Travel to Southeast Asia: travel guide
There are few better introductions to world travel than the enigmatic region of Southeast Asia . For many new travelers, it's a choice between backpacking through Europe for a couple of weeks or heading to the beaches, temples and jungles of Southeast Asia, where dollars stretch infinitely further, for longer adventures.
My first foray into Southeast Asia was on a trip through Indonesia from Jakarta to Bali. This first experience convinced me. Since then, I have not been able to remove the region from my consciousness .
Each trip – whether to the islands of Thailand, the colonial neighborhoods of Vietnam, the untamed jungles of Malaysia, the hawker stalls of Singapore or the white sand beaches of the Philippines – shows a different facet of this incredibly diverse region. Even the flavors of each country, although apparently similar, present palpable differences that please the tongue.
The expression "the adventure of a lifetime" is used far too often. In the case of Southeast Asia, this may be true. A long trip, spanning the entire subcontinent and taking in as much as possible, feels like a lifetime of travel.
Even if you never set foot anywhere else again, the sights, sounds and flavors of Southeast Asia remain to remind you of a life well lived .
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When to visit Southeast Asia
I would warn against relying on simple advice to choose the best time to visit Southeast Asia . Like many things in the region, the weather can be a bit tricky.
The weather patterns here don't follow the usual four-season routine that most of us are used to. In most Southeast Asian countries, there are two distinct times of the year: the dry season and the rainy season.
Even that is a little misleading on its own. It's relatively dry around here, and even visiting at this time, you should expect to catch a small (or huge) shower at any time.
In general, Southeast Asia is hot, humid and rainy all year round. Temperatures in much of the region are around 30ºC throughout the year, with varying degrees of humidity.
I hesitate to recommend a time of year to visit Southeast Asia, since the regional variations - even within the same country - are too great to predict. Instead, you have to determine exactly where you want to go (or what time of year you have available) and decide from there.
Where to go in Southeast Asia
For first-time backpackers, there is no better place than Southeast Asia. While in previous generations the go-to route was Europe, today's budget-conscious travelers seem to be heading towards the cheap and satisfying delights of Southeast Asia in force.
It's hard to blame anyone for that. Almost everything one dreams of doing on a trip of a lifetime can be done in Southeast Asia with ease and at a price that will keep your wallet happy.
That doesn't mean you have to adopt the 40-liter life to enjoy yourself here. Beyond the beach backpacking scene, you'll find a host of mature destinations that shy away from the region's bustling reputation and open the eyes of older travelers who crave clear-headed sunrises and foggy sunsets.
1.Indonesia
I'm always hesitant to pick favorites, but, in the case of Indonesia , it's hard to contain myself. No destination other than Japan has kept me as intrigued long after returning home as this massive Southeast Asian archipelago.
Spread across almost the entire region, it's no surprise that Indonesia's diversity is through the roof. From active volcanoes spewing ash into the air to the coastal relaxation of its islands, there's plenty to keep you busy while you tour Indonesia.
That doesn't mean everything is easy. The distances are great, and the trips long; You will need a lot of time to fully savor the benefits of Indonesia. Even so, don't expect to cover everything. Stick to the basics, though, and you'll discover a Southeast Asian destination that will captivate you as much as any other place on the planet.
2. Malaysia
In many ways, Malaysia is like Asia for beginners. This diverse country collects a little of everything from every corner of the continent. Whether shopping for sarees in KL's Little India, eating Hokkien noodles in Penang's Chinatown or tracking animals in the jungles of Sabah, it's obvious that defining Malaysia won't be easy.
What I like most about Malaysia is that you can get to know a large part of the country without major complications. Aside from the rugged nature of Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo, Malaysia is an easy country to navigate. Buses, trains and planes circulate regularly between major tourist destinations, making for a quick change of scenery if the mood changes.
3. Singapore
Although it does not live up to the enigmatic image of Southeast Asia, the city-state of Singapore is an essential urban stop on any trip to the region. Whether this is simply because it is one of the most popular regional air hubs or because it is a fascinating destination in its own right is up to you.
To help you, I suggest you opt for the latter option. Although clean, efficient and orderly - qualities that I can attest are not common among many Southeast Asian cities - Singapore is no less interesting than less domesticated cities like Bangkok or Hanoi.
Singapore is a place where dollars seem to flow as freely as the city's famous cocktail, the Singapore Sling. It is, without a doubt, the best place in Southeast Asia to shop and grope in the lap of luxury if your travel budget needs to loosen up a bit.
However, Singapore's best trick is its food. The city's multicultural fabric has given rise to a truly unique palate, fusing the best of Chinese, Indian and Malaysian cuisine to form what could only be considered one of the best 'micro-cuisines' in the world.
4. Thailand
Legions of travel bloggers have already beaten me to saying that Thailand is a must-see on your travel list. In fact, Thailand is very likely to be now, or at least soon, the backpacking capital of the world. (Sorry, Europe).
Before mid-range and luxury travelers rush to Bali or Japan, you should know that Thailand is more than just the cheap budget destination you'll see among partying, Instagram-obsessed millennials. For every Patong or Chaweng, there's a Pai or Ko Lanta... you know, those special places you'd love to have all to yourself.
5. Vietnam
There is no more polarizing destination in Southeast Asia than Vietnam . Ask a random sample of travelers who have "ridden the Dragon," and you'll get responses ranging from falling in love at first sight to "get me out of here now!"
(And, hey, maybe opinions are correct in their own way.)
If you can put aside the difficulties of traveling here - from the uncooperative weather at certain times of the year to the hassles and scams that are all too common - Vietnam could become one of your favorite destinations. Despite its drawbacks, Vietnam is a country of immense natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Gliding along the coast on a classic Vietnam itinerary between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you'll experience almost everything you'd expect to find in Southeast Asia, whether it's stumbling
with glorious temples and palaces, relaxing on pristine beaches, hiking through misty rice paddies or eating delicious street food to the sound of endless motorbikes.
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▷ Conclusion: Go out, travel and live your life to the fullest.
This year, treat yourself to a break from the ordinary and seek an adventure abroad. You'll come back refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to bore all your friends with travel stories.
Any time of year is a good time to travel. Discover the best places to travel by month:
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