An isolated, self-sufficient community called ‘Coconut Island’ until tourists began arriving in the early 1990s, Ko Samui is today the second most popular island destination in Thailand (after Phuket). You’ll find a plethora of white-sand beaches, dazzling coral reefs and unspoiled rainforest dotted with waterfalls. At a picturesque plantation, learn how locals use monkeys to pick ripe coconuts from towering trees. See the Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple), a striking, 49-foot-tall gleaming gold statue that’s beautifully silhouetted against an azure sky and sea. Dine on simply prepared yet incredibly tasty cuisine with a cold, coconut cocktail, lost in Thailand’s bright-blue bliss.