midwifetraveler

Im traveling with my 18 yr old son the first 3 wks of July. Our main destination is Bali, but I get overly excited to see more . Please tell me if this is too much and where to cut. I have already been to Thailand, but my son wants to see it. We have traveled quite a bit to Central America, and I have been to Thailand and Nepal in 1994: Also I stayed in AU NANG,PRA NANG, KRABI, and KOH PHI PHI, and loved it all. Not sure whether or not to go back or try some place new. I plan on getting a discovery pass .and flying in and out of each city. We also need budget digs so open to suggestions. We might splurge a few times. I was already in Chang Mai and didnt fall in love with it. Did A trek to a hill tribe/homestay etc. But it seems we can get a lot of that in LP. We are both very active. THANKS for any suggestions.


UBUD, BALI 10 full days (perhaps 2 in LOMBAK)- take day trips. We have a friend who owns a yoga studio there.
Bangkok day 11,12
Siem Reap days 13,14,15
Luang Praban days 16,17,18, 19
Beach in Thailand days 20, 21,22
Bangkok TO NYC day 23.

Kathie

I'm not so sure about your day count... Don't forget it takes time to get from place to place - at least half a day, sometimes most of a day.

I'd spend all 10 days on Bali and skip Lombok this trip. You might want to choose two locations on Bali, one on a beach, one inland, near Ubud.

Flying from Bali to Bangkok will take up much of a day (think of from check-out at one hotel until check in at the next). So you will have maybe one day in Bangkok - not enough time for even a taste of that amazing city.

You list three days in Siem Reap, but it takes 4 nights to get three full days, so again, an issue with travel time. Three days is a minimum for Siem Reap. Likewise for Luang Prabang.

Do you really need another beach location after your time in Bali? Why not stay part of your time at a beach, part near Ubud? In July, you will want a beach location on the Gulf of Thailand, as the Andaman Sea side will be quite rainy and rough.

I ask because I think you need to cut something. Cutting the Thai beach would give you a day to add to Bangkok, to Siem Reap and to Luang Prabang.

Even cutting the Thai beach, this is a busy itinerary.

midwifetraveler

good suggestions. So I will cut out the beach time in Thailand, and realized i can probably fly from Bali to Siem Reap there by adding an extra day to to ,SR(4 days) and LP.(5 nights)and end with 3 nights in Bangkok. Does that sound better? what beach do you suggest in Bali-prefer something not so touristy if possible. Is it still too hectic. ? thanks. Also any experience with Tiger Trek tours in LP or tamarind cooking class?

Kathie

That does sound better. There are no non-stop flights from Bali to Siem Reap, but you can make it work by changing planes in Bangkok or KL.

In Bali, my preferred beach is Sanur. Avoid Kuta (full of drunken Aussie adolescents) and Nusa Dua (a sterile tourist ghetto).

I don't know Tiger trek tours, but avoid any place that has a captive tiger. I've heard good reviews of a number of cooking classes in LP.

It's a busy schedule, but do-able.

midwifetraveler

great kathy, thanks so much for your help. Dont think Tiger tours has anything to do with tigers.. lastly . do you have a hotel in Bangkok to recommend or at least what part of the city I should be looking in?. Is the floating market worth it (i missed it last time).

Kathie

I love staying along the river in Bangkok. A number of excellent options there. Consider places like Chatrium, Anatara Riverside, Sheraton Royal Orchid. There is also the Hilton Millennium as well as the more expensive Peninsula Hotel and the Oriental.

I haven't been to the floating market in 30 years. I thought it was a tourist trap then! But some people love it.

marmot

All of Bali's southern beaches are touristed to a certain extent, but they're a lot of fun and July is big wave season. I'd concentrate on the north end of Seminyak toward Petitenget.

For a splurge, look at The Colony in Petitenget. Otherwise, there are quite a few moderate/budget choices in the area. Just avoid anything on Sunset Road.

I would note, however, that Bali's beaches and ocean are very different from Thailand's, so if you're envisioning white sand and calm blue water you might want to reconsider.

Are you staying with your friend in Ubud, or do you need a place to stay there too? I'd suggest spending some time outside of the town itself, in the country side. If you can jiggle your daes a bit, July 15 is that beginning of a big holiday in Bali and there will be many temple festivals. By the way, there are several good cooking classes in Bali as well.

progol

A more budget recommendation for a hotel in Bangkok is the Centre Point Silom; very near the river (can see it from some of the rooms), but great location, spacious rooms and huge buffet breakfast.

thursdaysd

If you are looking for a budget hotel on the river, try the Ibis.

dgunbug

Another vote for central point silom. We stayed there - nice room, great location and great breakfasts.

midwifetraveler

thanks everyone. Yes I know the beaches in Bali are different than Thailand, that's why originally i had reserved a few days in the Krabi area. So now Im back to wondering if I should do that. I think I will not make a beach plan In Bali for now, I just want us to have lots of unscheduled time, since the second half of the trip will be a lot more movement from place to place. Since I have been to thailand, I wanted to see both Siem Reap and LP. we know someone who will put us up in his daughter in law's hotel in Krabi for 1-2 nights but if the weather is bad than there is no point. Will it be super hot in Lao/Cambodia? I was in Israel in August a few year ago and we fried! When I purchase the Discovery pass, do I have to commit to the days? and Lastly, I have book an airbnb a bike ride outside of Ubud Center called LIYER"S HOUSE. does anyone know it? thanks.

marmot

Your son would most likely enjoy a couple of days on Seminyak beach in Bali. It's a different type of ocean experience from Thailand but beautiful and energizing in its own way.

I've never been to Liyer's hotel but Liyer himself is very well known in Bali as the Eat Pray Love healer. The resort seems to offer a lot in the way of wellness/spa activities. Pengosekan is on the southern outskirts of Ubud proper, I'd say like a suburb. It's a pleasant area with a lot of traditional arts and crafts and performing arts, but doesn't have the dramatic river valley vistas that you get toward the north and west.

Kathie

It will be hot in Siem Reap and Luang Prabang, average high July are around 90F.