Today is a post that I’m hoping will get me through the last few weeks of term and a few days of recovering from my hospital visit yesterday (more biologics!): It’s my summer itinerary for Asia! In total, the hubby and I have almost 8 weeks off and we’re determined to make the most of it.
Although we are trying to save money for a house deposit for eventual return to the UK (although who knows when that will be?!) we are still hoping to fit in plenty of trips. As usual I’ve done all of most of the planning and this time I’ve used Pinterest a lot. It’s great for gathering ideas that you can then just pop back to at a later date. So today I’m going to share a few of my favourite pins and I’m hopeful my readers will reply with some suggestions to fill the rest of our summer itinerary for Asia and some tips on the destinations we’ve booked so far.
Trip 1: Hong Kong (5 Days)
The first part of our summer itinerary for Asia is Hong Kong. Although I’ve been reading up on Hong Kong for quite a while, I’m still a little bit baffled by it. It just seems crazy big. Just when I get an itinerary together, I then read about outlying islands, beaches…there just seems to be far too much to do. Our plans so far mainly focus on the Big Buddah, Disney, the peak and of course…. shopping! Unfortunately, I have only 5 days to do it and even more unfortunately I’m yet to find a reasonably priced hotel that is bigger than a shoebox. I know there’s plenty of tiny hostels but as this is also a birthday celebration I’d like to splash the cash a little. If anyone could suggest a place they’e previously used I’d be really grateful.
Trip 2: Beijing
I’m aware that I’m not offering any amazing new insight into China by writing about the Great Wall! I am deeply ashamed that almost 2 years into my china experience (including one previous trip to Beijing) the wall has not made it into my itinerary for Asia travels! So this time, I am not even going to attempt to focus on anything else Beijing has to offer, just get me to that wall!
Trip 3: Guilin
Although I haven’t booked it yet, I’m hoping to squeeze Guilin in to my summer itinerary. I’ve heard so many great things about it from fellow travellers! It really does look like a perfect picture postcard place!
Trip 4: Bali
Ever since reading Eat, Pray, Love, I’ve been obsessed with visiting Bali! I am so excited to be visiting there with my family in August. I’ve read a lot about the amazing healthy eating options for those who are dairy free or vegan, so I’m really excited at trying everything! We plan to base ourselves in Seminyak but we’re aiming for lots of trips around the islands (especially to Ubud, which looks the perfect place for me: lots of juice bars, yoga and a very hippy chilled vibe!)
Trip 5: Chiang Mai
Another laidback and chilled place I’ve read lots about is Chiang Mai. I’ve been to Thailand a few times and just love it. The food is super healthy, the weather is perfect and the people are just so friendly. We plan to spend 4 nights in the centre and 1 night in an elephant sanctuary.
So that’s my holiday plans so far! What are your summer holiday plans? Do you have any trips booked?
Jenna
That’s a great itinerary. I would actually spend 3 days in Hong Kong and extend the stay in Beijing instead. Hong Kong is small and you can easily explore it within 24 hours without missing much. Beijing’s history and architecture deserves a lot of attention and more time to appreciate it.
Really, I would have thought that would be the other way around! Would love to hear your Beijing tips!
Brilliant itinerary! If you want to go to the wild part of the wall I really recommend going on a day hike with Beijing Hikers. We have been with them twice and it was great both times- but they do move quite fast. I think I forgot to reply to you before about food. I’m really bad for remembering suggestions off the top of my head but for some fresh, healthy options I think you might like Moka Bros (in Sanlitun) and Veggie Table (in Wudaoying Hutong). King’s Joy (also Wudaoying) is also great but extremely expensive. And I know you already know element fresh and wagas but there’s those too. You’re going to have a brilliant summer. I’ve got 2 weeks left of school and I just can’t wait!
Thanks I’ll definitely check all those places out. I’ll def check out that hiking group, but i do prefer a stroll with photo taking! haha
That’s awesome. I can’t wait to hear about your adventure. I’m planning my summer too right now and its a lot to think about. I’m interested to hear what you think about bali
Thanks (and thanks for the email… I will reply soon!)
I loved Chang Mai, make sure to check out all the Elephants and Tiger Kingdom.
So jealous your going to Hong kong, I would love to go. Your gonna have so much fun
x TInk J x
allabouttink.co.uk
Yes we are going to an elephant sanctuary for 2 nights in CM! Cannot wait! Don’t know much about tiger kingdom!
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