Real Experiences and Travel Agency in Southeast Asia to choose
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Real Experiences and Travel Agency in Southeast Asia to choose
Hi,
It's my first post on Fodors forum, I look for vacation destinations for one or two times a year, usually. And this year I decided it has to be SEAsia. I and my husband found Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar very interesting, especially with some activities which are related to Buddhism and spiritual practices.
The fact is that we will be travelling the fist time to these countries, so I'm looking for a reliable travel company of SEA travel. I'd be thankful if anyone could share with me real experiences and trusted agency to choose.
Thanks in advance.
It's my first post on Fodors forum, I look for vacation destinations for one or two times a year, usually. And this year I decided it has to be SEAsia. I and my husband found Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar very interesting, especially with some activities which are related to Buddhism and spiritual practices.
The fact is that we will be travelling the fist time to these countries, so I'm looking for a reliable travel company of SEA travel. I'd be thankful if anyone could share with me real experiences and trusted agency to choose.
Thanks in advance.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are interested in Buddhism, you can cut VN from your list. Cambodia and Myanmar are good destinations for you. If you opt for Myanmar, you will want to use a local agency in Myanmar - I use Santa Maria in Yangon - to help with booking lodging and internal flights. Give yourself a minimum of 10 days in Myanmar - longer if you can manage it.
I have been to Myanmar three times and am planning to return in 2017. Take a look at my trip reports here.
Other than for Myanmar, you really don't need a travel agent (and you no longer have to have an agent even in Myanmar). I've been traveling to SE Asia almost annually since the mid-1980s and have only used an agent for Myanmar. Myanmar requires more reading, more advance planning than other places in SE Asia. This is a very easy part of the world to travel.
I notice you have Bhutan on your list. It really doesn't fit with the rest of your list. It is a very expensive place to travel, as you are required to use a local agency and it will cost a minimum of about $300 per person per day.
When you have more ideas about where you want to go come back and ask us specific questions.
I have been to Myanmar three times and am planning to return in 2017. Take a look at my trip reports here.
Other than for Myanmar, you really don't need a travel agent (and you no longer have to have an agent even in Myanmar). I've been traveling to SE Asia almost annually since the mid-1980s and have only used an agent for Myanmar. Myanmar requires more reading, more advance planning than other places in SE Asia. This is a very easy part of the world to travel.
I notice you have Bhutan on your list. It really doesn't fit with the rest of your list. It is a very expensive place to travel, as you are required to use a local agency and it will cost a minimum of about $300 per person per day.
When you have more ideas about where you want to go come back and ask us specific questions.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much Kathie for these information.
About Bhutan, it seems very interesting for us, elderly travelers to go and get some time enjoying the peaceful scenery and Buddhism spirits.
Or maybe the other thought, it will be Bhutan only for us this time.
Many thanks and other ideas are welcomed.
About Bhutan, it seems very interesting for us, elderly travelers to go and get some time enjoying the peaceful scenery and Buddhism spirits.
Or maybe the other thought, it will be Bhutan only for us this time.
Many thanks and other ideas are welcomed.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Antonio,
I really appreciate your recommendation for various activities to do in these countries.
I was wondering about elephant trekking, village visit and waterfall in Luang Prabang, but is it requires so much trekking, climbing for long hours?
I really appreciate your recommendation for various activities to do in these countries.
I was wondering about elephant trekking, village visit and waterfall in Luang Prabang, but is it requires so much trekking, climbing for long hours?
#6
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cambodia and Thailand are the countries of Buddhism. The number of people following Buddhism is large and you can visit a number of pagodas and temples here. If you come to Vietnam, you should visit pagodas in the South. Pagodas of the North are usually quite crowded, especially on holidays.
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
antonio15 - " I've had the chance to visit Southeast Asia in 2013, and wrote quite a long and detailed report here http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...nd-cambodia-28 "
That report was written by Lolazohara??
That report was written by Lolazohara??
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@Kathie: I've just wrote some news about animals attractions for tourists and got shocked by images that show animals are drugged, or treated badly for tourism purposes. So definitely I wont include it in my trip. The waterfalls and village visit sounds good. thank you.
@perryluckie: we're quite passionate about a pagoda in the Central Vietnam, I don't remember its name but it is considered as the root pagoda of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Do you know where the pagoda is?
@crellston: oh maybe Antonio just copied a wrong address of reference here, even I didn't notice it
@perryluckie: we're quite passionate about a pagoda in the Central Vietnam, I don't remember its name but it is considered as the root pagoda of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Do you know where the pagoda is?
@crellston: oh maybe Antonio just copied a wrong address of reference here, even I didn't notice it