Honeymoon Help

JB81

Hi There

Planning our honeymoon to Thailand in November. And we have the option of a stop over in Abu Dhabi for a few nights if we wish. it is something i would like to see but my question was would we be better in Abu Dhabi or in Dubai? I heard AD would be more stricter on local laws and tradition? Is this right? IS there much to see? Is it easy to go between both cities by bus or train etc...
Would just like some advise from people who were/are there. Woud it be a big hassle to fly into AD and travel to Dubai and stay there and travel back a few days later to fly out again, or would this be crazy?

Thanks a lot

JB

bobbygirl

Hey ,

I work in travel so I would proably say Dubai is the better place for a stopover . A lot more to do and more nightlife etc . You could still fly with Etihad thoughif the price is better as they will provide a bus at the airport in Abu Dhabi to Dubai which takes about an hour at the most. I would spend more time in Thailand also so probably 2 nights enough there unless you are planning on doing a lot of shopping.

Hope that helps a bit

PCPhoto

we went to Thailand in April ... stopped off in Abu Dhabi on the way .... we were only in the airport for a few hours but from that experience we would not (NOT) recommend staying there.

I think you would be better off continuing your journey on to Thailand ... and enjoy Thailand !

- where are you going ?? Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Samui ??

A bit of advice if you are going to Chiang Mai and want to visit the tiger farms, butterfly farms, crocodile farms, snake farms etc etc ... its easier and less hassle to hire a taxi to visit them all in one day ... tiger kingdom is decent (get your pic taken with baby and adult tigers) .. plenty of people say the animals are drugged up.

Koh Samui is lovely - nice and relaxing ...and beautiful ....most of the islands are very similar and all offer wonderful underwater life (if you are into scuba...if not, it could be worth trying)

JB81

Hi Thanks for the replies.

Was thinking Dubai would be better. Wont be doing much shopping, so will probably stay a couple of days to experience it and move on.

As for Thailand goes, we have no experience or knowledge of it. So were thinking of Phuket Town for a day or two and Patong for a day or two and maybe out to some of the islands Phi Phi etc.. for 5-6 days.

But if Koh Sumai is better we would love some recommendations.
We want a mixture of both island for relaxation for 5-6 days and a few days in a more livelier place with a bit of night life. But dont want to be travelling far or a lot of hassle to get from one to the other.

Not too keen on Bangkok, doesnt really appeal to us, or anywhere up north as we would like beaches etc..

Some advice would be great if you have time.

Regards JB

bobbygirl

I would definitely recommend Bangkok over Abu Dhabi/Dubai though. Been there about 8 times now and never get sick of it... So much to see and do.

sombaht

JB81 wrote: »

Not too keen on Bangkok, doesnt really appeal to us, or anywhere up north as we would like beaches etc..

Shame to travel all that way and not check out Bangkok. To be honest I'd give Dubai/AD a miss and use the extra few days to experience Bangkok. Yes it is a big dirty noisy smelly Asian city, (to many thats part of its charm actually! but there are many beautiful, tranquil spots there as well, such as Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha), Royal Palace, Wat Po (Reclining Buddha), Jim Thomspn House etc.
Shopping is second to none if youre into that, and given the fact that you are most likely having to fly into Bangkok anyway, might as well check it out. It will also give you a chance to acclimatise and get over the jet lag.

Cheers,
sombaht

JB81

Hi All

thanks for the advice, you have me leaning slightly towards going to bangkok for a few days all right.
Any one recommend a nice hotel, near the main area that would be our first port of call for a few nights. Somewhere nice as it is our honeymoon but not too expensive?

Thanks AGian
JB

i71jskz5xu42pb

JB81 wrote: »

Is it easy to go between both cities by bus or train etc...

Assuming you are traveling Etihad there is a Etihad coach - I'm pretty sure you can add it onto your flight ticket.
A taxi is about €60.
The journey is very simple, about an hour.

Abu Dhabi has Yas Marina F1 Circuit if you are into that kind of thing.

Dubai - hotels, malls, restaurants, water parks and beach - would not be everybody's cup of tea but you could do worse for a day or two.

Given the choice I'd do Bangkok - much more chaotic, dirty, crowded, but at the end of the day much more interesting.

PCPhoto wrote: »

stopped off in Abu Dhabi on the way .... we were only in the airport for a few hours but from that experience we would not (NOT) recommend staying there.

Based on the Airport alone? You should write for Lonely Planet.

sombaht

JB,
I ususally stay at the Siam City Hotel in Bangkok. Its about 40 mins from the airport, its known to all the taxi drivers (so you wont get lost! ) and it is within walking distance of 2 Skytraion stations. Sky train is essential to getting around Bangkok.
Prices for a double room range from €60-110 or thereabouts.

If you want to really push the boat out, it is your honeymoon afterall, you could try the Shangri La Hotel, the location isnt as good as the Siam City, and the prices are closer to the €200 per night mark, but it is very very very nice.

Cheers,
sombaht

P.S. There are plenty more hotels of course, its one thing Bangkok isn't short of.

PCPhoto

Rashad Few Vinyl wrote: »

Based on the Airport alone? You should write for Lonely Planet.

first impressions last !!

and back on topic.

I haven't been to Koh Phi Phi, Krabi or any of those Islands - but can recommend Koh Samui as a honeymoon destination.

ask a travel agent what they normally offer and see if you can find similar (within your budget) - the norm is Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Koh Samui.