How to travel in South-East Asia?
 

We would like to visit South-East Asia but we haven't decided when we go and in which route will we travel. We're thinking about to visit in Chinese New Year in 2013 or to visit this summer. What do you think? Which would be better? And also we're going to go with a tour if we go and there are several alternatives: "Bangkok-Pattaya-Singapore", "Bangkok-Pattaya", "Bangkok-Pattaya-Phuket", "Bangkok-Pattaya-Hong Kong"...etc Which of these is the best, what do you think?

There is absolutely no reason to go with a tour in SE Asia. It's a very easy area to travel and it has excellent tourist infrastructure. No matter where you choose to go, I'd immediately eliminate Pattaya from the itinerary. Pattaya has few redeeming features. The beaches are not very nice, and it has large areas frequented by sex tourists.

January is a fine time to visit Thailand, as it is less hot than other times. And Phuket would have nice weather. In the summer, it would be hotter in Bangkok, but Koh Samui would have good weather.

Pause and consider what you want to do/see/experience on this trip. Then we can be more helpful to you. Get yourself a guidebook.

Thank you that was useful and what do you think about Singapore and Hong Kong. Could you explain me further about them like what kind of a vacation that it would be, are there many places to see...etc We're thinking about a cultural trip but of course beaches are important too. We want to go on a vacation that we can relax and also recognize different cultures.

As Kathie wrote. Agree SE Asia easy to visit on your own. Air Asia and others in the region are good, easy to reserve on your own, will take you almost anywhere you want to go. Also suggest you get a good guidebook and spend some time figuring out just why you want to go and what you want to see. Neither Hong Kong nor Singapore are representative of 'SE Asia,' but rather are large Asian cities.

How much time do you have?

Both Hong Kong and Singapore are fun cities. Lots to see and do and both have good accommodations and excellent food. As you look at a trip to SE Asia, your problem will be eliminating places you want to visit. All of SE Asia is best seen at a slow pace. So limiting the number of stops you make will increase the amount of time you have to enjoy SE Asia.

You have only mentioned big cities and a beach. I'd suggest you may want to consider some smaller cities as well.

Pick up some guidebooks - you may want to visit your libraby and borrow some guideboooks so you can start to see what is possible.