Honeymoon help
 

Hi All,
We're starting to plan our honeymoon for late April and early May and would love some advise.

We just can't seem to decide on where to go and here are our choices:

(1) LAX to Singapore where we would spend one or two nights, then we'd go to Bali for 5-7 nights and then Langkawi for 5-7 nights and the home thru Singapre.

(2)LAX to Singapore where we would spend one or two nights, then we'd go to Bali for 5-7 nights and then Maldives for 5-7 nights and the home thru Singapre.

(3) LAX or NYC to Bangkok where we would spend one or two nights, then we'd go to Bali for 5-7 nights and then Chiang Mai for 5-7 nights and the home thru Bangkok.

Is flying to Singapore our best option or should I also look into Hong Kong.

Where would be the best spot to have a layover, Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong?

Any and all opinions are welcome.
thanks!

I have been to Bali and am planning a trip to the Maldives for next year.
I cannot imagine a more relaxing vacation than first vegging on the most beautiful beaches in the world in the Maldives and then going to Bali, to explore a fascinating culture and amazing landscapes.

I am sure many on this board in the Bangkok fan club will vote for BKK, but coming from a big city like LA (I'm in NYC) I would not find it relaxing to be in a huge metropolis for my honeymoon. I have been there and like it, but it would not be my first choice for a honeymoon.

I'm not a fan of Singapore but I would say it is definitely the best place for a stop over before Bali. Save Bangkok for a time when you can spend a couple of weeks in thailand.

You don't have a lot of time. I live in L.A. area and in a couple of days will have only about 9 days to go back to Singapore/Bangkok....but I've been there many times. If I were you, I would fly L.A. to Singapore and overnight there(planes usually get in after midnight anyway) and then fly on to Bali...early the same morning... and spend 5 nights there and then fly back to Singapore and spend 3 nights there and then fly to Bangkok and spend 5 nights and then fly back to L.A. via Bangkok...no back tracking. Then you will have gotten a nice overview of S.E. Asia. When I did my first S.E. Asia trip back in the 90s., I flew L.A.-Singapore-Bali-Singapore-Chiangmai-Bangkok-L.A. I had three weeks though. That schedule worked out just fine. I got the type of plane ticket where I wasn't charged penalties if I wanted to change the routing and once in S.E. Asia I changed it quite a bit without any problems. Hope this has helped. Happy Travels!

Chiang Mai and the Maldives are completely different experiences, so you have to think about what you want to do on this honeymoon. The Maldives have absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous, stunning beyond belief beautiful beaches and that turquoise water you dream about. However, beyond snorkeling, diving, laying in the beach, reading and eating, there is absolutely nothing to do there. Now, this could be the purpose of a honeymoon, and there is nothing wrong with doing nothing, and I am a huge advocate of it. Chiang Mai is mountains and jungles and wildlife and treks and walks and elephant rides and shopping, and a great culture and people (sorry Maldiveans are lovely too you just won't see hardly any). So you really need to determine what you want out of this honeymoon.

If you are gong to include Bali anyway, you will get the jungle, mountains, walks, culture, shopping, lovely people already, so perhaps you don't need to include Chiang Mai but could include a truly gorgeous beach (which Bali admittedly does not have, very pretty but not spectacular like the Maldives).

Maldives, Chiang Mai and Bali are all good weather wise. Singapore is virtually the same all year, hot and humid. Hate to say it, but Hong Kong is pretty hot and humid by April, but for a few days would be fine. However, I think you will find better air connections to the Maldives from Singapore (flights from Hong Kong tend to transit via Singapore anyway), so a lot would depend on where you plan to go. Getting to Bali and Thailand from Singapore or Hong Kong should be about as easy, there may be slightly more non-stops from Singapore, so there may be an advantage there.

I think you will find Langkawi rainer than you would want. I personally don't think the beaches are much and would never, ever give up the Maldives for Langkawi. There are much more beautiful beaches in the Caribbean or Costa Rica than Langkawi.

I would go for the 7 nights in the Maldives to justify the longer flight (esp coming from Bali where you will have to transit via Singapore most likely), and I would also do 7 nights in Bali so you can switch between a beach/Kuta and mountain location.

i like singapore/bali/langkawi if for no other reason things are move compact...

the maldives will probably cost you condiderably more both for the flights and for the hotels if that is an issue...

not sure of weather at that time of year so you should check that out...

bali/maldives/malaysia are totally different so this would be a nice combo...

the datai in langkawi is very nice...there are a couple of other newer places there also since i was last there...