Working together to package their many charms for foreigners planning a vacation in Thailand, two fine hotels have announced a six day/five-night "City of Angels - Land of the Princess" special for families. This is a classy offer that combines 2N in bustling Bangkok at the high style, award-winning Sukhothai Bangkok, with 3N at the hip, happening beach at Krabi, the "new" Phuket. Add in two nights in Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam -- located in central Thailand and one of the country's most beautiful historic sites - and we think you've got a fantastic first look at Thailand.  

Let's start upscale with the "City of Angels" part of the deal, in Bangkok at the gorgeous Hotel Sukhothai. Families can expect a superior room with daily buffet breakfast, a candlelit Thai dinner at the award-winning Celadon restaurant; welcome fruit plate; international and local daily newspapers; Internet and Wi-Fi access in the guest room; limo transfers to and from Bangkok International Airport; plus discount coupons to shop at Siam Paragon, one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia, with access to the VIP Lounge at the Siam Paragon Platinum Club. The hotel's facilities include 25-meter outdoor infinity lap pool, squash court and floodlit tennis court if sightseeing becomes overwhelming. 

You can do Bangkok before or after the beach, but we say: Start in the big city, then relax. Families can chill following their Bangkok adventure with the "Land of the Princess" offer -- three nights on the stunning Phranang Peninsula on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park, in southern Thailand. There, they'll stay at Rayavadeee and enjoy 3N in a two-story Deluxe Pavilion, with breakfast, BBQ dinner for two at The Grotto, choice of a sunset cruise aboard the resort's Siamese Junk or a 60-minute Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage at The Rayavadee Spa, daily afternoon tea at Raya Lounge, use of non-motorized watersports equipment, daily tropical fruit basket, and transfers to and from Krabi International Airport. 

The "City of Angels - Land of the Princess" package starts at US$2,600 per room, double occupancy, with special rates depending on the age of kids traveling with you.  Service charges, government tax, international and domestic Thai airfare are not included, and rates are quoted on the current exchange rate of US$1=THB34. The package is valid for travel now through Oct. 31, 2009. To book, contact your travel agent, call the hotel at +66 2 344 8888 or send an e-mail to: reservations@sukhothai.com and note your every desire. 

Don't even think about skipping the edu-taining part of this vacation in the real Sukhothai. In addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sukhothai with its 21 restored temples and palaces; the region boasts the Si Satchanalai Historical Park, a less developed site with other Buddhist temples and remains of kilns used to fire the famous local pottery; and Ban Hat Siaw, where villagers weaving silk fabrics in their homes can be seen by visitors.  Surprisingly, even the Sukhothai Airport (and you'll want to fly in from Krabi or Bangkok) has educational exhibits, with a scale model of Kampuchea's Angkor Wat and a small organic rice farm on the premises to illustrate sustainable agriculture. 

A great base for exploring is the Sukhothai Heritage Hotel (+66 (0) 55647 567), which is offering a "Family Package" with discounted rates for travelers with kids. This architecturally classic hotel (pictured above) has 68 beautifully furnished rooms surrounded by gardens with lotus ponds, two pools, and several traditional pavilions for lounging and dining outdoors.   

Their current Family Package extends through November 2009.  Priced at Baht 4,949 (approximately US$144) and based on two adults and one child, the package includes two days and one night accommodation in a Deluxe room with breakfast and dinner, welcome drink on arrival, in-room fruit basket, and a tour of the property's organic farm, orchid farm and mini zoo. Each day of your stay, the hotel will prepare morning alms so guests may offer food to the local Buddhist monks (a Thai tradition). Families with older children will enjoy a shopping excursion to the local market with the hotel's chef, and an afternoon spent back at the property preparing the meal.   

For more information and to book this package, contact your travel agent and have them connect these two great offers, or visit each property's website and make it a D-Y-I introduction to one of our favorite countries.