The Daily Courier

Tour Thailand in a tall ship

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Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world, drawing millions of tourists each year — and for good reason. The pristine beaches, year-round sunshine, friendly locals and, of course, the beloved Thai cuisine make it the perfect place to escape the stresses of life.

The country’s popularity, which can translate to bustling cities and crowded resorts on the mainland, is why the more discerning traveler is opting for a hidden gem, known as Phuket. This remote island in Southern Thailand offers a different Thailand experience, where the focus is on the experience.

Star Clippers offers four unique, sevenday sailing adventures in Southeast Asia aboard the 170-passenger Star Clipper, all with Phuket as its home base. The Northern Phuket and Southern Phuket sailings explore the islands of Southern Thailand, while the Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand itinerary begins or ends in vibrant Singapore and features ports of call in Malaysia.

Sailing in the waters around Phuket aboard a majestic tall ship is the ideal way to rekindle the romance, discard the stresses and discover the magic of one of the world’s paradises.

Escape the Hustle and Bustle: Many travelers don’t realize that in addition to the popular (and sometimes crowded) mainland, Thailand is comprised of hundreds of tiny islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, where crowds are few and life moves along at a leisurely pace. Guests on the Star Clipper visit some of the most secluded of these islands, including Ko Surin, a national park, that comprises five islands near the Myanmar border, and Ko Adong, an important nesting area for sea turtles. The Star Clipper’s small ship scale allows it to visit ports and bays inaccessib­le to the larger cruise ships — which means you are not competing with their thousands of passengers.

Get the Long View: The topography of Southern Thailand is like nowhere else, with its sheer limestone crags, lush rain forests and crystal clear blue water — making for a paradisiac­al setting. What better place to enjoy the view (and get a few photos) than from the deck of a tall ship as it sails through these picturesqu­e island chains? Guests are welcome (and encouraged) to climb the 75 feet to the top of the ship’s crow’s nest for an unforgetta­ble vista.

Dive In: Divers and snorkelers love Thailand, especially the waters around the Similan Islands, known for offering some of the best diving experience­s in the world. With water clear enough to see nearly 100 feet down, the underwater panoramas here are worthy of the hype. A certified dive master on board the Star Clipper means guests can choose from diving or snorkeling adventures here.

When you experience a Star Clippers authentic Tall ship, it’ll be an unforgetta­ble unique adventure, so book your trip now and save on buy one get one free offer, roundtrip from Phuket, 7-night sailings on December 9 and December 16, 2017 BOGO fares starting from $780CAD.

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