A short cruise brings us to the aptly named ‘Suan Thip’ riverside restaurant; which provides a serene setting in which the buildings, gardens and food can only be described as works of art in their respective fields.  Almost invisible from the river the restaurant has private ‘salas’ (pavilions) set amongst luxuriant tropical foliage; water features, where the reclusive monitor lizards laze, abound; all overhung by giant trees, makes this, as its name infers, a ‘Garden of Heaven’.  The very charming and artistic owner has created the perfect setting for the delicious, artistic Thai dishes on her extensive menu.  Complementary lunch is selected from the full, a-la-carte Suan Thip Menu.

On weekends, the island hosts a very upmarket weekend market and is bustling with local tourists savouring the island’s delicacies; the many small restaurants and bars lining the narrow thoroughfare do a brisk trade.  Items on sale include jewellery, unusual artworks, pottery and ceramics.

On weekdays, the pace is much more relaxed and Classic Barges can carry bicycles on request, so that you can more intimately experience the island’s unique culture and atmosphere.

After a further short cruise, you arrive at Piyawan Garden House, a small Thai-styled resort featuring architectural styles from four regions of Thailand.  Situated on the eastern bank of the river, you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks whilst watching the sun set over the water.

The barge will then cruise to the highly awarded, ‘Krua Rim Nam Tai Koh’ restaurant.  Dinner is served either at the restaurant or onboard in accordance with your selected menu.

Travelling further upriver brings us to the Royal Thai Folk Arts and Craft Centre at Bang Sai.  This large modern gallery hosts a wide variety of modern and traditional Thai works of art.  Being under Royal patronage, no commissions are paid to tour guides, making the many beautiful craft items, for sale at the lowest prices in the Kingdom.  The adjacent Traditional Thai Village displays many Thai crafts, which are undertaken in houses styled from various parts of the country.  The Centre also includes the largest freshwater aquarium in Thailand and a bird enclosure displaying many stunning tropical birds, particularly various coloured peacocks and hornbills.

Note: only the Gallery is open on Mondays.

After lunch, a short cruise brings us to Bang Pa-In and the unique Buddhist temple of Wat Nivet.  A cable-car will carry you across the canal to the Bang Pa-in Summer Palace.  The palace grounds contain a variety of beautiful buildings in European, Chinese and traditional Thai styles, including some of the best-known structures in the Kingdom.

The cruise continues up the Chao Phraya River, passing the famous riverside attractions of the ancient capital of Siam.  This ‘Golden Mile’ of the river boasts the temples of Wat Phutthaisawan, the famous Wat Chaiwatthanaram and the beautiful Wat Kassitthirat; not to mention the old French Roman Catholic St Joseph’s Cathedral, Queen Sirikit’s Palace and the chedi in memory of Queen Suriothai, who, in 1548, dressed as a man, died in battle protecting her husband; we then return to Ayutthaya.  Disembarkation is at your riverside accommodation, the Railway Station Jetty, or at the temple Wat Pichai Songkram.

After visiting the ‘Elephant Kraal’, another option is a dinner cruise through Ayutthaya to see the illuminated riverside attractions.  The ruins of the famous Khmer styled Wat Chaiwatthanaram are spectacular at night.  This very geometric temple has a number of ‘prangs’ and ‘stupas’ (towers and spires) which are illuminated with soft coloured lights and brings gasps of awe from the guests.  We slow to a crawl and glide past the ruins; it is an absolutely ethereal experience when the stupas line up and pass in transit.  (additional charge applies.)