2 wks in SEA in Sept...where to go?
Jan 18th, 2007, 12:57 PM
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2 wks in SEA in Sept...where to go?
Sometimes our trips seem to be planned last minute and other times, waaaaaaay ahead of time. This is one of the latter.
We're looking to spend 2 weeks in SEAsia in September. Would like to use UAL ff miles air...but not imperative. We're kinda stumped on putting together an itinerary so I was hoping some seasoned travelers could point us in the right direction.
We're interested in seeing Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, or ?? (suggestions appreciated)...so which cities in those countries would you recommend for first timers? Would like to really incorporate BKK. And realistically, how many stops should we plan...2, 3, 4? We will likely have 14 full days and 14 nights excluding travel time to/from the US.
About us: couple in 30's...pretty flexible on vacation expectations. Either can go full steam ahead and/or relax and soak up the experience. We're pretty new to traveling in Asia. Our past vacations have mostly taken us to tropical locales.
TIA!
We're looking to spend 2 weeks in SEAsia in September. Would like to use UAL ff miles air...but not imperative. We're kinda stumped on putting together an itinerary so I was hoping some seasoned travelers could point us in the right direction.
We're interested in seeing Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, or ?? (suggestions appreciated)...so which cities in those countries would you recommend for first timers? Would like to really incorporate BKK. And realistically, how many stops should we plan...2, 3, 4? We will likely have 14 full days and 14 nights excluding travel time to/from the US.
About us: couple in 30's...pretty flexible on vacation expectations. Either can go full steam ahead and/or relax and soak up the experience. We're pretty new to traveling in Asia. Our past vacations have mostly taken us to tropical locales.
TIA!
Jan 18th, 2007, 01:03 PM
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Good questions to start your planning!
Choose two or three stops for 14 days. SInce you want to include Bangkok (good choice!) you can use that as your international gateway. You may want to spend a couple of days there at both the beginning and the end. Consider whether you want another stop in Thailand and think about Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so let me invite you to visit our website, www.marlandc.com It has photos of many SE Asian trips. It may give you some ideas.
Choose two or three stops for 14 days. SInce you want to include Bangkok (good choice!) you can use that as your international gateway. You may want to spend a couple of days there at both the beginning and the end. Consider whether you want another stop in Thailand and think about Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so let me invite you to visit our website, www.marlandc.com It has photos of many SE Asian trips. It may give you some ideas.
Jan 18th, 2007, 01:10 PM
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I would use your UAL ff miles on one of the Star Alliance airlines as they are superior to United in traveling to Asia. Let us know where you are traveling from and we can advise.
2 full weeks is nice. That is how much time we have had "on the ground" on our recent trips to SE Asia.
Are you city-type people or is country good too? It makes a difference in the recommendation. I wouldn't plan to visit more than 3 or 4 locales in your two weeks. Since you can get to many places both in and out of Thailand from Bangkok, there are lots of choices. A Bangkok - Angkor Wat (Cambodia) - Luang Prabang (Laos) trip would be a good itinerary. Also Bangkok and Bali are another good combination. Vietnam is probably two weeks on its own. You could easily do all two weeks in Thailand which is what we did on our first trip: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Golden Triangle, southern beaches...
2 full weeks is nice. That is how much time we have had "on the ground" on our recent trips to SE Asia.
Are you city-type people or is country good too? It makes a difference in the recommendation. I wouldn't plan to visit more than 3 or 4 locales in your two weeks. Since you can get to many places both in and out of Thailand from Bangkok, there are lots of choices. A Bangkok - Angkor Wat (Cambodia) - Luang Prabang (Laos) trip would be a good itinerary. Also Bangkok and Bali are another good combination. Vietnam is probably two weeks on its own. You could easily do all two weeks in Thailand which is what we did on our first trip: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Golden Triangle, southern beaches...
Jan 18th, 2007, 02:37 PM
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JG- A good split of your 14 days on the ground would be 5 days BKK, 4 days Angkor Wat (really Siem Riep), and then 5 days at a beach or Northern Thailand (depending on whether your a beach person or not. BKK is a must. AW is unique and not to be missed. It is getting more and more built up, so the sooner you go the better. If you go to a beach, Ko Samui is the best bet in September. If you want more Thai exposure, 3 days in Chiang Mai and 2 daysa in Chiang Rai would be great. I would not include Vietnam on your first trip. Too much flying. One of the pleasures of Asia is how relaxing it can be. There's way too much to see in one trip.
You can use your United miles on other Star Alliance carriers. Depending on where you're flying from, it might make more sense to get a Thai Air flight to BKK or even Chiang Mai.
This is not too early to plan for a September trip.
You can use your United miles on other Star Alliance carriers. Depending on where you're flying from, it might make more sense to get a Thai Air flight to BKK or even Chiang Mai.
This is not too early to plan for a September trip.
Jan 18th, 2007, 07:03 PM
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no one has seemed to mention weather to you....september is usually the worst month of the year to visit thailand....it does not rule out a trip, but all of the other months would be superior weatherwise... could you go in mid october instead? or even late october...
a very nice trip would be bkk at both the beginning and at the end of your trip and one other foreign experience (either siem reap--angkor, or luang prabang, laos), and finish with a beach location, either samui or hua hin...you could skip the beach and do something in the north of thailand or you could do only bkk, siem reap and laos in one trip...
once you settle your flights then we would be glad to assist on other locations and the logistics in each place
a very nice trip would be bkk at both the beginning and at the end of your trip and one other foreign experience (either siem reap--angkor, or luang prabang, laos), and finish with a beach location, either samui or hua hin...you could skip the beach and do something in the north of thailand or you could do only bkk, siem reap and laos in one trip...
once you settle your flights then we would be glad to assist on other locations and the logistics in each place
Jan 18th, 2007, 07:18 PM
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Jan 18th, 2007, 11:10 PM
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It might be the wettest time of the year, but it doesn't rain everyday or all day (certainly not in BKK). Don't let the weather stop you from coming. One benefit of the rain is that it helps cool things off in the late afternoon.
Try flying Thai if you don't fly United. They are your best option for using miles on Star Alliance.
Try flying Thai if you don't fly United. They are your best option for using miles on Star Alliance.
Jan 19th, 2007, 08:25 AM
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We'll be flying from LAX. Taking a quick look at the Star Alliance site --I see Thai Airways is part of the group.
Kathie, you guys have done a great job with your easy to follow website. I actually took notes in the HK section --we'll be there for CNY next month. I had not considered splitting the time in BKK but I guess that makes sense if we have to fly out of there as well. Would help to break up the journey home...certainly worth chewing on.
Craig, we're ruling out Bali b/c we spent a lovely week there in May and would like to try someplace new (if this gives you a better idea of us as travelers -- we loved splitting our time between Seminyak and Ubud). Is Phuket and Ko Samui considered part of the southern beaches? As for city/country -- we live just outside of LA so we would be comfortable in either atmosphere. We adapt pretty easily. We're not seeking one or the other on this particular trip. Whatever would leave us with some amazing travel memories (I know, specific, right?
Gpanda, You and Craig are probably right about Vietnam. But looking at my globe, I'm wondering if I could leave Ho Chi Minh as the last stop -- a quick taste of Vietnam, then flying home. This would prob mean not doing a Thailand beach on this trip. Is that an unwise idea?
rhkkmk, Yes, weather is a consideration for us but not a major one (unless it's {{freezing}}). Our travel schedule is pretty flexible in the fall. We originally picked Sept b/c we planned to visit S.Korea & Japan and it would have been a nice time then to see those two countries. But I think we're putting them off b/c of BKK's pull.
So, with that said, I like the option of going LAX-BKK (stay a few nights)
then Angkor Wat, then either HCM then home...or Phuket/or Ko Samui then home or shorten the beach stay and go back to BKK for a couple of nights then home.
See why we haven't confirmed our air? It gets more confusing as the world gets smaller and more accessible.
Kathie, you guys have done a great job with your easy to follow website. I actually took notes in the HK section --we'll be there for CNY next month. I had not considered splitting the time in BKK but I guess that makes sense if we have to fly out of there as well. Would help to break up the journey home...certainly worth chewing on.
Craig, we're ruling out Bali b/c we spent a lovely week there in May and would like to try someplace new (if this gives you a better idea of us as travelers -- we loved splitting our time between Seminyak and Ubud). Is Phuket and Ko Samui considered part of the southern beaches? As for city/country -- we live just outside of LA so we would be comfortable in either atmosphere. We adapt pretty easily. We're not seeking one or the other on this particular trip. Whatever would leave us with some amazing travel memories (I know, specific, right?
Gpanda, You and Craig are probably right about Vietnam. But looking at my globe, I'm wondering if I could leave Ho Chi Minh as the last stop -- a quick taste of Vietnam, then flying home. This would prob mean not doing a Thailand beach on this trip. Is that an unwise idea?
rhkkmk, Yes, weather is a consideration for us but not a major one (unless it's {{freezing}}). Our travel schedule is pretty flexible in the fall. We originally picked Sept b/c we planned to visit S.Korea & Japan and it would have been a nice time then to see those two countries. But I think we're putting them off b/c of BKK's pull.
So, with that said, I like the option of going LAX-BKK (stay a few nights)
then Angkor Wat, then either HCM then home...or Phuket/or Ko Samui then home or shorten the beach stay and go back to BKK for a couple of nights then home.
See why we haven't confirmed our air? It gets more confusing as the world gets smaller and more accessible.
Jan 19th, 2007, 08:34 AM
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Glad you liked our website!
I'd agree you should save VN for another trip. If Bangkok really calls to you, make sure to give yourself enough time to explore that wonderful city. My first trip to SE Asia many years ago was 9 nights in Bangkok... and even after all these years I can't get enough! So you might consider Bangkok plus one other place (Angkor or Luang Prabang come to mind) and spend a good stretch of time in each place.
I'd agree you should save VN for another trip. If Bangkok really calls to you, make sure to give yourself enough time to explore that wonderful city. My first trip to SE Asia many years ago was 9 nights in Bangkok... and even after all these years I can't get enough! So you might consider Bangkok plus one other place (Angkor or Luang Prabang come to mind) and spend a good stretch of time in each place.
Jan 19th, 2007, 08:51 AM
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if you are going to use ua miles, i would take sq non-stop to singapore, then on to bangkok. the executive economy is great, and the business class is fabulous.
on my last trip, i used 90k ua miles to go from hnl to lax, then on to singapore on sq 19. i believe they have changed the flt number since then. or you might try the new sq 777 from sfan.
i've also flown thai, and its a good airline, and of course, ua will get you there.
on my last trip, i used 90k ua miles to go from hnl to lax, then on to singapore on sq 19. i believe they have changed the flt number since then. or you might try the new sq 777 from sfan.
i've also flown thai, and its a good airline, and of course, ua will get you there.
Jan 19th, 2007, 09:25 AM
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I have not been to Viet Nam but if I had a choice between Luang Prabang, Laos and a beach, I'd take Luang Prabang as the last stop - check the flights and see which is easier. Koh Samui and Phuket are considered southern beaches in Thailand. I should mention that Luang Prabang offers a great combination of city/country - LP is a much nicer town than Ubud and the surrounding countryside is just as beautiful. It sounds like Thai will no longer be flying direct LAX-BKK by the time you go so Singapore Air would be another good Star Alliance option.
Jan 20th, 2007, 08:39 AM
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Kathie, thx, it does seem wise to follow the consensus -- save Vietnam for another trip.
Oh, did not know about Thai Air's discontinuation of direct service.
SQ would be a good option, I have not flown their business class but have heard people praise it. Was very impressed with their economy though. This time we've got enough miles for an upgrade
If we're using miles, can we ask for a stop over to see SIN for a couple of days? SQ37LAX to SIN (2n), BKK (6n), then a beach(4n) then back to BKK for remainder?
Looking at SQ's schedule, we would not realistically have time for Siem Reap (which looks interesting).
Lastly, the subject of the weather is making us consider going back to the Korea/Japan plan. And the bonus of LAX-SEL non stop.
We know we'll eventually visit both those areas (SEA and EA) so would our miles be best used for the above mentioned BKK itin or Korea/Japan?
Thanks for your patience, I like said, we are in the very beginning planning stages.
Oh, did not know about Thai Air's discontinuation of direct service.
SQ would be a good option, I have not flown their business class but have heard people praise it. Was very impressed with their economy though. This time we've got enough miles for an upgrade
If we're using miles, can we ask for a stop over to see SIN for a couple of days? SQ37LAX to SIN (2n), BKK (6n), then a beach(4n) then back to BKK for remainder?
Looking at SQ's schedule, we would not realistically have time for Siem Reap (which looks interesting).
Lastly, the subject of the weather is making us consider going back to the Korea/Japan plan. And the bonus of LAX-SEL non stop.
We know we'll eventually visit both those areas (SEA and EA) so would our miles be best used for the above mentioned BKK itin or Korea/Japan?
Thanks for your patience, I like said, we are in the very beginning planning stages.
Jan 21st, 2007, 02:29 AM
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I wouldn't let the weather in September put you off Phuket. Here is a link to full weather details in Phuket during September 2005. From here you can check out weather during September for the last ten years
http://www.wunderground.com/history/...q_statename=NA
http://www.wunderground.com/history/...q_statename=NA
