Asia And South Pacific Destinations For Couples

When is the best time for couples to travel to Asia and South Pacific?

The best time for couples to travel to Asia and the South Pacific actually depends on a couple of factors. First of all, when the tourist crowds are there, which is when the couple doesn't want to be there, and the second is the weather. There is a monsoon season or typhoon season depending on what part of Asia you're in and you definitely want to avoid that. Make sure that you look in a travel guidebook and study up on those weather patterns because you do not want to be in Hong Kong or Manila when they are having a typhoon. It's definitely not the time to be there. Make sure that you understand that season, just as in the United States you would understand when the hurricane season is and perhaps avoid some of those places that could be problematic.

What are popular Japanese destinations for couples?

There are some really terrific destinations in Japan for couples. I think anything that involves the Japanese baths is a really great couples getaway. The Japanese can be really romantic and can be terrific for couples. Couple that with some of the Japanese bath experiences and you have an amazing destination, particularly in places like Kyoto and on the outskirts of Tokyo. I think that's something to take into consideration.

What are popular Philippine destinations for couples?

The Philippines have some amazing resorts, particularly in the Southern islands. However, there is a State Department warning about travel to the Philippines because there has been a surge of violence directed against foreigners, often Americans. There is a particularly violent Muslim insurgency in the Southern islands. Travel to the Philippines is something that you really need to consider. Having said that, I can say that there is no place in the world like it. I am a great admirer of the Philippines. I am a former resident of Manila, and I think the Pilipino people are lovely and the beaches, especially, are terrific. There's a very rich culture that's both Asian and European, and I really hate to see a traveler cheat himself or herself out of a vacation to this really fascinating place.

What are popular India destinations for couples?

India has some amazing destinations for couples. There is something called The Golden Triangle that everybody should try to see: Agra, Jaipur, Delhi. Those are especially exciting for couples because it gives them an insight into India that they may not have. There are also great beach destinations in India. Goa is considered a wonderful beach destination. That might be terrific for couples, too. Travel to India for couples can be very strenuous and challenging, but it can also be tremendously rewarding.

What are popular Australian destinations for couples?

Couples can find great places to go in Australia. I think Sydney is an incredibly romantic city. I think it's one that a couple would certainly enjoy visiting, particularly if you're interested in the restaurant scene, which is vibrant and very alive; just so teeming with innovation and something that's great experienced as a couple. There are also amazing destinations in southern Australia. There are beach destinations along the Gold Coast and incredible places in Melbourne, which I think is one of the more underrated Australian cities. Melbourne also has an incredibly vibrant restaurant scene and some really lovely sights.

What are popular Asian and South Pacific beach destinations for couples?

There are some amazing beach destinations for couples in Asia and the South Pacific. Thailand is especially known for its beach destinations. The areas around Phuket are amazingly beautiful. They have terrific resorts in those areas. Farther down, farther south in the South Pacific, there are places like Bora Bora, which, as the world is discovering, is an amazingly beautiful place. Bora Bora has recently opened several new luxury hotels so it can be very pricey, but for couples, there may be nothing like waking up in an over water bungalow, staring out at the 43 shades of blue in the South Pacific. There are other places that may not be quite as well known as Bora Bora and may be slightly less expensive. The Cook Islands have a culture that is uniquely their own and can be a terrific destination for couples. Tahiti obviously is fairly well known and is a place that many people find very satisfying as a vacation destination.

What are some safety tips for couples traveling through Asia and the South Pacific?

Couples traveling through Asia and the South Pacific should be aware of their surroundings just as they would be anywhere else. I think that it's particularly important for them to take a look at the State Department website - that's www.travel.state.gov - and read up on the countries. They should also do their homework about what is going on in a particular country politically, to make sure that they're not stepping into a place where there is discomfort or unrest. I think, beyond that, the usual tips apply - making sure that you understand that there are areas you should or should not be in, making sure that you're very secure, that you dont leave things, making sure that you don't leave things in your rental car that can be stolen, making sure that you carry your passports either on your person or very firmly connected to your body or in the hotel safe. I think it's really important to make sure that you hold onto those documents, and you should take all steps to make sure that those don't disappear. Beyond that, the usual precautions apply in Asia and the South Pacific. Don't do stupid things!

What are some money-saving tips for couples traveling through Asia and the South Pacific?

Asia and the South Pacific can be terrific budget destinations for couples. China is an amazing destination and one that couples really might want to consider. There are package deals to China that are incredibly reasonable and include airfare, hotel and meals, plus the price of a tour guide that make them especially cost-effective for couples. There are also places in Asia and the South Pacific that can be very inexpensive. Places like Vietnam, which is an emerging destination, and Laos, which is a place that in the past was sort of off limits to travellers, but a place that really can be very cost effective for a couple. Obviously Cambodia is a place that couples may want to visit because of the spiritual quality of places like Angkor Wat. Those are some places that couples could consider visiting and maybe haven't considered visiting in the past, but they're open in ways that they maybe haven't been before, and they're more accessible to the American traveller.

What are some lesser known Asia and South Pacific destinations for couples?

Couples can find some interesting South Pacific and Asian destinations that maybe are a little bit off the beaten path. One of the places that comes up sometimes among travelers is a place called Palau, which is not very far from Guam. It's a great place for couples. There are a lot of Japanese who travel there because it's only three hours from Japan. It's not very well known among Americans, but Palau is a place where there's terrific diving. The Cook Islands are a favorite, I think, among some American travelers because the culture is so welcoming and it's so warm. Those are a couple of places in the South Pacific and Asia that you might want to consider, where you have not necessarily been in the past and are not necessarily on the beaten path.

What Asia and South Pacific destinations should couples avoid?

I don't know there are any South Pacific destinations that couples should avoid, but I think that they should be aware that the prices they pay will be tremendous depending on the country and situation. For example, if you are planning to go, you have to prepared to spend at least $200 for hotels and often much more. If you go to Thailand, you can get very good reasonable combinations for two people at less than $100 a night.