Guide to the Far East
The Far East has so much to offer for your next holiday destination, we have outlined some of our favourite places and what to see, but there is so much more than this. Speak to a consultant today for more advice on where to go...
Thailand
Flight Time: 11 hours
Time Difference: GMT +7 hours
Weather: The best time to visit Thailand is between November to April, these are the driest and warmest months with temperature ranging from 32-36°C.
There is so much to explore across Thailand and so much more than we can fit in to this one post! From the bustling streets of Bangkok to island hopping across the 5,000 miles of beautiful coastline there is something for everyone.
Top things to do:
Visit The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Enjoy an ethical elephant experience
Hike through the many National Parks
Get a bargain at the floating markets
Delve into the dark history of Kanchanaburi
Singapore
Flight Time: 13 hours
Time Difference: GMT +8 hours
Weather: Singapore is a year round destination, to make the most of your trip we suggest travelling between December to June as the days are drier and less humid.
Singapore has everything you could want in one city! The city offers a great combination of modern and traditional, with the worlds largest infinity pool, the worlds first nocturnal safari park, amazing architecture, sumptuous food world-class performance venues and extraordinary gardens there is plenty to keep you busy.
Top things to do:
Visit the iconic Marina Bay Sands
Take a hike through the Southern Ridges
Eat like a local along East Coast Road
Go on a treetop walk through Gardens by the Bay
Visit The Intan for a look at history - appointment only
Japan
Flight Time: 12 hours
Time Difference: GMT +9 hours
Weather: For the best experience, we recommend visiting Japan in the spring or fall, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom or full of gorgeous autumnal leaves. If you do not wish to visit during this busy season, you might consider visiting during the winter to take advantage of the beautiful snowy landscapes in the north as well as the many festivals and events.
From the ultra modern skyscrapers and bullet trains to the ancient temples and traditional tea ceremonies there is so much to try and squeeze into one trip, you will want to go back again and again.
Top things to do:
Watch a traditional Geisha show
See Sumo wrestlers in action -in Tokyo in January, May and September and Osaka in March.
Go Karting around Tokyo
Rent a private Karaoke booth and sing your heart out
Visit Hiroshima Peace Museum
Hong Kong
Flight Time: 14 hours (1 stop)
Time Difference: GMT +8 hours
Weather: Hong Kong is a great year round destination with moderate to high temperatures. If you a keen to make the most of outdoor activities we recommend visiting Hong Kong from late September to late December.
Take the iconic Star Ferry to get the best views of Hong Kong's skyline from the water, explore the different neighborhoods and eat like a local at the many street food vendors throughout the city.
Top things to do:
Visit Tai O fishing village
Meet the Big Buddha
Ride around town on the trams
Try dim sum at Lin Heung Teahouse
Enjoy cocktails at the highest bar in the world , Ozone
China
Flight Time: 11 hours
Time Difference: GMT +8 hours
Weather: The best seasons for visiting the majority of China are in the Spring and Autumn months, these tends to be the driest and warmest seasons. With China being such a vast country our consultants are on hand to advise you the best times to visit depending on where you are visiting and what you want to do.
China is a vast country so it really depends on where you plan to visit as to what is best to do. Wherever you decide there will be plenty of opportunities to explore the cultural history, natural wonders and enjoy some fabulous local cuisine. We can help you book a tour around this great country to make sure you don't miss out on any of the highlights.
Top things to do:
Walk the Great Wall of China
Visit the Giant Pandas
Take a trip to the Forbidden City
Delve into history with The Terracotta Army
Step into nature at the 'Floating' Peaks - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Vietnam
Flight Time: 11 hours
Time Difference: GMT +7 hours
Weather: December to May are the better months to visit Vietnam to avoid the rainy season, however in the north of the country it can stay quite cold until the end of February so you may want to consider this if you are looking at travelling the entire length of the country.
A popular destination for visiting Vietnam is Halong Bay, you will most likely have seen pictures across Instagram and Facebook of the picturesque limestone towers emerging from the beautiful turquoise waters. You can take a cruise to explore the area, or why not go a couple of miles down the road Bai Tu Long Bay where you can enjoy the same spectacular view but with out so many crowds. But you won't want to stay in just one area, we recommend travelling to different provinces so that you don't miss out.
Top things to do:
Visit the Ban Gioc Waterfall
Admire the views at Golden Hands Bridge in Da Nang
Relax away from the crowds at the island of Phu Quoc
Explore the countries history in Ho Chi Minh City
Eat delicious Pho in Hanoi