Bangkok, Thailand
San Francisco to Bangkok: exceeding long flights including a transfer in Tokyo
Two nights at the Rembrandt Sukhumvit hotel (on the suites side, not the main hotel)
+66 2 261 5900. 22 Sukhumvit Soi 20 Klong Toey Bangkok 10110
Dine at the Rang Mahal in the hotel
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Short flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap
Alternative to flying is the 5:55am Train from Bangkok Hualamphong station to the Cambodian border (3rd Class only, no A/C), and then taxi three hours to Siem Reap
Three nights at the Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa +855 12980074. Street 20, Krong Siem Reap
Two days touring Siem Reap - including Angkor Wat - with most excellent guide Mr. Sam So: +885 12 630 590
Small Boat Cruise from Siem Reap to Saigon
Float eight days on the intimate, 10-cabin Toum Tiou I (great crew and lodging)
Includes meals and one or two excursions each day (laundry service in Phnom Penh)
Compagnie Fluviale du Mékong www.cfmekong.com (exceptional travel services)
Siagon, Vietnam
Stay one night at Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel (near the small cruise port)
+842838271717, 17 Đ. Tôn Đức Thắng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Visit Museum of National History, downtown panorama tour, Marshal Le Van Duyet mausoleum, Giac Lam Pogoda, Ho Thi Ky flower market (near many food stalls)
Short flight from Saigon to Chiang Mai on VietJet (nonstop, doesn't run daily)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Stay four nights at the Pastell Old Town hotel inside the old city
Samlan Road Soi 7, Chiang Mai (near lots of restaurants and bakeries)
Khantoke cultural performance and dinner at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
185 Wua Lai Rd Soi 3, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100 (book on TripAdvisor)
Visit the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary for a full day
Hotel pickup with 3 hours in the back of a pickup is available, but a tour guide is more comfortable and can include stops
Visit Sunday Night Market (go very early to avoid massive crowds)
Travel two full days with tour guide Otto from Chiang Mai Driving Tours (reviews)
Visit an orchid farm, Bo Sang Umbrella Village, King & Queen pagodas near Doi Inthanon National Park (highest point in Thailand), Wachirathan waterfalls
Visit temples: Wat Doi Suthep temple, Wat Pha Lad temple, Wat Phra That Doi Saket, Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Attend Mama Noi cooking school in the morning
5pm train to Bangkok in second class sleeper
Buy tickets one month in advance at https://www.dticket.railway.co.th/DTicketPublicWeb/home/Home (keep trying)
Important: go in December/January when the temperature only 80° F