asia travel_11"asia travel" What is the best way to travel Asia frm UK? Order of flights etc ?
Hi,
I'm looking for the best way to visit and travel around Asia etc. It will only be for 2 weeks around next September time.
What would be the best place to fly to from Birmingham, UK and where should I fly to internally once I'm there to get best value for money?
I was thinking along the lines of Birmingham to Hong Kong to Singapore To Bangkok to Phuket to Hong Kong To Birmingham or something along those lines?
Thanks
Gee you are sure cramming loads in to a short time! If you want to get out of it cheaper you could possibly consider going to Kuala Lumpur instead of Singapore. You can get good bargain airfares on Air Asia, but you do not want to be having a same day connection with your main international flight as Air Asia does cancel a lot of flights which means they put you on the next flight or the earlier flight which if connecting the same day could mean you miss your main international flight. Bangkok is a place that you could easily spend 4 days getting to see reasonably well and so is Hong Kong.
You should probably drop one place because you are really going to be on the go the entire time. You could possibly fly in to Hong Kong - Bangkok - Phuket - Bangkok - Hong Kong all on Air Asia. You could maybe go to Chang Mai instead of Phuket. It really depends on what you want out of your trip. The flights will certainly be cheaper not going to Singapore and either leaving that part out all together or go via Kuala Lumpur using Air Asia.
Asia Travel Advice For Visitors From Western Nations
The ordinary Western tourist poking around in Asian cities is usually sorely in need of some Asia travel advice, especially as relates to local laws and customs. Apart from the language, the lack of knowledge about local culture is a big hindrance, and sometimes even a danger. Something that might be very common in New York or London may be a big crime in parts of Asia.
There's no need to get all worked up about it, and neither is there any reason to not enjoy the trip. Actually, it's a selective thing that depends mostly on the destination and country being visited. As an example, let's consider two very popular Asian destinations - Dubai and Thailand. A visitor from a Western nation might be forgiven for mistakenly assuming that the laws and customs would be about the same in both nations.
Maybe it would be better to separate it out into two sections, one for 'Dubai travel advice' and the other one for 'Thailand travel advice.' Let's start with Dubai. In terms of local customs and laws that visitors need to be aware of, the most important ones are related to alcohol, indecent exposure and displays of public affection.
Alcohol consumption is strictly confined to licensed restaurants and clubs in Dubai. Those who buy alcohol from a store should remember to keep it under wraps in paper bags. Driving under the influence is a strict no-no and anyone found driving with even the smallest amount of alcohol in the bloodstream will be fined or locked up.
As for clothing and public affection, it's very easy for tourists to unknowingly cross the line. A day out on the beach where a couple gets frisky is enough to make it a crime, or even making out in a mall or in the car dressed in skimpy attire. This is not just about respecting local customs, but about breaking the law - tourists have been arrested, jailed and hauled up in court for such transgressions.
Thailand, on the other hand, is a whole lot more open and liberal about these things. Tourists have total freedom to go wild and enjoy the urban fleshpots in Bangkok and other beach resorts. But this has its own dangers, especially when tourists go a little bit too far and experiment with drugs. A small quantity for personal use is enough to land a tourist in jail for a long, long time.
Another thing that is illegal is disrespecting the monarch and his image in any and all forms. Tourists should also remember to keep their passports handy because not being able to produce identification is reason enough to get arrested. There are also certain customs that should be respected, such as touching people on the top of the head and not exposing soles of the feet in public.
Tips like these can be listed for every city and country in Asia, but that's not going to be possible here. Just remember that the laws and customs vary a lot, so the best possible Asia travel advice here is to get familiar with the cultural conditions that exist in each place. Asia in general is a lot more friendly and welcoming than most tourists expect, but it falls upon tourists to return the favor by respecting local customs and laws.
asia travel philippines_2"asia travel philippines" How old can you be to travel on a plane alone to asia?
My parents are thinking about sending me to the Philippines this summer for about 1 or 2 months. They are wondering how old you have to be to travel alone. I live in Chicago so i take O'Hare.
Going to the Philippines requires at least 1 or 2 stop overs. Like last time I went, I stopped over Narita, Japan.
Any age can fly alone. However, minors will need a signed permission slip from both parents (if divorced) and there will need to be an adult waiting to pick you up when you reach your final destination. If you are under 16 the airline will probably give you an escort to guide you to your terminals at any of your stop overs so you do not get lost or miss your flight.
asia travel"asia travel" Do you think £2000 for 4 months is enough to travel asia?
Hi, im travelling india, sri lanka, vietnam, cambodia, laos and thailand for 4 months and have £2000 to go with. Anyone know if this will be enough? Im getting worried ill run out of money. Anyone know? Ta!
Depends if where you are staying and what you will be eating. So I would say no for 4 months you might wont close to 5000 evan though alot of those places are cheap.
While Europe will always be a popular tourist destination as well as the beaches of Hawaii and Australia, why not try out Asia travel the next time you plan a vacation?
Take for example, the country of China, which has always been one of the places that easily come to mind when you think of Asia travel. Must-sees while you're in China are the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall of China, Tiannamen Square, however, these are all just from the Northern part of China, there's still so much to see in the other parts of this huge country, like the futuristic city of Shanghai and the cuddly pandas that abound in the city of Cheng and the wholesale markets in Guangdong where a lot of the fashion accessories that you see in malls may have come from. Visiting China may be fairly cheap - but it does depend on which city you go to, small cities like Dongguan may have a low cost of living as opposed to the bustling city of Shanghai, which is very similar to the very cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong.
Of course, engaging in some Asia travel practically requires you to immerse yourself with the local culture. One great example is China's local food culture, which is definitely a lot different from what people are used to in Chinese restaurants abroad. Some people say that enjoying Chinese cuisine is an acquired taste, especially when it comes to the street food. Expect to see all sorts of animal parts and insects, cut up into little pieces and skewered on sticks - as snacks. Unique treats like fermented tofu and mung bean soup are also something for the more adventurous.
But what about other countries to explore for Asia Travel? Well, if you are the beach bunny type then you might want to check out the lovely beaches of Bali in Indonesia or the relaxing waters of Phuket in Thailand. Both are very budget-friendly Asia travel destinations by the way, from the accommodations down to the food, you will surely get more bang for your buck at these places.
For city slickers however, there is the lovely city of Singapore which is just beside the equally charming Malaysia where tourists can find the city of Kuala Lumpur. It is interesting to note that as neighbors, there are a lot of similarities between these two countries like the huge ferris wheel. As for hotels though, expect Singapore to offer higher rates - even for backpacker hostels. In order to make the most of the great shopping opportunities in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, schedule your trip starting from May to August wherein there are myriad of shopping sales available.
Of course, there are definitely a lot more places to explore while you are in Asia, like the tropical country of the Philippines and the ever-vibrant city of Tokyo in Japan, among others. While Asia is a continent which is fairly safe to travel to, do keep in mind that you should always be aware of your surroundings and take caution in whatever you do. Do not keep your money in just one place, make sure that you keep your passport in a secure place, and don't just trust strangers - especially the ones who are very eager to take you someplace. Don't forget to bring your credit card in case of emergencies, an updated guide book and map, as well as list of the local emergency numbers - just in case.
About the Author
http://www.asiancity.org More Asia Travel Information Guide include Australia for Planning Your Next Holidays.
