I know this is a broad question... My boy and I are starting to plan next years trip and we were discussing going to Asia. However, we have no idea where to start. I've been looking into Bangkok just because I know the "name". Any suggestions for first timers?

Ca, I would recommend Vietnam to you as a very special experience. It is a country that is changing fast, and will soon be as westernised as so many other Asian countries, but if you are fast, you can catch it while it is still its present wonderful mixture of traditional-Asian and French-colonial. Hanoi is the best place to make your base, and you should go either very early or very late in the year for the best climate.

For a first-timer to Asia, I'd recommend either Thailand or Bali. both have a nice combination of cultural and beach activities. <BR><BR>Do a bit of reading, think about what kinds of things you enjoy, and you'll be able to ask more specific questions.

i am not sure i agree with alan...but...two or three highlights standout in my mind... asia is not quite as easy to travel in as say europe...firstly it is very huge and sometimes language is a problem...having said that...GO THERE...there is no place like it...<BR><BR>bangkok is great...very hot night and day, comparitively cheap...lots of shopping and lots of sights...i am going back in november for my 5th stay in 7 years...look at the marriott resort and spa as a hotel...our favorite...on the river which is most facinating...not really central but easy to venture out from....expect to pay between 100-125 us per nite including breakfast (www.marriott.com), then penninsula is just fabulous for luxuary for about $75. more...a little more centrally located...very posh and of course the oriental is great too---more money...all right on the river....<BR><BR>minimum 5 days in bangkok<BR><BR>hong kong is fabulous and very easy as english is the primary language for everyone...more expensive not as hot temperature wise and lots to do...i have been there 4 times and still find things to do...minimum 5 days...lots of hotel deals...look around...we stayed at the kowloon hotel, owned by the penninsula and located in back of it in kowloon---5 minutes to the star ferry...next door is the salisbury ymca (yes--the Y-- more like a holiday inn than a y..)<BR><BR>you might look at pacific delight tours to get an idea...all airlines also have packages if you are interested<BR><BR>we always fly northwest, but united and the asian carriers have good service (thai, cathy pacific, singapore air, korean)..<BR><BR>you have to decide what you want to do...city, country, beach or a combination and then plan...<BR><BR>keep reading here

i forgot to add that the best time of year in se asia is mid-october to february---november being nearly perfect<BR><BR>hong kong is great any time but best in the fall

Thanks for the replies. I'm sitting with my Atlas as I type!

if you wnat too keep it broud as it is,, just throw I dart.. but if you would like more help get a lile more spacific we can easlly help you out.. <BR>1 how old is your boy <BR>2 you general intersts

My boy is 38. We're travelers. He's done Eastern and Western Europe, some of South and Central America. I've done Western Europe. We want to "mix" it up a little bit this year. And when you don't know to much about a place(I've JUST started reading about Asia- we just got back form a three week vacation in Italy) it kinda is like throwing a dart and seeing where it lands.<BR>The idea of Hong Kong, Bangkok, Bali, etc...are great starting points to build an itinerary around. That is why I like this forum..Great ideas.

alrright "son" Im feeling yah now..<BR><BR>OK you have too go too Bangkok.. it's the wildest place on earth. I've yet been too Pataya though. <BR><BR>are you guys into clubing. or wilderness thangs.. I can help yah out a litle better

Not into clubbing-we're to old for that. We're into "seeing" and "living" life. Hikes are okay- much better with a flask of wine, whiskey..? But we want to just see.....

OK got it now... <BR><BR>stick with bangkok.. your life will change.<BR><BR>Louap Phabong in Loas is a verry attractive small UNESCO city.. life is slow and cheep.. <BR><BR>Hong Kong is a great city too walk around and get bombarded with life.. but it's not very ASIAN.. you can easally pic up a chinees visa and check out the mainland.. <BR><BR>MALAYSIA is the America of Asia, it's a melting pot of all Asian cultures. yourl see mosques next too hindue shrines. watching local tv they'll show a Indian looking femal holding her baby who has chinees features, and the father is a white guy named chuck.. <BR><BR>Bali. is pritty cool but it depends on where your gong, kuta can be anoying as hell.. <BR><BR>I bought the Cathey pacific all asia pass.. so I got too visit maney Asian countries

I heard Cathay is going back into China. I saw they have a 15 Asian city ticket for $999

actually now Malaysia airlines has a better deal for $899<BR><BR>Brunei<BR> Bandar Seri Begawan<BR>Burma<BR> Yangon (Rangoon)<BR>Cambodia<BR> Phnom Penh<BR>China<BR> Canton (Guangzhou)<BR> Hong Kong<BR>Indonesia<BR> Bali (Denpasar)<BR> Jakarta<BR> Medan<BR> Surabaya<BR>Malaysia<BR> Kota Kinabalu<BR> Kuala Lumpur<BR> Kuantan<BR> Kuching<BR> Langkawi<BR> Penang<BR> Maldives<BR> Male<BR>Philippines<BR> Cebu<BR> Manila<BR>Singapore<BR> Singapore<BR>Taiwan<BR> Kaohsiung<BR>Thailand<BR> Bangkok<BR> Phuket<BR>Vietnam<BR> Hanoi<BR> Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)<BR><BR>Plus<BR>Taiwan<BR>Taipei (Included to/from Los Angeles only)<BR>United Arab Emirates<BR> Dubai (Included to/from Newark only)<BR><BR>cathay's includes japanees cities though..

Geeezzz, I'll have to take off the rest of my life to see all those cities. Not a bad idea- if only I had the money to do that. Well I got a lottery ticket today-maybe I'll be able to see ALL those cities

Do not miss Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Really. Anyone who has gone will agree.