Myanmar suggestions
 

Can anyone suggest how best to spend 7 days in Myanmar. Which sights and locations? in what order? Hotels? Guides or not? We're intrigued, but no very little.

In seven days, you could do the whole Bagan, Mandalay and Yangon loop. How much time you spend in each place depends a little on what you're into. Bagan is an ancient city, with literally thousands of of temples built 800 to 1,000 years ago. You'll need one full day here to see the basics, so plan on at least two nights. If you're into this stuff, you could spend several days here.

Mandalay was the old capital just before the British took over. There are several interesting temples to see, and the reconstructed grand palace. There's not a lot to keep you here, so I wouldn't recommend staying more than two nights.

Yangon is a big city that feels like a collection of villages. There's old colonial buildings and even older temples, plus lots of shopping. I would definitely save Yangon for last.

Do Bagan and Mandalay first. The order depends on flight schedules, which tend to be a bit erratic. This does mean you'll be moving around a lot, but if you want to see more than just one place, that's a given.

MichaelBKK-I've read other posts suggesting skipping Mandalay. Howevewr, in looking at air flights, it seems most go through Mandalay and logistically it seems appropriate. Is skipping Inle Lake a mistake. Thanks.

Based on time constraints and the comments of other travelers, I chose Inle Lake for 2 nights and skipped Mandalay. I was SO glad I did. Inle Lake turned out to be one of the most magical places I have ever visited. I was only sorry I did not have more time there.
From the 6000 Buddhas of Pindaya Cave (it's like a Buddha maze in there!) to the craft villages on stilts, the markets, the Shan tribes, the floating gardens,the jumping cat pagado, the one legged fisherman (who stand on one leg and row their boats with the other), the gorgeous scenery (the lake is long and narrow, sandwiched between two mountain ranges) and the crystal clear air....it's just not to be missed, if you are already in Myanmar.

PS We flew directly to Heho from Bagan and then directly back to Yangon from Heho.

Oops, typing too fast....that's jumping cat PAGODA. And the monks really have trained them to jump through hoops. Would NOT have believed it if I had not seen it.

Andy - from researching my own trip, there are at least 3 non-government airlines providing flights between Yangon, Heho (Lake Inle), Bagan and Mandalay. They are Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways, and Air Bagan. Amongst the three there are daily flights between all locales.

L-thanks. I've read similar wows about Inle Lake. Your description made it seem magical.

C-I've looked at flights and thought I might wait to try and mix and match until I figure out where we'd like to be. The order of locations may be dictated by schedules, but I'd like to choose substantively before procedurally.

I would say that Inle lake should be at the top of your list, Yangon second and Bagan third. Bagan has lovely old temples but you get no sense of the people since they were moved out to make the place "nice" for tourists. And the people are what make Burma a special place. I would spend 3 days in Inle Lake, 2 days in Yangon and 2 days in Bagain (although one was more than enough for me).