If you want to see and learn more about the rich history of the former kingdom of Ayutthaya on a relaxed but fun day tour, our guide will be happy to lead you around the most beautiful temple ruins of Ayutthaya and the extraordinary monkey temple of Lopburi.

Your journey through Thailand's past begins at your Bangkok hotel when you are picked up by our guide. Ayutthaya is just under two hours' drive from the Thai capital.

AYUTTHAYA

Ayutthaya was a prosperous kingdom of its own for hundreds of years, until the Burmese largely destroyed it in the mid-18th century. Fortunately, the ruins of temples and palaces still show the grandeur of Ayutthaya.

Wat Phu Khao Thong is the first temple we visit. Located in a swamp area outside ancient Ayutthaya, it could only be reached by boat in the 14th century. The temple has an eventful history in which parts were destroyed in wars and new temple buildings were added. The monastery, however, is as old as the temple and still in use. The most notable structure is the robust 50-metre-high stupa that gave the temple the name The Monastery of the Golden Mount.

After this, we head to the heart of the former kingdom. Three hefty stupas are the main reminders of what was once Ayutthaya's proudest hub. Here stood a palace and a temple, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, reserved for members of the royal entourage. Before lunch, we also visit the nearly 13-metre-high bronze Buddha of the Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. It is believed to have been built as early as the 15th century. It survived war and lightning strikes.

LOPBURI

After lunch, we drive in about an hour to Lopburi, one of the oldest settlements in this area. The city was part of the Khmer Empire and used to be the capital of the kingdom of Ayutthaya.

The 13th-century Phra Prang Sam Yod Temple (a reminder of Khmer times), attracts attention not only because of its three towers dedicated to gods, but possibly even more so because of the plentiful presence of macaques. The monkeys live wild in the temple and in the streets around it. Tip: leave valuables in the minivan so a cheeky monkey can't steal them.

After visiting Lopburi, we will drive back to your hotel in Bangkok.