Thailand is a unique place that is well worth including on the list of must-visit countries in the world. Even though Thailand receives nearly 30 million tourists on an annual basis, there are still places that aren't overrun by massive tourism.

A 14 day Thailand itinerary may not give enough time to explore the country to its fullest, but is certain to give ample time to create an itinerary that takes in the highlights. Many of the Thailand tours start in the capital Bangkok and include parts of northern Thailand for the most authentic and lush experience, while a stay on one of the many Thai islands in the south of the country is a great way to relax for several days before heading home.

Let's take a look at a travel itinerary for 14 days in Thailand:

Bangkok
The majority of international flights arrives in Bangkok and will give travellers their first impression of Thailand. The capital is a stimulating, vibrant and colourful city, but can also be very busy and crowded. Bangkok has plenty to offer tourists including a few amazing temples with stunning architecture such as Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho.

Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is a historic city that dates back to the 14th century and once the largest city in the world. Now, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site with an impressive collection of monasteries, palaces, and temples to explore. The one-of-a-kind ruins in the old city are certain to appeal to travellers on the Thailand travel packages interested in learning about the authentic history of this country. The city is easy to explore with a map and a hired bicycle for the day, or simply travelling by foot. It would be difficult to see all of the most interesting sites in a single day, but a few of the most popular include Wat Chaiwattaranaram, Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet.

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the favourite tourist destinations in Thailand with its friendly vibe, the monks on the streets, and the stunning scenery. This city is certain to appeal to travellers in search of the adventure based activities. Unique experience in the area includes the elephant sanctuaries, cooking classes, trekking in the mountains and zip-lining through the treetops. One of the ethical elephant sanctuaries is Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, which gives visitors the opportunity to experience jungle walks and bathing sessions with these magnificent creatures.

Beyond the wide-ranging activities, the actual town of Chiang Mai has a lot to see and do, including its mouth-watering street food scene, the Sunday night market with everything offered from clothing to handicrafts and souvenirs for family and friends at home, as well as a few stunning temples to visit.

Pai
Pai is a small town in northern Thailand that is approx 130 km from Chiang Mai. It is a wonderful place for the active people and nature lovers looking to get involved in trekking with the hill tribes. Also, there are Pai's waterfalls, an elephant camp, hot springs, and a nearby cave system.

Krabi
Krabi is located in the south of Thailand and one of the most relaxing parts of the country. A stay in the province of Krabi is certain to appeal to travellers on the Thailand customised tours that wish to include a little beach time of the travel itinerary. A must-visit beach for all holidaymakers in the region is Phra Nhang beach with its surrounding landscape of lush greenery and spectacular cliffs. The water is crystal-clear and the sand is soft and fine.

Also, Krabi is a famous destination in the country for its rock climbing, which gives the skilled climbs the opportunity to ascend the steep cliffs to get a wonderful view point at the top. Other great adventures in Krabi include exploring the local island. A long tail boat is easily hired for a small fee to visit a few of the nearby islands. Alternatively, a larger boat can be booked to visit the Phi Phi islands which are a major local attraction.

The Islands
The Thai islands are perfect to wind down the Thailand travel and should be left as the last thing on the itinerary. If the rest of time in Thailand has been an adventure-packed journey, a stay on one or more of the tropical islands is certain to bring your time in this part of SE Asia to a wonderful conclusion. But, picking the best tropical island in Thailand isn't the easiest, and things like the logistics to get there and time of the year should be considered.

A few of the top Thai islands to embrace the laid-back tropical lifestyle include:

Koh Lipe – a paradise island in the south of Thailand that is perfect for relaxing after a period of sightseeing, and best visited between the months of December and February. But, this island isn't the easiest to reach.

Koh Samui – a stay on Koh Samui is likely to appeal to the travellers in search of the resort-kind-of-holidays. It has gorgeous bays, sandy beaches and peaceful coves. This island is the third largest which makes it easy to reach with its own airport. Flights to the island take place daily and include flights direct from Bangkok. The preferred time to visit an island on the Gulf Coast like Koh Samui is the months of January, February, March and April.

Koh Lanta – a visit to Koh Lanta makes a wonderful finish to the Thailand travels with long stretches of sandy beaches, the massive Mu Ko Lanta National Park, and an interior of wild jungle scenery. This island is relatively easy to reach via bus/ferry from Krabi or Phuket. The best time to visit this island is between the months of November and March.

Bangkok
On the last day of the Thailand holiday it is time to fly back to Bangkok to catch the return flight home. If you arrive back in Bangkok with a little time to spare, you can visit one of the spectacular rooftop bars, do a bit of sightseeing, or spend some time shopping.