Ethos83

Having recently returned from a long and shockingly expensive holiday to the UK/France, it's time to start planning the next not quite so long nor shockingly expensive holiday. This time it's in early December (27 November through 5 December to be exact), which overlaps with the two Islamic holidays in that week.

There's a few places I have in mind:

1. Syria. Damascus-Palmyra-Aleppo, stay in the old cities, explore the old bazaars and pick up a decent rug or two. Downsides: the islamic holidays that week may put a damper on the activities I may want to do and interefer with regular transportation schedules.

2. Nepal: November is a great time to go trekking in the mountains. But I'm not an experienced hiker, although I keep myself in good health and shape.

3. Thailand (Phuket, Bangkok etc): always wanted to go there, but I would be a single traveler (most likely) and going to resorts as a single traveler may be difficult, such as eating by oneself in the dining room. Flights are a bit long and more expensive than going someplace in the Middle East.

4. India (Delhi and the Rajasthani region). But worried about coming down with a strange sickness before I'm due to fly home for the Christmas holidays.

5. Germany. Have a few friends in Berlin and it could be fun to see the Christmasmarkets. Flight tickets don't appear too expensive.

Any suggestions? A few considerations: single traveler, would like to keep budget to no more than 5,000 AED for everything, including airfare, hotels, food and gifts.

Blue Cat

out of that list I would say Thailand if you are travelling alone and it would come within budget as well

klaus3974

If you do not mind the taxi ride, Air Asia is traveling from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur for AED 199, return flight, taxes included. You cannot beat that. I booked my trip for June 2010.

PS: I do not work in Air Asia!

Blue Cat

that is amazing!!! do they go to Penang?

klaus3974

Only direct flight to KL but Air Asia is a low cost company (a real one, no like Fly Dubai) based in KL... so from there you can fly everywhere in South East Asia for a few coins.

Their Abu Dabhi flight is starting in November 2009.

Meow

Has anyone flown with Air Asia? There are no pictures of the inside of the planes on their website (that I can see), so I am wondering just how basic it is.

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Blue Cat

I would imagine it will be easyjet basic

Meow

Thus far, I have managed to avoid all buget airlines, but some of the prices to KL are amazing. Debating with myself whether I could manage a 7 hours flight like that without killing anyone.

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klaus3974

It is easy jet basic. You pay for your food, luggage, and anything else. It is very well known company in South East Asia but does not cater to the luxury traveling sector if you know what I mean. You can always do a google search for references... there are plenty.

Meow

Ah ha! Just discovered they have a 'premium' option. Nothing like business class, but looks rather more spacious. Still cheaper than standard flights with anyone else.

Hmmmmm


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Autonomy

I'd second the Thai option - but forget resorts - beach hut type accom much better and very very cheap - doesn't need to be basic either, you can get nice places...

DustyBits

Did the trekking thing in Nepal last January with Mrs DB via Qatar Air. Apart from the flight, hotels & trek were cheap as chips, stunning scenery, lovely people. You need to be a bit fit though, as a 'hill' to them is about 3000ft! (a Munroe for the Jocks). Recommend Courtyard hotel in Kathmandu, check it on Tripadvisor.

DB

NorthernLad

We used them in Thailand to get from Bangkok to Phuket, they were fine.

No business section on plane we flew, but we did pay and extra 5 quid each to get onto the plane first (no allocated seating).

Blue Cat

you can run a poll if you like but she won't do it

Meow

You're right. It is unlikely. I work too hard to make myself suffer*.





*and it's unfair to inflict my bad mood when travelling economy on others too.

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