bonjour et tous mes voeus chers lecteurs, je desire partir l'année prochaine en thailande avec mon amie et mon fils de 9ans est il facile de sedebrouiller seul pour visiter le pays?les déplacement, l'hebergement?
je desirerais visiter un peu le nord, le sud faire de la promenade à dos d'éléphant sur un séjour de 10 OU 15 jours, est ce possible?
est ce que les thailandais comprennent bien l'anglais?
dernière question avez vous une idée du budjet moyen pour 15jours?
MERCI AMICALEMENT
vive le tourisme durable .....
un bon touriste et un touriste respectueux du pays qu'il visite.
je desire partir l'année prochaine en thailande avec mon amie et mon fils de 9ans. En 2008 ??? (je blague).
Salut JP,
Bonne année à toi aussi.
Très bon réseau routier, les bus vont partout. L'hébergement est pas cher...
15 jours, c'est mieux que 10 si tu veux aller dans le Nord ET dans le Sud.
Gare aux distances. Le pays est vachement grand...
Pour l'anglais, la réponse est NON...
Une fois sorti des endroits très touristiques, l'anglais n'est pas d'un grand secours.
Avec le gars qui tient le Guest House, pas de problème.
Avec celui qui tient sa petite échoppe de nourriture sur le marché du soir, l'anglais tu l'oublies.
Mais cela ne doit pas t'empêcher d'aller manger au Night Market...
Aucun probleme. Le pays le plus facile au monde peut etre >> juste attention dans les gares de bus entre les bus prives et les bus public, les "commerciaux" viennent vous chercher >> une fois on m'a fait la bonne blague de me mettre dans un bus qui a mis 'seulement' 12h (!) pour faire Korat - Bangkok (bus public qui s'arretait toutes les 15 minutes). Donc verifier les horaires et les tarifs.
mai pen rai krap
j'ecrit sur clavier américain désolé pour les accents...
Oui c'est facile de se débrouiller tout seul pour organiser son voyage, mais vouloir faire le Nord et le Sud en 15 jours (sans expérience) ça me semble être une mauvaise idée!
Bill,
Plus on a de temps disponible, mieux c' est, c'est évident, et personnellement je préfère voir moind de choses mais plus longtemps, histoire de se laisser glisser dans l'ambiance locale 🙂. Cela dit, je crois qu'on peut aussi se faire une petite virée en deux semaines (10 jours c'est vraiment serré), il faudra rester dans le "classique" et prendre l'avion pour gagner du temps (pas trop cher) mais ca donnera déjà une petite impression. Que peut-on faire en 15 jours?
jours 1 et 2: arrivée à Bangkok, un peu de temps à BKK, ville qui vaut d'y passer quelques temps.
jour 3: avion BKK- Chieng Mai, plusieurs vols par jour, moyen d'arriver assez tôt pour profiter de la ville en fin de journée.
jour 4: Chieng Mai
jours 5-6-7-8: petit trek avec, eh oui!, la balade à dos d' éléphant. retour à Chieng Mai au soir du jour 8.
jour 9: avion Chieng Mai - BKK et pourquoi pas? BKK - Phuket, tou ca dans la même journée.
jours 10-11-12-13-14: Phuket ou alentours
jour 15: vol Phuket-BKK le matin et vol de retour Europe plus tard dans la journée.
C'est approximatif et il y a certainement d'autres options, ce qui serait sympa ce serait d' intercaler une visite à Aythia, proche de BKK, ou Sukhothai. Enfin, ca donne une idée de départ de ce qui est possible. Entre rester en Europe tout l'hiver ou passer 2 semaines (ou 3?) en Thailande, il n'y a pas à hésiter!
Non! dans la majorité des cas, ils parlent un anglais très basique; voire pas d'anglais du tout.
Même quand ils parlent anglais, Il n'est pas facile non plus de comprendre "leur" anglais; surtout la première fois.
est ce que les thailandais comprennent bien l'anglais?
Non! dans la majorité des cas, ils parlent un anglais très basique; voire pas d'anglais du tout.
Même quand ils parlent anglais, Il n'est pas facile non plus de comprendre "leur" anglais; surtout la première fois.
est ce que les thailandais comprennent bien l'anglais?
je ne sais pas quelle est ton historique de relation avec les thais mais perso TOUS les thais que j'ai rencontré et qui parlait anglais 😉 sur plusieurs vacances ou passage la bas parlaient un anglais tres fluent et comprehensible...😏
Tu as de la chance... Moi, dans les majorité des cas, l'anglais c'était très basique. Bien sûr je ne parle pas des gens ayant un certain niveau d'éducation nécessaire à leur emploi comme dans les hôtels les aéroports, ... où il n'y a pas de problèmes pour se faire comprendre.
Et ça commence déjà avec le taxi: pas toujours facile d'en trouver un qui comprend l'anglais.
La première fois, ça m'a fort perturbé leur façon de prononcer certains sons: par exemple: entendre hôten au lieu de hôtel est un peu déroutant...
Non ce n'est pas facile car il a trop d'endroits a voir et a visiter, entre le Nord et le triangle d'or, l'Issan a l'Est, les villes historiques, Bangkok et apres les multiples destinations en direction du Sud et ses nombreuses iles toutes plus belles les une que les autres...je te laisse imaginer la facilité du choix.....d'autant plus que 15 jours c'est vraiment court pour aller aussi loin (mais si me les donne...je pars tout de suite 😉)
Sur la question de l'anglais, je ne veux pas être méchant mais en toute franchise, je dois le dire, les francais fairaient aussi bien de se demander si les "autres" peuvent comprendre leur anglais. J'ai souvent été choqué par la médiocrité de l'anglais pratqué par nos chers compatriotes 😕. J'ai une très chère amie (francaise) qui m'a toujours fait marrer quand elle se plaignait de l'anglais des indiens, et de ce que les indiens avaient du mal à la comprendre. Connaissant bien son anglais à elle, je comprenais bien les difficultés des indiens!
Cela dit, mon expérience de l'anglais parlé par les thaïs, à part quelques exceptions, c'est assez bizarre. Je trouve très charmant la facon dont ils parlent l'anglais sans grammaire (comme le thaï), et leur prononciation, ouais, c'est autre chose! "dink" pour "drink", "kop" pour "golf" etc.... Plutôt déroutant. J'essayais une chemise dans un magasin à Hat Yai et l'employée m'indique "nii millol" = "ici (nii en thaï) mirror (mirroir)" Faut le faire, non? En passant, je veux effacer l'idée mal concue qu'ont certains sur le fait que les thaïs ne peuvent pas prononcer les "r". C' est vrai pour certains, mais il ne faut pas généraliser. En fait, j'adore la facon dont beaucoup de thaïs roulent leurs "r"🙂
D'où ma recommendation de faire quelques efforts avec le thaï, il faut du temps pour se fairte l'oreille, mais ce n'est pas si difficile que ca (pratiquement pas de grammaire!) et c'est amusant (rewarding).
Bien, suffit! Mille excuses à ceux qui me trouveront trop "doctoral"!
Si ca t'intéresse, je peux te donner l'adresse d'une petite agence symapthique à Bangkok (pas loin de Patpong) où on pourra t'arranger un trek dans la région de Chaing Maï (ou ailleurs). J'avais arrangé tout une formule pour ma femme (que j'avais lachée dans la nature pour quelques jours) et ca avait très bien marché.
Je rejoins les autres Vfistes sur le transport en Thaïlande : c'est très facile ! Par contre, en ce qui concerne l'anglais, je suis plutôt d'accord avec notre ami Georges von Nederland ! Les français n'ont aucune leçon à donner aux Thaïs en ce qui concerne l'anglais ! Le français qui parle anglais a un accent aussi "pourri grave" que le thaï ... sans pour autant généraliser ! Il n'y a pas de barrière infranchissable ! C'est vrai que les Thaïs prononcent le "r" comme le "l". L'hotel Mandarin, c'est Mandaline hotel ! En ce qui concerne les repas, si tu manges dans la rue (c'est là qu'on y mange le mieux, tu peux me croire, je suis asiatique), il suffit de montrer du doigt ce que tu veux. Les commerçants comprennent tous les mots soup, noodles, pork, fish, beef, spicy, rice. Lorsque tu ne comprends pas leur prononciation des prix, ils le disent avec les doitgs.
On est parti 16 jours, et sauf une fois à BKK (peut-être le chauffeur de taxi a voulu nous promener !), on n'a jamais eu de pb de communication.
Notre itinéraire pour te donner une idée (3 grandes étapes, largement suffisant pour 16 jours) :
1- Paris BKK, puis vol vers Chiang Mai dans la foulée, 1h10 de vol (one two go, nombreux vols à 1700 bth, cf leur site). On a siégé chez Julie GH (ils ont un site), endroit super sympa à l'intérieur de Chaing Mai. J+4 : 2 jours de trek pris à la GH même (1300 bth/personne). Si tu as un enfant de 10 ans, ne pas faire plus car il y a qd même bcp de marche. Le 1er jour : ascension de la montagne, visite d'une tribu, 1 heure à dos d'éléphants, nuit dans une tribu (emmener sa polaire, il fait assez froid la nuit). 2e jour : descente de la montagne, rafting pas très dangereux, puis raft sur un radeau. Si vous n'êtes pas très entraînés, 2 jours, c'est bien, car tu verras que les cuisses seront douloureuses le 2e jour. A chiang mai, au Night Market, il y a un food center très pratique et très bonne cuisine.
2- J+6 : Vol vers Koh Samui sur Bangkok airways, 2h40 de vol (c'est la seule cie qui fait ce trajet, 5060 bth). 3 jours à Koh Samui, on a loué une petite moto, c'est très facile de circuler dans l'île (200 bth/jour, demander les casques, c'est plus pour la forme que pour la sécurité, au moins ça protège des coups de soleil sur la tête !). 2 Jours à Koh Tao (superbe pour la plongée, sinon un peu chère vu le nombre "limité" d'hébergement par rapport à Samui). Retour à Samui pour qq jours.
3- J+12 : 4 jours à BKK avec bangkok airways, 1h de vol pour 2360 bth. 2 nuits au New Siam II sur Khao San Road, mais la GH est au calme, 2 nuits au Mandarin.
Nous n'avons logé que dans des GH, elles sont vraiment très bien, très propres, sauf les 2 dernières nuits au Mandarin Hotel car nous voulions nous situer à côté du SkyTrain. A Chiang Mai, priviligez la moto (si ta femme conduit c'est encore mieux, sinon les Thaïs circulent à 3 sur une seule moto !!), à Samui, idem, la moto est encore le meilleur moyen de transport. A BKK, bus, subway, skytrain et taxis (les taximeters lorsqu'ils mettent leurs compteurs, sont quelques fois moins chers que les transports en commun !). Les taxis roses sont fiables, tu ne peux pas les louper, ils sont d'un rose vif ! On a aussi privilégier les transports en avion au lieu des bus et train car 15 jours, c'est trop court pour perdre du temps dans les transports. Si vous avez des achats à faire (s'il s'agit d'artisanat), faites le Chiang Mai. Nous avons attendu d'être à BKK ce fut une erreur.
Voilà, j'espère que ça peut t'aider. La Thaïlande est vraiment un pays magnifique et les gens sont d'une gentillesse inouïe !
je parts pour 10 jours sur place (j'aimerais plus mais je crosi qu'on va pas y arriver), vers le 15 avril, avec ma fille de 10 ans et mon mari. Je cherche à organiser notre voyage d'ici, histoire de ne pas le faire en hôtele et du coups, rester cantoné dans un lieu car nous aimerions visiter un peu le nord et faire quelque jours plages. J'ai regardé ton parcours que tu propose, qui estplutôt nord si je comprends bien, mais je vais essayer de piocher un peu partout pour me faire le mien. J'aimerais ne pas dépasser un budget de 1500€ par personne, pense tu que ce soit possible en GH (d'ou l'avantage aussi de ne pas prendre des vrais hôtels)
J'attends tes suggestions...
Je me régale à préparer tout ca, ca me fait rêver.
Le budjet est ultra suffisant ! Tu pourrais inviter des amis... 😉 Si tu vis tres correctement en touriste tout compris (transport, logement, bouffe...) 400 E par semaines par personnes est tres tres suffisant. Avec 1000 E par semaines par personnes vous serez des rois (sauf a Pataya 🙁).
mai pen rai krap
j'ecrit sur clavier américain désolé pour les accents...
Sur la question de l'anglais, je ne veux pas être méchant mais en toute franchise, je dois le dire, les francais fairaient aussi bien de se demander si les "autres" peuvent comprendre leur anglais. J'ai souvent été choqué par la médiocrité de l'anglais pratqué par nos chers compatriotes 😕.
Héhé.... Pas etonnant que certains s'entendent dire en voyage : "Oh ben ca alors, vous parlez drolement bien anglais pour un français" :) Ca veut tout dire!
Salut, et bien comme on déja dit les autres, je ne peux que rajouter mon témoignage sur le fait que la Thailande soit extrèmement facile pour voyager. Tu peux consulter mes carnet de voyage sur Vf ou avec plus de photos sur mon site en signature
En ce qui concerne l'anglais plutot que de jeter la pierre aux habitants de tel ou tel pays, les gens étant issu bien souvent de ce que le milieu scolaire à reussi à leur donner je préfère dire que l'accent des Thailandais peut déconcerter du fait que le Thai soit une langue tonale dans lequel un mot prononcé sur des ton différents a plusieurs signification différente alors qu'en français " Pain " est toujours "pain" qqsoit l'accent avec lequel vous prononcez le mot
1500 euros/personne, c'est largement suffisant ! On n'en a eu pour moins de 1400 euros / personne en peak season, billet d'avion Paris BKK compris (dont 150 euros pour notre trip plongée à Koh Tao pour deux, on s'y est pris à la dernière minute sur place, on a payé le maximum, surtout pour la nuit au Blue Diamond où la seule chambre dispo était une familiale, on s'est mal débrouillé là ! Pour le prix, c'est transport de Koh Samui à Koh Tao + hébergement + plongée). Précision, nous avons payé notre billet d'avion 604 € avec Royal Jordanian.
Pour nos 3 étapes, en résumé sans compter le 1er jour en Thaïlande qui était consacré qu'au transport, on a fait 4 jours à Chiang Mai (dont 2 de trek), 7 jours dans les îles (dont 2 à Koh Tao) et 4 à BKK.
Je pense que 7 jours à Samui, c'est bien, ni trop court ni trop long ... cela dit, il y a tjs qqchose à faire là-bas (on n'aime pas trop lézarder sur la plage, en général on y reste une petite heure et on repart, alors on a traîné notre moto à droite et à gauche, on a trouvé des coins super sympas : plages désertes, chutes d'eau, temples perchés sur la colline). On a d'ailleurs été rendre visite à un Français d'Agen qui vit là-bas, il fait du rhum et il faut dire que c'est le meilleur qu'on ait goûté !
En ce qui concerne la nourriture, on a mangé que dans les buibuis (produits frais, vraie bouffe thaïe, commerçants super sympas, super pas cher et le plus souvent, c'est toi qui épices tes plats !). En nourriture, on n'a pratiquement rien dépensé alors qu'on est de vrai gros mangeurs (pourtant on n'a pris zéro gramme🙂). Voici qq mets et plats qu'on a aimés : le soy milk (lait de soja) frais et super bon, les jus d'orange pressés (demandez fresh orange juice, sinon vous risquez d'avoir du Tang 🏴☠️), les soupes de pâtes/vermicelles de riz ou de nouilles succulentes, les Pad Thaïs, pour les fruits : essayez les mangoustans et les rambutans, un vrai délice.
Voici qq idées de tarifs GH en peak season (minimum : chambre double avec private bathroom à chaque fois) :
1/ Chiang mai : Julie Guest House 350 bth/nuit
2/ Samui : O Soleil Bungalow sur Choeng Mon Beach (tenu par un Belge Jean Buisseret) 400 bth, Lucky Mother sur Chaeng Beach même prix (si c'est un bungalow), sauf si tu prends les chambres neuves avec clim et TV, 1800 bth (mais elles sont vraiment superbes !).
3/ Sur BKK, je pense que tu trouveras ce que tu cherches en pianotant un peu sur VF. La ville est tellement vaste que cela dépend vraiment de ce que tu privilégies (location, tarifs, calme ou animé).
Je suis asiatique et je trouvais qu'à BKK, il faisait une chaleur accablante (pas étouffante mais le soleil tapait très fort). Attention, le mois d'avril est pire ! Maintenant, je ne trouve pas que la ville est si polluée que ça, en tout cas, à part ChinaTown, la ville est d'une propreté remarquable !
des trucs du genre "aï laï laï" par exemple, c'est vrai qu'il faut un peu d'expérience pour comprendre que la personne te dit qu'elle aime manger du riz = I like rice en bon anglais!
sur la question du r et du l, le r n'est pas un problème pour tous, il n'y a qu' à écouter quelques chansons pour s'en rendre compte (Poompuan Doungchan par exemple, la reine de la chanson thaï), mais bon, je ne veux pas faire de polémique.
En passant, je Vis in Nederland, mais ne suis pas Nederlander, je suis Alsaco-Piémontais (comme les voitures Bugatti!)
merci pour ta reponse et merci pour ton site qui nous fait rever.
les photos sont superbes.
a quel saison est il preferable d'y aller sachant que je ne voudrais pas non plus me retrouver envahie de touristes?
et dernière question sans reservation est il difficike ou facile sur la route de se loger?
merci pour tes reponses
vive le tourisme durable .....
un bon touriste et un touriste respectueux du pays qu'il visite.
Voila une question qu'elle est bonne ! Etant donné mon "expérience" des deux saisons je dirais sans hésiter, la saison séche et plus précisement entre début décembre ( ou en théorie on est à peu près sur qu'il fera beau ... pour autant qu'on puisse être sur de quelque chose avec la météo ! ) et fin février époque ou il commence à faire vraiment chaud. Mais ou ça ce corse c'est sur la seconde partie de la questin :
sachant que je ne voudrais pas non plus me retrouver envahie de touristes?
Car bien sur la période que je t'ai donné est connu, c'est la " peak season " ou si on ne recherche pas la proximité proche de ses semblables certains endroits sont amha tout simplement infréquantable, et àa inclu toute les pplages du Sud ( Phuket/ Phi Phi et autres ) et une bonne partie des iles du Golfe de Thailande. Ensuite c'est un histoire de compromis personnels, préfere tu voir autre chose, supporter du monde ou bien avoir de la pluie ...
et dernière question sans reservation est il difficike ou facile sur la route de se loger?
Ca dépend ou et quand.
Le long des autoroutes touristiques et en peak season, c'est difficile, en dehors de ces voies là et de cette époque c'est facile voir très facile 😉
OK merci et avez vous une idée aproximative du budjet pour 15 jours?
je sais ce n'est pas facile mais ce n'est pas évident non plus de savoir combien prévoir.
quel saison me conseillez vous?
un enfant de 9-10 ans peux t il monter à dos d'éléphant?
merci pour vos réponses
vive le tourisme durable .....
un bon touriste et un touriste respectueux du pays qu'il visite.
encore merci je prend bien note de vos réponses
en faite je cherche plus à voir le pays le coté sauvage, la faune et la flore que les plages bondées de touristes.
donc je pense que je choisirez la saison sèche
merci
dernière question de BKK au nord combien de temps par la route?
vive le tourisme durable .....
un bon touriste et un touriste respectueux du pays qu'il visite.
Ces histoires de budget sont tjs délicates, tu pense bien qu'entre 15 jours en GH à 300baths ou 15 jours en resort 5* a 4000baths la nuit ça va sacrément changer ! Et c'est ça la magie de la Thailande c'est que les 2 sont possible !
Tu te déplace comment ? Train, bus, voiture ?
Tu mange ou ? Buffet de l'hotel ou boui boui ?
Tu va à la plage ou tu visite les parcs naturels ?
Non vraiment il ya trop de variables J'ai vu passer pas mal de post la dessus essaie de voir ce qui en ressort.
Un indice, tu peux facilement manger (bien) dans les boui-bouis pour 2euros/personnes/repas
Pour la saison je viens de répondre dans un autre topic que : " que du coté de la saison tu peux jetter un oeil à mon site sur le second voyage en Thailande fait du 10/07 au 5/08/06. En résumé nous avons eu beaucoup de pluie et personnellement j'ai trouvé ça plus e****dant que joli.
Ce n'est que MON avis par forcément LA vérité et avec la météo rien n'est jamais sur de rien, la mousson 2005 avait été relativemnt peu pluvieuse celle de 2006 fut pas mal pluvieuse ... Les anées se suivent et ne se ressemblent pas.
Mais dans tout les cas l'été européen tombe pendant la mousson en Thailande.
Oui sans problèmes pour le gamin sur l'éléphant, il y a un siège et une ceinture de sécurité et .. en Thailande tout est possible,
justement parlant de transport quel moyen est le plus simple à 3 pour faire facilement le trajet BKK puis le nord?
est il facile de trouver un moyen de transport car nous serons avec le fiston on voudrais éviter les grosses galères.
vive le tourisme durable .....
un bon touriste et un touriste respectueux du pays qu'il visite.
le mexique on se déplassait en bus car trés longues distances puis en taxi
aucun problème pour ce pays concernant le transport
pour la tunisie et l'écosse on avait louer un véhicule pas mal non plus car trajet moins grand.
je pense qu'en thailande si le bus est bien developpé on prendra ce moyen de transport? d'autant que les transport ne doivent pas êtres trés honereux.
que me conseillez vous?
vive le tourisme durable .....
un bon touriste et un touriste respectueux du pays qu'il visite.
le mexique on se déplassait en bus car trés longues distances puis en taxi
aucun problème pour ce pays concernant le transport
pour la tunisie et l'écosse on avait louer un véhicule pas mal non plus car trajet moins grand.
je pense qu'en thailande si le bus est bien developpé on prendra ce moyen de transport? d'autant que les transport ne doivent pas êtres trés honereux.
😏 Noé raison quand il te dit 400 Euros par personne tu y arrives facilement sachant quand avril c'est hors saison.
Et si vous prenez en plus une chambre familiale 😉.
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Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Bonjour, qui serait sur place en ce moment à Flores? d apres des sites internet, tout serait fermé, la situation serait difficile ; notre guide dirait que ça va ; qui croire? nous sommes censés partir le 2 septembre ; merci à celles et ceux qui sont à Flores en ce moment
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
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...
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
Hi,
From Malacca to get to Jerantut, is it better to go back to KL and take a bus from there, or take a bus to Tampin and then a train? Any feedback on the "Jungle Train"? (duration, price, comfort, etc.). Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Flores and then Bali at the end of September.
We’ve already visited both but this time, once we’re in Labuan Bajo, we’d like to take a boat to the Komodo Islands to see the famous Komodo dragons.
I don’t want to sleep on the boat—just a day trip would be perfect.
Does anyone know a reliable and friendly provider to recommend?
Thanks in advance, and have a great summer!
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...
After reading and researching, we're planning the following stops in Cambodia in January 2027:
- Phnom Penh
- Kampong Cham
- Kratie
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Kampot (round trip)
I'm wondering about the direction of these stops, which could also influence our international flights.
Either a round trip from Phnom Penh in the order above.
Or landing in Siem Reap with the following order:
This second option would save us the Battambang - PP - Kampot trip but means doing a round trip to Battambang from Siem Reap and placing the "highlight of the trip" (Angkor) at the beginning of our stay.
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
However, I’m not quite sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still some walks and/or things to see in Kampong Thom?
Hi there,
We’re planning to travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang next November.
We’d like to take a slow boat from Chiang Khong—or rather from Huay Xai in Laos—with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.
Could you let us know if the boat still leaves Huay Xai in the late morning? If so, what time roughly, and what’s the price for the trip?
Thanks for your help!
Alod
We (3 adults: 68, 65, and 25 years old) are just back from a short trip to the Philippines, and I’d like to share a little summary of our journey. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum about this destination and answers the questions of those who aren’t familiar with it. I should also mention that my comments are personal and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions. Since I don’t have any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the sights, hotels, and restaurants.
Preparations:
We chose this destination in December and quickly booked our flight tickets (540 € with Turkish Airlines) for a departure on February 16 and return on March 5, 2019. We then contacted two French-speaking tour operators based in Manila, asking them to put together an itinerary based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and our budget. We wanted to see the rice terraces in northern Luzon, the hanging coffins in Sagada, before flying to the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, etc.), and the Taal Volcano, while limiting our nights in Manila as much as possible. In the end, we opted for Alize, whose itinerary and quote matched our request almost perfectly. Our exchanges helped us refine our circuit.
International flights:
The round-trip flights went smoothly. Turkish Airlines, while not at the level of Asian or Gulf airlines, does the job just fine.
Day 1:
We landed on time (6:15 PM) on Monday, February 16, at Terminal 3. We exchanged our euros (near the car rental counters), and I can confirm the exchange rate was very good. On the way to the St. Giles Hotel (decent and affordable for a transit night), we got our first glimpse of Manila’s dense traffic. The Makati district, where our hotel was located, offers a wide choice of restaurants, so we grabbed a quick bite to recover from the trip.
Day 2:
This day was dedicated to transferring to Banaue. Fortunately, we had a comfortable van and an excellent driver for this journey, which took all day (8 to 9 hours with stops). We got a taste of driving in the Philippines—and it’s terrifying. You wouldn’t want to drive on these roads. The first thing that struck us was the relatively good condition of the roads and the cleanliness (a change from other Southeast Asian countries). This impression lasted throughout our trip. Around 6 PM, we checked into our room at the Banaue Hotel (large, charm-free, but with a beautiful view of the rice terraces).
Day 3:
With the help of a local guide, we took a jeepney to Batad. And then—wow! The rice terraces form an amphitheater overlooking the small village. Under the sun, it’s simply spectacular and breathtaking! Even though we’re familiar with rice terraces (Sapa, Bali, Thailand, etc.), we were dazzled by so much beauty. We spent the day walking along the terrace walls. This place is timeless and fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, we returned to the hotel exhausted (due to our ages and lack of exercise). We had dinner with our driver at the Las Vegas restaurant in the center of Banaue. The meal was decent, cheap, and the Filipino owner played the guitar to accompany our dinner.
Day 4:
Today, our driver took us to Sagada. The mountain road offered spectacular landscapes (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Along the way, we stopped in Bontoc to visit the small but interesting anthropological museum. It features old photos and various objects from the Ifugao tribes, as well as a reconstruction of primitive dwellings.
We then went on a short hike in Sagada with a very friendly local guide who explained the region’s funeral rites. The walk started at the communal cemetery before reaching “Echo Valley,” where we saw the first coffins hanging on the cliff. We continued to the “Underground River” and a small waterfall, ending our journey in the “Lumiang Cave” burial cave. All in all, this day was very interesting. On the way back, we made a few photo stops.
In the evening, on our driver’s recommendation, we ate at the “Bistro,” a French enclave in the center of Banaue (good pizza, roasted quail, homemade fries).
Day 5:
Today was a transfer day. To limit fatigue and nights in Manila, our tour operator arranged a flight from Clark to Tagbilaran (Bohol), saving us 2 to 3 hours of driving. But to catch our flight, we had to leave very early: 5:30 AM. Our kind driver dropped us off on time at the airport. To use it, we had to pay a 150 PHP tax per person. The Philippine Airlines flight (15 minutes) left early and was far from full. Upon arrival, we were taken to the Loboc River Hotel, on the banks of the river of the same name. A very charming lodge lost in a tropical garden. We stayed in a stilt cottage overlooking the river. We relaxed a bit in the lovely pool. This place is really great—the staff is charming, and the food is excellent for a reasonable price.
Day 6:
This day was dedicated to exploring Bohol. The program was classic, starting with the tarsier sanctuary. We saw a few specimens in a small garden, each pointed out by a staff member. It was both good and disappointing because the animals were in pseudo-freedom in a small enclosure. Then we went to the “Chocolate Hills” and climbed 240 steps to admire the panoramic view of the hills—but by 10 AM, it was crowded. On the way back, we stopped at the butterfly garden, which was uninteresting: tiny, with few butterflies. We consoled ourselves by photographing beautiful flowers. To please our teen, we stopped at the Loboc Eco Tourism Adventure Park and crossed the river lying down, suspended from a steel cable (300 PHP). Finally, we had the traditional lunch-cruise on the Loboc River. It was a factory-like experience, and the meal was unremarkable. The only good thing was the singer on each boat and the lush vegetation. Afterward, we visited colonial churches and the cathedral, remnants of the Spanish presence, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved dip in the pool. Note that for those interested, there’s an arena near the hotel where cockfights are held every Sunday—something Filipinos are passionate (if not obsessed) about.
Day 8:
Very early departure for the port. We boarded a *banca* in search of dolphins. After about an hour of sailing, we were lucky enough to spot around a hundred dolphins. Our boat then headed to the small and charming island of Pamilacan. After a walk through the little village, we came across locals traditionally building a boat. They told us it takes about a month to finish their outrigger boat. Then we had to choose our snorkeling spot between the coral garden, the fish park, and the turtle enclosure. Note that a fee is charged for each spot: 150 PHP per place and per person. It felt a bit like we were being ripped off, especially since the spots weren’t amazing—we’d see much better on Apo for much less. We had lunch on the island at one of the many small eateries (350 PHP per person).
Days 9 and 10:
On our return, we were taken to the Bohol Sea Resort on Panglao Island, where we stayed for 2 nights. It’s a small, recent establishment in a quiet corner of the island. It’s relaxing—maybe a bit too much. It has a nice pool and access to Danao Beach, but the view is blocked by a flotilla of boats. We didn’t try their diving school. The meals were good. If we had to do it again, we’d skip this stop to spend more time in Negros.
Days 11 and 12:
We took a fast ferry (Ocean Jet) from Tagbilaran port to Dumaguete and were taken to the Thalatta Resort, about 20 km away near Zamboanguita. We stayed there for 2 nights. Let’s just say it was our favorite. It’s a small place facing Apo Island. The rooms are simple, and the pool, nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, is fantastic. The staff is friendly, and the meals are very good. The hotel has its own diving center (snorkeling gear provided) and its own boats. We booked the Apo Island excursion: 1,350 PHP per person, including lunch. It was incredible: magnificent corals, colorful fish, and turtles of all sizes. The crew was endlessly kind and didn’t hesitate to dive to guide us to the best spots. In short, a perfect day. This site is ranked among the top 5 diving spots in the Philippines.
Since we were lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday morning, we explored the surprising Malapay Market, a 10-minute walk from our hotel. You’ll find numerous stalls selling vegetables, fruits, live or dried fish, and handicrafts. Enclosures are set up for selling livestock (calves, zebu, pigs). There are also restaurants. We were lucky to see two pigs roasted traditionally on a spit. There are few Europeans, and the people are warm. A great moment.
We left this beautiful place with regret because we didn’t have time to visit the island or go swimming with whale sharks.
Days 12 to 15:
From Dumaguete port, we took a short crossing (1 hour with Ocean Jet) to Siquijor Island to reach the Coco Grove Beach Resort. A beautiful hotel nestled in a spacious tropical garden. Several restaurants and bars, 4 pools. Despite the size of the place, it remains intimate. You can snorkel (corals and fish) right in front of the beautiful beach. We stayed in a very pleasant duplex suite. For those interested, there’s a spa and a diving center. You can also take the Apo Island excursion (offered at 1,950 PHP).
We spent our days relaxing between the pool and the beach. In the evening, the sunsets over Negros and Apo were stunning.
We booked an island tour with a comfortable tricycle from the hotel (1,500 PHP). The circuit was classic and allowed us to go around the island. We discovered beaches, the famous 400-year-old ficus tree with its enormous roots, and its equally famous foot bath with its cleaning fish. Then we visited the St. Isidore Convent before heading to the Cambugahay waterfalls and their four pools. The setting is idyllic, and the water is surprisingly good—we had a lot of fun swimming. We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the island, where you can see Apo, Cebu, and Negros. In the end, Siquijor turned out to be a real little tropical paradise.
Since the hotel restaurants were expensive, we dined at nearby establishments: Fuego (clean, good—excellent raw fish—and quiet), Chekesch (louder), and the very pleasant Baha Bar, which brews its own beer and offers more refined cuisine.
Days 15 to 16:
We left at dawn to return to Dumaguete and its airport by ferry. We had breakfast at the Coco Grande Hotel, an annex of the previous one. The Philippine Airlines flight went smoothly. A driver took us to the town of Taal. We stayed at Paradores Del Castillo, right in the heart of the old town. It’s a charming old house with only 6 rooms. The various rooms are decorated with antiques—a real little museum. The garden is pleasant and opens onto the town.
It’s an old early 19th-century house converted into a hotel, beautifully arranged with 6 rooms in the heart of the city. The restaurant in the garden is very pleasant and offers a panoramic view.
We visited an old Spanish house before heading to the beautiful Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Philippines. A mass was in progress, allowing us to gauge the Filipinos’ fervor before we could visit. When we left, it was dark, and we could admire the illuminated building. We ended our evening by exploring the night market with its many fruit and skewer stalls. A nice surprise.
In the morning, we were taken to the shores of Taal Lake, an ancient caldera where a second volcano has formed in the middle of the lake, which in turn contains another lake. We boarded a *banca* to reach the island in the middle of the lake. This was followed by an uphill walk, made difficult by the high temperature (36°C) and the dust on the path. The dust was worsened by the many horses carrying (or bringing back) the less courageous. To illustrate the difficulty of the climb, the trail is marked by the Stations of the Cross and its 14 stations. We were panting while our guide trotted far ahead. Our effort was rewarded when we reached the summit and its viewpoints over the inner lake and the surroundings. The wisps of smoke seen here and there confirmed we were on an active volcano. Inside the lake, there are supposedly 45 small volcanoes, one of which emerged during its last eruption in 1911.
On the way back, we had lunch by the lake before returning to Manila and the Bayleaf Hotel, whose main merit is its location in the Intramuros district. In the late afternoon, we walked along the walls of the old city.
We had dinner on the hotel’s panoramic terrace overlooking the city and the bay.
Day 17:
Last day! Our tour operator joined us for a tour of the Intramuros district. He enriched the visit with comments on the history, geopolitics, and economy of the Philippines. We visited the Manila Cathedral, destroyed 7 times in the past (6 earthquakes and the 1945 bombing). It’s beautiful, and its stained glass is magnificent. We couldn’t enter the San Agustin Church, the oldest Catholic building in Manila. We passed by the memorial to the Battle of Manila, which claimed over 100,000 lives. We visited the area around Casa Manila, which was closed on Monday, and had a drink at Barbara’s cabaret, located in a historic house. A very enriching morning.
Then we went to the Mall of Asia, the world’s largest shopping mall, to buy some souvenirs (Kultura store) before being taken to the airport. We exchanged our last pesos at the buying rate right after check-in.
The return flight went smoothly. We regretted not being able to use the facilities of Istanbul’s new airport, as its opening was delayed by another month.
Finances:
In the end, we spent 1,640 € for the international flights, 4,200 € for the stay (hotels, visits, various transports) with the agency (whose professionalism we can only praise), and about 700 € for meals, tips, and souvenirs.
Summary:
Luckily, we had beautiful weather throughout our stay, with temperatures between 26 and 35°C. Discovering the Philippines was a wonderful experience. The diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Filipinos, the cleanliness, and the truly delicious fruits (especially pineapples and mangoes). We were never harassed, unlike in many touristy countries. On the other hand, the food, though generally cheap, wasn’t exceptional.
Since this country is so vast, we might return in the near future.
Though I’m not a specialist on this destination, I’m happy to answer your questions based on my experience.
So, my flight tickets have just been booked for a trip to Cambodia from November 4th to 27th, 2025.
I’ll be traveling solo and want to explore this amazing country while getting a bit off the beaten path.
I’m arriving in Phnom Penh and also departing from Phnom Penh.
My goal is to travel as much as possible by bus and scooter.
What itinerary would you recommend?
What are the must-do things?
I’m open to all tips and info.
Thanks in advance for your help and responses.
We got back enchanted from a 6-week trip to Cambodia!
Our itinerary: Kampot - Kampong Chhnang - Battambang - Siem Reap - Kampong Cham - Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri) - Banlung (Ratanakiri) - Kratie - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh.
We traveled by bus, minivan, boat (between Battambang and Siem Reap), overnight bus, scooter, tuk-tuk, and rickshaw for shorter distances. We stayed in guesthouses, homestays, and even in the jungle during a trek.
While the Angkor temples are fabulous, it’s the people you should visit Cambodia for—the "Land of Smiles" truly lives up to its nickname! Tourists gather in Angkor but are quite rare elsewhere, even though the country is easy to travel around.
I won’t describe our trip in detail but instead highlight a few favorite moments.
From Kampot, don’t hesitate to head out around 6 AM to see the fishermen return and their wives selling their catch (just 10 minutes away by the coast). Guaranteed picturesque!
In Battambang, known for its food scene, we discovered a cooking class with Smokin’ Pot (authentic Khmer cooking class). They pick you up from your guesthouse to shop for ingredients (we made fish amok and beef lok lak) at their village market, then cook and eat together. A private class—just the two of us! They also send the recipes via WhatsApp as a PDF. +855 12 821 400
In Siem Reap, I can recommend a francophone tuk-tuk driver who was very attentive to our wishes. We visited tourist spots but also more remote villages and local grilled-pork restaurants with him. He’s a wealth of information about local life, and chatting with him was a real pleasure—we left with regret! You can reach him on WhatsApp: Vung Hem, +855 96 614 0146.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Mondulkiri. Don’t expect a super dense jungle—it looks more like a forest similar to ours. But Nara, our Bunong ethnic guide, made the experience adventurous and ultimately very immersive! WhatsApp +855 86 630 489
Bee Bee’s Chalets homestay: If you pass through Banlung in Ratanakiri, we *loved* this family and their budget-friendly bungalows. Playing Uno, enjoying Nita’s cooking (ask for her fish amok—amazing!), it was a true homestay experience! Contact Nita on WhatsApp: +855 88 818 5525.
In Kratie, rent a scooter and follow the Mekong north for 40 km at your own pace. Being so close to the locals was a treat! Same goes for heading south if you have time.
Kampong Thom: Head 25 km out to visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. Around a hundred monuments spread across three sites… and hardly anyone there!
A few practical tips:
Though prices are often listed in dollars, you can always pay in riels (1 USD = 4000 riels), which is what we preferred.
PassApp: An app to book tuk-tuks or rickshaws (and most importantly, know the price upfront).
Virak Buntham: A bus company connecting several cities, bookable online.
Feel free to ask me questions about places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our 5- and 7-year-olds.
On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
This time, I’m thinking of spending 7 days on the islands. I was considering Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. We’d like some scenery, snorkeling right from the beach, and a bit of atmosphere—but not too much (just enough to grab dinner in the evening).
For the other part of the trip, we’re torn between Chiang Mai and Khao Sok. One or the other… or both? We don’t want to rush, but we’re really nature-focused, so we won’t be hitting too many temples…
Hi there, I’ll be on vacation in Malaysia in November and plan to spend 5 days in Penang. After that, I’d like to visit some temples and places in Butterworth or nearby, and also explore the city. Since I usually get around on foot, which neighborhood would be best for me—meaning within a 30-minute walk of attractions, street food stalls, bus lines, etc.? Thanks in advance for your help!
Françoise
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
I’m planning a trip to Cambodia and was set on visiting the Ratanakiri region, which seemed to match what we love most in terms of landscapes: forests, jungle, greenery...
However, as I started looking into the area, I read that deforestation there is massive, and some of the info on the topic is years old—the situation hasn’t improved since, unfortunately.
So my question is: is Ratanakiri still worth visiting, and does it justify the long travel time and distance to get there?
I’ve seen that jungle treks are possible, but from experience, I know guides sometimes hesitate to venture deep into the forest and stick to shorter walks along the edges of parks.
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there, we’re landing at Hanoi Airport and would like to head straight to Cao Bang without going into Hanoi. Does anyone know if there are buses that go directly from the airport to Cao Bang (especially in the early afternoon)? Thanks in advance!
