Carribean or Asia?

Leanne1812

I'm looking for some opinions & contrasts from people who have been to both.

We are having a dilemma about our next holiday. Never been to the Caribbean yet but travelled quite widely in Asia. Hubby fancies a change and I'm trying but finding I'm not very enthusiastic about Mexico, Barbados, Jamaica or Dom Rep. Cuba seems interesting but it seems the wrong time of year ( next month or November).

We've already had 2 all inclusive breaks this year and it's not my ideal. We like to experience different cultures, historical sightseeing, good food, city & beach break combined suits us nicely.

Is the Caribbean not for us? I feel we should at least try it to see if we like it but will kick myself if I know I'd be having a better holiday some place in Asia.

richardw

Where in Asia do you fancy that you haven't yet been to?

Leanne1812

richardw wrote: »

Where in Asia do you fancy that you haven't yet been to?

Possibly Hong Kong for a few days then Vietnam. I've saw a few trips to Hue ( never been before) and Hoi An which I'd happily visit again. Besides that I'm open to suggestions. Maybe not Thailand again unless it's really somewhere outstanding. Been to Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, Krabi & Koh Lanta.

FunTime

If you've already been to Thailand, Hong Kong and Vietnam is not going to be that different.
We like to mix it up and often place a trip to North and South America in there.
New York, Miami together with the Virgin isles for instance. It's just a different kind of holiday.
You can can fly to St Thomas next month or in November for less than £400 if you are flexible with your dates. 7th to the 21st of November for example.. Hop around the islands; St John, Water Island etc. Maybe pop over to the British Virgin Isles.
Of course more expensive than a holiday in south east Asia, but also a different experience.
Just go where your heart takes you.

PompeyPete

Leanne1812 wrote: »

Possibly Hong Kong for a few days then Vietnam. I've saw a few trips to Hue ( never been before) and Hoi An which I'd happily visit again. Besides that I'm open to suggestions. Maybe not Thailand again unless it's really somewhere outstanding. Been to Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, Krabi & Koh Lanta.

Had 5 nights in Hue last September [13-17]. On our first morning we were walking to the Citadel, and the heavens erupted. 5 days caught in a Tropical Depression followed.

Had the following week in Hoi An, the weather was great and we thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of the town.

Also had a few days in Saigon, Dalat, and Danang.

Got Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, then fly to Hanoi for Northern Vietnam, coming up in February.

Have you tried Cambodia or Laos, or for somewhere different Myanmar, or somewhere completely different Nepal?

PompeyPete

Why not have a look at a Caribbean cruise? Thomson have adult only repositioning cruises in November going across the Atlantic, and once in the Eastern Caribbean, visit 5 islands. Fly home from Bridgetown. Excellent vfm.

The ships then spend the winter in the Caribbean, and do a reverse repositioning in April.

The drawback being that most of the islands are small and if there's more than one ship visiting the place is saturated.

[Deleted User]

The Caribbean is really very different from SE Asia and if you're looking for different cultures, historical sightseeing, good food, city & beach breaks I wouldn't recommend it.

It's fine for a beach holiday in an AI resort but outside of these it is no longer geared up for the independent traveller as it used to be.

Behind the glamour of the tourist images much of the Caribbean is very poor and there's a reason why AI has become ubiquitous - visitors feel safer in these resorts and the few bars and restaurants nearby because of understandable concerns about crime.

Places like Barbados and Antigua are fine with just about enough to see and do to prevent you getting bored but islands such as Grenada,away from the resorts,really don't offer enough for the independent traveller.

Barbados,in particular,has good hotels and restaurants that are not necessarily resorty which is the reason why it is the most popular Caribbean island.

I wish it wasn't like this because I remember when the Caribbean really was friendly and safe but there is a reason why resorts have fences and security.

814man

If you include the Mayan Riviera in Mexico and down to Belize within your Caribbean remit then I have never read such rubbish as the post above by TTGS. It has everything in the list apart from big cites and most would think that's a bonus. Stunning unexplored areas, an ancient civilisation with some of the most awesome archaeology anywhere in the world, the second largest barrier reef with some of the best diving and snorkeling opportunities anywhere, great beaches and very friendly people for those who make the effort to get off the main road and meet them.

richardw

Mayan Riviera or Vietnam or Cambodia are my suggestions.

[Deleted User]

814man wrote: »

If you include the Mayan Riviera in Mexico and down to Belize within your Caribbean remit then I have never read such rubbish as the post above by TTGS. It has everything in the list apart from big cites and most would think that's a bonus. Stunning unexplored areas, an ancient civilisation with some of the most awesome archaeology anywhere in the world, the second largest barrier reef with some of the best diving and snorkeling opportunities anywhere, great beaches and very friendly people for those who make the effort to get off the main road and meet them.

You answered your own query there old sport.
I was specifically talking about the islands that traditionally make up most people's idea of the Caribbean.
Mexico is a vast country with a population of 122 million and an entirely different subject altogether.
But you can always rely on one numpty to start a row where one isn't needed.

Voyager2002

I loved Cuba, and an important part of the appeal does not depend on the weather (friendly and interesting people; architecture and history; music and dancing; different way of life...). So don't rule it out.

However, if you enjoyed Thailand you might consider Malaysia. I always used to think of Thailand as the ultimate pleasant place to be, but earlier this year found that I enjoyed Malaysia even more. Food is a particular highlight (even better than in Thailand) although alcohol is dramatically over-priced. (In contrast, Cuban food is really nothing special, while rum is outstanding and affordable there.) Cities like Georgetown and Melaka offer an outstanding selection of beautiful temples that are at least on a par with anything that Thailand can offer.