Hello,
We’re heading to Thailand for 26 days (excluding flights) next July with our two teens (12 and 15 years old).
My husband and I have been there several times before they were born—so that’s 15 years ago—and I’m a bit worried about some of the changes that might have happened since, especially with the rise in tourism...
I’d also like to keep a pace that allows us to settle in a bit and enjoy local life beyond just the main sights. Plus, we’re pretty active.
For now, our plan looks like this:
Arrival in Bangkok, where we’re thinking of spending several days (minimum 4)
Chiang Mai for about a week
2 or 3 islands in the Gulf
Return to Bangkok for 2 days before departure.
We’re pretty set on Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but we’re unsure about which islands to visit—I’ve read such mixed things that I’m even wondering if we should consider the coast instead.
Organization-wise, I’d love any tips or feedback on whether we need to book in advance at this time of year, which transport options to prioritize (train, bus, or plane), and of course, any suggestions for stops or routes.
Thanks in advance to anyone kind enough to help us prepare for this amazing trip!
Hi Songsam,
I’d love to hear any tips and experiences you have—it’d be really great if you could share them!
My teens love the water and snorkeling, so it’ll be tough not to spend a few days doing just that...
Arrival in Bangkok where we plan to spend several days (minimum 4)
(...)
return for 2 days in Bangkok before departure.
Six days total in exhausting Bangkok might be too much. I wouldn’t spend any there at the start* and would visit it at the end for 3-4 nights max.
* Examples right from arrival day: settle in the much more relaxing and nearby Ayutthaya or take an immediate flight (or overnight train) to Chiang Mai.
My teens love water and snorkelling, so it’ll be tough not to dedicate a few days to that...
"A few days"—sure, but two-thirds of the trip... 😕
Suggestions for non-beach stops:
I’ve stayed in most of these places multiple times, sometimes for several weeks. These towns or villages are worth visiting because they’re either very charming and peaceful, offer several sights to see (including—or especially—in their surrounding areas), or both. All have accommodations and are accessible by public transport. None are on the typical tourist trail.
Worth at least 2 nights:
Khao Yai National Park
Khong Jiam (or Chiam)
Phimai
Nong Khai
Pak Chom
Thong Pha Phum
Mae Sot
Mae Sariang
Chiang Saen
Phrae
Phayao
Trang
Phattalung
Worth at least 3 nights:
Sri Chiangmai
Chiang Khan
Loei
Sangkhlaburi
Tha Song Yang*
Mae Hong Son
Soppong/Pang Mapha
Tha Ton
Mae Salong
Thung Chang
Phetchaburi
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Worth at least 4 nights:
Nan
* Not to be confused with Ban Tha Song Yang, on the same road, which also deserves a spot on this list but sadly has no accommodations—I had to sleep in a soup vendor’s shop.
If you pick some of these stops, we can easily help you connect them into a coherent itinerary, including other places not on this list, based on available transport.
Thanks so much for your feedback.
I’ll keep your advice about Bangkok in mind, and I think we’ll head straight to Chiang Mai.
I’ll check out the destinations you suggested.
On previous trips, moving every 2-3 days ended up feeling a bit tiring, so we’d like to find places where we can stay a little longer and explore the surrounding area.
Chiang Mai seems like a good first option—do you have any other suggestions for us?
We’d like to find places where we can stay a bit longer and explore the surrounding area.
Chiang Mai seems like a first option—do you have any other suggestions?
Yes, just one. But a second long stop will mean cutting down your beach time: how many of your 14 beach days are you willing to give up?
My first post was a bit confusing—I had only listed the safe stops (BKK and Chiang Mai), but the rest wasn’t necessarily beach-focused. It was more of a blank slate with a little beach time to plan!
What’s your idea for another key stop?
Places where we can stay a bit longer and explore the surrounding area.
(...)
What’s your idea for another key stop?
With these criteria, besides Chiang Mai, the only other long stop I see is Kanchanaburi.
Things to see/do around Kan:
- The ruins of Phrasat Muang Sing Historical Park, the westernmost "castle" (translation of "phrasat") of the ancient Angkorian empire (half-day round trip by train to Thakilek and back + 5-minute motosai ride included),
- The Wangpo viaduct/Tham Krasae/Death Railway Bridge (three names for the same place), a solid half-day round trip: 1.5-hour train ride to Tham Krasae + 5 km uphill walk + 1-hour public bus or minivan back to Kan included,
- Erawan Falls, a full-day trip with 2.5–3 hours of public bus round trip included. Swimmable,
- Wat Tham Seua, a temple with very unusual architecture for Thailand, a short half-day trip. Reachable by bus + motosai or arrange a driver (ask your accommodation),
- Elephant World Kanchanaburi*, a full-day experience. They pick you up from your accommodation and bring you back. https://www.elephantsworld.org/ ,
- Kayaking down the River Kwai, distance varies—check with agencies, half-day activity.
Plus what there is to see in town.
* There’s a similar activity in Chiang Mai, but since the latter also offers other kid-friendly options (downhill biking on Mt. Suthep, treetop walks** + ziplining, etc.) that Kan doesn’t, I’d recommend doing the elephants in Kan to spread things out.
** It has a name I’ve forgotten.
Transport:
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus, train (book in advance), or flight (book ahead—Bangkok has two airports: BKK and DMK). Main Bangkok train station: Krung Thep Aphiwat.
Chiang Mai to Kanchanaburi direct: 2–3 daily buses (one daytime, 1–2 overnight), 12-hour trip.
Kanchanaburi to the south without going back through Bangkok: 55-minute bus 81a/c1 (every 20 minutes) to Ban Pong, then a 10–12-minute walk to the train station, where overnight trains depart for major southern destinations (train-accessible only), e.g., Chumphon or Surat Thani for Koh Tao/Phangan/Samui.
Around Kanchanaburi:
Wat Tham Seua (2 photos)
Wangpo Viaduct from the train driver’s cabin along the River Kwai Noi:
Fleeting encounters:
Muang Kan (Kanchanaburi town):
Bus 81 Kanchanaburi–Ban Pong–Bangkok Sai Tai:
Chiang Mai–Kanchanaburi bus:
One of the two museums worth seeing:
The famous Saphan Mae Nam Kwae with a train on it and kayakers below:
Hi there,
Thank you so much for the tips and lovely photos! Kanchanaburi seems like a really interesting option—we’ll look into it in more detail.
Have a great weekend,
Stéphanie
Hi there,
At this stage, we're planning to take a flight to Chiang Mai as soon as we arrive in Bangkok. We’d stay there for a few days before heading down to Sukhothai and then Kanchanaburi, taking our time to explore the surrounding areas. We’ll be using buses for transportation.
After that, depending on the weather, we’d like to head to some islands or the coast.
As for accommodations, is it recommended to book in advance during this period?
Best regards
We’re planning a flight to Chiang Mai as soon as we land in Bangkok.
Have you already bought the flight ticket?
Sukhothai then Kanchanaburi, taking time to explore the surrounding areas. We’ll be using buses for the connections.
Direct bus Chiang Mai–Sukhothai: yep, ~5–6 per day.
But no direct bus Sukhothai–Kanchanaburi. Two possible options with one transfer:
- Morning or overnight (departures until ~11 PM): bus Sukhothai–Bangkok Mo Chit, then a 10-minute walk to Mo Chit Minivans, and from there minivans to Kan every 20–30 minutes. In these minivans, either you hold your luggage on your lap or buy an extra seat to put it on. Total time: 9–10 hours + transfer time.
- Morning: bus from Sukhothai to Tak* bus terminal to catch the Chiang Mai–Kanchanaburi bus, which stops there around 11 AM. Total time: ~8.5 hours + transfer time.
* Satani Lotmê Taa (the “k” isn’t pronounced).
About accommodations—is it recommended to book in advance at this time of year?
If you don’t have a specific place in mind, no need.
Chiang Mai, festival at Wat Chedi Luang (x3):
C.Mai, Lanna Architecture Center (x2):
C.Mai, Tha Phae* Gate:
* Tapê
exterior:
and interior:
Sorry, I had a reply ready but the site was glitching like crazy when I tried to post. I copied it to a corner of my computer and we’ll sort it out later.
we’re considering a flight to as soon as we arrive in Bangkok .
Have you already bought the flight ticket?
Sukhothai then Kanchanaburi, taking time to explore the surrounding areas. We’ll use buses for the connections.
Direct bus from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai, no problem—about 5-6 departures a day.
But no direct bus from Sukhothai to Kanchanaburi. Two possible options with one transfer:
- Morning or overnight (departures until around 11 PM): bus from Sukhothai to Bangkok Mo Chit, then a 10-minute walk to Mo Chit Minivans, where minivans to Kanchanaburi leave every 20-30 minutes. In these minivans, you either hold your luggage on your lap or buy an extra seat to put it on. Total time: 9 to 10 hours + transfer time.
- Morning: bus from Sukhothai to Tak bus terminal* to catch the Chiang Mai-Kanchanaburi bus, which stops there around 11 AM. Total time: about 8.5 hours + transfer time.
*Satani Lotmê Taa (the "k" is silent).
About accommodations—is it recommended to book in advance at this time of year?
If you don’t have a specific place in mind, no need.
Hi Songsam,
We haven’t bought the BKK to Chiang Mai flight yet—I’m thinking of booking it soon with Air Asia, taking a flight 3 hours after we arrive from France.
For the Sukhothai to Kanchanaburi route, I didn’t realize it’d be so long… maybe a stopover between the two?
the BKK to Chiang Mai flight, I’m thinking of doing it soon with Air Asia, taking a flight 3 hours after our arrival from France.
If it’s an AirAsia flight from BKK (6 departures/day), 3 hours is okay (it’s even a bit too much).
If it’s an AirAsia flight from DMK (17 departures/day), 3 hours between the international flight landing and the domestic flight taking off won’t be reasonably safe (traffic jams, shuttle cancellation, etc.). Allow at least 4 hours.
Free shuttles run from BKK to DMK on the arrivals level, opposite exit 3. You’ll need to show proof of your flight from DMK.
It’d be better to find an AirAsia flight departing from BKK.
Which airline are you flying from Paris to BKK with?
For the Sukhothai-Kanchanaburi route, I didn’t realize it would be so long... maybe a stopover between the two?
In another discussion, Jojoone1 suggested Uthai Thani, but getting there from Sukhothai and then on to Kanchanaburi by bus is a bit unclear.
Alternatively, spend a few days in Ayutthaya, but two ruin stops in a row might wear out your group. There are a few buses a day from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya, then a daily tourist shuttle from Ayutthaya to Kan (book through your accommodation the day before or earlier) or a bus from Ayutthaya to Suphanburi plus a bus from Suphanburi to Kan.
We're flying with Air Saudia, then I’m counting on a domestic flight from the same airport (BKK).
I’m also worried that Sukhothai and Ayutthaya might be a bit redundant... We picked Sukhothai because it seemed less touristy, but the connection to Kanchanaburi is a bit of a concern.
Would a taxi be an option? With four people, it might be worth it.
we had chosen Sukhothai because it seemed less touristy
No, it's the opposite. Sukhothai is the more touristy of the two because all the basic organized tours on the planet stop there, which isn't the case for Ayutthaya. If you end up choosing the latter, you could take the Chiang Mai-Ayutthaya sleeper train and then do as mentioned above for Kanchanaburi (or via Bangkok Mo Chit minivans).
Would a taxi be an option? For 4 people, it might be worth it.
For city-to-city taxis, I don’t know much. After searching online, I found prices ranging from ~190 to ~220 € for 4 people, which means you’ll probably find something 25-30% cheaper on the spot (by asking your accommodation to arrange it, for example).
For comparison, the total cost of the Sukhothai-Tak and Tak-Kan buses will be around ~15-16 € per person.
Note that for nearly four-fifths of the trip (Tak-Kan), the bus is VIP class—isn’t that an argument that would make the journey physically less taxing for those with sensitive constitutions?
Thanks again for the details. I thought Ayutthaya’s "proximity" to the capital made it more touristy. How much time do you think we should spend there?
The train connection from Chiang Mai sounds great, and then continuing by bus or van.
I have no doubts about the comfort of the buses, and it’ll work perfectly for our happy group.
Thanks so much for sharing your photos—we can’t wait to be there!
I’ve got a new question: which website do you use to book trains?
I made an account on the national railway’s site, but the prices seem higher than with some third-party resellers...
I created an account on the national carrier’s website, but the prices seem higher than with some third-party sites...
Could you share the link to the national carrier’s website, please? Your comment surprised me, so I’d like to make sure we’re thinking of the same one.
For bookings, the site you used does redirect to the one I recommend. I assume that’s where you must have created an account: https://dticket.railway.co.th/DTicketPublicWeb/home/Home.
Which sites did you find better prices on?
When you book a sleeper berth, keep the following points in mind:
- the type of train (ranked from cheapest to most expensive): Rapid, Express, or Special Express,
- the class:
1st (air-conditioned),
2nd air-conditioned,
2nd “fan” (i.e., non-air-conditioned, but unfortunately this option is now only available on certain trains heading south).
In both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned 2nd-class sleepers, lower berths are more expensive than upper ones.
All these factors come into play when comparing prices across different sites.
I ran some simulations for a Chiang Mai–Ayutthaya trip on 15/07 in a 2nd-class air-conditioned sleeper on train SP10 (the most expensive but also the one that arrives earliest), price per person:
Official SRT site (national railway company): lower berth 1016 Baht, upper berth 916 Baht
Baolau site: same as SRT. Since I couldn’t proceed further in the simulation, I didn’t see if any fees are added at the end.
12GO site: 1300 Baht. It doesn’t specify whether it’s for a lower or upper berth.
Which site do you use to book the train?
I don’t book in advance but do it on the spot at the station or through an agency because I know the country well—including backup plans—and since I don’t book accommodations either, I can change my plans in 5 minutes if the train is full, even switching destinations. I don’t plan any itinerary before leaving, not even the first step.
For your trip, book any journey on the Chiang Mai–(Ayutthaya)–Bangkok line as early as possible because all organized tours use it too (they take buses on the way up).
Hi Songsam,
Thanks again for all the details and addresses.
I went through my history and can't find which site seemed cheaper—I must’ve mixed it up with bus routes. It makes sense that the national carrier’s site would have the best prices, and that’s what I’d read too.
I’ve got another question (don’t hesitate to tell me if it’s too much): I’m thinking about options after Kanchanaburi and was wondering if you’ve ever been to Khao Sok National Park?
Best regards,
No, I’ve never been to Khao Sok National Park, but it’s a name that comes up pretty often in the forum—I think others can give you their thoughts.
Make sure to check the weather in July.
As for transport from Kanchanaburi, it’d be easy: bus 81 to Ban Pong + overnight train to Surat Thani + 2-3h by bus.
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Hi everyone,
I’m looking for addresses for guesthouses or, even better, houseboats or rafting houses on the River Kwai, between Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi, to spend a few weeks contemplating this beautiful river.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Premaria
Hi there,
we’re currently in Mai Chau and tomorrow we’re hitting the road back to Hanoi to head up toward Bac Ha and Sapa.
We haven’t really had a set plan since we arrived—we’ve already done the Halong Bay on land and by sea.
I’ve got 2 free days before heading to Bac Ha and Sapa.
Any tips?
Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hello.
In 1996, we crossed Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike—Minsk bikes we bought in Saigon. I haven’t been back since, and it seems like a lot has changed.
- We’re heading to the south (well, the north and center) with the family in July-August (3 people).
- Is the road network more developed now? Back then, there was only National Route 1 from south to north. I’m thinking of renting a car this time (no motorbike with the family—though in ’96, they had a Jawa sidecar for sale, and we hesitated… maybe it’s for the best).
- Is Halong Bay really something to avoid because of overtourism? Even back then, it was pretty crowded. Is there a less touristy alternative?
- We’ll be traveling from Hanoi down to Danang (the only city we didn’t stop in back in ’96). Even though it’s a bit overhyped in a Chinese-tourist kind of way (from what I’ve read), we’re only going for the beach—pure relaxation for 7 days. The beaches are stunning, and I know the South China Sea is warm like coffee.
- Then, we’ll visit Hoi An, where I stopped in ’96. It was already popular with backpackers back then, but no glowing boats or all the touristy fuss!
- After that, Hue, where I have great memories—it’s a beautiful city.
- And also the nature around Ninh Binh, followed by 2-3 days in Hanoi.
That’s the plan. I’d love to hear any tips to avoid mass tourism, and if anyone’s done this before:
- Is it possible to rent a car in Danang and drop it off in Hanoi?
Hey everyone,
I’m over in East Borneo in mid-July.
I’m struggling to wrap up the end of my itinerary, even though it’s pretty straightforward (long but simple).
Last year, we did Malaysia (KL and the mainland + around Kuching).
Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu early, stroll around town and hit the must-sees.
Day 2 – Excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, snorkeling at 3 islands.
Day 3 – Hike around Mount Kinabalu without summiting (450 per person, no way).
Day 4 – Poring Hot Springs + evening flight to Sandakan.
Day 5-6-7 – Kinabatangan River (still looking for the right guide).
Day 8 – Sepilok for the orangutans, the Sun Bear Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Day 9 – Selingan, turtle island.
Day 10 – Head to Semporna.
Day 11-12-13-14 – Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai.
Day 15 – Bohey Dulang.
Day 16 to Day 25: I’M STUCK.
I looked into Danum Valley, but for 3 days/2 nights, they’re quoting 650 € per person—come on, that’s ridiculous.
I checked out a detour into Indonesia (still East Borneo), but I’m having trouble deciding what would be amazing.
I read about Sangalaki + Kakaban (2 islands, 1 base) / Mahakam Delta - Kutai (orangutans and river) / Sungai Boh (Dayak Kayan) – jungle & culture.
But honestly, I’m struggling to finalize this itinerary.
If we venture that way, we’d head back to KK from Balikpapan.
For a 4-month stay in Egypt, I had ENORMOUS problems. The regulations are very bureaucratic and extremely nitpicky there. For a 4-month stay in the Philippines, I was wondering if the procedures are just as complicated? I’m bringing my cell phone with an eSIM. Should I choose a plan from Canada for use in the Philippines, or should I get a plan only once I arrive? After 30 days, do I renew with the Canadian provider I chose before leaving, or do I switch to a local company? Do I need to register my phone with the authorities in the Philippines? (That was the case in Egypt.) For the 3rd and 4th months, will it be just as simple—renewing with a Canadian or local provider—or should I expect problems?
Hello,
I’ll be in Malaysia with my wife, mainly in Langkawi and Penang for Christmas and New Year’s at the end of 2026.
If you’ve had the experience—and since I’ve read (though it’s not very clear) that these two islands get quite crowded during this period—would you recommend booking accommodation well in advance, or is it easy to find something on the spot?
Hotels or Airbnb?
Do you have any great tips for accommodation or any practical info to share?
We’ll be staying 5 to 7 days on each island.
Thanks in advance for your replies
Hi there. To make the most of Lake Toba, is it better to find accommodation on the lake’s shores (which one?) or on Samosir Island? Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
We’re heading to Vietnam as a family on July 8th for a little over 3 weeks (north and center). We’ve only booked the first 3 nights in Hanoi, and nothing else after that. We like to decide things on the spot and go with the flow, without rushing everywhere. But I’m still a bit unsure: when heading down to the center (Hue), is it better to book the overnight trains in advance? We don’t want to take any flights while we’re there—just use the overnight train for the long trips. But I’m worried we won’t get seats if we buy the tickets on the spot, say, 2 days before. What do the experts here think? And which website can we use to book the tickets? Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading back to Thailand in July 2026 with a stopover in Cambodia to visit the Angkor site.
After Angkor, I’ve booked a stay on Ko Chang island. Does anyone know if there are direct transport options from Cambodia to Ko Chang without having to go back through Bangkok? That would be amazing!!
I think there are, but I’d need more details!!
I went to Thailand in February 2025 and don’t remember having to apply for a visa—is that still the case now? And for Cambodia too?
Thanks so much!!!
Laurence from Bayonne
I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary—it’s probably pretty basic! This is our second trip to Asia and our first to Indonesia. We have three kids aged 20, 18, and 12. We land in Jakarta at 4 PM, spend 3 nights/2 days there, then take the train to Yogyakarta for 3 nights/2 days, followed by the train to Surabaya for 2 nights/1 day, then the train to Bromo for 1 day/1 night, a private driver to Ijen for 2 nights/2 days, then on to Bali (Ubud) for 4 nights/3 days, followed by Gili Air for 3 nights/2 days, Senggigi (Lombok) for 2 nights, and finally 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering cutting the 2 nights in Senggigi to just keep Kuta and extend it to 7 nights. In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around since I’m not comfortable with scooters... Your thoughts on all of this, and any advice, are more than welcome—don’t hesitate!
For those wondering why cities like Jakarta and Surabaya: we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so we wanted to include that discovery in our trip. The trains between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo are booked. The return flight from Lombok to Jakarta is also set. Accommodations are booked but flexible (same for the trains).
Hi,
After our trip to China, we want to spend a week in the Philippines for some beach time and snorkeling.
We're looking for the best spot to settle in—nice beaches, great marine life, and short transfer times.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Does anyone know of a private transfer or taxi company that organizes transfers from the Sukhothai area to Chiang Mai?
Our routes are Sukhothai-Lampang, Lampang-Chom Thong, and Chom Thong-Chiang Mai.
My searches on Google Maps, 12Go, and others haven’t turned up much...
For our Bangkok-Sukhothai trips, I use a company I’ve already tried, but they don’t have a fleet available from Sukhothai and have to go through third-party companies—which, understandably, take their commission. This nearly doubles the prices...
There are four of us, and we’re not traveling light, so a minibus isn’t an option. ;-)
Hello,
While traveling in Thailand, I’m looking for a Buddhist kumlai reed bracelet.
Does anyone know where I can find one?
In Bangkok, I visited a few temples but didn’t see any in the nearby shops.
If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them! Have a great day! :-)
My trip’s coming up, and I’m having a bit of trouble with three bus/minivan routes. Usually, I find everything at this time of year, but this time—yikes!
Sandakan → Sepilok:
No app for this one—you just hop on bus #14 at the local terminal (pay cash on board). But where do I catch it, and where’s the stop??
Sandakan → Semporna:
From what I’ve heard, it’s the Sida Express company (great name, right? 😄).
Can’t book online, but apparently, you *have* to because there’s only one bus at 8 AM.
Where do I board, and where does it drop me off?
Semporna → Tawau:
Found this via AI—is it legit?
No online booking, as far as I can tell.
Minivans leave from a stop in the Jalan Hospital area, near the Milimewa supermarket, supposedly????
And when you arrive, does it drop you at **Sabindo Square** in Tawau?????
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 everyone. As I’m planning my trip for next winter, I’m looking for hotel suggestions in Camotes, Bantayan, Malapascua, Bohol, and Siquijor. The ones I had in mind seem to be fully booked (unless it’s too early?). For those familiar with the area, is it easy to find accommodations on the spot in January/February? I’m specifically looking for hotels with a pool, beachfront, air conditioning, and easy scooter rental nearby. Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
I’m planning an itinerary and would love some feedback on whether it’s doable and if the number of days per destination is enough—or too much. I was also debating whether to add an extra night on an island or spend an extra night in Kampot to visit Kep or Battambang.
March 23: Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning
March 24: Phnom Penh
March 25: Phnom Penh
March 26: Depart for Kampot
March 27: Kampot
March 28: Depart for Battambang
March 29: Battambang
March 30: Tonlé SAP to Siem Reap
March 31: Siem Reap
April 1: Siem Reap
April 2: Siem Reap
April 3: Siem Reap
April 4: Siem Reap
April 5: Departure
Hi there,
Yesterday in the Thailand section, 100% of the new threads were just about beach destinations 😕...
So here’s the counterattack in the form of this photo thread, dedicated solely to the countryside: the locals, their livestock, fields, farms, rice paddies, small rivers, and agricultural machinery. If you’ve got any pictures that fit these categories, feel free to add them!
Comments welcome.
For each photo, I’ll (or you can) indicate the area where it was taken.
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.
My partner and I are planning a trip to Indonesia in September-October 2026. It’ll be our first time in Asia, and we’re thinking of hitting the classic spots in East Java and Bali, then wrapping up with a cruise around Komodo for some snorkeling/diving. Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary—I’m wondering if it’s doable.
20/09: Flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, arrive around noon, afternoon/evening and overnight in Yogyakarta.
21/09: Borobudur
22/09: Prambanan
23/09: Travel to Bromo (Cemoro Lawang)
24/09: Bromo
25/09: Kawa Ijen
26/09: Travel to Bali, overnight in Pemuteran
27/09: Excursion to Pulau Melujan, overnight in Pemuteran
28/09: Travel to Munduk, overnight in Munduk
29/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
30/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
01/10: Route to Ubud (via Pura Ulu Danau Bratan, Jatiluwih?), overnight in Ubud
02/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
03/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
04/10: Travel to Denpasar, flight to Labuan Bajo, overnight in Labuan Bajo
05/10: Komodo cruise
06/10: Komodo cruise
07/10: Komodo cruise, flight to Denpasar in the late afternoon/evening or overnight in Labuan Bajo.
08/10: Flight to Denpasar (if not taken the day before), afternoon in Jimbaran, overnight near Denpasar
09/10: 10:00 AM flight Denpasar - SIN, overnight in Singapore
10/10: Flight SIN-YQB
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! !
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?
as soon as we land in Bangkok
Sorry, I had a reply ready but the site was glitching like crazy when I tried to post. I copied it to a corner of my computer and we’ll sort it out later.
