Last Minute Holiday - Anywhere

gasman70 on 17/07/2023 - 10:51

Hi all,

I am looking for a last-minute holiday and wanted some help on where to start looking.

I have a month off from Thursday, 20th July, and am looking at going (with the wife) somewhere for 10-14 days (or more). I'm looking at a budget of around $6K , and I am looking for somewhere to explore and laze around the pool. Fiji and Bali have been places that friends have recommended.

We want to fly out of Brisbane or GC and can move anywhere within the month specified. Any recommendations on where to look or who to call?

Travel

Comments

  • RiseAndRuin on 18/07/2023 - 20:31

    Thailand, but it might be hard to find a cheap flight at such short notice.

  • Daddy Chill on 18/07/2023 - 23:00

    Formula one Campbelltown

  • bmxr on 18/07/2023 - 23:06
    +2

    $6k could get you some return flights and some very comfortable 4.5+* hotel stays in Borneo (in the Sarawak/Sabah states of Malaysia). with your pool chill included.

    Bucket list experiences of untouched Bornean Jungle, Urang Utans, dramatic landscapes with Mount Kinabalu setting the back drop where it even snows every now and again to a coral reef literally in front of the CBD and 23 degree waters.

    Unfortunately post-Covid it does require a transfer in either Singapore or KL (also great itineraries!). But fly in to Kuching, spend a couple of days there, go to Semmengoh Wildlife Reserve, jungle, home stays, Damai Cultural Village and eat some east Malaysian (Malay/Chinese/Indonesian Fusion) at literally any restaurant. Do a sunset river cruise for like $5.. Chill around the hotel pool.

    Fly to KK and do the waterfront, markets, eat some chinese/philippino/malay seafood, go up Mount Kinabalu. Do some snorkelling/scuba and then chill around the hotel pool.

    Chill out on the island of Borneo.

  • Peachout on 18/07/2023 - 23:42
    +2

    I've travelled a fair bit in Asia and can honestly say that Cambodia is a great place to visit. Angkor Palace Resort & Spa in Siem Reap is the nicest resort I've ever stayed in (limited budget so honestly could only afford it because of the great exchange rate). Siem Reap is really interesting too, when I was there the resort did free day trips to Angkor Wat (with obligatory stops for souvenir shopping, which i chose to ignore). There's a couple of interesting museums, markets, great food. No beach, but the pools at the resort are top notch, as are all of the facilities. Flights might be prohibitive though on your budget.

    As for the other options people have mentioned above, I've been to every one of them except Bali. The stand outs would have to be Singapore (more expensive attractions but plenty to see and do, highlights for me were Gardens by the Bay, the Zoo, Botanical Gardens, great food); and Penang & or Melaka. Although I agree with others, keep an eye on your stuff. In reality, Singapore is the only place you don't have to keep an eye on your stuff.

    The one place I regretted never going to was East Malaysia. I had a one night stopover there and always wanted to go back. Everyone I know that went there loved it. If you can find a cheap package deal to East Malaysia I'd go that over Bali, Fiji, Thailand etc (based on personal experience and anecdotes of friends). [edit: including the person above, who posted their comment just before I got mine in].

    Hope you have a great trip!

  • donman92 on 19/07/2023 - 10:11
    +1

    Definitely Bali/Thailand/Vietnam/etc similar places. Jetstar does those flights + accommodation packages that are well within your budget.

  • d86 on 19/07/2023 - 11:26

    Avoid Bali. Just go to Thailand. There's no better destination in the SEA.

    • Muselibar on 20/07/2023 - 12:24

      Thailand is a cosmopolitan medium sized country, with huge coast line and dozens of islands with 70 million people.
      Bali is a small island (1/10 the size of Tassie) and only a small part of Indonesia.

      So hard to compare a small island to a whole country.

      Both have pros and cons.

      Granted - for a tourist, in tourist area, on a 1-2 week holiday, at surface level, probably not huge difference.

      Bali is more than Kuta/Seminyak. There are still remote, small local villages and beautiful scenery.
      Just as Thailand is more than Patong/ or Pattaya.

      If people want a resort holiday, eat pizza and get drunk (nothing wrong with that). Bali and Thailand both have it.
      If you want to chill by the beach. Bali and Thailand both have it.
      If you want to stay in the rainforest in bamboo hut. Bali and Thailand both have it.

      • d86 on 20/07/2023 - 23:12

        Nice overview, but you can't swim in Bali, it's like go swimming in the Brisbane river. Filthy.

  • Muselibar on 19/07/2023 - 15:53
    +2

    In true OzBargain style:
    - search for cheapest flight dates/destination. SkySkanner you can do open ended search (all locations) with specific dates.
    - compare a few destination with flights/hotel prices

    As I've spent $1000+ on Australian weekend travel.

    But in Asia can get a basic hotel (sometimes with breakfast) for $20-50 a night and easily live on $50 a day.
    So over 1-2 weeks it's an easy equation.

    If traveling to Asia try and avoid rainy season, just check the weather. As rain can be very heavy.
    Enjoy!

  • Wilson Wallace on 19/07/2023 - 18:28
    +4

    I booked a last minute holiday 3 weeks ago. Went to Bali for a week, first time, misses wanted me to go as her family was going. I was reluctant to go because I don’t do well in third world countries and my immune system isn’t the best. Ate at 5 star restaurants only to experience stomach cramps on the way back home, to non stop diarrhoea for 7 days, eating potato and rice for 7 days, biscuits. I’d rather eat shit if my misses says let’s go to Bali or watch paint dry for a week whilst she’s gone.

    Head to the port Douglas and enjoy.

    • GG57 on 20/07/2023 - 11:09

      To be fair, that experience could be had from a lot of places, and it isn't limited to Bali.
      The joys of travel.

    • Muselibar on 20/07/2023 - 12:12

      Sorry to hear, food poising is no fun!

      Sometimes tourists think if they eat Western food they won't get sick and that's a mistake.

      As locals aren't always use to cooking Western food and/or the food is not that fresh or well cooked/stored.
      And 5 star restaurant/resort isn't always an exception to that rule.

      Probably the best way to avoid getting sick is eating fresh/local vegetarian food.
      And (as much as possible) avoiding fried food and meats.

      But any local restaurant with lots of customers - you know the food is good and generally fresh (as high turnover).

      Chicken nuggets, salads, pasta and burgers. I would always avoid it in developing country. Quality will be average and you are highly increasing your chance of getting sick.

    • Thrawn on 23/07/2023 - 14:51

      you can take travel vaccines in advance which helps

      • Wilson Wallace on 23/07/2023 - 16:14

        Yeah I bought some travellan. Heading overseas again in a couple of weeks.

  • gasman70 on 05/08/2023 - 11:51

    Went to the Maldives in the end. Two weeks all inclusive.
    Spent quite a bit more than I was originally intending to, but the wife is happy.

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