Alors moi et mes pote de l'université de Southampton, on a prévu d'allé en Thaïlande pour un moi, et on voudrais loué une villa de 6 chambre pour un moi vers une belle plage et un endroit sa bouge le soir mais ki coûte pas trop cher pck on est pas des millionnaires!!!!!!!!! en total maintenant on est 3 et on a environ 6,000€ et si la 3 autre on auras 12,000€ en budget.....Sa serais bien si je poudrais avoire des conseil de vous pour ke se voyage soit le best!!!! :D MERCI....
BJ,
déstination pour vous (pour que sa "bouge"+plage superbes etc etc )= Phuket ...quartier de Patong!(plage inclus dans le site qésiné !!).....là sa bouge vraiment et pour les jeunes c'est le top!!, ... tout est là sur place a porté de main , ..bars à filles, dicotheques, plage, resto's pas cher(et plus cher aussi) et très bonne "animation" garantie !!, ..par contre, bruillant ....tres brouillant même (c'est peut-être se quivous faut auussi !?, ..dans quel cas pdb ) ....à moins de trouver une location au calme =tres rare das se coin là )
Pour le "Bugdet" , et étant donné que c'est Phuket = Ok mais sans plus !(2000€par mec , avec la location de maison inclus , c'est possible , mais attention aux dépanses extras ..filles & boissons surtout , car une bierre dans les endoits "brachés"(et il y que ça !!) dans le coin , ça coute entre 120thb et 150thb (3,50€)et si vous buvez pas mal , alors le budget explose assez vite , surtout avec les "filles"lesquelles aiment picoler pas mal aussi ! + 1000thb à 2000 thb la passe !.(car la bas "gratos" n'existe pas , même si aussi beau que Alain Delon des années 60!😏)
Coté location villa (tout dépends, si piscine , ou pas piscine!?? )comptez entre 35 000thb et 300 000THB pour un mois pour 5/6chamres !..vous avez sur le web bcp de proposition de location" rent villa Phuket"
.etc.;etc
2solutions s'ofrrent a vous =>
1*=>passez par un "thaïs" (déconseillé )en direct =moins cher certes , mais souvant "problemes aux rdv (prolèmes de toutes sorte((( jamais très graves mais toujours très chients et insolluble surtout à moin de payer sans arrêt , toujour plus, de cons qui vien vous faire chier tout les jour !!??!!))) et je parle en connaissence de cause )
2*=>passez par une agencelocale (qui s'occupe de tout ) = plus cher certes (environ 15%)mais si probleme, vous avez quelqu'un qui s'en occupe !, ....et en Thaialnde "c'est tres important" , pour cause de barriere de la langue notament, et pour cause de la "differnce des mentalités"tres grade entre nos deux civilisations !
Conclusion=>pour environ 50 000THB à 60 000THB (1€=43thb en ce moment) /mois (1200€ /1500€)vous avez une "grande maison "avec piscine" (important la bas avec les grandes chaleurs pendant la journé)tres bien !!!, ...bien meublé , ...6ch, ...3 sdb ou mêmecuisine equipe (mais vous n'aurez pas besoin de la "cuisine équipé" en thaialnde , ...sauf d'un frigo qui marche !!) + , @, tv satelite, toute quipé grave ! ..tout grand confort quoi !
En dessa des 50 000thb /mois , vous pouvez avoir une maison "cool"(sans +) , mais moins confortable moins bien equipé, moins bien placé, mais "cool" quand même!(comptez pour une baraque comme cela 35 000thb /mois!.(masi le problème est aussi le nombre de chambres qu'ils vous faut =6 !, ..a voir ça avec agence)
le gros du budget (pour le jeunes surtout)c'est la dépansse =>bars & filles !(bierre à 150thb et la fille à 1000 +ces 5bierres aus pasage cela vas tres vite attention toutes de même !.
pour etre allaise comptez 100€ chaqu'un par jour, avec la lcation y compris sinon n'y allez pas àPhuket !.(mais c'est là ou sa se passe justement !!!)..puis si vous êtes 6 cela c'est mieux , car 12 000€ vous suffirons mieux que les 6000€ à trois ..car c'est l'union qui fait la force et la solidarité peut s'exercer en plus , en cas de cout dur pour l'un d'entre vous !
Prevoyez dans une cachette aussi à part 100€ (ne pas y toucher !!)pour pouvoir changer le billet de retour (rentrer un peu plus tôt pa rexemple) si le budget "non suffisent" pour 1mois complet !?.
A mon avis vu l'équipe qui se prepare à l'assot de la Thalande vous pouriez rester evron 20j (masi "big orgies quand même au programme )et pas plus lontemps avec vos 6000€ , ...j'imagine que c'est sans le billet d'avion !!??, ....sinon oubliez Phuket surtout !!.... car s'il vous reste à chaqu'un que 1000€ pour 1 mois sur place , vous ne "baiserait" pas souvant!!, .... et l"eau sera au programme tous les jours midi et soir et pas de maison mais un "guest hausse "miteux )et avec 12 000€ c'est le mois aux complet (big's orgies aussi pour toutes l'equipe) sans problemes majeurs !.
Voila
bon sejour (j'sré prob cette hivers aussi )
Pareil, direction Phuket ou Pattaya. Voir Google pour les locations de villas.
Pour le budget, un fêtard ne peut pas tenir un budget (même s'il croit que si), c'est aussi simple que ça. Donc louez votre villa à Phuket ou Pattaya, amusez-vous, et emportez une carte de crédit de secours au cas où le budget est trop court une fois sur place.
Truc idiot mais, une fois là-bas, dans ces endroits fêtards, vous vous croirez un peu tout permis, mais n'oubliez surtout pas que vous n'êtes pas chez vous, que ce sont des lois différentes et une culture différente... donc la fête oui, mais ne faites pas là-bas ce que vous ne feriez pas chez vous.
Alors moi et mes pote de l'université de Southampton, on a prévu d'allé en Thaïlande pour un moi, et on voudrais loué une villa de 6 chambre pour un moi vers une belle plage et un endroit sa bouge le soir mais ki coûte pas trop cher
une villa ca demande bcp d'attention, m'enage, draps, cuisine, electricité, c'est sur il y a femme de ménage, mais là encore faut faire gaffe, et svnt a la restitution des clés l'agence vs fait payer des frais immaginaires de plus ça vs oblige a rester au meme endroit, mieux vaut loger dn de bons hotels, et de faire en un mois deux ou trois villes, ex: Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket...
c'est parfait pour faire la fete.
salut
d'abord sur les propos de "sisaket"...
effectivement qu'une maison demande quelques effort(puisque ce n'est pas un hôtel🤪), draps, menage, etc..;etc.;et si vous passez par une agence ceci est (plutôt)pris en charge même si parfois certain frais supplémentaire et non prévu aux programme ne sont aps à exclure !.
1* passer par une agence = plus de tranquillité mais une note un peu plus salé (et n'imagine pas que dans un pays ou la majorité des gens gagnent pas +que 150 voir 200€ par mois , le passage des touristes friqués ne sera pas aperçu comme une belle opportunité de "prélever" un peu au passage (mais tres peu, .... puisque la monnaie locale en vos pas grand chose , et si on vous "pique" 2€ par ci et 5€ par la , pour un total de 150€ pendant votre séjour , qu'il faut en faire un drame national !!!!...c'est comme ça la bas et si on n'aime pas cela il ne faut pas y aller !)
Passer par un Thais proprios en direct = pas de draps !, pas de ménage!, pas d'eau chaude très souvent!, pas de meubles souvant aussi 🤪😎 (puisque le chauffe eau n'a pas été installé ou ne marche pas depuis 5ans ), pas de clime!!!, ... ou elle balance du "chaud"🤪 !!(car pas nettoyé depuis son installation initiale !!)puis aussi et très souvent , ...des frais supplémentaires aux programme !, ...puisque le Thais qui vous loué, vous voit aussi comme "riche" et voudrai prélever par tout les moyens + que ce qui était convenu à l'avance avec lui !!??.
Donc entre deux (mauvaises )solutions pour moi la solution N1 s'impose !!..car dans deux cas ce n'est pas idéal , par contre dans le cas N°2(en direct donc) c'est 20 x pires !.
Pour les sites d'agences = tapez sur "google" => "location (ou Rental )villa (hausse) sur (in)Phuket Thailande et vous n'aurez l'embarras de choix !...puis vous regarder les photos et descriptifs , vous "piocher" (car toutes les agences n'ont pas les mêmes produits non plus , .. pour pouvoir vous conseiller une en particulier comme ça et d'ici !?) ....puis vous téléphoner , pour réserver éventuellement , sans envoyer de l'argent si possible ou très peut (100€ par exemple )car il réclament souvent 20%à 30% de la location totale à l'avance , ...mais comme cela ne marche plus très bien comme ça pour eux (et pour cause) vous pouvez vous en sortir en envoyant juste un billet ou deux maxi !!(et jamais par carte , mais uniquement par westernunion par exemple )comme ça , ....si "couille" ou "problème" sur place vous ne serez pas ruiner avant de partir et des toutes les façons !.
Dans ce pays il à environ 95% de gens honnêtes et 5% d'escrocs ....donc bcp de chance tout de même de tomber sur quelqu'un de bien (agence y compris , ...lesquelles certes font payer leurs services , ....mais vous le rend bien aussi et sont responsables eux yeux de la loi surtout ..donc il y recours si problème avec une agence = important )
Puis : comme je vous disais =>
le très grand avantage de passer par une agence et aussi , c'est qu'en cas de problème avec eux ?, ...vous savez qui ils sont , ....ou ils sont !, ...et vous pouvez régler le problème en appelant la Police touristique (dans le pire des cas uniquement !!!, ...puisque 99% de problèmes en Thailande , ...peuvent se régler avec une simple discussion aboutissant à un arrangement bien souvent avec eux , et calmement surtout , car aucune nervosité n'est ni permise ni bien vue , ni tolère en Thailande , ...ne l'oubliez pas ceci au passage )par exemple !.
Surtout éventuellement la "police touristique" et pas la "police nationale" (car les autres sont souvent "corrompus" et marchent de mèche avec les escrocs de tout poils ....)et le problème (a condition naturellement d'avoir raison de vous plaindre !?)sera vite règle !..au pire vous serez remboursé et au mieux vous aurez exactement ce que vous avez demandé pour votre argent et le tour et joué !.
Par contre: si vous passez directement par un Thais et que ce dernier décide de disparaitre dans la nature avec votre caution ou l'avance envoyé , ou que la maison qu'il vous à loué , ne correspond ni de prêt ni de loin au descriptif donné , ou les photos jointes , ....vous n'avez "aucun recours "la bas et c'est comme ça !....je sais , ....puisque je connais le problème !.
Voila la raison pour la quelle , ...je vous envoi de préférence vers une agence , plutôt que vers un particulier , puisque il s'agit de la Thailande et la bas c'est comme ça qu'il faut opérer et pas autrement (même si je fait moi aussi parti de gens qui n'aiment pas bcp les agents de tout poils !!!)
Après c'est vous de voir !...et ceux qui veulent économiser par tous les moyens en thaïlande le regrettant amèrement dasn les 99% des cas après !!..;c'est comme ça en Thailande..point et /.
La solution la meilleure sera tout de même , de ne pas louer à distance (rien d'avance) surtout si vous partez hors saison !!..puis de vous y coller tous dans un hôtel (3ch x 1000thb x 2 jours cela n'a ruiner personne )puis des votre arrivé (après repos bien mérité )vous traversez la rue voir un agence sérieuse ( conseillé par les autres déjà sur place )et qui ont déjà loué sans problème chez eux par exemple , ...puis voir de "vive yeux"😎ce qu'on vous propose puis de prendre une décision sur place en connaissance de cause , car je vous avoue aussi que de louer une maison (agence ou pas d'ailleurs )de chez soit , en étant assis devant son ordi , n'est pas vraiment ni facile ni véritablement conseillé !.
Les offres de location (même en plaine saison !!)sont toujours plus importante que les demande et les possibles sont quasi infini à Phuket surtout pour un budget comme le votre qui est plus que correct !!.
Aucune crainte de se retrouver à la rue sans réserver auparavant sur Phuket !!..la seul chose que vous risquer c'est de payer 2 à 3nuits d'hôtel(même sa ce n'est pas grave, puisque en négociant bien votre baraque , une fois sur place , vous aller probablement recuperer vos sous dépensé en hôtel ..ce qui n'est aps le cas à distance )
Maintenait vous savez tout ou presque , sur une location (en règle générale )en Thailande !...pour les adresses des site précis , ...demandez sur le forum , ...les gars sont très calés sur la question pour vous y répondre plus efficacement , ou d'une manière plus précise ou plus complète que moi !.
Bon voyage à toute l'equipe !.
FIN
déjà pour quelle période de l'année !!! les prix varient selon la saison haute moyenne et basse
et il faut choisir aussi l'endroit par rapport à la mousson... si c'est cet été choisir gulf du siam (koh samui - koh tao - koh phan gan)
si c'est cet hiver choisir côté mer adaman (phuket - krabi/lanta - phi phi)
dans tous les cas il ya de très nombreuses locations villa/appartements à des prix très intéressants.... ce qui plombe un budget c surtout l'alcool/bars/filles donc là ça peut s'envoler l'argent si les gars vous êtes accros à tout ça.
Merci pour l'info vraiment détaillé, moi aussi je pensé allé la bas d'abord puis se poser dans un hôtel d'abord et faire la recherche d'une maison mais la des gens dans mon entourage qui veule pas faire sa parce que s'est trop risqué ils pensent, ensuite on pas vraiment pas un endroit fix encore, on veux être ou là la plage paradistique et on part en Thaïlande le 27th décembre alors sa veux dire on vas passé le nouveaux ans la bas et puis on voudrait un spot calme mais pas trop perdu comme sa, on peux faire des course bouffe et alcohol, soirée resto et boite, les bar a fille sa serre a rien pour nous pck on va être avec des fille comme sa on auras un bon séjour décontracté just au 28th janvier...
Le 27 Décembre...attention, période où les prix flambent littéralement... je vous conseille de réserver le plus tôt possible !!! Surtout pas une fois sur place !!
voilà donc surtout côté mer adaman pour la mer calme et normalement grand beau...ne restez pas sur phuket tout le temps il faut bouger krabi /koh lanta c 'est moins cher et plus sauvage et merveilleuses plages accessible en long boat loué avec un pêcheur par exemple.. et il y aura sans doute par là des villas ou très grands appartements à louer dans condominium avec piscine par ex.....tapez dans google et vous trouverez des tas de choses pour avoir des idées.
les prix sont les plus chers et c'est assez fréquentés à cette époque de l'année.
faut pas attendre pour les billets d'avion au délà de septembre surtout si vous êtes plusieurs à partir en même temps. car c'est très chargé mais bon ça va c'est entre les fêtes de fin d'année les gros départs chargés sont surtout aux dates de début vacances scolaires.... souvent ça coince pour les résas à votre période sur les bangkok phuket ou krabi par exemple là c'est blindé ....
Alors on a vue les prix des villa et on a décidé de faire de l’hôtel et comme sa on pourra bougé en peux plus.....maintenant on veux partir pour boxing day(26dec) et resté 20 jours!!! ahaha sa change vite....c quoi les 5 top ville ou spots pour les plage!!!!!
J'ai vue ta reponse que ta donnée au groupe de 12 qui compte partir avec 12 000 euros et ta l'air de très bien t'y connaitre c'est pour cela que je t'envoie ce message car je me rend en Thaillande avec un pote du 28/12/2011 au 13/01/2012 avec 1000 euros d'argent de poche par tête et comme c'est la premiere fois que je me rend la-bas je voulais savoir si ta pas des plans sur PATTAYA ou PATONG, les sortie, hotel, guest house, auberge, disco, fille, plage a nous donner au passage et nous conseiller un peux sa serais cool de ta part
Voila moi et mes amis voudrons partir en thailande (pattaya) pendant 2 semaines soit pendant les vacances de février soit pendant les vacances d'avril nous ne…
Nous sommes 3 jeunes de 22-23 ans partant à la découverte de la Thaïlande! Nous avons pris un vols pour Bangkock du 28 Septembre au 9 Octobre. Désireux de…
Besoin de vos avis et experience pour choisir notre circuit. on arrive le 27/11 à bkk à 12h on y reste 3 jours (28/29/30) puis 1jour/1 nuit (31) a ayutthaya,…
Je termine de préparer notre tour du monde à vélo et nous devrions finir par le Cambodge sud et remonter par la côte jusqu'à Bangkok. Sur ce parcours, quel…
Je voyage depuis 5 mois et suis actuellement a Bangkok et le nord ouest de la thailande m'appelle avec notamment un ami qui va m'heberger a Chiang Mai. Je…
Je cherche la perle rare pour mon 3eme séjour sur Koh Lanta : un bel hotel qualitatif au bord d' une plage facile d'accès dans un endroit animé.
Si vous connaissez quelque chose qui s'apparente à ma recherche et que vous souhaitez partager n' hésitez pas.
Bonjour je souhaite diviser mon séjour en 2 parties soit 15 jours à phuket et 15 jours sur krabi. Savez-vous si je peux louer une voiture et la rendre a krabi lors de mon retour en France
Merci de vos retours
Bon dimanche
Martine
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Bonjour précieuse communauté,
J'envisage de me rendre au Cambodge cet hiver, juste après Noël, pour un premier voyage seule, et mon premier voyage en Asie. Pour deux semaines (oui, je sais, c'est peu, mais je ne peux vraiment pas plus...). J'ai deux grandes envies: Siem Reap, et la campagne, les villages, le Mekong...
Que pensez-vous de cet itinéraire? Arrivée à Siem Reap, départ de Phnom Penh
SR: 5 jours (1 jour pour l'arrivée, 3 pour les temples, 1 pour le lac et ses villages)
Kratie (étape sur la route du Mondolkiri): 3 jours (1 jour de trajet, 2 jours sur place)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 jours (1 jour de trajet, 1 jour sur place, 2 jours de treks)
PP: 3 jours (1 jour de trajet, 2 jours de visite)
Je pense qu'il faut que j'enlève un jour quelque part, si je pars du samedi au samedi, ou du dimanche au dimanche. A Kratie, peut-être? à PP? et je rate le trajet en bateau que tout le monde conseille (SR-Battambang), mais je ne vois pas où le caser. Sauf à faire un PP-PP en commençant par l'est, laisser tomber Kratie ou vraiment juste une nuit, puis SR, puis PP).
Dans mon timing, j'ai l'impression que le Mondolkiri est plus proche que le Ratanakiri, qui me tentait aussi beaucoup! Est-ce que cela restera pas trop compliqué toute seule? Je pense faire appel à des guides locaux, ou une petite agence locale, pour faire une escapade dans la nature et les villages.
Je lis qu'il y a beaucoup de monde à SR entre Noël et Nouvel An, je peux aussi faire le circuit dans l'autre sens. Mais je trouvais plus facile de me familiariser avec le pays en arrivant en territoire touristique, je me trompe peut-être...
Merci pour vos conseils et avis!
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.
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Vietnam in February, specifically Da Nang and Hoi An.
Does anyone know a French-speaking guide in the area?
Thanks for your help
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.
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!
