A new ecoresort is pioneering the farm-to-table concept in Thailand. Two hours north of Phuket, at the edge of one of the world’s oldest rain forests, Thanyamundra has just nine butler-serviced rooms and suites. Its small scale means guests can join farm director Pierre Larigaldie on tours of the nearly 30-acre organic plot where he grows red snake beans, Thai basil, white eggplant, mangoes, papayas, and bananas. Still want more? If you like, you can work alongside the farm team or take cooking lessons to learn to prepare, say, tom yum koong (hot and sour soup) or kaeng kheow wan kai wan (green curry chicken). Thanyamundra. From $450. 66/76-336-000. This appeared in the May/June 2012 issue. Photo courtesy of Thanyamundra.

Hands Up Holidays specializes in combining work and play. Its nine-day Taste of Thailand in Style trip begins with an overnight cruise from Bankok to Authaya, with tours of both cities. Three days are spent volunteering at an orphanage in Phang Nga, which is home to children who lost their families to the 2004 tsunami. Volunteers help with basic repairs, garden, and spend time with the children. Afterwards, the tour continues to a beach resort with access to great diving and snorkeling. From $3,900, (201) 984-5372, handsupholidays.com. Photo courtesy of Hands Up Holidays.