Ret2Go

I wanted to start researching a trip to Asia for next autumn. My partner does not trust himself or us to be able to get around on our own, language barriers and signage issues. He says he would go but only with an organized tour. We've seen Gate1 in Peru and know they're everywhere. I'd like to see Angkor wat, Singapore, Hong Kong, maybe Ha Long Bay, maybe Shanghai too.
Would anyone have any recommendations?

Kathie

My recommendation is NOT to use a group. If you can travel on your own in Europe, you can travel on your own in all of the places you mention. Language barriers? one of the two official languages in Singapore is English. Likewise in Hong Kong. If you go to Angkor, your hotel can arrange an English-speaking driver (and guide, if you'd like). In Thailand and Bali almost everyone you have contact with will speak English.

Start by deciding exactly where you want to go. You've listed five countries in your post - really too many for one trip. Focus on the things you most want to do/see/experience. The beginner's error is to try to cram in too much.

If your partner demands hand-holding, then have a local agent arrange a private tour for you. It is inexpensive to hire a car and driver and guide. In fact, you'll pay less for a custom private tour through a local agency than you would for a group tour from companies like Gate 1. And you will get to of, do and see exactly what you want, stay in well-located hotels you like, no hours spent on buses or waiting for people who are always late to 5 am wake-up calls to get on a bus by 7.

Once you know which of these places you want to visit first, come back and ask some specific questions.

I'd leave China for another trip. But Cambodia can easily be combined with VN and even a stopover in Hong Kong if you have the time. I like combining Singapore with Indonesia (Bali).

The easiest, most tourist-friendly, best infrastructure destinations in SE Asia are Thailand and Bali. Hong Kong and Singapore are fascinating modern cities and area quite expensive in comparison to the rest of SE Asia.

Ret2Go

@Kathie I'm with you on this. We lived in Europe for a few years and managed to get to a bunch of places with a Rick Steves guide and some research online. I will try my hardest to convince my partner that we can do this on our own....AND save money, he'll like that part the best.

We're not beach people, so Bali won't be high on our list. Bangkok would be terrific to see, Singapore mostly because we could end up there for his work at some point, I'd love to see Hong Kong and Angkor. I see your point about China. Maybe tack on a trip to VN at that time too?

Kathie

How much time do you have for this trip? That will determine how many stops you can make without spending too much go your time in transit. And what are your priorities for this trip? Angkor, it sounds like, and where else? Angkor combines well with Thailand or Singapore depending on how much time you have.

BTW, I don't consider Bali a beach destination, I consider it a cultural destination. Yes, it is an island and has beaches, but if you choose to visit you might well spend much of your time near the cultural center of Bali, Ubud and little or no time at beaches.

JPDeM

Agree with the above, Bali is not a beach destination and the beaches are ok but not clean (when I was there in any case).
Asia is huge and do not underestimate the travel time between these places, it is a big factor.
I have been to all these places and language will not be an issue at all.
Pay attention to the visa requirements though.

silverwool

I agree, booking a tour is unnecessary in your favoured spots. China is harder than the others if you get off the beaten track but Cambodia and Thailand are very easy and the language barrier is very low. If you are doing Thailand plus Angkor I'd recommend flying from Bangkok to Siem Reap instead of trying to save money by going by bus. Its only a 45 minute (or thereabouts) flight. Also you'll need at least three days to see the major temples.

There are lot of good guesthouses in Siem Reap for less than $50 a night for the two of you so it need not be an expensive side trip from Thailand. Make sure that you stay in town as its nice to be able to walk around at night. That sort of money will get you aircon, a pool, free wifi and your own facilities. Do a search on Agoda or similar.

Finally most signs will be in English as well as the local language so no worries on that score.

Ret2Go

This is all great information! So thankful! I had a short chat with my partner yesterday while waiting for a flight from DEN to LAhome). Said what you've been saying about going it alone instead of with a travel company. He's still a little concerned that should we choose to go to China like Beijing, Shanghai, and maybe another town that is where we'd run into trouble.

We've blown a huge amount of time on the trip this summer to Italy, his 50th, we're there for 14 days. I think we'll probably looking for 10-ish days for the Asia trip. What could we do in that amount of time?

thursdaysd

You would be much better off in China without a guide - lots of threads here on that topic! And the big east coast cities should give you no problems. However, probably better to start out in SEA before tackling China, loads to see, plus Beijing et al have developed pollution problems.

Kathie

If you have 10 days, then choose just two locations, e.g., Bangkok and Siem Reap Cambodia or Hong Kong and Hanoi/Halong Bay for 10 days on the ground.

Save China for another trip.

Ret2Go

@thursdaysd, what is SEA? Seattle? We also heard about all the pollution problems. Guess we'd have to wear those fun surgical mask!

@Kathie, thanks! I'm leaning towards the south too. What could we do with Singapore? Reason being a lot of the work my partner does has offices in Singapore and we may move there if the Mouse changes gears.
What kind of itinerary could you put together to help me figure out things?

thursdaysd

SEA = South East Asia - i.e. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar. I suppose you might include Indonesia.

You really need to pick up some guidebooks (try the library or hang out in Barnes and Noble until you figure out which ones you like). They will have lists of the major sights and you can pick the ones the interest YOU. I usually start with the ones with lots of pictures, and then use Lonely Planet or Rough Guide for logistics.

Ret2Go

@thursdaysd, - got it! Thanks!

Kathie

With Singapore, I'd visit Indonesia. I know you don't want beaches, but you could spend a week in Ubud (Bali) taking in the culture. Or, if you are more adventuresome, consider Java. I have a trip report from a few years ago: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...n-to-jogja.cfm

You could also combine Singapore with places a bit farther away. For instance, Silk Air has flights from Singapore to Siem Reap, Cambodia, so you could combine those two.

Kathie

Or what about a location in Malaysia? I'm not fond of Kuala Lumpur, but I love Penang. Georgetown, Penang is a fascinating historical area with some of the best food in SE Asia. And we loved staying at the E&O right in Georgetown.

A bit more off the beaten track would be Sabah and Sarawak, provinces of Malaysia located on the island of Borneo.

Ret2Go

@Kathie - This is certainly helping me! Thank you! I'll check out your trip link too! RE: beaches, my partner has had a few basal cell issues, so no more hard sun exposures.

What would you lump together with Hong Kong?

Anything with Seoul?

I can see we'll be making a few trips out to the East with these great suggestions.

I'm just trying to figure out what's doable in the 10 days.