Greetings all! Planning a two week trip for May/June 2009 to celebrate completion of grad school. Two women travelers, both in our 30s, enjoy architecture/design, culture, natural beauty, food, shopping. We've been to most European cities, Egypt, Jordan (just returned from Rio and Buenos Aires), but this will be our first trip to Asia. Generally like a combination of big city/relaxed village (or few days at beach).

Getting overwhelmed with options...please advise!

many thanks!!!!!

TriciaD

Tricia-Thailand is a very good introduction to Asia. It has hotels and activities at all price levels. A two week vacation from the US is 12 days on the ground in Asia. A typical stay in Thailand is 2 days in Bangkok, 4 days in Chiang Mai, 4 days at a beach and 2 days in Bangkok. The internal filghts are easy.

Thailand is an easy introduction to Asia. Ther are lots of options, not just the standard Bangkok/Chiang Mai/beach. Another place to consider as a first trip is Bali. You would likely stopover in Singapore on your way. Bali is a wonderful intro to Asia as the culture is so accessible. Do a bit of reading and see what strikes your fancy.

By the way, if you are at all interested in visiting the Khmer temples in Cambodia (Angkor Wat) you may want to factor that in. This is a place that is changing rapidly. You could have two stops in Thailand and one at Angkor (Siem Reap, Cambodia).

thanks!!!

i agree with both above....bali came immediately to my mind as i read your writing...

thailand is good also...

bali is more "spiritual", but not in your face...the shopping is fantastic....currently it may even be cheaper than thailand...the accomodations can be very lux for short money...

i was in both places this may/june and the weather was fantastic...

its very hot in thailand and warm in bali as well....june starts their high season...

bali with a stop both ways in singapore sounds wonderful to me...

Agree "enjoy architecture/design, culture, natural beauty, food, shopping" sure sounds like Bali would be home run, especially as noted in tandem with Singapore.

Chiang Mai is a nice place to explore aside from BKK. If you want to see how the entire place looks like in person, try to check www.mapjack.com/ChiangMai They got a street-view level imagery of the place. Good luck.

Hi, TriciaD,
Have you ever heard some very nice architecture/design in China? Great Wall,Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses,The Potala Palace,Big Buddha in Chengdu, Yunan Grotto and Hanging Temple in Datong, etc. Wish you consider to visit China. It is worthy.
If you have further questions, feel free to let me know.
Moren Mo

Tricia, note that morgen is a travel agent, so take his recommendations with a large serving of salt.

Sounds like Japan would be an excellent choice for you: architecture/design, culture, natural beauty, food, shopping. May would be better than June.

No beach, but you could go to a hot springs town. Find a nice ryokan in Fuji Hakone National Park. Or a small city in the Japanese Alps (Takayama) and a wonderful village called Shirakawago.

On my first trip to Asia I went to Japan for 10 days and then stopped in Beijing for 3 days.

May & June would be an excellant time to be in the foot hills of north India. It would offer you practically every thing in the way of your interest in architecture, design, culture, nature, food, shopping. The weather will be excellant up in hills & we do have some beautiful properties exuding old world charm, as you sip your stinging Darjeeling tea contemplating the eternal snow clad mountains, before you in the distance!
Happy Travels!

Thanks so much everyone!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Asia - to Vietnam. It's a place where you must interact with the locals - they go out of their way to help in every way, and it's a very easy and comfortable place to travel. Very high standard of hotels and food and prices you will not believe. Many say it's like Thailand 20 years ago. I liked it so much I'm going back in a few more months.

Just realised you're off in May/June - not exactly the ideal weather in SE Asia - VERY HOT AND WET!

Siem Reap (angkor wat): is really interesting for architecture (I am an interior designer and I also write about design) It has all fallen into disrepair but the site itself and the temples which are left are still astounding. (Highly recommend FCC hotel there)
India: I have only been to Delhi and the Taj Mahal, but you can still see amazing architecture there. Dunno what your budget is but look at the Oberoi hotels. I have always wanted to go to Jaipur and Rajasthan for the architecture. Some private palaces have also been converted into hotels by a French guy. Sorry I cant remember the name. Will try later.
Thailand is easy and relatively safe. Nice for temples, beaches and food. Bangkok is not so good, but you can day trip to the ancient Siam ruins Ayatthuya. Really good.
Bali has some really stylish places to stay. The design scene there is buzzing. See the Tuggu Hotel in Canggu...and so many others there.
enjoy...

As an interior designer, hup, I'm amazed that you would say that Bangkok is "not so good." Aside from being my favorite city in the world, it has wonderful decorator items ranging from fabulous silks to handicrafts found no where else.