The Asia board seems to have more experienced and well travelled people than the others, so here goes. We have 3 weeks out of SFO and may fly Asiana (good price, but know nothing about it) to Bangkok (Peninsula), perhaps Siam Reap(Grand Hotel?), Phuket (Le Royal Meridian..Nov so monsoon in Koh Samui) and then Chaing Mai (Regent) for the Festival of Lights. I need any advice on this itinerary (how long where?) etc etc. My husband has travelled to Tokyo and Singapore on business many times but I"ve never travelled to Asia. HELP!!!

Barbara, This sounds like a wonderful trip! <BR><BR>Bangkok is a wonderful, vital, exotic (and choatic) city. I always enjoy myself there. The Peninsula is a fine hotel. My recommendation is to stay on the river (Peninsula, Oriental, Royal Orchid, Shangri-La). In Bangkok, don't miss things include The Royal Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), the Jim Thompson House, and shopping. Bangkok has some of the best hotels in the world with some of teh best service.<BR><BR>I loved the temples at Angkor (check out my photos at www.marlandc.com). I spent a week there and would have enjoyed even more time. You can see the main temples in three days, but depending on your interest, you may want to schedule more. Personally, I'd recommend six days to see the smaller temples (which were often my favorites) as well as the larger ones and to take a full day to Tonele Sap. Also, I'd recommend the Angkor Village Resort rather than the Grand. (www.angkor-village.com). The Angkor Village will give you more of a sense of being in Cambodia, with it's traditional architecture arranged aound water gardens. It was lovely, and I'd stay there again. <BR><BR>Back in Thailand, I have to say that I haven't stayed at the Regent in Chaing Mai, but have heard good things about it. Phuket a nice beach area, though parts of Phuket are pretty seedy. If I was going, I'd make sure to stay in an area away from the sex bars. When I was last there, I stayed at the Phuket Yacht Club, which is now a Le Meridian (but I can't remember if it's Le Royal), and liked the fact that it was away from the town and the busiest part of the beach. I know that others on this board have stayed at these places and can give you more info.<BR><BR>I went to Hua Hin last year and am returning this year I enjoyed it so much. It's a couple hour drive from Bangkok, and a quieter beach town. There are a number of excellent hotels there as well.<BR><BR>Enjoy!

Hi Barbara,<BR>I hear United is offering some fantastic fares for international travel. Check the ual.com website. If you husband has chalked up his miles, you should definitely give serious thought to getting upgrades on his miles since this will be your second honeymoon.<BR><BR>My suggestion - fly from SFO to Singapore. Make Singapore your base for the rest of your travels. <BR>For example, you could fly Thai (member of the Star Alliance) from Singapore to Phuket for 4 nights, followed by Bangkok for 5 nights and Chiang Mai for another 4 nights.<BR>Siem Reap could be included as a side trip from Bangkok or you could fly direct on Silk Air (part of Singapore Airlines group) direct from Singapore to Siew Reap. 4 nights at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor should suffice.<BR>The remaining 4 days could be spent in Singapore either at the start or end of your trip (or in between).<BR><BR>I noticed you picked the Peninsula in Bangkok. Since its a celebration, perhaps the Oriental could be an alternative. The Mandarin Oriental website offers some great package deals on this hotel inclusive of breakfast and the price is usually maybe USD 30 or 40 more at most. The Meridien in Phuket is well known but a little run down and dated altho it does have the advantage of proximity to Patong Beach. Other more luxurious accommodation, the new JW Marriott resort which is offering some great opening special rates, the Banyan Tree resort and surprise! surprise! Holiday Inn (Busakorn Wing) right in the heart of Patong Beach - it feels quite like a Hyatt and has nice villa rooms for about 4000 to 5000 Baht (bet USD 90 - 120) inclusive of breakfast, taxes and free minibar) per night.<BR><BR>I suggested Singapore because you mentioned that it would be your first trip to Asia. Making this your base will allow you to ease into your Asian vacation nicely. If shopping is on the agenda, this would be a good pit stop and the hotels are first rate. Top hotels include the Ritz Carlton, the Fullerton (in the restored general post office) and the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons is closest to the Orchard Road shopping strip. If you're keen on some history, the Raffles Hotel is without a doubt the best hotel. It is centrally located, steeped in history and has wonderful restaurants.<BR><BR>Hope this helps you get started....if you are interested in the airline upgrades, its best you get working on your itinerary quick. Fly your long haul flights on weekedays, you stand a better chance of getting your upgrades.<BR><BR>Enjoy!

Barbara, what is it exactly that you want to know?? Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have specific questions to ask about Bangkok or Siem Riep.

As for the suggestion to use Singapore as your base, while I love Singapore, I wouldn't do it. It adds another stop, and it's a much longer flight from the places you want to visit. I always figure the fewer flights you have the fewer days you lose from your vacation.<BR><BR>The suggestion to use frequent flier miles to upgrade is always a great idea. That's what I do, and it makes all the differnce in those long flights. It's typically hard to get upgrade seats, so if you're interested check right away.

I would love to see the Festival of Lights but the information I've been able to find is a little unclear. Better to see it in Bangkok or Chaing Mai (or perhps Phuket?) but how do I find out where and when? I know the full moon is involved but I also understand the festival is in different places at different times. Thanks to everyone for help! As to business class, miles have long been spent to upgrade but I will be splurging on it as it's difficult to recover after a 5 hour flight and I can't imagine what it would be like to Asia!!

ttt..anyone?

forget singapore...its ok but so sterile...bangkok is fantastic---the penn is just simply fabulous...get at least a grand deluxe room (2nd level in the cost structure)...the oriental is a bit stuffy (great service...but who wants to wear a tie in that heat!!!), the jw marriott is central and we usually stay there 2-3 nites for its convenience.....we love the marriott resort and spa---while not as fancy as the others or as service orientated (deluxe style), it has by far the best pool area in BKK---and you need that in the heat.....ARE YOU READY FOR THE EXTREME HEAT????...we are staying at the hua hin marriott resort and spa this time (nov, 02) as well as the BKK resort and spa as well as the penn and the JW...also at siem reap we will be at angkor village (get them on the net), plus the inya lake in yangon---formerely a rennaissance.....angkor village could not be nicer to deal with and we like what they seem to offer....we will visit the grand and perhaps eat there but it too is too formal for our middle age liking...enjoy

Barbara:<BR>If you want to see Loi Kratong - the festival of lights occurs on the full moon in November. I saw it in Sukothai - which was really great. I gather another good place to see it is Chiang Mai. I travelled to Sukothai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Siem Reap in Nov. 2000 and have a trip report if you are interested. Have a great anniversary!<BR>Joan

I'm thrilled this has resurfaced. We decided on a balcony deluxe at the Peninsula and then to Chiang Mai for Loi Karatong (once I had the name of the fesival it was easier) staying at the Regent, then on to Phuket to either the Royal Meridien Yacht Club or Chedi. We've decided to skip Siem Reap and take things at a more relaxed pace..adding the time to the other destinations. Any restaurant suggestions would be great! Is Celedon as lovely as it looks? How is the Spice Market. I'm open to all sorts of things but hesitate to eat street food as I want to avoid "anything" that might slow me down. Thanks for all the help!!

Loy Krathong is going to be on November 19th this year. Chiang mai should have a big celebration, however, as mentioned earlier this festival was originated in Sukhothai (first capital of the Kingdom) more than 700 years ago.