Most Americans thinking of overseas travel the first time head for Europe, and the experience is almost always pleasant enough to keep them coming back on future trips. A lucky minority, however, want to visit lands that are more exotic, with something different to say to them, and these folks (of which I am one) keep returning to Asia.Fall and winter are great times to visit Southeast Asia, with weather less hot than the rest of the year. Even colder climes, such as China and Japan, are well worth considering, for the lack of crowds and, in Japan, the clarity of the views in crisper air. And did I mention yet that the price is right this time of year?
Southeast Asian Packages
There are hundreds of packages available to visitors from North America, but space allows me to mention only a few:
Start with a Hong Kong SuperValue deal from Pacific Delight Tours, 8 days (6 nights) from $840, from anywhere in the U.S. on Northwest or United, or nonstop from Newark on Continental. In addition to the lodging, you get sightseeing, complimentary Tai Chi classes, a Feng Shui lecture, tea demonstration, and more. This deal is available from now through March 25, 2003. Over the Chinese New Year (around February 1, 2003, prices may be higher. Phone 800/221-7179 or visit www.pacificdelighttours.com.
In cheaper Thailand, you can stay for 12 nights from just $899, airfare included, on a trip sponsored by Smartours, if you book by October 31, 2002. This 14-day trip includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles (add $100 per person from New York), flights within Thailand, 12 nights at superior first class hotels, full buffet breakfast daily, a welcome dinner with entertainment, sightseeing tours and transfers, and an English-speaking tour director. You can take a tour of Thailand and fascinating Angkor Wat for 16 days from $1399, also. These deals are available from now through April 2003. Price mentioned is for departure from Los Angeles. Contact Smartours at 800/337-7773 or visit their Web site, www.smartours.com.
Singapore is no longer the super-clean but aggressively oppressive place it once was--it's still clean, but immigration won't bar you if you're a male with long hair, and the 1984-like sameness of the ambiance is no longer quite so overwhelming. If you like good food, gorgeous tropical gardens and a safe Asian city where you can flow with the crowds to entertainment parks such as Sentosa Island, you'll get along just fine in Singapore. Asian Affair Holidays has a package from $988 that gives you 4 nights at a 5-star hotel and a plethora of extras, from a Night Safari to a Chinese tea "ceremony." Contact them at 877/523-0560 or www.seeyouinsingapore.com.
If you feel like visiting the capital of Vietnam but want Thailand, too, check out Orient Flexipax Tours, which has a deal to both places of 8 days (6 nights) from $1779, including air from Los Angeles on United. The price also gives you a full American breakfast daily, private car sightseeing and transfers in each city, and the flights between Bangkok and Hanoi. You can add on extensions to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bali, Cambodia, Saigon or Myanmar (the former Burma) from $139 to $290 per person for 3 nights, with breakfast. Contact the company at 800/545-5540 or at www.orientflexipax.com.
For all the packages above, the price is per person based on two persons in a room, subject to availability, with some restrictions, and blackout dates that may apply. U.S. departure taxes and fees (sometimes up to about $100) are not included.