melimoo

Hi everyone!

I am planning a 3 week trip with my boyfriend in February and it is LAST MINUTE! We are only able to take 3 weeks off from work so that's all we have to work with. We are in our mid 20s and are looking for sightseeing/hiking/relaxing/beach. We are from Montreal, Canada so we want warm weather!

So far we've been thinking of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, maybe Bali, Singapore, Kuala Lampur... I know it's impossible to see all this in 3 weeks so I'm wondering what we should skip? Also don't wanna get stuck in monsoons..

Anyways if you can give us some pointers we would really appreciate it!

Cheers!

Hanuman

Thailand and Cambodia will have the least amount of rain in February so you could easily do the 2 countries in 3 weeks. Perhaps 1 week in Bangkok, 1 week at a beach down South of Thailand(Phuket, Krabi etc) and a week in Siem Reap exploring the ancient temples.

live42day

We did that exact route a few years ago and used the Bangkok air pass to fly from Bangkok to Chaing Mai, then to Siem REap via Bangkok and then to Koh Samui and return. A week in each sounds perfect. If you try to do too much you will spend all your time in a plane

indianewbie12

What is the Bangkok air pass please?

Thank you,

IN12

Kathie

Indian, go to http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/w...Bali-Indonesia and look for the Discovery Pass.

You have to buy at least three legs on Bangkok Air to take advantage of special pricing. Bangkok is the hub for this airline.

live42day

http://www.bangkokair.com/en/plan-yo...per-coupon.php

go to the top and see 'discovery air pass' and use the drop down menu. You must buy this before arriving in Thailand.

Kathie

Thanks, Deb for supplying the right link! Obviously, I intered the Bali weather link in error.

Southam

Alternatively, go to one country and get to know it a bit. My choice is Vietnam for its distinctive culture, friendly people and decent tourist infrastructure. It's so long and thin that it boasts a variety of scenery and weather conditions. Good food, low-cost cooking schools, tasty beers and fine bread courtesty of the French imperialists. You could even come across a few older people who remember a little French. From Montreal you might find better flight connections via New York or Boston than by heading for the west coast.

melimoo

Thank you for your answers so far!

So now here is a new question: after some research we have decided to do a maximum of 3 countries. What do you think would be better, Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam or Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore? We are mainly looking for good weather so that we can walk around, hike, and relax at the beach!

Thanks in advance!

BillT

The tourism infrastructure in Thailand,Malaysia, and Singapore is far better than Cambodia and Vietnam.
Here is what I would advise in this order:

Singapore- 3-4 days

Malaysia- 3-4 days - maybe Kuala Lumpur.

Thailand- beach destination (Phuket or Krabi) - 4 days, remainder in Bangkok.

dogster

I don't necessarily agree with BillT. The tourism infrastructure is perfectly fine in Cambodia and Vietnam, upmarket or down. I'm in Siem Reap right now.

Most people would put Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam together. Kazillions of tourists do that particular shlep. They fit.

If you want Asia lite, then follow Bill's suggestion. Some people prefer their cultural adventures to be bland. Not me.

BillT

One other point to consider - if this is your first trip to Asia then it is far easier to do Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore than Cambodia and Vietnam. I believe most of the Fodor regulars would agree with me that its going to be a lot easier to do Thailand,Malaysia and Singapore than Cambodia and Vietnam.

Kathie

I would choose just two countries as this is your first trip to Asia. Trying to see Thailand, Cambodia and VN in three weeks, is, IMO, a sure formula for frustration. Like Hanuman, above, I'd recommend combining Thialand and Cambodia. While much of Cambodia does not have much tourist infrastructure, Siem Reap (to visit the temples at Angkor) is well-developed. Save VN for when you have more time.

There is plenty to see and do in Malaysia and Singapore. Singapore is an easy entry to Asia, as the cleanest, best organized city in the world. It also has quite a mix of cultures. Malaysia has lots of places to see, including Malaysian Borneo with the opportunity to see orangutans in the wild, and places like Georgetown, Penang, with a fascinating mix of cultures and probably the best hawker food in the world. Personally, I'm not fond of KL, but I do like other parts of Malaysia.

SassTraveler

My favs are Vietnam and Laos. Luang Prabang is magical. Stay at La Residence Phuo Vao. Get up early in the morning to give alms to the monks. Two or three days is good. For Vietnam go to Hanoi (a BladeRunner kind of city) and stay overnight on a junk in Halong Bay. Take an overnight train up to the mountain town of Sapa on the Chinese border (stay at Victoria Resort) - hike during the day through local tribe's villages and spend a day at the mega market. (Note for the train: lock the door, bring a tshirt to cover the pillow offered and maybe your own blanket). Bangkok is worth 2 to 3 days - lots of sites to see. Stay at the Old Bangkok Inn.