Expert: Markos - 8/10/2007

Question
Me and my girlfriend are trying to do a big trip over christmas, and we are trying to decide on a place.  We were considering Greece, Turkey, or some other Mediterranean site, but the colder weather in a coastal island setting as well as the potential to be expensive (we're in college) is raising questions.  We were considering Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand as another option.  
My two questions then are can Thailand be done on a cheap budget, the flights seem very expensive?  and also is Thailand a destination worth visiting in December or should this destination like the Greek isles maybe be saved for warmer months?  

Thanks,
William

Answer
Hi William, first thing is that all travel is more expensive in Decemeber. More expensive flights and more expensive hotels. it's because everyone is on vacation then. I make a note for myself that I never travel during December or the summer months. I usually took vacation during february. Now from the west coast of the states, a flight to Thailand return usually runs about $900 if you purchase in advance on the internet. A ticket to Europe from the east coast can be much cheaper than that, but again all prices rise for December. Thailand is a fun destination. There are so many things to keep you busy. Elephant Treking, Bamboo rafting, Crocodile farms etc. and yes once you are there it is considerably cheaper than greece. Now Turkey is a wonderful place, but you'll freeze your gonads off at the end of December. As far as cheap budget?? I used to spend 4 weeks in Thailand and spend about $1500, and that was not being on a tight budget, but notice the dollar is very weak now against the baht as opposed to when I went there. Greece has the Euro now which is very strong against the dollar, so I expect Greece won't be cheap anymore. So it all depends what you call budget? And what it is you both want to do? Actually the best budget place I can think of right now is Vietnam. There it is very cheap, very safe, geared for tourists. I think that would be your best budget place, if you can afford the ticket. By the way the budget bible is "Lonely Planet" guides

Mark