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Best Asian destination with 10 days to travel from NY

Best Asian destination with 10 days to travel from NY

Old Feb 6th, 2007, 10:51 AM
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Best Asian destination with 10 days to travel from NY

I recently posted a question about a 10 day intinerary for India. My husband and I would like to take a trip around this time next year. I prefer more "exotic" and "unique" destinations than he does (I've been to much of Thailand, Vietnam, Beijing already before we met). I'm beginning to think that India might not be the ideal vacation for a 10 day break. I would greatly appreciate suggestions/itineraries for a 10 day vacation in Asia that might cater to a couple like us (i.e. one half being adventurous and loving culture shock and the other half not as much). We will be traveling from NY so cutting down on the travel time as much as possible would be great. I would also be open to other destinations outside of Asia (such as Europe). Thanks!
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 11:29 AM
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Does your 10 days include travel time?
Do you prefer urban, rural or a combination?
My first non-European trip was to Hong Kong - I spent a week there. You could spend 10 days in Turkey which is considered partly European and partly Asian (with a little middle east as well). Bangkok, a favorite with many on this board, has a much better tourist infrastructure than India and also offers a lot of the culture shock factor you are looking for. All of these destinations can be reached directly from NYC. Plan on using the better part of two days for travel time to Asia.
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 11:35 AM
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I do think you are wise not to try India for a mere 10 days. Craig's suggestions of Hong Kong (with a side trip to Macau) or Bangkok (with a side trip) are excellent ones. Both destinations can be reached with a non-stop flight from NYC. Both have a combination of exotic, more adventuresome travel along with excellent infrastructure for tavleres (nice hotels, great dining, etc.) Bali is another option, but you'll have to change planes in Singapore. That would give you a chance for a brief introduction to Singapore.
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 11:52 AM
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Bali and Singapore. Happy Travels!
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 12:21 PM
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Phillipines- it does not get much press on this forum but it offers a lot and not a lot for your money! Great beaches (Palawan) and Manila is interesting as well. Great location for pearls!
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 01:00 PM
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What about Myanmar, ...Bagan, or Laos..Luan Praban? You should beable to find some nice tours to either of those locations.

Me...I keep on reading about more places to visit and keep trying to extend my trip. At first it was going to be a 10-12 day trip..then 2 weeks...then 18 days. Now it's 23 days, including flights to and from Bangkok....and I want to add more places to visit and take an even longer vacation! Unfortunately, my budget and vacation allowance don't permit

Still, I am looking at doing either Luan Prabang, OR Bagan....sigh...

Mark-
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 03:55 PM
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Since you've seen quite a bit of S.E. Asia, I agree that Bai would be perfect. The infrastructure for tourism should comfort your husband, and for you, it is entirely different from anywhere you mentioned you've been. I call it heaven on earth.
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 05:03 PM
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i think bali might be a fantastic trip for you and 10 days is perfect for that island...you could even have a couple of days on near-by lombok as well...kathie can speak to you about that if you have interest...

2-3 days in singapore is also a nice stop and the boss would like that...nothing adventuresome about it...
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 05:04 PM
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i still think india would be fun, but it might put him over the edge....
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 06:00 PM
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10 days in India may not be enough time for your husband to adapt to the culture shock.
As much as I adore Bali I am not sure that Jan./Feb. would be the right time of year for weather.

I have to drag my husband out of his comfort zone, but after recently returning from 5 weeks in SEA, he really enjoyed Laos and Cambodia.

Depending on your political views Burma is amazing and would also be good for 10 days.

You have lots of great options.
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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 11:45 PM
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Hi there,

Bali would be good - nice and easy.

Turkey would be fabulous, and also easy.

Greece is EU but still a little different - and easy.

How about the Baltic States, or Russia?

But what's wrong with Africa?

I'm not going to suggest Mali or Ghana - wonderful as both are - too much effort to get there for 10 days. But what about Egypt, or Kenya?

I note that you put quotes around "exotic" and "unique" - and of course you are using the wofsourcis interesting. I mean everywhere is unique - even the USA. Never mind the UK or Australia, or NZ, or Canada, etc. etc. Do you mean, perhaps, somewhere where English is not spoken?

Spain is certainly unique - but is it exotic?

What is it that you like to do in these exotic and unique places?





And "exotic" - what's "exotic" - and do you mean


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Old Feb 6th, 2007, 11:48 PM
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Hi there,

Bali would be good - nice and easy.

Turkey would be fabulous, and also easy.

Greece is EU but still a little different - and easy.

How about the Baltic States, or Russia?

But what's wrong with Africa?

I'm not going to suggest Mali or Ghana - wonderful as both are - too much effort to get there for 10 days. But what about Egypt, or Kenya?

I note that you put quotes around "exotic" and "unique" - and of course you are using the words as shorthand. I mean everywhere is unique - even the USA. Never mind the UK or Australia, or NZ, or Canada, etc. etc. Do you mean, perhaps, somewhere where English is not spoken?

Spain is certainly unique - but is it exotic?

What is it that you like to do in these exotic and unique places?

Apologies if this is a second post - too easy to hit that button by mistake.

But what is it that makes one place exotic and unique, and another not?

It's an interesting question, yes?


es flogies



And "exotic" - what's "exotic" - and do you mean


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Old Feb 7th, 2007, 05:29 AM
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Hi

What about Malaysia? KL is pretty modern and won't be that much of a culture shock. And you can also visit some nice islands if you want to check out the beach. My wife and I went there last year and went to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Perhentian. You can check out my trip report with pictures and links on http://gardkarlsen.com/malaysia_kuala_lumpur.htm . Get in touch if you have any questions or comments

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
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Old Feb 7th, 2007, 06:02 AM
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In addition to the places named above, I would second the vote for Bali but with two caveats:
1. I don't know how comfortable your husband would be going to a country where the State dept has issued a travel warning.
2. Whether you fly through Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong or Tokyo, you will need to set aside a minimum of 24-28 hours travel time each way.
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Old Feb 7th, 2007, 06:40 AM
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I would suggest St. Petersburg and Moscow. Spend more time in St. Petes. There is a whole lot of culture shock but it is still a great trip and things are not to expensive. You an also visit some of the smaller towns around Moscow which have a lot of history and are not as western and corrupt as the capital. One suggestion is learn the cyrillic. alphabet (no need to learn the language unless you have time) because there is still a lack of english characters in many places. There are endless things to do:

Russian banas (baths)
circus
ballet
old castles
great art
amazing food
beautiful but hectic subway stations
fascinating people
architecture

the list goes on
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Old Feb 8th, 2007, 06:29 AM
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If you consider Malaysia and are really in to snorkeling and/diving I suggest the Redng Islands over the Perentians. It is less than a 1 hour non-stop flight on Berjaja Air (spelling ?) (~$150) vs. hours to Prehentians and having been to both last May they are comparable in underwater pleasures. Also, comfort on Redang is far superior at the 3 resorts, not the cottage places. They have A/C. The season in both Island chains is March to Aug. Ideally April and May, would be my vote. But you really need 4 nights/3 full days to justify trip to Redangs and 1 nore day if you go to Prehentians for it takes 6-8 hrs. from KL (which is worth 3 full days with one 1 10 hour day to Cammeron Highlands, 1 day around KL attractions and a day shopping or more sightseeing.A hotel suggestion inKL is the Sheraton-Luxury Collection at $160+/- through internet i.e. asiahotels.com or sawadee.com.
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Old Feb 8th, 2007, 06:35 AM
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Correction on Sheraton Imperial in KL. The rate is $125 with tax for a high floor deluxe room vs. $40+/- more at Mandarian. I would avoid the Ritz. We found it shop-worn on our last trip a year ago.
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Old Feb 8th, 2007, 01:47 PM
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A wonderful and unique destination is Peru. From NY, it's not that far (8-11 hours, depending on routing) and Machu Picchu is truly a spectacular sight (the most in my opinion). To really make it unique, add a few nights on in the Amazon Basin. We spent a few nights in the Amazon just over the border in Bolivia and it was fantastic.
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