Asian And South Pacific Budget Destinations For Families

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Asian And South Pacific Budget Destinations For Families

Catharine Hamm (Travel Editor, LA Times) gives expert video advice on: What are popular Asian and South Pacific budget destinations for families?; What are popular Asian and South Pacific budget destinations for singles?; What are popular Asian and South Pacific budget destinations for couples? and more...

A lot of families have found that going to places that they previously thought were inaccessible is a new way to experience the world and not spend a fortune doing it. Vietnam has become a place where a lot of families are going just to see the culture. Any of the countries like Lagos and Cambodia, which years ago we probably wouldn't have thought about taking our children there, but we do now. China is also an amazing destination and probably would be my first choice for families because it is very easy to do. There are lots of great package tours. You don't have to feel guilty about not being a foreign independent traveller because there's so much group tourism going on. It's a terrific way to show your kids a completely different side of life.

Singles can find really great places to go in Asia, just about anywhere. It's an amazingly fertile place for budget hunters. Thailand happens to be one place where there are a lot of younger travellers and a lot of backpackers. They tend to congregate along the beaches of Thailand but there are also places that welcome singles. Vietnam is an emerging destination. Laos has become a place where there are a lot of singles and backpackers. I would really recommend any of those destinations and, of course, making sure that you study up on them before you go. If there are safety and security concerns, you should incorporate them into your travel routine.

There are a lot of budget destinations for couples in Asia. New Zealand, actually is an amazing place and the dollar tends to be pretty strong in New Zealand. There are lots of natural activities that you can do. Trekking happens to be one of the prime activities and it's a wonderfully rich culture but also places like Thailand are very good for these type of activities. Also, China is a terrific destination for couples simply because you can get great package tours, not spend a fortune doing it, have an amazing vacation, and come home with some treasures that you would not have thought you were coming home with. So I would really recommend China. I would also recommend Vietnam as a couples destination. It really is an emerging place. Lots and lots of visitors are discovering the joys of travelling in Vietnam. So Asia is a really fertile ground for couples who are vacationing on a budget.

What Asian and South Pacific cites should I avoid if I am on a budget?

But even having said that, I can say that in Tokyo, there are places to stay that are reasonably priced. There are places to eat that are reasonably priced. So, for the foreign independent traveler, it is possible to see Japan if you're on a budget. It just takes a lot of planning and a lot of thought. Those pay off in big ways, in that you get to see this country which is so incredibly rich in culture and history. You don't have to spend a fortune doing it, but you do have to be prepared.