For a stay of four or five nights around August 15th, would you recommend Krabi or Koh Samui (or Koh Phangan)? Ideally, we're looking for crystal-clear waters and beautiful sandy beaches—more for walking than just lying around sunbathing on a lounger.

Hi there,

We’re thinking of heading to Cambodia in August for two weeks with our three older kids (after considering Sri Lanka, Malaysia, etc.). We know it’s the rainy season, but the kids are a bit worried they won’t enjoy the trip. They’d love to end with two or three nights by the sea, but I’ve read that the weather can be even worse on the islands. For those who’ve visited Cambodia in August—would you still recommend it? Given that, apart from Thailand, we haven’t had the chance to take them on any long-haul trips yet... And with three young adults/older teens? Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi everyone! I’ve booked flights to Phnom Penh for August 26 (no layover in the Emirates as a precaution...). We arrive on Sunday, August 2 in the morning and leave on August 19 around 9 PM (also from Phnom Penh). We’re a couple traveling with three kids aged 9 to 16. Among the many questions I have about our itinerary, a few are standing out: If we arrive in Phnom Penh exhausted, I imagine we’ll need to stay one night there before heading to Siem Reap... but how much time should we spend there to enjoy Angkor in good conditions? Then, Mondulkiri or Battambang? (Because I don’t want it to be a total rush, changing accommodation every two days and praying that bus transfers or private drivers go as planned...). Where does Tonlé Sap Lake fit into all this? And if we end with a beach stay: is Koh Rong a must, or is there another spot? Also, what about the return logistics: should we spend the night before our flight in Phnom Penh to be safe... or do we do everything on August 19... like taking a boat and then the road from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, risking missing our flight if anything goes wrong? Anyway, a huge thank you in advance for your valuable tips and feedback!

Hi there, Big travel year in Asia for me. I’m heading to Southeast Asia for a month in mid-July. The dates aren’t flexible since I’m going primarily for a wedding (Laos). So, I’ll start my trip in Laos for 4 days, then head off... where?

I’ve already done a trip exclusively in Laos a few years ago. I also visited Vietnam for the second time last year, so I’d love to explore something new. I was thinking of Cambodia (but only for Angkor) and northern Thailand, which I haven’t seen yet (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, Phayao, Pa Hin Ngam National Park), and wrapping up with a few nights in Koh Samui. My question is about the weather. From what I’ve seen, Koh Samui seems to be spared during this period. But for Angkor and northern Thailand, I’m not so sure—it feels like a gamble. And I’m really not in the mood for rainy vacations, since I already get enough gray skies where I live 😅.

So, I had another idea: after Laos, I could head to Bali (or another Indonesian island) where it’s supposedly the right season. The flight ticket price is exactly the same, including a one-way to Bali and the return from Bali (with a layover in Bangkok). For those who’ve traveled in July, what do you think? Is there a big risk in trying northern Thailand and Angkor?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I couldn’t find any recent posts on this topic, so I thought I’d create a new one. We’ve just started planning our family trip to Vietnam this coming August. We’d like to travel from North to South, starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh.

Usually, we rent a car when we arrive and manage on our own. But I get the feeling that in Vietnam, it’s more complicated... It seems like the only option we have is to rent a car with a driver? Is that really the case?

I’m thinking of starting with a cruise in Halong Bay since we arrive on my partner’s birthday, and I wanted a beautiful setting to celebrate it. So, is the option of having a driver wait for 2 days while we’re on the cruise really feasible?

The rest of the itinerary isn’t planned at all yet. I’d love to hear your tips. We’re traveling from August 8th (morning) to the 26th (afternoon).

Thanks for your advice.

🙂 Hi everyone!

Hope you're all doing well! It's been a while since I last traveled, but I'm finally heading out again soon!

For those familiar with SOUTHEAST ASIA, I'm planning to leave in mid-June (with the trip ending at the latest in November), and I don’t have a precise idea of exact places or itineraries yet. The thing is, this period is usually the rainy season...

Any advice? I was thinking of Malaysia or Indonesia, like Sulawesi, for example (all countries and islands in Southeast Asia interest me except Bali).

Any recommendations? I’m doing my research online, but if anyone here has the time and knowledge, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks everyone, take care and stay happy! ❤️

Hi everyone, My 16-year-old son, my partner, and I are planning a trip to Malaysia in August.

Here’s what I’m thinking so far:

- KL (4 nights): The first day is a write-off, so that leaves 3 full days. - Cameron Highlands (2 nights): 1 full day for Mossy Forest, etc.

Now, the big question. I’m planning to go to Penang—either 3 or 4 nights. If I do 4 nights, I’ll have 3 full days to explore. If I do 3 nights, I’m thinking of spending 1 night in Ipoh.

Is Ipoh worth it for a day? Is 3 full days in Penang too much? - Perhentians (4 nights).

To finish, back to KL and a visit to Malacca, or maybe Singapore—but if it’s just for a day, it might not be worth it.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Hi there,

It’s all in the title. I’m starting to think about my destination for summer 2026, and Cambodia is currently at the top of my list. Among the spots frequently mentioned for a 2- or 3-week trip to Cambodia, Battambang comes up often. However, so far, I haven’t found any truly remarkable features that would justify spending 2 or 3 days (including travel and visits) in this city during a 3-week stay, especially since I’m primarily looking for stunning photography spots—whether natural landscapes, urban scenes, or architecture. Where can I find some enlightening documentation on Battambang to help shift my perspective? Sorry for exposing my ignorance about this city like this, but all the photos I’ve seen online and the travel journals I’ve read don’t really showcase what makes it appealing, even though the descriptions suggest it’s very charming.

Thanks for any insights you can share!

Gollum ;-)

Hello,

We’re heading to Bali as a family (5 people) for about twenty days, from mid-August to early September. Since our English is pretty limited, we’d like to hire a French-speaking driver or guide to accompany us on certain days and show us around the island, picking us up directly from our various hotels.

That said, I imagine this kind of service is probably more expensive than taking a local taxi, right?

Also, which Uber-like app should we use there? And for bookings, which website should we look for accommodations on?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hi there.

I’m planning my trip for July–August 2025. After Bangkok and the Chiang Mai area, we’re heading to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. I read on Le Routard that the water level is low during this period. On Koh Phangan, I’d like to stay on the west/northwest side of the island (Koh Ma? Haad Khom?) Could you let me know what the water level is like there? Will we be able to swim during this period? And if you have any beach/hotel recommendations for Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, that’d be great! Thanks!

Hi there, we’ll be in Mai Chau in June and we’re thinking of heading to Sapa, but first spending a few days in Bac Ha to do some hiking and explore the area. Is this a good idea for those who’ve been there? How do you get there? Thanks for your feedback. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cédric.

Hi there,

Does anyone know when I should buy flight tickets to Laos in July and return in August to get the best price?

Can you exchange euros in Laos?

Is it easy to get around Laos using public transportation?

Do I need to book accommodation in advance?

Can you go hiking without a guide?

Thanks in advance for your tips to help me prepare for my trip! Nolwenn

Hi there,

I’m heading to Bali at the end of August and I’d love to know if there are any transport options like buses. I’m planning to visit Tirta Empul temple and then make my way to Penelokan. Are there any local transport solutions, or is it necessary to hire a driver?

Hi there, My partner and I are planning to travel during the last week of August and the first two weeks of September for a trip to Bali and Lombok. In terms of time allocation, do you think we should spend more time in Bali or Lombok?

I’ve already been to Bali back in 2012 and have great memories of it, but it seems like mass tourism has only increased since then… so we’d rather avoid the south of the island.

We’re pretty skeptical about visiting Ubud, but it still feels like a must-see, especially for my partner who’s never been. What do you think? Is there an alternative to Ubud where he could still catch at least one Balinese dance performance?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi, I'm looking for the best snorkeling destination from Singapore for August. Any thoughts on Tioman? Is it easy to get there by bus or taxi?

2 nights there or more? Thanks for your help

Hi there! I’m heading to Bali for 15 days between July and August. I’d love some ideas for fun itineraries where I don’t have to switch accommodations more than 3 times. I’d like to explore nature, culture, and also enjoy some beach time. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!!

Hi there! We’ll be in Bali from July 28, 2025, to August 28, 2025, and we’d love to know which spots are worth visiting. If anyone has a travel journal or tips to share—especially since we’ll be spending our first week in Uluwatu—thanks in advance for your replies!

Hi everyone,

I already posted not long ago because I was planning to go to Kota Kinabalu, but there’s been a slight change of plans.

I’m still in Malaysia, but I’ll be staying on the peninsular side, so I need some tips/reviews.

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

- Arrive in Kuala Lumpur on August 16th and do some sightseeing. I saw that you can do a firefly and blue tears tour. Is it worth it? If so, how do you recommend getting there or which agency should I book with?

By the way, do you have any particular recommendations for things to do in Kuala Lumpur?

- Next, I’d like to visit Taman Negara for 2D/1N, but I’m not sure how to get there or which agency to book with to organize everything. Should I figure out how to get there first and then find a guide on the spot? We’d like to do the canopy walkway—is there anything else to do there? I know you used to be able to make your own blowpipe at the village—is that still a thing?

- After that, I’d like to head to the Perhentian Islands. How do we get there? Do I need to go back to Kuala Lumpur to take a bus, or can I leave from Taman Negara? Are there overnight buses? Or should we book the ferry?

I wanted to go there for diving—do you have any reviews or tips on that?

Do you also have any activity recommendations there? Like cooking classes, dance lessons, shows, or great snorkeling spots...

- Then we’d go to Kuala Terengganu. Do you know how to get there? How long do you recommend staying in the city? I think you can do rafting and the Cherating River—is it good, and do you have an agency in mind for that? I’m really not sure if it’s worth stopping in this city.

Is it interesting to visit Kapas Island? Or is it better to go straight from the Perhentian Islands to Tioman?

- Tioman: we really want to go for diving, but again, we’re not sure how to get there. And as always, if you have any activity recommendations, I’m all ears.

From there, I’m not sure yet if I’ll go to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, but I thought there were flights from Tioman to Kuala Lumpur, but I can’t find any.

That’s my itinerary.

If you have any hotel, activity, or even city/island recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks so much! :)

Maalya

Hi there, As mentioned earlier, we're heading off for a month to explore some parts of Thailand in July/August, and I’ve got a few practical questions I’m hoping you can help with based on your experiences. Thanks in advance!

- Can you choose the denominations at exchange bureaus/ATMs? How do you avoid ending up with only 1000-baht notes when exchanging large sums? - If not, is there an easy way to get change? Any alternatives to buying stuff at 7-Eleven? - Can you buy train tickets from Thonburi to Kanchanaburi in advance? Is there usually space available, considering some people do the Death Railway day trip from Bangkok to Sai Yok Noi? - Is there room for luggage on the trains to Kanchanaburi? We’ll be traveling as a group of four with two large checked-baggage-sized suitcases (25 kg each). - Kanchanaburi: Most day tours allow around 3 hours at Erawan Falls. Is that enough, or is it worth spending the whole day there, especially at the start of the rainy season when it’s a bit greener? - In Sam Roi Yot, are there taxis/Grab/Bolt available for exploring the surrounding areas? I’d appreciate any numbers or addresses. - Does True (7-Eleven) have good coverage across Thailand, from Sam Roi Yot to Chiang Rai, or should we go with AIS? - In Bangkok, if you need to switch BTS lines, do you need a new ticket, or can you change lines as long as you don’t exit the station?

Happy to provide any additional details if needed.

Time to hit the road again!

Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali. And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people! So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...

Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops): - 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud 2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa) 1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...) - 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces) - 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai - 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed) - 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island) - 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan) - 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).

Accommodations in homestays or hotels. Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?) Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?) Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)

Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...

Hi everyone, I’m happy to be back on the forum, and to be honest, I’ve missed being able to share with this amazing community 😛

I’m starting to plan a trip for September 2025 with my wife. I’d love to visit Bali, and I’ve been reading the forum posts.

Can you tell me if September is a good time to visit Bali?

We’re in our sixties, not exactly high-level athletes, but we do travel quite a bit. We don’t like changing hotels every day—we prefer to stay in one central spot and explore the area around it. If we need to move to make the most of it, I think twice max would be fine.

I’m going to contact a French-speaking guide (I read about it on the forum) to get an idea of pricing and options, but I’d really love to hear from people who’ve already stayed there during this period and get some tips on finding accommodations.

Thanks for your help—I’ll keep reading the Bali posts now 😉

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your contributions on the forum—they’ve really helped me plan my trip. There are four of us friends heading to Sulawesi for 20 days. Based on all your advice, I’ve put together the following itinerary:

July 30: Makassar – sightseeing July 31: Makassar – sightseeing + overnight bus to Rantepao August 1–7: Tana Toraja with a guide August 7: Tana Toraja to Tentena + visit Tentena August 8: Early departure with a private driver to Ampana, then ferry to the Togian Islands August 9–15: Togian Islands (2 different resorts) August 15: Depart Togian Islands for Luwuk August 16: Flight Luwuk to Makassar August 17: Rammang Rammang August 18: Stroll in Makassar, then return home

Overall, what do you think?

I also have a question about the connection between Tentena and the Togian Islands: Is it doable to leave early in the morning as planned and still be sure not to miss the ferry?

Thanks in advance for your feedback! :)

Hi everyone, My girlfriend and I booked our tickets with Saudia Airlines for a trip to Thailand this summer, from July 5th to August 3rd. Given the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, we’re keeping a close eye on the news. I was wondering if anyone here is in the same situation as us? • Have you heard anything about possible mass cancellations or if the airline is still maintaining its routes to Asia? • Are there any travelers who’ve recently returned who could tell us if air corridors have been changed (longer flight times)? The idea is to know what to expect so we can prepare as best as possible. Thanks for your replies! !

Hi there,

I arrive in Jakarta on July 24th and want to head to Flores Island the next day. Do you know which airlines offer direct flights to Labuan Bajo (or elsewhere)? Is it possible to book tickets directly on Indonesian airline websites (I get the feeling that when connecting from France, access is blocked...)

Also, are there direct flights from Maumere or Ende back to Jakarta for the return trip, or do I have to go back through Labuan Bajo?

Thanks and have a great evening

Hi there,

I’d love to get your thoughts and advice/tips for my trip to Malaysia.

I’m heading to Malaysia for 20 days starting in mid-August with three other people.

My plan was to go straight to Kota Kinabalu. I’d like to go rafting (if you have any agencies to recommend, I’m all ears), climb Mount Kota Kinabalu (is it worth it? And again, if you have an agency in mind), and check out the night market (I’m not entirely sure what it’s like).

After that, I’d head to Sandakan (not sure how yet) and do a little 3-day, 2-night safari.

Then from Sandakan (still not sure how), go to Tawau to visit Sipadan for some diving.

And then head back home.

Nothing’s set in stone yet—I’m open to tons of suggestions. I feel like I could do more. I’d seen Taman Negara jungle, but it’s way off the route, so I’m not sure if it’s doable. I’d also love to find other interesting diving spots.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi there, what do you think of this itinerary, please? Do you think it’s doable? We’re two adults—it’s our honeymoon trip! 🙂 Our main interests lean more toward nature and landscapes than cultural visits (though we won’t rule out one or two temple visits).

01/10/2025 W 10:30 AM – Departure from CDG (overnight flight) 02/10/2025 Th 11:25 AM – Arrival in Denpasar -> Ubud (south of the city) – overnight in Ubud 03/10/2025 F – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 04/10/2025 Sa – Excursions around Ubud (Jatiluwih) – overnight in Ubud 05/10/2025 Su – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 06/10/2025 M – Ubud -> Amed – overnight in Amed 07/10/2025 Tu – Amed – overnight in Amed 08/10/2025 W – Amed -> Padangbai – overnight in Padangbai 09/10/2025 Th – Padangbai -> Gili Air (first morning boat) – overnight on Gili Air 10/10/2025 F – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 11/10/2025 Sa – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 12/10/2025 Su – Gili Air -> Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 13/10/2025 M – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 14/10/2025 Tu – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 15/10/2025 W – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan (or return to Bali depending on sea conditions) 16/10/2025 Th – Jimbaran or Seminyak – overnight in Jimbaran or Seminyak 17/10/2025 F – Jimbaran -> Denpasar – departure at 6:45 PM (overnight flight) 18/10/2025 Sa 8:00 AM – Arrival at CDG – overnight at home

Thanks in advance for your feedback! [;]

Hello, We’d like to take a cruise to see the orangutans and monkeys in Tanjung Puting National Park, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, Borneo. There’ll be 2 adults and a 6-year-old child. Do you have any affordable contacts with a French-speaking guide? We contacted eko_harwanto@yahoo.fr, but he’s not available. Have you done any other activities or visits in the area?

Thanks for your feedback

Hi, I’m traveling with my 13-year-old son in June and July 2025 for 6 weeks—2 weeks in Flores and 4 in Sulawesi. I don’t want a super "roots" trip because long transport times eat up too much time, so I’d prefer to use only private or shared drivers whenever possible since I’ve read that public transport really slows you down. That said, I don’t want to hire the same driver for the whole trip because I think it’d be way over budget.

My first question is about transport times and approximate costs. I’d like to double-check the times I’ve seen because it’s not clear to me whether they’re for private vehicles or public buses: - Labuan Bajo – Denge (Wae Rebo): 5–6 hours ???? - Denge – Ruteng: 3 hours ???? - Ruteng – Bajawa: 4 hours ???? - Bajawa – Moni (Kelimutu Volcano): 3.5 hours ???? - Moni – Koka Beach: 1.5 hours ???? - Maumere – Koka Beach: 2 hours ????

My second question is about the Maumere–Makassar ferry. It’s impossible to find a clear answer—PELNI’s website shows only about 2 ferries per month, but Rome2Rio mentions a daily departure (with a return the next day, like the Labuan Bajo–Makassar route, I assume). I’d really like to avoid flying since it’s so expensive on this route.

My third question: I’ve read that flight tickets are more expensive when bought from France than from Indonesia. Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks so much for your help! This is my first post on the forum in ages, so I hope the length doesn’t scare anyone off.

Best, Vanessa

Hello, I need your help. We’re a family of four (kids aged 5 and 8), and we’re really excited to explore North Sulawesi for three weeks in August! We’re planning to visit Manado, Bunaken, Tangkoko, the Togian Islands, and possibly Makassar and Bira. Does anyone know how to get from the Togian Islands to Makassar without too much hassle/difficulty? (Fast boat, stops, etc.)

Hi everyone... I apologize in advance if some of my questions have already been answered on this forum—I didn’t have time to read through everything.

I’m planning a family trip to Thailand in July for 6 people: - 4 adults, 1 child aged 14, and 1 aged 9. We’ve started looking into travel agencies that specialize in the country and offer custom trips.

Our initial idea was a budget of 2500 € per person for a stay of around 14 days, including:

- 3/4 days in Bangkok (visiting temples, floating markets, Chinatown, river cruise, etc.) - Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya - 3/4 days in Chiang Mai (elephant sanctuary, rice field visits, temples, etc.) - Then a domestic flight to finish the trip in Krabi for 3/4 days (free time + excursions to Koh Phi Phi and/or Phang Nga, for example).

I’d also have liked to visit Chiang Rai, Lopburi, and Sukhothai, but we’ll have to make some choices.

So, my question is: - Is it better to go through well-known agencies to plan our trip, or is it possible to use local agencies for visits with French-speaking guides (if needed) and book flights and hotels on our own?

Does a budget of 2500 € per person seem reasonable for this kind of classic itinerary?

I’ve received (or will receive) quotes from agencies like Evaneos, Tourlane, Havas, Sawa Discovery, Nomade Aventures, etc. They all seem very professional but offer rather high-end services.

If any of you have recommendations for local agencies, I’d love to hear about your experiences. Also, is it possible to organize this kind of trip to Thailand on your own?

I know I’m not being very original, but I really want to make this a fantastic vacation with the best tips possible to avoid cutting the trip short to fit my budget.

Wishing you all a great day, and thanks in advance for your replies! Best regards, Julien