Suggest a destination

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Cynicor

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Hi Guys,

I may have a week off in July which, due to leave cover issues will probably be my only week off all year (and I work most public holidays too!). Anyway, I'm thinking a quick trip to asia with my girlfriend would be nice but just can't choose a nice place to go.

I've absolutely no idea why I can't settle on somewhere I've already thought about, but have decided to open it up to the floor and see what ideas/reasons you have.

We're both fairly active and had 10 days in coughet/Khao Lak in December so diving or rainforests would be nice, but I think a large city would also be ok if theres something to do outside of shopping and eating. Just don't want to be stuck with a heap of aussies (i.e. Kuta) is the only qualification.

A few ideas are Bali, Sabah, KL, Vietman or a cruise. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? My budget is around $1500-2000 per person for flights and accom

Jon M
 
While I don’t have a specific place to suggest for you right now, I’d suggest thinking about countries and places you haven’t visited before. Always good to see a brand new language, a brand new culture, a brand new place…
 
What city in Oz would you be departing from/returning to? This would have some bearing on where you fly as with only one week off you would want to minimize the time you spend on aircraft & in transit etc.

You want to feel as though you've had a relaxing time away - not arrive back home a complete trainsmash only to need another holiday to get over this one! :cool: :cool:
 
July is the summer holiday season in Asia, it can get excessively hot in some of the cities you mentioned. However, if you are not bothered by the heat, then anywhere in Asia will be good fun.

Personally, I tend to stay away from coughet and Bali... too many tourists! As mentioned before, think of the countries that you visited and consider if you want to go back or try something new.

Give your maximum budget of AUD$4000 for 2 people, nearly whole of S.E. Asia is open to you.

If you want something off the beaten track without lots of tourists, how about Taiwan? Fly into TPE, go around (or venture INTO) the island enjoy the food and... errr... more food. (I am from Taiwan, so "cultrue" is not on my agenda).

Good luck and enjoy your adventure.
 
Hi there

I have just done a weekend in KL, dep MEL 01:25 Sat, arrive back 12:05 Mon.

Airfares (Air Asia) $138 return, but this had something to do with the Abu Dhabi cancellations on another thread. Normally around the $400 mark ex MEL

Hotel (Tune Hotel LCCT) $39 incl aircon + $4 Bathroom pack rental.

Bus LCCT to KL Sentral $3, I indulged a bit on the way back to the airport riding the KL Transit Train/Bus combo for $4. :D

Plenty to see & do in KL, take the hop on-off circular bus tour for about $13, visit the Petronas towers, go to Chinatown and haggle over paying less than $3 for new release DVD's.

If you spend more than $50 a day in KL, you are doing something wrong. :mrgreen:

Cheers
DJ737
 
Langkawi is not a bad option, not many aussies but lots of europeans, good diving and very cheap dining/drinking (the whole island is duty free).
 
I've got a soft spot personally for Vietnam. Easily enough to see and do for a week. Spent 6 weeks in total in Ho Chi Minh City last year.

Good food, interesting places to visit, and it's easy to get off the beaten track there
 
2muchplastic said:
I've got a soft spot personally for Vietnam. Easily enough to see and do for a week. Spent 6 weeks in total in Ho Chi Minh City last year.

Good food, interesting places to visit, and it's easy to get off the beaten track there
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I love Vietnam also but weather in July can be a worry in spots
 
Try Bali, there are lots of places away from the main tourist spots. Its also close to OZ which considering you only have a week means less of your holiday is chewed up in flight time.
I love the place and always leave feeling relaxed.
 
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I really enjoyed Vietnam, but for a week - it's hard to work out exactly which part of Vietnam is best to visit.

For a completely outside the box suggestion - maybe Cambodia? A week is probably good length of time, a few days around Siem Reap/Angkor Wat, a visit to the seaside, and maybe Phnomh Penh?
 
I'm in Perth if that helps. Also just priced up a 6 night cruise on the Pacific dawn into the pacific islands.

I think it's down to Kota Kinabalu, Bali or the Pacific Dawn ("week fantastique"). Think vietnam and cambodia are out until i can spend more time.

Anyone ever been to Sabah, on one of the P&O cruises, or to a quiet area of bali?

Where would you stay in Bali, Batesy?

Jon M
 
I agree Vietnam etc are not great weatherwise in July.personally i am not a fan of Vietnam-apart fropm Hue.I really did like Siem Reap and you can stay cheaply at a very good hotel-the LM is fantastic-at present quoting $US105 per night but if booking inside 3 months can get a Z3R rate usually-pay 2 and stay 3.
I have stayed in Kuching at the Hilton and loved it-the executive lounge is great-even a choice of curries for brekkie.Currently quoting $A121 for an exec room in July.We also went to the Hilton Batang Ai out in the jungle-different but not great-usually about $A50-60 per night,Kuching is fascinating and you can do trips to National parks,Orangutans etc.I do believe there is some diving on coast but unsure.Flights from KUL are cheap.
 
Hmm. Kuching sounds pretty nice, just had a quick look on wikitravel. Diving, rainforest, orangutans and a decent big-chain hotel. Is the hilton a resort-style hotel or a tower?
 
Cynicor said:
I'm in Perth if that helps. Also just priced up a 6 night cruise on the Pacific dawn into the pacific islands.

I think it's down to Kota Kinabalu, Bali or the Pacific Dawn ("week fantastique"). Think vietnam and cambodia are out until i can spend more time.

Anyone ever been to Sabah, on one of the P&O cruises, or to a quiet area of bali?

Where would you stay in Bali, Batesy?

Jon M
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Umalas or Seminyak. Try a villa instead of a hotel. Seminyak has heaps There is also Sanur, well away from Kuta , maybe Candiasa. In Umalas I stayed at Villa Cha Cha Cha, ahhh the Serenity.

You can also head to Ubud, but no beach there.
 
A tower.Right on the river with the old white Rajahs residence acrooss the river.Easy walking to all the main shops in CBD:D.Several food courts/hawkers nearby.Staff were fantastic but it was 4-5 years ago.Great at organising activities and giving suggestions.
There is also a 4 points by SPG now but it is not in a good location.
 
IMHO, I'd stay out of Asia in July. It's hot, humid, and depending on where you go, typhoon season.

I was going to suggest the Pacific islands until I read you're in Perth. It's still possible, I guess. The other alternative maybe the top end, e.g., Broome, NT or FNQ.
 
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Thanks for all the great advice guys,

Figure the top end will be just as hot but more expensive! I've narrowed it down to kuching or Kota Kinabalu.

I've been told Kuching is quite far from the attractions like diving and such, but also not sure where i'd stay in kota kinabalu. There's the le meridien, or the shangri-la resorts. In kuching would probably use the hilton.

Any more advice?

Jon M
 
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