itsvivek4u

I am planning a 2 week trip with my parents in the month of October from Delhi, India. I haven't done much homework yet, but the basic idea is to go for a 2 weeks trip to at least these 3 countries, if not more. I apologize if I am gone ask some very basic questions here but looking at other posts here, I am sure I will get some good feedback that will help me in my plan.

1. How many days is good to spend in each country. My parents are in early 60's , so we cannot do a very tiring trip. It will a trip where we see usual tourist spots, enjoy the scenery and the country and culture and food. I am hoping to see some clean blue water beaches but not spend too much time at beaches (they are just not my thing).
2. What specific cities would you recommend in each of these countries for a tourist who has never been to south east asia.
3. Do you think I can incorporate Indonesia as well in 2 weeks. I could potentially extend by a few days if need be.
4. Regarding flights, does anyone know or recommend a good airlines ticket plan to take this trip from Delhi, India. I gather there will be many flights involved, so if you know of any airline program that will make sense based on this plan, I would really appreciate the information.

I might have more questions after I see some feedback. Thanks for all the help.

Craig

If you do not want this trip to be very tiring for your parents (and for you), limit yourselves to 3 or 4 destinations. Both Thailand and Malaysia/Singapore have lots to offer and it is unlikely you could do both justice in 2 weeks time. Forget about adding Indonesia - its just too much. Keep in mind that every time you change locations, you use up most of a day. On our first 2 week trip to Thailand, we visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Koh Samui. Having now traveled throughout much of SE Asia, I would suggest doing Bangkok and then considering Siem Reap, Cambodia (Angkor Wat) and Luang Prabang, Laos plus a beach destination in Thailand. That would be a great trip, providing you have the full two weeks (or a day or two more). I really like Singapore but it makes the most sense to combine it with Malaysia, which I find less interesting for a first timer to SE Asia.

As for flights, Delhi to Bangkok would likely be on Thai Airways. You may be able to use the Bangkok Airways Discovery Airpass for flights from Bangkok and beyond.

Kathie

Craig is so right about limiting the number of stops you make. For two weeks, I'd recommend three stops. If you really want a location in each of those countries, I'd suggest Bangkok, Penang (Georgetown) and Singapore. During your stop in Penang, you could take a day trip to Langkawi or even do an overnight for some time at the beach. The problem is that October is not a great time for the beach in that area, you are likely to have rain.

Another option, one that would make for easy travel would be a combination of Singapore and Bali. Spend maybe 8 - 10 days in Bali, divided between a beach location and inland near Ubud. This would make for much less travel than choosing locations farther apart. And while you get some beach time, there is so much no-beach stuff to do in Bali, you won't be bored.

rtwin80days

Vivek,

I have spent few years residing in Singapore & travelled with my parents in South East Asia.

My 2 cents:

Fly to Bangkok from Delhi. Thai Airways usually has deals ex Delhi / ex Kolkata. Spend 3 days in Bangkok. Try to reach on weekend so that you could catch Chatuchak weekend market. Cover Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, etc and then Chao Praya river cruise in the evening, etc. Eat at Saras, pure vegetarian restuarant between Soi 19 & 20 on Sukhumvit road and enjoy foot reflexology with parents at a nearby decent spa. If you are keen (I am not a beach person, but still people visit some beachy place if they go to South East Asia), go to Phuket or Siam Reap for 2 days. You can take low-cost airlines such as Tiger Airways / Air Asia, etc for this route.

Either from Phuket / Siam Reap / Bangkok, take another low-cost airline connection to Singapore. Stay in Singapore for 4 days. Visit ECP & Botanical gardens (my fav places when I stayed in Singapore), then Orchard road for shopping, Zoo, Night Safari, Bird Park if you are fascinated by animals. Visit Resort World Sentosa with family and make a day out of it. Don't go to Little India and Mustafa, it is a crowded hell, a breathing space for all the workers brought in for construction projects. Do visit Asian Civilizations Museum, City Hall, Cathedral, Clarke Quay (for night life). If your parents are dependent on Indian veg food, you could go to Aangan at City Hall (excellent Indian food) or series of restaurants at Boat Quay (if you are in that area). There are tons of Indian restaurants spread all over. Do visit Arab Street (another fav) for middle eastern food and culture. Go to Chinatown (no trip to Singapore can be complete without this must-do). A walk in the evening, starting from Fullerton hotel, esplanade, City Hall, ending in Clarke Quay is usually pleasant with lots of photo-opp as well. Another fav is Dempsey Hill, a former army-barracks converted into a charming dining precinct. It’s simply gorgeous! Treat your parents to Indian fine dining at Vintage India. Do request for al-fresco seating though!

From Singapore, take the luxury coach overnight to Cameron Highlands (the most beautiful tea plantations and hill station with old world charm). Spend atleast 2 days there, stay at Strawberry Park Resort. Then, take a 4 hr bus to KL. Spend 3 days in KL including 1 day-trip to Genting. In KL, try to stay within the Golden Triangle area near Petronas. Obviously visit Petronas, Menara KL (KL Tower), Suria KLCC mall, etc. Then one day, visit old city. Start with Istana Negara (King’s Palace), then take a walk from Mesjid Negara (National Mosque), then walk towards old palace buildings etc all the way to Merdeka Square (Independence Square). It is a scenic route and not too long. Your parents would enjoy too. Then, cross the road and go to Central Market for some interesting souvenir shopping. You would see artists drawings portraits of famous personalities. You could get one with the 3 of you together.

On 3rd day, go to Genting. Do take the 15 min long cable car ride. Worth every RM! Enjoy the day walking around amusement park & casino, if that is your thing!

You could catch a low-cost flight to Langkawi from KL. Spend 2 days relaxing by a beach-side property. I would recommend Taj Langkawi. We stayed there for 4 nights. It is situated on a 390 acre island off Langkawi. They have their own jetty & boats & would arrange for all transports. It is a beautiful resort and my parents loved it too.

I can go on and on. You can get in touch if you want any more details wrt acco, food, directions, names & contact of bus operators, car rentals, etc etc.

Enjoy!

pgriffin

In 2 weeks and if you want to keep it relaxing, I would cut Thailand and go to no more than four places, perhaps Singapore, KL, Penang and the Perhentian Islands (weather permitting).

itsvivek4u

Thank u so much pgriffin, Craig, Kathie and rtwin80days for your suggestions.

@rtwin80 - you definitely have given a lot of details and you have no idea how much this helps.I have a few more questions on accommodations an internal travels etc. If you don't mind, could you please email me at [email protected] and I could ask you those questions. Or else please let me know your email id.

Thank you everyone.. I will now plan my trip in details and see what all I can cover.

Craig

its - we are all happy to provide details on sites, restaurants etc. as rtwin has, once you decide on your itinerary. I do hope you will take every other poster's advice to limit your destinations to 3 or 4. Your parents will appreciate that. Do keep posting here for advice.

itsvivek4u

I agree Craig and I really do appreciate everyone's advice. My duration is not strictly limited to 2 weeks and is a little flexible. Based on your, Kathie's and rtwin's advice, I now need to finalize my itinerary (as you mentioned) and then get some more ideas.

btw: I have a lot of marriott points and I was wondering if there are any decent marriott hotels that i could stay in singapore, KL and bangkok using my points. I have tons of those and could help me save some cost on my trip.

Kathie

There are quite a number of Marriotts in Bangkok. There is a nice JW in KL. I don't like the Marriott in Singapore, but others may have good things to say about it. So you should be able to use points for a good number of nights.

BillT

Marriott has a very nice hotel in KL right on the main drag where you will find shopping, restaurants. A short cab ride to the Petronis Towrs and a walk to central market. We stayed there during our trip to Malaysia some years back.

itsvivek4u

That sounds good Bill. I saw 3 Marriotts in KL central. DO you remember specifically which one was it?

Kathie

The JW is the one most central in KL. We stayed next door at the Ritz Carlton. It's the perfect location for shopping, restaurants, etc.

rhkkmk

the jw marriott in bkk is very central... they have several serviced apartments as well which are just as nice as hotels.. i prefer marriott mayfair and marriott sukhumvit park...

the jw marriott at khao lak is a fab beach hotel... 1 hour flt from bkk

rtwin80days

Alright Vivek - dropping you an email.

azza

1. How many days is good to spend in each country. My parents are in early 60's , so we cannot do a very tiring trip. It will a trip where we see usual tourist spots, enjoy the scenery and the country and culture and food. I am hoping to see some clean blue water beaches but not spend too much time at beaches (they are just not my thing).
>> Pace yourself if your Parents need to have some downtime - better to do some good things well than many things in a hurry.

2. What specific cities would you recommend in each of these countries for a tourist who has never been to south east asia.
>> Do you want cities or 'the best of the best'? i.e. "must see" destinations are Angkor Wat and Luang Prubang and personally I'd spend most of my time in those places and a lesser amount of time in cities such as Singapore and KL/Penang.

3. Do you think I can incorporate Indonesia as well in 2 weeks. I could potentially extend by a few days if need be.
>> No, do 'the best' as leisure.

rtwin80days has some awesome advice that may be three trips rolled into one for the older traveler...

SirHalberd

Too many places in a short amount of time unless you are only looking for stamps in your passport to show friends back home. Many tourists take 2 weeks alone just for Thailand.

You do know that to save time you would have to fly to many places. How is your budget? Singapore is more expensive than Thailand and Malaysia.

If money is no problem then Singapore to Bali is not a bad idea. Each country you want to visit means different visa requirements. Know ahead of time what you need for visas.

Many Indian tourists want to have family members and sometimes friends all staying in the same hotel room. If your hotel requirements exceed 2 adults per room expect to pay more for a roll out bed. More than 4 adults per room expect some problems with hotel bookings.

One reason to stay longer in some locations is to actually rest up. See the sights without trying to do things in a hurry to meet the next flight out. Visiting many locations in a short time means you will be going to and from hotels often, in transit, on planes, on buses and not actually seeing each country in a relaxed way. Sometimes when you want to sign up for a tour you choose the tour one day and leave the following morning. If you are only a single night or two in a particular city this makes scheduling tours more difficult.

Sometimes the quality of your visit is as important as trying to fit in too many places to see in a short time. If money is tight and your group is large, maybe stick with Thailand and perhaps Malaysia.

Up to you!