going to Burma during the Christmas holiday and have absolutely no idea as to where to start. anyone have suggestions / advise on where to go, do, stay, etc? appreciate any help...cheers!

Start with a guidebook. I'd suggest the Lonely Plant book. I'd also suggest that you do a bit of reading about the history of Burma before you go. There is a weath of books out there that will give you a flavor for the country. I'd recommend The Glass Palace, at least one of ASSK's book, perhaps Letters From Burma, The Trouser People, and others. Do a search on Amazon.com for books about Burma.

You may also want to read about contemporary politics in Burma. I'd suggest www.freeburma.org as a start.

I've started researching a trip to Burma for next year and have decided to visit Rangoon, take daytime train to Mandalay, take boat to Began, fly to Inle Lake (Heho), and fly back to Rangoon. From Rangoon, we'll fly to Delhi. I've been using LP for ideas.

Hi Xusana!
The usual spots to visit in Myanmar are Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake (with Inle Lake usually being the option that is sacrificed if time is short). However, all four areas are fantastic and interesting, and can be covered in about a week including internal travel. If time allows and you want to go further afield and include a "beachy" getaway the Sandaway Resort in Rhakine is lovely.
If it is within your budget then the E&O Road to Mandalay is a terrific way to see the three main areas with a trip to Inle Lake added on. I don't know your age but just as a note we were about half of the age of the average traveler on the R to M. Not a problem for us - we had a great time, but if you are young and single and want more of a party atmosphere this probably isn't the choice for you. It is the choice if you are looking for the most luxurious and comfortable way to see Bagan and Mandalay(IMO).
IMO the nicest places to stay in Yangon are The Strand and The Pansea. Outside Yangon I would recommend the Sedona in Mandalay and in Bagan the Thiripyitsaya is lovely (not luxurious though so don't be surprised). Finally the Golden Island Cottages at Inle Lake is beautiful and it is built on stilts on the lake however the accomodations were very basic at Inle Lake when we were there so something a bit nicer may have arrived on the scene that someone elso may be able to reccomend.
IMO Balloons Over Bagan is another can't miss but be sure to book before you leave if you would like to try ballooning as it can get booked up quickly.
We have only travelled internally by plane and the R to M on our trips to Myanmar so I don't know about the train. As both previous posters recommended a travel guide such as Lonely Planet is the perfect starting point for planning and then check the different websites for review of specific areas, accomodations, and sights
Have a fantastic holiday! Myanmar is a fascinating country!

our experience with myanmar was 5 days in and around yangon....it was a perfect amount of time really....we could have added a day but did not....we choose not to to up north and are sure that we missed a lot....we had a great driver kyaw naing ...he is personable and has good english....he was very reasonable and he does do touring up into the north if you desire...if you want his e address send me a request at [email protected] myanmar in the subject line...

yangon is straight out of the 1850's in many ways....ok...1890's....the people are lovely and it is very cheap...we stayed at the inya lake hotel....i sould stay there again or at the pansea or at the K palace hotel (don't know the rest of the name but it is in town on a lake and is in all the hotel listings)...the K would probably be our choice next time...

food is reasonable and good....city is small and there are plenty of sites to keep you busy...
there will be no christmas there of course...
the main pagoda is fantastic

I live in the Emirates and embark on a trip to Myanmar next week, with my wife. Two weeks. Here is our travel plan, which may give you some inspiration. After returning I'll file a trip report here.

Here is the programme:

26-Oct arrive from Dubai in Bangkok early morning. Some hours of visit in Bkk, and around 18:00
Bangkok - Yangon
27-Oct Yangon - Bago - Yangon (car)
28-Oct Yangon - Bagan (flight)
29-Oct Bagan
30-Oct Bagan - Popa - Mandalay (car)
31-Oct Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay (car)
01-Nov Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay *(car)
02-Nov Mandalay - Heho (flight)
Heho - Pindaya - Inle
03-Nov Inle
04-Nov Inle - Heho
Heho - Yangon (flight)
Yangon - Sittwe (flight)
05-Nov Sittwe - Mrauk U (boat)
06-Nov Mrauk U
07-Nov Mrauk U - Sittwe (boat)
Sittwe - Sandoway/Thandwe (car)
08-Nov Sandoway (uf... after an intense trip)
09-Nov Sandoway
10-Nov Sandoway - Yangon (flight)
11-Nov Yangon
Yangon - Bangkok (flight)
12-Nov Bangkok
Bangkok - Dubai

that's one busy trip...have fun

I posted a trip report yesterday. Have a look at it. Maybe you find some inspiration. If you have questions about what I write, let me know. I agree that Lonely Planet is a very good and reliable guide to Myanmar