Cities such as Hanoi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Singapore each have rich cultural, trade, business, and travel history with amazing experiences, world-class food, skyline venues, and local markets at every turn. We can only hope to become merely acquainted with any of these destinations in one visit.
My experience in travel tells me not to waste 2 hours in traffic in an attempt to savour a district for 25 minutes. Choose one district and become part of it for your entire stay.
You will create a familiar home for all future visits, not a blur of sites, food, and local relationships you will never find again.
Even a lifetime dream trip should be enjoyed by digging deep into the culture, not skimming over the tourists’ locations and guided tours.
I find my travel budget goes farther the less I travel from my hotel. Transportation can be outrageous and time-consuming. Choose a hotel in the center of what you want to experience.
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Stunning hotels on Orchard Road Singapore
Reserve your accommodations in one of the stunning hotels on Orchard Road Singapore. This area is shopping central. Malls and markets surround your hotel with international brands or cultural uniqueness.
I also believe this to be one of the best areas for next-level cuisine. Choose from a selection of Michelin Star experiences.
Bukit Bintang
A similar shopping and beautiful dining district in Kuala Lumpur is called Bukit Bintang. The malls have an elevated interlinked covered pedestrian path saving exposure to heat or rain as you enjoy the bustle of shoppers and business professionals.
Petaling Street (Chinatown) is a 15-minute walk away and you can enjoy local food stalls and quaint shops.
Sukhumvit Road
From the Central Embassy to Siam Discovery Mall, Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok is the thoroughfare of shopping and nightlife.
The soi that stretch out from Sukhumvit will lead you to rooftop dance clubs, whiskey dens, and Michelin Stars to match the sky. On the ground level snack your way to your next destination through local street markets.
Business professionals have the inside experience on comfort/budget balance during travel. Their budgets are watched by their finance department but they want to be close to work and enjoy relative leisure.
Choices in Transportation
All major cities have choices in transportation. Taxis, buses, rail, and tourist options are tuk-tuk or rickshaws. In Bangkok, I prefer getting on the back of a motorbike taxi.
There is no faster or more precise means of movement in the city. It can elevate your heart rate, but hold on and lean with the bike.
Your legs, or as I call them, bus number 11, will take you far and slow the pace of a frenzied metropolis allowing you to experience more during your trip. Don’t plan tight schedules, leave space to enjoy the journey as often as appropriate.
See one uninterrupted sunset and sunrise in this new city. Sunrise can tell me a lot about a city. As the black sky fades to brown, purple, and warm pastels; the local life begins to arise from slumber and move. Have a great holiday, family visit, or business trip wherever your destination.