Melissa

I am planning a surprise trip for my husbands 40th birthday and this is my plan... 2-3 days Hong Kong, followed by 2-3 days Bankong and this is where I need advise I am looking for some kind of island resort for 4-5 days and then on to singapore for 1-2 days then home. What do you think.

Kathie

It sounds like a lot of places for two weeks! All of those are lovely places, but remember that every time you change location, you effectively lose a day. I'd cut one location.

charsiew

if you're looking for island resort, u must visit bali (indonesia), other resorts include phuket or samui (thailand), which you go to from bangkok. if u like history, go to angkor wat or yangon (burma).

lcuy

I'd suggest either Hong kong OR Singapore, then Bangkok and either Samui or Phuket Island, Thailand. Otherwise you will spend all you time in airports or in taxis heading for the airport.<BR>If you enter Phuket or samui in the text search box above, you'll see why people like them.

Les

Melissa,<BR>I'd skip Singapore this trip and add a day each to HK and Bangkok.<BR>Also, since you specify an island resort, can I assume that you're looking for a nice beach? If so, skip Bali (inland is beautiful, but the beaches suck), and go with one of lcuy's suggestions above.

bob

i agree skip singapore...HK and bangkok require at least 5 days each...try going south from BKK to hua hin...4 hours by train or 3.5 hours by car...laid back sea side resort area....marriott, sofitel and hyatt (new) have places there....i'm staying at the marriott in november...may i suggest the marriott resort and spa in bangkok or the peninsula---marriott has the best pool area and you will need it after the heat, but penn is absolute luxuary at a reasonable price---under $200 for a great room---all look out on the water<BR><BR>remember it is very, very hot in SE asia so you cannot run around like you do in europe and see 10 thins in 4 hours---try 2 mornings and 2 afternoons with lots of a/c in between<BR><BR>ps:<BR><BR> we like the shopping more in bkk than in hk<BR><BR>have a great time---we spent our 50th birthdays (born 6 days apart) in asia a few years ago...<BR><BR>the hotel in seoul brought a birthday cake to our room from my wife....without asking for it

cindy

Phuket has lots of live but it's a very commercialised island. If you prefer a more laid back island (it would be a nice contrast after your Hong Kong trip), try Krabi (Thailand). Nothing really much to do there but that's the whole idea if you want a variety of experience in Asia. Koh Samui and Bali are fabulous too.

Michael From New York

Remember that Singapore is only 70 Km from the equator so it will be hot any time of the year. Bangkok will also be hot.<BR><BR>I have been to all three cities. In fact, I am returning to Hong Kong , and will pass through Bangkok again as I am returning to Phuket in November. <BR><BR>May I suggest that you skip Singapore...and add those extra days to the beach. Hong Kong and Singapore are both modern cities with very fine infrastructures - every thing works, phones, electric, airconditioning, mass transit. In fact they are very similar except that Singapore doesnt have the mountains and big hills that are found in Hong Kong. <BR><BR>But you will find that in Bangkok and Singapore, you can only do your touring and sightseeing in the morning...the afternoons are simply too hot.<BR><BR>So skip Singapore...as it has less cultural diversity than does Bangkok. Singapore has a greater variety of people: Chinese, Malays, Indians, and so forth than does BKK, but BKK is older and has more to see.<BR><BR>Your flight from Bangkok to Phuket is just an hour. You will be able to have breakfast in bankok and have lunch in Phuket...<BR><BR>Michael From New York<BR>

Gordon

Skip Singapore, no! It was my favorite. So modern, efficent GREEN, clean, polite, friendly.<BR><BR>It does not have the rough edges of the other cities in Asia, but I say stop in Singapore for a relaxing diversion from the places with the hard rough edges.

Les

Gordon,<BR>I thought that the places with the "hard rough edges" were supposed to be the diversion. Singapore might be considered a decompression stop, but the original poster already includes some kind of island resort for that purpose, and given the time allotted, HK and BKK are by far the more interesting cities.<BR>And, yes, I also like Singapore.

Roberta

Have been to Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and China many times. Highly recommend you focus on Thailand more as it has so much to offer in beauty, great hotels, great sites and great prices. Spend only 2-3 days in BKK. Fly to Chiang Rai in the north where the real Thailand is for 2-3 days then to Chiang Mai for 3 days. Many day trips out of CM depending on your interests. CM also best place to shop in Thailand.<BR>Then fly direct to Phuket to one of their great resorts for 2-3 days. Can advise you more on where to stay and how to get there. Are you on East coast or West coast?