klpustka

My fiancé and I are planning our honeymoon to Southeast Asia in the beginning of June of 2012 for a couple of weeks. We are thinking of going to Thailand and Bali, or Thailand and Vietnam. Does anyone out there have any recommendations or suggestions? I went to Thailand for a few weeks back in '02 but went in Sept/Oct and am wondering if all of Thailand is in Monsoon season? I am reading different things everywhere.

In starting my research, Bali is suppose to be very nice in June but I have read conflicting things about Vietnam. Some say it is great and others say it is awful.

We are very laid back and plan to splurge a bit on the trip as it is our honeymoon and our money will go farther in Asia then it would in Fiji, Europe, etc. We are hoping to relax, wander, enjoy and learn more about cultures and definitely eat. Any feedback would be great.

Thanks!
Kristi

Hanuman

In June Thailand, and Vietnam, will most likely be a bit rainny or at best sunny and very humid. Southern hemisphere countries like Indonesia will be nice that time of the year as it will be their winter or cool season.

You can easily do Indonesia for 2 weeks splitting the time between Bali and Java. I suggest you read some of the trip reports on Fodors for ideas on these two locations.

Nelson

Hello and congratulations.

As a general rule, the southwest monsoon is in effect in May-September. Thailand and Vietnam will tend to be hot and wet during those months, an uncomfortable combination for many people. Indonesia is drier at that time, so could be more pleasant depending on your tolerance for humid heat.

The flight time between Bangkok and Bali is about 4.5 hours. Bangkok to Hanoi is less than 1/2 of that. That would suggest Thailand and Vietnam, with the idea to minimize transit time. Traveling to Bali from Thailand will blow most of a day.

If you decide on Bali for weather reasons, then consider Yogyakarta instead of Thailand as a second base. It's a short distance from Bali on Java, and significantly different with a lot to see nearby such as the Borobudur and Prambanan sites. Good cultural activities such as Javanese gamelan performances.

Thailand is great, but June weather is not prime time. Have a great trip whatever you decide.

qwovadis

Bali best then weather2travel.com Climate Guides.
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Congrats!

klpustka

Thank you all for your help and feedback, we really appreciate it! I will take a deeper look into Indonesia. I remember how hot and humid it was in Thailand last time I went in October so I can only imagine how hot it would be in June.

Kristi

rhkkmk

i love both thailand and bali in june... some thai beach places can be triublesome in june so check the average rain falls... bkk gets late afternoon rains in june..

air asia has a direct flt from bkk to bali as does thai air..

stay a couple of nights at the peninsula in bkk..

check out the jw marriott in khao lak for a nice beach holiday... the sheraton in krabi is nice too.

StanKase

The Bali weather as stated is very nicde in May/June but expect the prices of hotels to be up a bit. I use Agoda.com with great success and could recomment places if you wish to give me you price range per night. I personally think 8 full days in Bali might be sufficien with a knowledgeable guide for 4-6 days at $55-$60/day for a 10 hour day. Because you are so close to Java you can fly on Garuda Air on a morning or noon flight to Yogja in Central Java and see some of the most amazing temples we have seen in Asia one of which is 8th Century Hindu.Borobudur. With a guide you can in 2 full days and 2 or 3 nights you can enjoy a very diffeent experience and culture. We use a guide in our 3 trips who we think is superior and though he cost $80/day for 10 hours in onew day you can see the 3 major temples, batik weaving and small villages the tourists nebver get to see. On the second day go on a trip to Dieng Plateau and make sure you ask him to take one route going and another returning and also you want to stop at at least one large interesting market in either direction. This trip has awesome beauty out at the plateau.
You can contact him at borobudurtourandtravel.com or hishome office [email protected] He al gets great rates at the Hyatt Regency, about $140/night for a deluxe room.

StanKase

The flight from Bali to Yogja is $150 RT and takes 1 hr. and 10 minutes.

darrenmike99

If you are going for a honeymooon, try going to the southern hamisphere where the weather is cool but dry. On the other side of the world, there will be moon-soon coming in June.

klpustka

Thanks all for your input. StanKase, thank you also for the info on the guides. When I went to Thailand for three weeks years ago, we did not do any guides and had a blast. However, my last trip to India was a lot more planned out with guides and made a world of a difference. It is enjoyable both routes but I can only imagine how much more I would have learned and taken in if we had a little guidance and someone explaining the history and culture in more depth. You also have an opportunity to meet more people and friends.

Rhkkmk, good to know also that it can be enjoyable in June. You are right, just need to do some more research. When I went in September Phuket was completely out, but Koh Samui was beautiful!

Thanks again everyone for your input, we really appreciate it!

Kristi

kuluk

Kristi:

Thailand and Bali is a great combination, and Thai Air and Air Asia both have easy connections. Air Asia even has a new flight between Phuket and Bali.
June is one of my favorite months in Bali, July and August being the others! It's a bit cooler and less humd than other months. You don't need to pre-book a guide, it's very easy to arrange everything when you arrive here. Very good local drivers and guides are abundant and easy to find, you will find that you can plan to do a rafting or bicycle trip tomorrow and just call the tour company and they do free pick up and drop off. Or just do short hops between place to place, or even meet one of the local guides and arrange for a day trip.

If you have 2 weeks in Bali, you could easily do 2 or three different places. A couple days in the southern beach areas like Seminyak or Sanur, one week in Ubud in central Bali. Or add a few days in another destination for laid back snorkeling/diving like Pemuteran (Menjangan Island) or even the Gili islands off of Lombok.

Or go to Central Java to tour Borobudur and Pramabanan, etc. as others have said. Or, you can check out other places like Tanah Toraja in Sulawesi which is a bit more adventurous. Or Komodo...or.... Indonesia really has a lot to offer,and is a lot easier going than India! so hope you have fun planning!

And congrats!