An Asia for every season

Think Asia, think winter sun? While most beach holidays and multi-centres to the region are geared towards this season, many destinations are not just fine at other times of the year but actually at their best.

“There is a misconception that south-east Asia is suitable weather-wise only in our winter months,” points out David Kevan, a Pata UK & Ireland board member. “However, this is far from the truth. Bali, east-coast Malaysia, Da Nang and Hoi An in central Vietnam, Koh Samui in Thailand and surrounding islands are all at their best in our spring and summer. In fact, July and August are peak demand months for all these destinations with rates to match. For value, May and June provide the best rates and usually have excellent weather.”

Knowing these regional variations could help you entice honeymooners to Asia after a UK summer wedding, for instance, or encourage more families to consider visiting during the school summer or Easter holidays.

THAILAND

Popular as a winter-sun destination November to March, Thailand is actually good year-round.

“The east coast enjoys its peak season from March to September, which provides a fantastic option for families,” explains Sadudee Sangnil, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, London. “Within easy drive of Bangkok is the royal seaside resort of Hua Hin with its long sweeping beach, great seafood, national parks and quaint night markets. For those looking for a more lively resort, Pattaya is also a short drive from the capital.

“Much-loved Koh Samui is a fun family choice, while the neighbouring islands of Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao offer an easy island-hopping adventure for honeymooners.”

BOOK IT: Gold Medal offers seven nights with breakfast at Centara Villas Samui from £999pp, incorporating a 10% hotel discount and two free nights, with flights and transfers included, valid for departures 13-22 June 2022. • goldmedal.co.uk

VIETNAM

While other parts of Vietnam are better in our winter, the white-sand beaches to the centre are different. 

Jean-Baptiste Richard, Abercrombie & Kent’s regional managing director for south-east Asia, explains: “The central Vietnam coast enjoys warm and dry weather for most of the year, with clear skies between March and September, and temperatures peaking at around 33°C in June and July. February to April is usually the most pleasant time to visit when the weather is cool and humidity is low. Overall, however, the UK summer time is a good time to visit central Vietnam.” 

The beach resort of Da Nang, nearby cultural town of Hoi An and Vietnam’s former capital, Hue, all lie within the region.

BOOK IT: Abercrombie & Kent has a 10-night Summer Discover Vietnam trip including Hoi An and Da Nang from £3,500pp. It includes flights, transfers and accommodation and can be adapted to suit clients’ interests. • abercrombiekent.co.uk

BALI

Tropical Bali sees its peak squarely in our summer season, which has helped make it a honeymoon favourite with couples who marry at home in June, July or August. 

It’s also a laid-back touring destination with the scenic rice terraces at Ubud, Hindu temples and the volcanic landscape among highlights beyond the major beach resorts. The Indonesian island is also easily combined with its quieter neighbour Lombok.

BOOK IT: Intrepid’s Beautiful Bali circular tour from Ubud to Sanur takes in village life and includes temple visits, hiking volcanic Mount Batur, cycling, beaches and hot springs. It costs from £720pp in June and July including accommodation, breakfast, some other meals and transport but excluding international flights. • intrepidtravel.com

JAPAN

Spring, for the “Sakura” cherry blossoms and autumn, for the stunning foliage colours, are the best seasons to visit Japan, advises Wendy Wu Tours.

Chief executive Glen Mintrim says: “We have an unprecedented demand for Sakura 2023, after having missed the world-famous Japanese cherry blossom for three years.” With forward bookings more than double those originally made for spring 2020, the operator has added 15 extra departures.

“We’re confident that Japan will be open for international visitors this summer and are already seeing a huge spike in interest for travel in September, October and November 2022, to coincide with the spectacular autumn leaves,” Mintrim adds.

BOOK IT: Wendy Wu’s Japan Uncovered tour costs from £6,790pp for 17 days. Following in the footsteps of the Joanna Lumley’s Japan TV series, it includes flights, all guiding, accommodation, meals and entrance fees. • wendywutours.co.uk

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka’s east coast has an opposite season to the popular winter-sun resorts in its west, with its peak from May to September.

“While this is still a relatively unknown part of Sri Lanka, the region has increased in popularity over the last few years with more accommodation opening up and travelling times significantly reducing. But generally, it remains under-developed and picture-postcard pretty,” says Hashan Cooray, marketing manager of Jetwing Hotels.

He adds: “As well as having some of the island’s best beaches, this area offers an eclectic mix of activities.” Surfing at Arugam Bay is popular, there are impressive archaeological sites to tour and Jetwing can arrange tuk-tuk safaris from its resorts to see langur monkeys, birdlife, elephants and crocodiles.

BOOK IT: When FCDO advice enables travel to the country, Experience Travel’s Sri Lanka’s East Coast, with five nights at Jetwing Surf and five at Kottukal Beach House by Jetwing, costs from £3,500pp including flights and transfers. • experiencetravelgroup.com

Shoulder-season savings

Travelling even just slightly off-peak in Asia can add up to significant savings says John Parker, product manager for Premier Holidays.

“Shoulder season is a great time to travel to the Far East; prices are often considerably lower than during peak periods, many hotels offer rate deals and value adds, and the resorts themselves are likely to be a little less busy. It’s also, of course, likely to be a time when conditions are still preferable to the lower seasons.”

He adds: “I look after Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, and there are lots of shoulder-season deals in these locations... even stronger at the moment as hotels try to entice clients back as their respective borders reopen.

“Some of the bigger resorts in Thailand, such as Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi and Koh Samui, have some of the strongest shoulder-season deals [anywhere between 25% and 50% on typical high season prices].

“Borneo is always popular with Premier Holidays’ clients, and if you travel in the shoulder seasons of May-June or September-October, these are great times to see wildlife without too many other people around.”

Premier currently has a 10-night, £1,539pp Luxury Kuala Lumpur and Borneo package over many dates in June, September and October 2022 that gives a 20% saving over the high-season price plus an extra 25% on a free upgrade to a junior suite. • premierholidays.co.uk