Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

Real Experiences and Travel Agency in Southeast Asia to choose

Real Experiences and Travel Agency in Southeast Asia to choose

Old Oct 20th, 2016, 02:09 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Real Experiences and Travel Agency in Southeast Asia to choose

Hi,
It's my first post on Fodors forum, I look for vacation destinations for one or two times a year, usually. And this year I decided it has to be SEAsia. I and my husband found Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar very interesting, especially with some activities which are related to Buddhism and spiritual practices.
The fact is that we will be travelling the fist time to these countries, so I'm looking for a reliable travel company of SEA travel. I'd be thankful if anyone could share with me real experiences and trusted agency to choose.
Thanks in advance.
larsj is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2016, 08:03 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are interested in Buddhism, you can cut VN from your list. Cambodia and Myanmar are good destinations for you. If you opt for Myanmar, you will want to use a local agency in Myanmar - I use Santa Maria in Yangon - to help with booking lodging and internal flights. Give yourself a minimum of 10 days in Myanmar - longer if you can manage it.

I have been to Myanmar three times and am planning to return in 2017. Take a look at my trip reports here.

Other than for Myanmar, you really don't need a travel agent (and you no longer have to have an agent even in Myanmar). I've been traveling to SE Asia almost annually since the mid-1980s and have only used an agent for Myanmar. Myanmar requires more reading, more advance planning than other places in SE Asia. This is a very easy part of the world to travel.

I notice you have Bhutan on your list. It really doesn't fit with the rest of your list. It is a very expensive place to travel, as you are required to use a local agency and it will cost a minimum of about $300 per person per day.

When you have more ideas about where you want to go come back and ask us specific questions.
Kathie is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2016, 06:56 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you so much Kathie for these information.
About Bhutan, it seems very interesting for us, elderly travelers to go and get some time enjoying the peaceful scenery and Buddhism spirits.
Or maybe the other thought, it will be Bhutan only for us this time.
Many thanks and other ideas are welcomed.
larsj is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 11:22 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Antonio,
I really appreciate your recommendation for various activities to do in these countries.
I was wondering about elephant trekking, village visit and waterfall in Luang Prabang, but is it requires so much trekking, climbing for long hours?
larsj is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2016, 06:30 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Avoid all elephant trekking, as the elephants are treated horribly.

The waterfalls outside of Luang Prabang do not require long or difficult walking to get there, nor do the village visits.
Kathie is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2016, 09:03 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cambodia and Thailand are the countries of Buddhism. The number of people following Buddhism is large and you can visit a number of pagodas and temples here. If you come to Vietnam, you should visit pagodas in the South. Pagodas of the North are usually quite crowded, especially on holidays.
perryluckie is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2016, 09:25 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
antonio15 - " I've had the chance to visit Southeast Asia in 2013, and wrote quite a long and detailed report here http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...nd-cambodia-28 "

That report was written by Lolazohara??
crellston is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2016, 12:23 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@Kathie: I've just wrote some news about animals attractions for tourists and got shocked by images that show animals are drugged, or treated badly for tourism purposes. So definitely I wont include it in my trip. The waterfalls and village visit sounds good. thank you.
@perryluckie: we're quite passionate about a pagoda in the Central Vietnam, I don't remember its name but it is considered as the root pagoda of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Do you know where the pagoda is?
@crellston: oh maybe Antonio just copied a wrong address of reference here, even I didn't notice it
larsj is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2016, 03:37 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No - Antonio has never written any trip reports.
crellston is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2016, 07:56 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very odd for antonio to claim someone else's trip report. That's a new advertiser ploy to me!
Kathie is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2016, 11:35 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah very weird...
larsj is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kacollier
Asia
6
Jan 18th, 2016 04:55 AM
planningtravel
Asia
9
Jul 29th, 2015 12:08 PM
re
Asia
42
Sep 17th, 2014 08:50 PM
tordenmalm
Asia
6
Oct 6th, 2012 03:24 AM
bodhijack
Asia
5
Aug 3rd, 2004 04:25 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -