Stopover Recommendations on The Way to London

Chef Freeman on 06/01/2024 - 04:55
Last edited 06/01/2024 - 10:59 by 1 other user

Hi guys, I'm going back to see the English family in mid May, I need recommendations on countries to visit on the way to England.

I was looking at the cave explorations in Vietnam and thought that would be an awesome experience, as a two week stopover on the way. I enjoy outdoors, adventure and more native things as opposed to cities, but am always open to different cultures,

I have been Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, my friend recommended Malaysia.

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

Morgan

Travel Europe London United Kingdom

Comments

  • dahax77 on 06/01/2024 - 09:54
    +2

    If you think Vietnam caving looks awesome and it interests you - why not just do that rather than confusing yourself with more alternatives?

    Fly Vietnam airlines to Vietnam and then onto London.

    It's also super affordable.

    • Chef Freeman on 06/01/2024 - 12:16

      Yeah one of the reasons is the affordability,
      I was just seeing if theres other options or hidden gems anyone else knew

  • MrThing on 06/01/2024 - 10:03

    Bangkok

    • Chef Freeman on 06/01/2024 - 12:17

      Recommendations on what to see there?

      • iCandy on 06/01/2024 - 16:15

        Do you like Ping Pong??

      • MrThing on 06/01/2024 - 16:49
        -1

        just a big SEA city, but its something to tick off

  • elgrande on 06/01/2024 - 10:21
    +7

    I guess the positive thing is that you could stop at any country along the way and it would be better than the final destination..

    • try2bhelpful on 06/01/2024 - 11:25

      Mustn’t grumble.

    • Chef Freeman on 06/01/2024 - 12:16

      Yes for sure, only going there to see the family everything else doesn't interest me,
      Grew up there and all the big sights just don't feel worth seeing

  • sumyungguy on 06/01/2024 - 10:37
    +2

    For jetlag minimisation I'd do the stop on the way back. If you're coming home the long way consider Hawaii.

    • Chef Freeman on 06/01/2024 - 12:18

      Ill have a look at the flights,
      Thanks

  • dtc on 06/01/2024 - 10:39
    +2

    Malaysia is pretty enjoyable but it’s not super exciting/memorable. But it’s easy and cheapish.

    Cambodia/Laos would make for a good 2 week stop over.

    But, as said above, Vietnam seems a good choice so just do that.

    If you want something completely different, India. Recommend joining a tour rather than independent travel, but something like Intrepid is fine (or better) than a 5 star bubble tour. England with the relatives will seem like an oasis of calm after that. You will either love it or have the worst 2 weeks of your life.

    It’s not the flavour of the month/decade but China is also pretty interesting, although you have to get out of the bigger cities (well, Beijing is worth a visit but many of the others are just large generic Asian cities, albeit with good food).

    • Chef Freeman on 06/01/2024 - 12:22

      Cambodia seems interesting ill have a look,
      Was considering india, but just didn't tickle the pickle,
      I'll have a look at china as their airline is about 400 cheaper in flights with extra baggage

  • Shadowsfury on 06/01/2024 - 10:58
    +2

    Caves are great but Phong Nha area isn't the easiest to get to

    Definitely spend some time in the area - loved it when I went last year and you'll need some rest days in between all the exploring

    • Chef Freeman on 06/01/2024 - 12:21

      I didn't really think about rest days, good idea
      Did you go on a cave tour?
      Which one?
      Recommendations on must sees?

      • Shadowsfury on 07/01/2024 - 01:49

        Used Oxalis for one tour - doesn't seem to be on their website right now (cave was nice but it was also like 3h hike each way to the cave in hilly/jungle terrain so the ratio was way off - not fun when raining)

        Other I used https://phongnhadiscovery.com/en/adventure-tours (they are apparently the "official" tour agency for Paradise Cave - if you see a similar tour anywhere else they are just reselling this one) - I was booked into the full on adventure Paradise Cave tour but ended up being the only person and they needed at least 2 (plus I was far too tired to do it after doing the Oxalis one the day before - initially was thinking of doing them one after another - hence suggestion for a rest day). Joined their simpler tour of Paradise and Phong Nha Caves

        Can recommend staying at Karst Villas - the owner Hung is a great guy and so helpful

        Definitely recommend Oxalis though have heard only good things from others - especially if you are adventurous

  • MITM on 06/01/2024 - 14:30

    Did a small ship cruise around Cyclades/Greece on the way to UK a few years back. Fully refreshed and only a short hop from there to UK.
    Caves in Greece

    SCOOT fly SYD-ATH ret for approx $1200 or SIN-ATH ret for approx $800 in May - just add Ryan Air ATH/UK return

  • Seaword on 06/01/2024 - 21:10
    +1

    Malaysia is great, if you havw two weeks, a week in Borneo and a week in Langkawi. Malaysian internal flights are great value.

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