Custard boy Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 I’m not sure if this is the correct place to ask my question . I have never so far taken my Thai wife of 19 years on holiday any where . I would now like to change that . I am a retired 73 year old British citizen permanently residing in Thailand with my Thai wife . In the past before I retired to Thailand I spent the majority of my life constantly working so I never got the chance to travel abroad that much . So I’m thinking of a holiday duration of around 10 / 14 days , preferably some where we have to fly , but not in Thailand ( the wife's never been on an airplane ) . Both myself and my Thai wife are not really interested in things like sports , trekking or night clubbing ,skiing or laying on a beach . I am still active and can walk reasonable distances . As this holiday idea is still in the early planning stage I have no real time scale and the holiday time frame ( month ) could be decided to suite the chosen destination . Of course the Tourist Visa situation to enter a holiday destination / country may play an important part. Personally I’m wondering about the following possible holiday destinations ..... Japan Singapore Malaysia China Hong Kong I know its a ‘’ how long is a piece of string’’ type of question , So have you taken your wife / girlfriend / partner on holiday other than some where in Thailand , and if so where did you go to and how would you rate that experience . Any thoughts, suggestions or advice on a possible holiday destination to take my Thai wife to , would be most welcome. Thanks in advance , 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MrJ2U Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 Hua Hin is nice. Lot's of good restaurants and Hau Hin has a mellow vibe. Marriott or Hilton (Ocean View every room). Great hotels within walking distance to everything. Killer buffet breakfast and beach side pools. Both have been recently updated. My wife enjoys it because there's so much choice for Thai food. I like the beach and pool. 1 1 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Excel Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 I'm sure your wife would like Japan but book a tour. Singapore/Hong Kong is basically just another shopping trip for her. Malaysia might be interesting, the Highlands especially. China is a bit of quandary currently with their continuous lock downs but putting that to one side there are some amassing places to see. But never mind about mine or anybody else's ideas, your wife is the only one that matters so sit down with here, in front of the computer so you can show here some places and let here decide. I note you mention she has never flown, that could be something that would cause her some anxiety so can I suggest you just take a short haul flight to somewhere in Thailand before throwing her in the deep end on anything long haul. Best of luck with your planning and look forward to your updates if possible. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bkk6060 Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 I would totally avoid all the places you suggested. I would take her to Vietnam and very diverse place and probably half the cost of the others. 6 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Singapore is OK, but I'd go for Malaysia personally. Hire a car and get off the beaten track a bit (although Cameron and Genting Highlands are usually a must-do). Drive across to the east coast, maybe do Tioman Island (in summer when you can fly there). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mavideol Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 21 minutes ago, MrJ2U said: Hua Hin is nice. Lot's of good restaurants and Hau Hin has a mellow vibe. Marriott or Hilton (Ocean View every room). Great hotels within walking distance to everything. Killer buffet breakfast and beach side pools. Both have been recently updated. My wife enjoys it because there's so much choice for Thai food. I like the beach and pool. you must have missed it 555 but not in Thailand 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proton Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Take her to see somewhere with the least shops! Went to Japan it was just one big shopping trip mostly in chemists for the tourist tax discount. Not taking her there again, HK was not so bad. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 Japan... Awesome... You can stay in a Ryokan near Mt Fuju..... Bullet Train to various other cities including Kyoto Explore Tokyo, interesting streets and cafe’s... to temples. Some good museums (unfortunately TeamLab Borderless is closing this month). The Crazyness of Harajuku (Take<deleted>a st) and Shinjuku... Outside of Thailand I think Japan is one of the best food destinations in the world... just rocking up to any hole in the wall foodshop or walking into any restaurant and blindly ordering returns some outstanding experiences.... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 38 minutes ago, Mavideol said: you must have missed it 555 but not in Thailand Per usual, I missed it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 I've taken my GF to Australia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Laos and Vietnam. I'd rate Vietnam and Myanmar as easiest to travel to, not expensive, Australia was by far the worst. Myanmar is probably closest to Thailand in terms of culture. If you both want a cooler climate, Dalat in Vietnam or the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia are both good. Hong Kong is expensive, and after Thai food I found the Chinese cuisine quite bland. Laos and Vietnam both have French -style breakfasts. I would suggest Myanmar first, it was very cheap to hire a driver and car to take us around. Hong Kong has possibly one of the best public transport systems on the planet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackshadow Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 2 hours ago, MrJ2U said: Hua Hin is nice. Lot's of good restaurants and Hau Hin has a mellow vibe. Marriott or Hilton (Ocean View every room). Great hotels within walking distance to everything. Killer buffet breakfast and beach side pools. Both have been recently updated. My wife enjoys it because there's so much choice for Thai food. I like the beach and pool. he says he wants somewhere NOT in thailand.....so why mention hua hin ?????????????? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Olmate Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 6 minutes ago, blackshadow said: he says he wants somewhere NOT in thailand.....so why mention hua hin ?????????????? Poster already apologized.... so why mention it again????? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr Derek Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 Japan - bland Singapore - boring after 2 days Malaysia - my least favourite country on earth - degraded environment, nothing works China - fascinating but difficult and unfriendly Hong Kong - okay for a few days If budget stretches, go to Europe. The world's best holiday of 10-14 days is a tour of northern Italy - Milan, Como, Venice, Florence, Pisa etc. Next best: Provence/Cote d'Azur. Next best: Andalucia. Next best: Switzerland. Asia has nothing to touch these places. 1 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JayClay Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 3 hours ago, Custard boy said: Both myself and my Thai wife are not really interested in things like sports , trekking or night clubbing ,skiing or laying on a beach . I am still active and can walk reasonable distances It might also help to mention some of the things you are interested in. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 13 minutes ago, blackshadow said: he says he wants somewhere NOT in thailand.....so why mention hua hin ?????????????? Yes, my humble apologies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BigStar Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 Good suggestions here. Japan, Europe. Since it's a first trip, if you want a place beautiful, exotic, interesting but not overwhelming, and still comfortable for Thais: Bali. Took a Thai lady there years ago and she loved it. Know an older lady who traveled there w/ her daughter and they both loved it, would like to go back. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 6 minutes ago, Mr Derek said: Japan - blandSingapore - boring after 2 daysMalaysia - my least favourite country on earth - degraded environment, nothing worksChina - fascinating but difficult and unfriendlyHong Kong - okay for a few days If budget stretches, go to Europe. The world's best holiday of 10-14 days is a tour of northern Italy - Milan, Como, Venice, Florence, Pisa etc. Next best: Provence/Cote d'Azur. Next best: Andalucia. Next best: Switzerland. Asia has nothing to touch these places. Agree Europe is best. She is Asian and Thailand is no 1. Other countries are boring. Japan is a yawn. Czech republic and Hungary. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mac Mickmanus Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 3 hours ago, Custard boy said: Any thoughts, suggestions or advice on a possible holiday destination to take my Thai wife to , would be most welcome. You should ask your Wife where she wants to go . 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Denim Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 Really depend on what you like. Whether you like historical places, quiet places or very crowded and busy places. I would second Vietnam as an interesting place to visit. Lots to see and do in and around Ho Chi Minh City Personally , I liked Malacca and Penang , because they are both steeped in history. But if old buildings is not your thing Vietnam has a nice mix of old and new. Japan is a bit overwhelming unless you like a really buzzing place. Another favorite of mine is Taiwan. You can spend a couple of days in Taipei then take a coach trip around the island seeing the Taroko gorge and the central highland with their fruit farms. I liked the Taiwanese. Nothing like as brash as Hong Kongers and very genuine and friendly. Not so many tourists as well which is a plus. 1 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripstanley Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Just now, Mac Mickmanus said: You should ask your Wife where she wants to go . Well said. Let her have some input and not social media. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post steven100 Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 (edited) I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest a 10 night Asian cruise .... You can fly to Singapore, stay one night then jump on a Cruise Ship that sails to Cambodia, Vietnam & Japan. All your meals, entertainment, shows are included. Edited August 29, 2022 by steven100 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hammer2021 Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Vietnam, Lao Cambodia. Vietnam offers best food. Singapore is clean with great food and Thais love it. NOT Malaysia Japan could be very tiring. NOT China unless you can afford VIP tourist travel. No not china Hong Kong hectic city state. Singapore would be easiest and good for two weeks. Vietnam great service and nature and civilised opulence too 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Lacessit said: I've taken my GF to Australia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Laos and Vietnam. I'd rate Vietnam and Myanmar as easiest to travel to, not expensive, Australia was by far the worst. Myanmar is probably closest to Thailand in terms of culture. If you both want a cooler climate, Dalat in Vietnam or the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia are both good. Hong Kong is expensive, and after Thai food I found the Chinese cuisine quite bland. Laos and Vietnam both have French -style breakfasts. I would suggest Myanmar first, it was very cheap to hire a driver and car to take us around. Hong Kong has possibly one of the best public transport systems on the planet. Myanmar isn't a good option right now, if you can get in. Very dangerous even as a bystander. I would hit Japan first. Easy to get around and plenty to see. Food option can be outstanding. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post josephbloggs Posted August 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2022 52 minutes ago, Mr Derek said: Japan - bland Japan is bland?? Don't think I've ever heard anyone call it that before. Personal choice obviously but Japan is fantastic! 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 9 minutes ago, josephbloggs said: Japan is bland?? Don't think I've ever heard anyone call it that before. Personal choice obviously but Japan is fantastic! Very bland 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Mickmanus Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Just now, Sparktrader said: Very bland Did you get bored in Japan ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 1 minute ago, Mac Mickmanus said: Did you get bored in Japan ? U been anywhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieH Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Cruise Halong bay Vietnam. Or as suggested above combine that with Japan. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Mickmanus Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 19 minutes ago, Sparktrader said: U been anywhere? Yes, Spent three years in Japan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest5829 Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 COVID has screwed things up but … previous trips to Luang Prabang, Penom Penh, Singapore and South Korea none of which caused Visa concerns. Looking forward to Vietnam in the future, possibly the Philippines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now