Honeymoon Ideas for July 2012
Jul 12th, 2011, 07:52 PM
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Honeymoon Ideas for July 2012
Hi! I'm starting to plan my honeymoon for next year. Looking to spend ~2 wks and want to go someplace in the south pacific, asia or middle east we otherwise wouldn't have time for during a normal vacation. We've been to HK, but haven't been to any other places in those areas. I'm planning to us FF points so flying from US to another big city will help give me more options (Sydney, Dubai, Singapore, etc.). I originally had my heart set on NZ, but am now back to the drawing board because it might be too cold in July. I'm looking for a destination or mix of destinations that will let us spend 4-5 days at a nice beach resort and then the rest of the trip exploring cities and natural/cultural attractions.
Here are a few places that appealed to me after browsing around.
Australia (Sydney, resort in northern GBR and then tasmania or red center)
Malaysia (east coast beaches, KL, penang, george town, maybe singapore)
Dubai or Singapore and then Maldives or Seychelles
Dubai and Oman
I'd like to do something different than Bali or Thailand/Phuket.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Here are a few places that appealed to me after browsing around.
Australia (Sydney, resort in northern GBR and then tasmania or red center)
Malaysia (east coast beaches, KL, penang, george town, maybe singapore)
Dubai or Singapore and then Maldives or Seychelles
Dubai and Oman
I'd like to do something different than Bali or Thailand/Phuket.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Jul 13th, 2011, 12:23 AM
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Some thoughts and observations:
1. Take a look at the average temps in Dubai and Oman in July. Good God. It could easily be over 100F every day and over 110F would not be unusual. Add fairly high humidity on top of that and you may not enjoy it very much. I personally find Dubai dull, dull, dull and firmly on the beaten tourist track for people who like their Middle East served up with a side of Dunkin’ Donuts and Toys R’ Us with horrible traffic thrown in for good measure. (And rip tides on Dubai beaches.) Oman would offer more of a contrast and an “authentic” experience, but July temps would discourage me. The winter months are far better there. (And to go all the way to that area and not go to Jordan – i.e. Petra, seems like a waste.)
2. The Maldives are absolutely lovely, sublime really, but can be quite rainy in July. Take a look at weather websites to make sure you are OK with this possibility. I have to say that even the thunderstorms are magnificent, as the huge black clouds boil up across the horizon; but 5-6 hours of rain a day may not be your idea of a vacation. Also, given your interests, it is hard for me to say whether nothing but beach and water sports would fit them. There is no shopping, museums, cities, nightlife or cultural events available in the Maldives. You will eat all your meals on your resort island, unless there is another resort nearby where you can go for a change. It can be great if you want the Robinson Crusoe thing, but it is not for everyone (I personally could take a bag a books or a Kindle and stay almost indefinitely….) While combining the Maldives with Singapore is certainly doable in terms of flights to or from Singapore and the Maldives, bear in mind that you are looking at one <i>very</i> loooong flight to or from the Maldives and NYC to sit on a (possibly rainy) beach. This is probably not worth it for only 4-5 days in the Maldives. Esp if you have to overnight at the airport hotel to connect to/from your resort island and your international flight. 7-8 days is better. If you only want beach for 4-5 days, stick with Malaysia or beaches closer to Singapore. I have not been to the Seychelles but they will have the same logistics issues, and I believe the same weather issues in July.
3. Bear in mind that Australia is also in winter mode in July, take a look at temps for Sydney. It is a great town and all of Australia is interesting, but sitting on a beach may not be possible. Queensland is better, but you could have the occasionally nippy day there, too.
4. Malaysia is an interesting choice and a good one, I would go to east coast beaches as you mention, as weather is perfect. Georgetown/Penang and KL are on the west coast, I would pick one only, and for me it would Georgetown/Penang over KL. But if you have to fly into KL then 1.5 days there is fine. Otherwise, I would pick Singapore over KL by a wide margin. You can then drive up the lovely east coast from S’pore stopping at beach locations, and then over the hump to Georgetown (possibly stopping overnight at Tama Negara park). You can either fly back home of out KL, or if you have to depart from Singapore, you can either drive or hop a scenic train from Georgetown (or fly on Air Asia from KL or Georgetown) . Don’t forget about Malaysian Borneo which offers a lot of outdoor activities too. You will be spoiled for choice in July in Malaysia really. If you dive, in addition to the great diving off the east coast of the mainland, consider Sipidan off of Borneo (or consider getting your PADI qualification prior to the trip).
5. I am a big fan of Singapore, and it’s a good add-on to many places like Malaysia, Ankor Wat or Laos. Its an air hub so easy to get to many places. Also ideal for driving to Malaysia (although I would cross the causeway and rent in Johor Bahru Malaysia as this will be cheaper and should save some drop off charges if you only want to rent one-way). While a car (and driving generally) are generally not a great idea in most of SE Asia, Malaysia is one of the few places where IMO this is easily and safely done (have to get use to driving on the other side of the road, but you would have to do that in NZ or Australia too.)
6. You don’t mention Thailand at all (other than Phuket). If you have not been there Bangkok is a very good place to go for city/culture, and you can then go to beaches like Hua Hin from there or go north to hill country. Lots of options like adding on Ankor Wat or parts of Laos and perhaps beaches in either rather than in Thailand. There are no non-stops from NYC as far as I know, so perhaps you have ruled it out for that reason, although you can do connections to/from Hong Kong pretty easily.
Good thing you don’t want Phuket, as it rains a lot in July there. I would not pick it in that month. The east coast/Gulf of Thailand side is in the good weather then.
NZ by the way is really really lovely. It is winter there, but you could do winter sports which might be interesting.
1. Take a look at the average temps in Dubai and Oman in July. Good God. It could easily be over 100F every day and over 110F would not be unusual. Add fairly high humidity on top of that and you may not enjoy it very much. I personally find Dubai dull, dull, dull and firmly on the beaten tourist track for people who like their Middle East served up with a side of Dunkin’ Donuts and Toys R’ Us with horrible traffic thrown in for good measure. (And rip tides on Dubai beaches.) Oman would offer more of a contrast and an “authentic” experience, but July temps would discourage me. The winter months are far better there. (And to go all the way to that area and not go to Jordan – i.e. Petra, seems like a waste.)
2. The Maldives are absolutely lovely, sublime really, but can be quite rainy in July. Take a look at weather websites to make sure you are OK with this possibility. I have to say that even the thunderstorms are magnificent, as the huge black clouds boil up across the horizon; but 5-6 hours of rain a day may not be your idea of a vacation. Also, given your interests, it is hard for me to say whether nothing but beach and water sports would fit them. There is no shopping, museums, cities, nightlife or cultural events available in the Maldives. You will eat all your meals on your resort island, unless there is another resort nearby where you can go for a change. It can be great if you want the Robinson Crusoe thing, but it is not for everyone (I personally could take a bag a books or a Kindle and stay almost indefinitely….) While combining the Maldives with Singapore is certainly doable in terms of flights to or from Singapore and the Maldives, bear in mind that you are looking at one <i>very</i> loooong flight to or from the Maldives and NYC to sit on a (possibly rainy) beach. This is probably not worth it for only 4-5 days in the Maldives. Esp if you have to overnight at the airport hotel to connect to/from your resort island and your international flight. 7-8 days is better. If you only want beach for 4-5 days, stick with Malaysia or beaches closer to Singapore. I have not been to the Seychelles but they will have the same logistics issues, and I believe the same weather issues in July.
3. Bear in mind that Australia is also in winter mode in July, take a look at temps for Sydney. It is a great town and all of Australia is interesting, but sitting on a beach may not be possible. Queensland is better, but you could have the occasionally nippy day there, too.
4. Malaysia is an interesting choice and a good one, I would go to east coast beaches as you mention, as weather is perfect. Georgetown/Penang and KL are on the west coast, I would pick one only, and for me it would Georgetown/Penang over KL. But if you have to fly into KL then 1.5 days there is fine. Otherwise, I would pick Singapore over KL by a wide margin. You can then drive up the lovely east coast from S’pore stopping at beach locations, and then over the hump to Georgetown (possibly stopping overnight at Tama Negara park). You can either fly back home of out KL, or if you have to depart from Singapore, you can either drive or hop a scenic train from Georgetown (or fly on Air Asia from KL or Georgetown) . Don’t forget about Malaysian Borneo which offers a lot of outdoor activities too. You will be spoiled for choice in July in Malaysia really. If you dive, in addition to the great diving off the east coast of the mainland, consider Sipidan off of Borneo (or consider getting your PADI qualification prior to the trip).
5. I am a big fan of Singapore, and it’s a good add-on to many places like Malaysia, Ankor Wat or Laos. Its an air hub so easy to get to many places. Also ideal for driving to Malaysia (although I would cross the causeway and rent in Johor Bahru Malaysia as this will be cheaper and should save some drop off charges if you only want to rent one-way). While a car (and driving generally) are generally not a great idea in most of SE Asia, Malaysia is one of the few places where IMO this is easily and safely done (have to get use to driving on the other side of the road, but you would have to do that in NZ or Australia too.)
6. You don’t mention Thailand at all (other than Phuket). If you have not been there Bangkok is a very good place to go for city/culture, and you can then go to beaches like Hua Hin from there or go north to hill country. Lots of options like adding on Ankor Wat or parts of Laos and perhaps beaches in either rather than in Thailand. There are no non-stops from NYC as far as I know, so perhaps you have ruled it out for that reason, although you can do connections to/from Hong Kong pretty easily.
Good thing you don’t want Phuket, as it rains a lot in July there. I would not pick it in that month. The east coast/Gulf of Thailand side is in the good weather then.
NZ by the way is really really lovely. It is winter there, but you could do winter sports which might be interesting.
Jul 13th, 2011, 03:26 AM
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Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort
BP 502 Vaitape, Bora Bora
awesome nice in July on your way to Oceana
priceline.com betterbidding.com great deals
weather2travel.com Climate Guides good for your research
Hapuna Prince in Kona is great for more budget on your
Kona is pretty dry in July and the fall nice compared
to others you are looking at 4 hours direct from LAX
way konaweb.com erupting volcanoes beach snorkel etc.
konaweb.com did that recently air hotel car $1k pp
booking priceline.com. BB options stayhawaii.com
Congrats Happy Hunting!
BP 502 Vaitape, Bora Bora
awesome nice in July on your way to Oceana
priceline.com betterbidding.com great deals
weather2travel.com Climate Guides good for your research
Hapuna Prince in Kona is great for more budget on your
Kona is pretty dry in July and the fall nice compared
to others you are looking at 4 hours direct from LAX
way konaweb.com erupting volcanoes beach snorkel etc.
konaweb.com did that recently air hotel car $1k pp
booking priceline.com. BB options stayhawaii.com
Congrats Happy Hunting!
Jul 13th, 2011, 06:56 AM
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I agree with much of what Cicerone has posted. A Malaysian honeymoon - a brief stop in KL, then Georgetown, Langkawi if you want a beach (Penang beaches are not great), and a stop in Singapore. would be a lovely trip. But do think about Malaysian Borneo as another option.
Jul 17th, 2011, 07:36 PM
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Thanks for the input! I think I'm going to go with Australia, but spend most of my time in the North.
Fly into Sydney and spend a few days there touring the city and maybe including a visit to the Hunter Valley wineries.
Go to Cairns and go to an island resort in the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef. We'll plan to stay there 4-5 days plus a day in Port Douglas and visiting the rainforest.
Fly to Alice Springs. Spend a day in Alice Springs and visiting the mountain ranges, maybe drive or fly to Ayer's Rock and spend a day there. Then fly back to Sydney for the return.
Fly into Sydney and spend a few days there touring the city and maybe including a visit to the Hunter Valley wineries.
Go to Cairns and go to an island resort in the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef. We'll plan to stay there 4-5 days plus a day in Port Douglas and visiting the rainforest.
Fly to Alice Springs. Spend a day in Alice Springs and visiting the mountain ranges, maybe drive or fly to Ayer's Rock and spend a day there. Then fly back to Sydney for the return.
