Where to go

gggareth

ESR wrote: »

What about a holiday to Cuba, have 10 days at a beach resort, and 3/4 days in the beautiful and amazing Havana? Many tour operators do a 'twin' thing where you can do 2 different things over the space of 2 weeks

Thanks but we did Cuba last year..

gggareth

PompeyPete wrote: »

Nong Khai in North East Thailand. It's smaller, and more laid back than Chiang Mai. The air in Chiang Mai is polluted with trillions of 2 and 4-stokes! Crossing the road is a ricky business! None of that in Nong Khai.

Fly to BKK. Stay in a Riverside Hotel.
There's loads to do in BKK, but just stay a couple of nights.
Overnight sleeper train to Nong Khai.
Stay right on the mighty Meekong at the Mutmee guesthouse.
Perhaps cross the Friendship Bridge, and have a few days in Vientiene, the capital of Laos.
Sleeper back to BKK for a couple of nights, and home.
Terrific!

Now this sounds interesting.. was looking a Koh Samui (sp) also

Doshwaster

gggareth wrote: »

Now this sounds interesting.. was looking a Koh Samui (sp) also

Samui is better than Phuket but it's still a bit too touristy (especially in Chaweng). But, don't let me put you off - it's probably a good choice if this is your first trip to Thailand (I went there on first time). I easily lost a week on the island doing not very much at all.

Samui also has the funkiest airport in the world: http://www.kohsamui-info.com/transportation/images/samui-airport.jpg

2 nights in BKK, 3-4 in Chaing Mai and a week in Koh Samui sounds like a perfect first trip to Thailand - a combination of city, mountains and beach.

Wish I was going. I usually go to Thailand each October but having to miss out this year and I'm feeling very poor on account of just buying a house.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

....but I'm starting to look at Cambodia and Vietnam for cheaper and more "interesting" travels.

What about Myanmar?
We had a 3 week D-i-Y trip there in February.
Fabulous place, fabulous people.
Get there before it gets ruined by Tour Groups.
Don't forget your prisitine, mint condition US$ notes.

Had a few days in Cambodia too. Flew in and out of Phnom Penh, stayed there and visited Kampot for a couple of nights. If you are only going there for a few nights as a side-trip you need to factor in the on-arrival visa charge of US$20, and also airport exit tax of US$25. Also accommodation wasn't that cheap, almost double what you'd pay in Thailand. That's due to very high utility charges, which obviously get passed on to the punter. There are also many amputees there, most have little choice but to beg for a living. Not everyone's cup-of-tea, but a fascinating place.

Pollycat

Hi - also forgot to ask WHEN in 2011.

You need to think about the rainy season wherever you go.

You'll need to consider what vaccinations or malaria prevention you'll need so as you say it's a surprise, when will you tell her?

Personally, I think the choosing of a destination and planning what to do or see is a very enjoyable part of a holiday and wouldn't appreciate my OH booking a surprise for me.

You could do Bali (flights and accommodation) for £1500 per pax, although the flights are long.

What about Sri Lanka?
Or a 7 day Nile Cruise and 7 nights in Luxor?
Or the Red Sea?
Or a Med cruise?
Or a Caribbean cruise?
Or an escorted tour of China if you're really looking for something different.

duchy

Somewhere different to WHAT ? (What's a "normal" holiday for you?)

As you've done Cuba maybe something not exclusively beachy ?

How about the US-Say LA and Vegas (you can also pick up 4 day cruises from LA down to Mexico very cheaply) or New York and Miami -if you always stay in one place a two centre of contrasting city and beach might make it different enough but still have the things you really like.

-

PompeyPete

You're just as well looking through the travel pages in Saturday's newspapers.
Just scanned the Daily Mail, and there's loads of suggestions.

gggareth

thanks,,


The "what"is part of the problem,want somewhere that has some tourist aspects but also off the beaten track.:cool:

China Shanghai Beijing Taiwan Hong kong singapore done.
US vegas LA Florida atlanta done
Mexico Belize guatamala carribean done

SriLanka << seems a good option.
Thailand Laos etc seem a god option also..

Thanks for the Ideas,,,

Pollycat

gggareth wrote: »

SriLanka << seems a good option.

In that case, you really need to answer this question:

Pollycat wrote: »

Hi - also forgot to ask WHEN in 2011.

You need to think about the rainy season wherever you go.

Sri Lanka does have some heavy rainfall. - but it's a beautiful country with lots to see away from the beach resorts.
I'd look into doing at least a 4 day tour (maybe up to 7 day).

geordieracer

gggareth wrote: »

Now this sounds interesting.. was looking a Koh Samui (sp) also

Dont do Samui.

if you fancy a bit of Thai beauty then go over to Koh Chang/Mak/Kood - these threee islands are beautiful. each one nicer then the other and its doable within your time scale and price.

I love the place and am going to book again for next year