Honeymoon Itinerary
Posted by wscanl01 on 9/3/2020 at 16:28
Hi, my fiance and I are planning a 2 week honeymoon to SE Asia the first 2 weeks of November. We are looking for a little itinerary advice as this will be our first time in the area.
Thailand is #1 on our bucketlist. I was thinking 1 week there and 1 week in Vietnam. Is this possible to do or not enough time? I figured 3 main stops around 4 days each makes the most sense.
We would like at least 4-5 days on an island and some time to see the local cultures and try local food.
Activities: Snorkeling (possibly scuba), beaches, hiking, culture, local food.
Appreciate any advice on locations and itineraries!
Bill
#1 wscanl01 has been a member since 3/3/2020. Posts: 1
Posted by exacto on 10/3/2020 at 03:57
Hi Bill,
Budget domestic and regional airlines definitely make hopping between countries much more feasible than ever before. The question is, do you want to. Keep in mind that every time you move, you'll use up at least half a day with checking out; getting to the airport, bus, or train; the travel itself; then getting settled once you arrive. Depending on your point of origin, there is also the potential for jet lag when you arrive costing you time; worst from North America but not as bad from Europe or Australia/NZ.
Having said that, I'd say a modest itinerary of three main stops of four or so days each is quite feasible.
Start by reviewing the proposed itineraries for Thailand and Vietnam (scroll to the top of the page and click), and see if any of those suggestions appeal to you. You can start to piece together an itinerary from there.
Also, let us know a little bit more about the type of experience you are seeking (party-til-you-puke island or laid-back bamboo hut on the sand with cold water shower, for example, and big city excitement like Bangkok or something a bit smaller and quieter), so we can make more specific recommendations for you.
Finally, double check the usual weather before you make plans. For example, Ko Tao off the cost of Chumphon is a great place to learn how to SCUBA dive, and Chumphon town, where you could catch the ferry boat, has an excellent night market for you to explore local food. But that part of the country usually has monsoon rains in November, so you might be better off visiting the Ko Chang island group closer to the Cambodia border that time of year instead.
I hope that helps get you started. And congratulations too! Cheers.
#2 exacto has been a member since 12/2/2006. Location: United States. Posts: 2,816
Posted by amnicoll on 11/3/2020 at 01:55
I agree with the above. Me in the time I would stick to one country lots to see and do.
#3 amnicoll has been a member since 10/1/2005. Location: United Kingdom. Posts: 976
Posted by exacto on 11/3/2020 at 02:42
Kanchanaburi should be lovely that time of year. Ayutthaya is always good too for the UNESCO area ruins.
Maybe start out in Bangkok to get past the jet lag and catch the rhythm of the place while you visit the big Buddhist temples and other main sites, and dig into the local food. After that, Kanchanaburi or Ayutthaya are relatively close to Bangkok and fairly easy to get to. Then head off to an island for your beach time, which would still give you time to visit one more place, including somewhere in Vietnam.
If you haven't booked your long-haul flights yet, one option to save time might be to book an open jaw, arriving from home in Bangkok and departing for home from a major city in Vietnam. But that may or may not be possible or cost effective.
Also, the last time I checked, Travelfish website co-founder somtam2000 was offering in-depth travel planning services. The advantage is he could help you figure out in advance the best locations for your interests, weather at different locations that time of year, and transportation options to help you work out all those small but important details ahead of time. I don't know what he charges, but I'm willing to bet it would be money well spent for something as significant as a honeymoon. Have a wonderful trip. Regards.
#4 exacto has been a member since 12/2/2006. Location: United States. Posts: 2,816
Posted by amnicoll on 11/3/2020 at 05:49
Personally I much prefer Lop Buri to Ayutthaya
#5 amnicoll has been a member since 10/1/2005. Location: United Kingdom. Posts: 976
Posted by exacto on 11/3/2020 at 20:00
I like Lop Buri too. I lived there for two months in the mid 1980's. But for a first-time, honeymoon trip, I think Ayutthaya has more to offer. Plus, I don't like the Lop Buri monkeys. Did you see the recent video of the Lop Buri monkeys going crazy? Apparently a drop in the number of tourists has meant a dramatic reduction in available monkey food, making for hungry hungry monkeys.
#6 exacto has been a member since 12/2/2006. Location: United States. Posts: 2,816
Posted by amnicoll on 12/3/2020 at 01:48
No I have not seen the video although a couple of weeks ago I saw on the BBC wild cities with a section on the Lop Buri monkeys that by coincidence I had watched being filmed having bumped into the film crew
At the end of the day I have no idea which would appeal most and would expect them perhaps to check through the pages on Travelfish and decide. With time at a premium Lop Buri is a place you can easily see in half a day and then enjoy a meal before catching the sleeper north of overnight and get the early morning train back to Bangkok
#7 amnicoll has been a member since 10/1/2005. Location: United Kingdom. Posts: 976
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