I want to take my Thai wife on holiday – looking for suggestions.

[Custard boy]

 

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

 

,

[MrJ2U]

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. 

[Excel]

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.

[bkk6060]

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.

[Crossy]

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).

[Mavideol]

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

 

[proton]

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.

[richard_smith237]

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.... 

 

 

[MrJ2U]

38 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

you must have missed it  555

 

but not in Thailand

 

Per usual, I missed it. 

[Lacessit]

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.

[blackshadow]

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 ??????????????

[Olmate]

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????? 

[Mr Derek]

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.

 

[JayClay]

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.

[MrJ2U]

13 minutes ago, blackshadow said:

he says he wants somewhere NOT in thailand.....so why mention hua hin ??????????????

Yes, my humble apologies.

 

[BigStar]

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.

[Sparktrader]

6 minutes ago, Mr Derek said:

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.

 

Agree

 

Europe is best. She is Asian and Thailand is no 1. Other countries are boring. Japan is a yawn.

 

Czech republic and Hungary.

[Mac Mickmanus]

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 . 

[Denim]

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.

[ripstanley]

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.

[steven100]

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

[The Hammer2021]

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

[Dan O]

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. 

[josephbloggs]

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!  

[Sparktrader]

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

 

[Mac Mickmanus]

Just now, Sparktrader said:

Very bland

 

Did you get bored in Japan ?

[Sparktrader]

1 minute ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Did you get bored in Japan ?

U been anywhere?

[CharlieH]

Cruise Halong bay Vietnam.

 

Or as suggested above combine that with Japan.

[Mac Mickmanus]

19 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

U been anywhere?

Yes, Spent three years in Japan 

[wwest5829]

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.