Where would you go?

[2.5 weeks]

Okay, so husband and I are debating on where to go for our 2.5 weeks vacation from end Aug to mid Sep.

First we were thinking of Europe, but had a hard time finding connecting flights to all the cities we want to go.

Then we figured; since we live here, why not travel closer?

Option 1: Australia, BUT, realised when we go there, it's end of winter/early Spring, so still kind of cold...

Option 2: Cambodia/Vietnam. Hubby really wants to go, and I am also very interested, but we have 2.5 weeks! These places can be visited in a week or 1.5 weeks...

Option 3: Mexican Cruise (done Caribbean already) and enjoy Hollywood afterwards, since we don't have kids yet. BUT, no cruise around the time we go...

Usually I LOVE planning vacations, but am getting tired even thinking about it... I think I need some insight of what others may choose to do with 2.5 wks, out of Singapore?  

[House Husband]

I dont know what your budget is , but that would be a perfect time to go and do Kenya or Tanzania. The wildebeest migration is around that time and is spectacular, a balloon flight over the Serengeti as an add-on is something that will stay with you for life, and then head down to my part of the world , Zimbabwe , and finish off with 2 or 3 days at the Victoria falls.

If you were really feeling flash, you could then do the first leg of the Blue Train journey and go to Johannesburg , from which you can then fly directly back, or go the whole 4-5 days down to Cape Town. It would be pretty windy and a little chilly in Cape Town at that time, though.

(Spend as little time in JHB as is possible, its a dump surrounded by dumps)

[africaunite]

agree JHB is a dumpster. in fact, when in Africa, spend as little time as possible in the cities and towns.

agree EAfrica good to visit then. 2.5 wks is just perfect for EAfrica. Forget SAfrica this time around.

Travel to all the big (and little) parks in Kenay (1.5~2 weeks) then retire to the coast for 3~4 days. Preferably Watamu or Malindi.

SEAsia is a waste of time.

[asianchick]

Same dilemma I have and have actually started looking at East Africa.

But then again, you're right in thinking, "I'm in Asia, why not see Asia". Asia tourism has lots to offer. Dont listen to Africaunite. Just a few ideas here :

Tibet / Mongolia / Nepal?

China - combine exotic locations like Yunnan, Kunming, with cities like Shanghai Beijing etc. Go see Three Gorges before it disappears under the dam / damn project.

Golden Triangle - ok, maybe Vietnam will take you only 1 week or so, but combining Vietnam, Myanamr, Cambodia, Laos, N. Thailand, will certainly take a good three weeks or so.

India - soooo much to see there... Kerala, tiger sanctuaries, beach resorts, rainforests, Taj Mahal, tonnes to see in just India alone.

Oh if you want to travel outside Asia a bit, how about Pacific Island?

I could go one forever...

[morocco]

I am going to Casablanca on May 20. Stop over in Dubai for a few hours. Travel around Morocco (Marakkesh, Fez etc) for 8 days and on my way back stopping over in Dubai for one full day. Check emirates, many interesting destinations. Egypt is another consideration. They also fly to Moscow, Nairobi etc and for S$75 you can stop over in Dubai either way.
For 2.5 weeks I would choose something far. You can cover destinations around the region in less days.

[be adventurous]

And if you ever go to Casablanca, there is a Chinese restaurent there with a Singaporean chef.It is a small world.

[50cent]

wurd up - MONGOLIA! or even better, do the transiberian railway!

[2.5 weeks]

Thanks everyone so much for your ideas!!

I've been thinking about Africa for a long time, but just couldn't figure where exactly are the spots to visit. Will look at East Africa.

Casablanca sounds great, hubby and I were just talking about Egypt at dinner tonight!, and Nepal sounds really interesting as well!! Also want to stay at that famous hotel in Dubai once...

While hubby is now at the gym, will definitely inform him of all your advice and do more search on info when he's back.

Thanks again, I may come back with some questions again  

[Morocco]

Casablanca is a dump, apart from the big mosque there is nothing else to see. We are going to travel around Morocco though.
That 7 star hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai is very expensive but we are going to have high tea there for aprox. S$75 per person and this allows us to enter that hotel.
If you book Egypt or any other destination by Emirates you will be able to stop over in Dubai (for a small fee) and you will be able to book hotels at a better rate.
The Emirates office is located in the Bugis area.

[noozuland...]

Go to New Zealand and do a stopover in Oz on the way back.... scenery in NZ will be lovely at that time of the year and you can enjoy a city like Sydney all year round (I actually prefer Sydney in winter to summer)

[asianchick]

Hubby and I are looking at flying to Kenya / Tanzania in August on Emirates, via Dubai. Hubby wants to see Dubai and Buj El Arab but I just recall, the last time I was in Dubai in August, it was HOT as hell!!! Not very pleasant at all and you end up spending most of your time indoors. It's alright if you're just doing the shopping and Buj high tea stuff or Jumeira Beach.

Emirates good way to go as they have good flight itinerary to Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi.

August is wilderbeest migration season! Nuff said, I'm making my bookings today.  

[Hunted]

Yeah .. go to Zimbabwe now and help shoot the wildlife so impoverished villages can have food to eat .. spend lots of your tourist dollars there so that the a**hole president can buy more guns and make himself even more powerful. Then he can order the invasion of whatever else tickles his fancy (why stop at farms, eh?) and hey, then order the slaughter of more wildlife! In years to come, at a time when the president is relaxing in some Pacific island mansion, you can also be proud that you helped turn a previously lush, fertile and wild frontier country into a dust bowl that nobody visits anymore...

[the top of australia]

Cairns and Port Douglas would have good warm weather. The barrier reef is beautiful if you like snorkeling and scuba etc

[Vietnam]

and Cambodia would be my choice. There is a lot to see in these countries. Vietnam few days Hanoi, few more in Sapa and/or Halong Bay. Move down to Hue then onto Hoi An (3/4 days min). Can go to Nha Trang or Dalat then onto HCMC for a few more days. Then into PP for another couple of days up to Siem Reap boat or plane. Then 2/3 days looking around the temples. Take it free and easy rather than an organised tour and you really will be surprised how quick the time will go.

[House Husband]

"hunted" - Its  rare thing to get up my goat, but who yanked your chain. I was born and bred in Zimbabwe.

My parents worked long and hard for the benefit of the country , before and after UDI and during the change to majority rule. My post says nothing about shooting game but suggests rather that the OP visits one of the most incredible natural sites on the planet.

If she were to do so, and spend money with the locals, she would be doing just that, helping the locals, and avoiding Mugabe and his vermin entirely.

Your diatribe has a ring of misinformed posturing from someone with little knowledge of the truth, and a pompous little axe to grind.

If I am wrong, however, I apologise profusely, I will go and find someone else to kiss my substantial butt!