands, both islands are part of the Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Plenty of clown fish in the anemones and a good chance of seeing turtles and reef sharks.

Anchor north or south of the back-to-back moon-shaped beaches. If you like tough hiking, head to Koh Phi Phi Don viewpoint for magnificent views of the aqua, emerald and jade colours of the sea ahead. Alternatively visit the spectacular Koh Phi Phi Lee, where ‘The Beach’ was filmed.

This is one of fewer than 10 pink beaches in the world. It owes its delicate hue to foraminifera, tiny red organisms that become washed out of their coral habitat and onto the beach.

Experience a laid-back natural paradise at an oasis surrounded by almost 60 islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

With golden sands and crystal blue water, Maya Bay has become one of Thailand’s most-visited destinations since it shot to fame as the location of ‘The Beach’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Graze on all-day tapas, pizza and sushi as you chill to the beats by the pool or on the sands of Bang Tao Beach. At sunset the vibe switches into late-night party mode.

Ranked in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in Thailand, has real white powder sands and crystal clear waters.

Famed for its natural beauty with dazzling fine white sand, coral and a huge variety of tropical fish. Its limestone rock walls give it a cosy feel.

Accessible only by boat thanks to the dramatic, jungle-draped limestone cliffs that back it, the Railay peninsula actually has four amazing beaches : Phra Nang in the south with its famous cave, Railay West, then Ton Sai to the north. Wonderful climbing, hiking, kayaking and swimming.

A collection of dive sites west of Waigeo Island, the best known of which is Melissa’s Garden, a coral garden with schools of colourful fish. Takat Penemu is a submerged seamount with more coral gardens, fish and remarkable wobbegong sharks.

A wonderfully vibrant reef between Kri and Waisai Islands, running from 8-30m in depth and a place where divers can see pelagics including jackfish above the reef, tuna and manta out in the blue, reef sharks gliding about, then trevally, snapper and wrasse as you descend. Magic indeed!

A volcanic caldera with a saltwater lake is an intriguing place to go kayaking and paddleboarding. Settle in for a beach BBQ and you can marvel at the thousands of fruit bats flitting overhead after dark.

In the plankton-rich waters between Airborek and Mansuar Islands are reefs and bommies rising close to the surface, making them the perfect place for graceful oceanic manta rays to rid themselves of parasites thanks to the cleaner wrasse.

Enjoy a selection of treatments using a selection of organic natural ingredients, all of food standard, freshly made each morning in the spa’s kitchen.

Experience authentic Papuan life in this village on the island of Batanta. Watch the children in the dug-out canoes, trek through the verdant rainforest to waterfalls, birdwatching all the way.

Experience a laid back natural paradise at an oasis surrounded by almost 60 islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

A Thai paradise with pristine beaches, rainforest clad mountainous interior and relaxed ambiance. A natural beauty.

Fine white sand, coral and plenty of tropical fish all framed by rugged limestone rock formations.

Set in a tropical forest facing a pristine white sand beach, Pimalai has eight restaurants and bars and an award winning spa.

Choose from four dining venues serving modern European cuisine to light Asian fare to traditional Thai dishes in beautiful settings.

Named due to its location beneath a craggy limestone cliff that skirts around Phranang Beach.

Dine by the sea on aromatic Thai dishes at Krua Phranang. Choose from delicious curries, salads, soups, seafood and grilled fish straight from the sea.

A great spot to anchor overnight, it has 12 amazing dive sites, lots of fish, crabs and octopus plus pinnacles, drop-offs, walls, boulders and caverns.

Stunning limestone cliffs, breathtaking beaches, underwater adventures, waterfalls, elephant trekking, parties and the legendary James Bond island.

Designed like a Thai longhouse and built from eco-friendly materials with skilled therapists giving holistic treatments with natural products.

Koh Phi Phi Don is a tough hike but one that rewards you with magnificent views of the sea's wondrous blues, Phi Phi Leh, Tonsai Village and Loh Dalum bays.

Don't miss Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, two stunning dive sites in the National Park. You'll have a good chance of seeing manta rays and whale sharks.

The Similan Islands are a gateway to another world and an underwater paradise principally because of the wonders that wait beneath the clear blue waters that surround it. The area is commonly a SCUBA dive location; with most islands being just rock, and minimal vegetation. "Similan" is derived from the Malay Sembilan, and means "nine". Each of the Similan Islands has a number as well as a name.

Cruise to the beautiful palm grove surrounding the legendary Amanpuri Resort and Surin Beach with white sands and turquoise waters. Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is known world-wide for its fantastic resorts, stunning beaches, and party atmosphere. You can also check out the elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary for retired working elephants.

Your gateway to another world and an underwater paradise for scuba divers. Spend the day discovering the 11 islands, above and below the water. If timing is right, you may see whale sharks and turtles while you snorkel and scuba around the islands. There are numerous trails on the various islands as well as bird watching, white coral-sand beaches, and boulder fields to explore.

Head inland to see the iconic Big Buddha of Phuket or enjoy a scenic tour by helicopter. For the young ones, speed around the go-kart track across the peninsula or visit the tiger park to see the majestic creatures up close. In the evening, Bangla Road buzzes on streets lined with bars, live music venues, rooftops and night clubs.

A calm, protected anchorage thanks to the massive limestone cliffs and rock formations that surround you. Snorkelling and rock climbing is superb around these islands. In the evening, take a short cruise to anchor off Rayavadee Resort for dinner and check out the nightlight of Krabi.

Anchor in the morning along the majestic cliffs of Tong Sai Bay. Hiking fans will head to Koh Phi Phi Don’s lookout for breathtaking views. Nearby Phi Phi Leh was the setting of The Beach, but visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid daytrippers. Sample Phi Phi Don’s vibrant nightlife in the evening.

Stroll ashore or explore the mangroves along Kilim River at Langkawi Mangrove Forest, where guided trekking can also be arranged. Other activities to consider include a scenic tour by cable car, visiting local fish farms or an ATV tour for the adventurous ones of the group.

A large, well-sheltered bay to the northwest of the island with mangrove forests, secluded channels and limestone cliffs. There’s some fantastic snorkelling and diving too, which a huge diversity of corals and marine life.

Treatments for singles or couples include a purifying massage with juniper berry, rose geranium, raw honey and pearl. Or choose the Javanese Lulur treatment which begins with a one-hour massage followed by a white rice and turmeric herbal body scrub, then honey yoghurt before a herbal bath with lime, lemongrass, cinnamon, ginger.

To the northeast of Misool Island, this dive site is popular with marine photographers due to its fantastic light and visibility. Four rocks, the ‘Kings’, rise to between 5-30m. Trevally patrol schools of glassfish and barracuda rise from the depths to hunt.

An island famous for its iconic hill-top views of Komodo, Gili Lawalaut features long beaches and shallow reefs for exploring by kayak. Three of the region’s best dive sites promise schools of big fish, reef sharks and tuna.