A trip to Thailand doesn’t have to be limited to island hopping (although we’re all over that, of course). With Intrepid Travel, you can discover the country’s culture-packed north in a handy group tour that’ll save you both time and money. Departing from Bangkok, you’ll start by heading to explore the World Heritage-listed city of Sukhothai, checking out its temples and eating the famous dish that’s named after the city (rice noodles cooked in a slightly sweet pork broth – underrated and absolutely delicious).

Then it’s on to a home stay in a small Thai village, where you’ll try local food and dancing before moving on to spend a few days in Chiang Mai. There, you can explore rural Northern Thailand by bike, try a cooking class, or explore the temples of Doi Suthep. The trip is eight nights long, and a great way to experience warm weather and the sun on your face, before heading south to the islands if you fancy it.