I just booked a flight to Singapore, but I've been there and am looking for some place different in Asia. I can fly from Singapore to Sri Lanka to the Maldives and back to Singapore for $431 USD. Any suggestions? I have 18 days.

I've also been to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. I met some Brits who told me they really liked Sri Lanka.

If it were me (and it isn't) I could easily spend the whole time in Sri Lanka. I have to admit to little interest in the Maldives - all beach, no culture. Sri Lanka has lovely beaches if you want some beach time..

I have a trip report here on Sri Lanka. It is a fascinating destination. Another option for you would be Indonesia, perhaps Bali and Java. I have a recent trip report on Java here,

You can see photos of these places at www.marlandc.com

Ditto what Kathie says .

Nice website, Kathie. Did you do a tour of Sri Lanka or did you do it on our own? What would you recommend. BTW, I have been to Bali.

Thanks, Wally, glad you like it. We hired a car and driver through an agency and traveled independently. It is easy to do this and you get to see what you want to see - and there is so much to experience in Sri Lanka. It's a place we'd like to return to.

We used Boutique Sri Lanka to book our car and driver and our hotels. They are excellent.

18 days is way too long for the Maldives or Singapore. Why not spend the majority of the time in Sri Lanka and a few days in the Maldives or Singapore?

wally,
It depends on what you like. We were in the Maldives a few years ago and had a lovely time. It's extremely relaxing precisely because there is nothing much to do, dive, eat, relax on the beach. If you need time to unwind and reconnect it can be magical. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it and I felt really rejuvenated after our time there. Fyi the diving was amazing.

For me it wouldn't be a destination on its own but a great add on. We added it on to a crazy round the world that included Central Asia and india.

18 days - wow! Fly to Sri Lanka and spend a week or more there. Visit Galle and the beaches, then head to the hills in Nuwara Eliya - stay in the Tea Factory Hotel but just remember their road infrastructure is not very great and there are no fast highways. Suggest you look at BlueLanka where they do personalized tours for maximum of 4 persons and recommend hotels which you book on your own on the web.

Thanks, silverlex. Any good websites or travel books you would like to recommend?

Get a guidebook - I used the Lonely Planet.

Read the travel agents's websites - both BVoutique Sri Lanka And RedDot have lots of info including drive times, plus suggested itineraries.

Read trip repots here - go to the top of the page and choose Sri Lanka and read, oh, the last dozen trip reports.

I'd certainly spend more than a week in Sri Lanka, and I'd make sure I had plenty of time in the cultural triangle.

Obviously, that should be Boutique Sri Lanka. The agents can often get you better hotel prices, and you will want an agency to book your car and driver for you so you have back up if needed.

Try BlueLanka - customised escorted holidays but you need to book your hotels on your own. Small very enthusiastic team but because they are small they are almost always fully occupied and may not be able to take you on. They provide a driver who doubles up as tour guide. All English speaking and knowleagable and may bring you to some off the beaten track places and restaurants. a week if you can afford the time in Sri lanka would be great.

Great! I ordered the Lonely Planet book yesterday. I won't be leaving until September 18,2013, so any more information will be great.

what kathie said, wally. She and others here were very helpful in our trip planning and we followed their advice quite closely. this led to us staying at some great places and having a wonderful 14 days. our only complaint was that we didn't have long enough, so I would suggest spending as many of your 18 days as possible in SL.

if you go to the Boutique SL website you'll find a lot of suggested itineraries and a whole host of hotels to pick from. there are also quite a few trip reports here with itineraries that may give you some ideas.

Hi Wally --

I've used Singapore for a base many times. My favorite destinations from there, in order of preference:

- Sri Lanka
- Penang and Georgetown -- Malaysia (and maybe KL? Won't know until I visit in December)
- Ubud, Bali

I've posted Sri Lanka on my blog but not the others yet.

When in Singapore do not miss the Night Zoo and I recommend walking it rather than training it. Interacting that closely with the jackals and bats was scary fun.

Just an update. I got my electronic visa today. (It went to my junk mail). I plan to spend four nights in the Maldives, 2 nights in Singapore and the rest (13 days) in Sri Lanka. Any comments about the Lavinia Beach near Colombo area? Anyone climb up Adams Peak?

wally,

i suggest that you start a new thread specifically with 13 days in Sri Lanka [or similar] in the title.

There is a comment from someone who has climbed Adam's Peak on the other current sri lanka thread.