Hello!

My fiance and I are planning our 3 week honeymoon to Bali & Thailand from late November through mid December and would like to get some feedback on our itinerary:

Fly NY to Denpasar (Layover in Hong Kong)
Bali - 1 week (split between Ubud and beach destination)
Fly Dempasar to Bangkok
Bangkok - 2 nights
Bangkok overnight tour to Chiang Mai - 1 night
Chiang Mai - 4 nigths
Fly Chiang Mai to Phuket CIty
Phuket or surrounding island 5 nights
Fly Phuket City to NY (Layover Hong Kong)

We are looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure/nature on our trip and want to find a balance of making the most out of our time in each country while not running ourselves ragged. That being said is our overall itinerary proportioned in the best way?

Here are some more specific questions that we have:
- In addition to Ubud what other area would you recommend staying in Bali?
- In an attempt to reduce our air travel we are opting for an overnight tour/private transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai..is this a good option? Are there any tour companies that are recommended?
- We are wary of staying in Phuket due to the crowds and touristy feel however we would like to find a location that does have some nature/adventure and dining options in the area ...are there nearby island that are better suited for this?

We appreciate your feedback!

Sorry, I really don't understand your "overnight tour/private transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai." How are you getting from Bangkok to CM? There is an overnight train, though I don't recommend it, as you are likely to get little sleep. The fastest, safest, most efficient way to get from Bangkok to CM is by air. You have a number of airlines to choose from. I've actually never heard of anyone booking an overnight private transfer from Bangkok to CM, and I've been traveling to Thailand since the mid-1980s.

As you probably know, December is rainy season in Bali. Is avoiding rain important to you or are you ok with some rainy days? If you are trying to avoid rain, you will need to avoid Bali. It's a wonderful place and has a unique culture. But you might want to consider spending your whole honeymoon in Thailand.

Phuket is a large island and different areas are more or less busy than others. So it is perfectly possible for you to stay on Phuket without crowds. But there are other options such as Ko Lak you might want to consider. I recommend against PhiPhi, as it has been truly spoiled by over-touristing.

You only have two nights, meaning just one day, in Bangkok. Bangkok is a marvelous city with incredible wats (Buddhist temples), incredible;e food, and amazing shopping for local crafts and gems.

You have the basics for a fine honeymoon, but I'd do some tweaking to get just the kind of top that you want.

Hi Kathie

Thank you for your response.

Here is a link to one tour company that offers an overnight tour from Bangkok to Chiang Mai http://www.travelhubthailandtours.co...gmai-tour.html

The rain in Bali is a potential concern of ours which is why we considered visiting this regain on the beginning portion of our trip in the last week of November. From what I've read the weather forecast will likely have rain however mostly in short rain spells but who can predict the weather?? We've also considered swapping out Bali for Siem Reap but are concerned with experiencing temple overload.

That is one expensive tour! Almost US$700 for the two of you. This overnight trip will take up half a day or so on each side, so figure that into your time in Bangkok and CM. I wouldn't do it - but it is your trip.

Yes, you will likely get rain in Bali, short and intense is my experience. The temples you will visit in Bali are Hindu rather than Buddhist, so very different from what you will see in Thailand.

In case it helps planning your time in Bali, you might want to check the relevant parts of my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a-and-bali.cfm

End November to mid-December would be just the beginning of the rainy season in Bali and you're unlikely to get any major storms.

Totally agree with Kathie, $700 is very, very expensive for such a trip and, if I read correctly, it doesn't include hotels!

Phitsanaluk is not an exciting town, the main highlights will be Ayuthaya and Sukhothai. Sukothai is the more impressive of the two places but, in. A lot of respects is very similar to Ayuthaya which could easily be visited on a day trip from Bangkok. As it is your honeymoon, I would suggest flying to Cm and spending the money you save on an absolutely fabulous hotel in CM - $700 will buy a lot of hotel in CM!

Islands off the anadaman coast other than Phuket worth considering include Koh Lanka, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai - more info on Thai islands @ https://www.travelfish.org/islands#thailand . For your beach time, the actual resort is almost as important as the island, there will be quite places on Phuket as well as the worse excesses of tourism.

Beware of "Bali Belly". It is nasty stuff. I recommend a prescription strength anti-diarrhea medication. Have some with you before you go.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

good IT. personally I would add days to BKK and take from CM.

in bali hire driver/guide putu who is fantastic and will show you all around for a reasonable price. [email protected]

BTW, marmot lives in bali and provides the best info for you.

I love alam shanti hotel in ubud---book early. Gangga room and the other room in that bldg. are worth the extra $$. free shuttle to town is fantastic.
I would spend my whole time in ubud as a base---very central. read my trip reports, especially for restaurants. click on my name.

air asia has a direct flight from Bangkok to bali for a reasonable price.

a fantastic alternative to Phuket is khao lak, especially the jw Marriott khao lak. 1.5 hour drive north of Phuket airport (taxi, van transport).

Peninsula hotel Bangkok is excellent for a honeymoon bit of lux.

Congratulations! Having been to all of those places....I want to suggest that you cut off (1) leg of travel...maybe Phuket.

I agree that Bangkok has SOOO much to offer and you can easily spend 4-5 nights there, then do FLY to Chiang Mai for the rest of the time. Do NOT miss Patera Elephant Farm (www.pataraelephantfarm.com/)....they pick you up in Chiang Mai and you have a full day with YOUR elephant, lunch, a visit to the "nursery" and a ride back to town. If you are into Thai cooking, there are some great cooking schools for a day in the farmlands learning how to cook great Thai dishes. Oh, and give yourself at least 1/2 day at a lovely spa. You will have a long trip home and it will prepare you!

Contrary to what fasttravelin says above, by all means DO MISS the Patara Elephant Farm if you are concerned about how the elephants are treated. On TA, people even report seeing gashes on the elephants from the use of hooks. People still rate it as the #1 thing to do int the CM area, which only goes to show your what a recommendation on TA is worth.

If you want to interact with elephants, I recommend The Elephant Nature Park outside of CM. This place is concerned with the treatment of the elephants, and Lek has become famous for her work to have elephants treated humanely. They do not allow riding elephants, but you'll have lots of opportunity to interact wit the elephants.