Asia is a continent with something for absolutely everyone – from lazing beside a turquoise sea and evening markets piled high with food to desert luxury and ancient temples. The two of us come back here again and again, and every single time we’re amazed at just how different one country is from the next. That’s exactly why we put together this hub: to help you pick the right country before you even start worrying about the details.
You’ll find our guides to individual countries here – so far Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates – where we share hands-on experiences, maps and tips straight from the road. We’ve added a round-up of tours and themed articles too, so you can see at a glance what’s on offer where and for how much. Think of this page as a signpost: here you decide where to go, and the individual guides cover the how. ☺️
This isn’t a catalogue
We’re Lucie and Lukáš — and travel is our life
The two of us put this guide together and keep an eye on it. We only pick trips and tips we’d take ourselves, and we only write about places worth your time.
✍️ We build it by hand — the two of us choose the destinations and tips, and bots help us keep the numbers up to date
🔄 We refresh prices every morning — no week-old trips or flights hanging around here
🧭 We only recommend places we’d go ourselves — and we’ll tell you what to skip too
Asia is enormous, so there simply isn’t one universal “best time to visit” – it all depends on where you’re headed. For Southeast Asia (Thailand and much of Indonesia, for instance), the dry season is the most pleasant, roughly from November to March. That happens to be the heart of our winter, so escaping to the warmth makes perfect sense. Summer here tends to be humid and rainy (the monsoon), but that doesn’t mean all-day downpours – more like short afternoon showers and far fewer tourists.
Turkey, on the other hand, is best enjoyed in spring and autumn (April–June and September–October), when there’s no oppressive heat and it works equally well for the beach and for sightseeing. The United Arab Emirates work the opposite way to what you might expect – the ideal time to go is during our winter, from November to March, because summers there bring extreme heat. Our advice: pick your country first, then fine-tune the exact dates around it.
How to choose a country
Before you start sorting out flights and hotels, it’s worth asking yourself what kind of holiday you actually want. That alone narrows the choice of country down enormously:
Sea and easy lazing about – a safe bet is Thailand with its islands and warm sea, or Indonesia if you want to combine beaches with atmosphere and nature.
Cities, culture and sightseeing – Turkey fits the bill best, easily weaving history, food and the sea into a single trip.
Luxury, comfort and a carefree first long-haul trip – go for the United Arab Emirates; it’s a brilliant introduction to Asia with minimal logistics.
Nature, volcanoes and adventure – we’re drawn to Indonesia, which offers so much more than just beaches.
A tight budget – your money usually stretches furthest in Thailand, where you can travel cheaply and comfortably alike.
If you’re torn between several countries, we’d suggest deciding based on flight length and how demanding the transfers are – for a shorter holiday, one country and one region makes more sense than frantically dashing across half a continent. You’ll find the details on each destination in our guides below.
On a long-haul trip the biggest savings come from booking your flights early – for flights to Asia we’ve found it pays to book around 2 to 4 months ahead and keep an eye on flexible dates. It often helps to shift your departure by a few days, avoid school holidays and public holidays, and compare several arrival airports.
Your choice of season makes a big difference to the price too: in the shoulder season, accommodation and flights tend to be considerably cheaper and there are fewer tourists. What should you avoid? Last-minute booking in peak season, and paying unnecessary surcharges for things you can sort out more cheaply on the spot – transfers or day trips, for example. With package tours, always compare exactly what’s included (flights, meals, transfers), because the cheapest offer isn’t necessarily the best value in the end.
💱Currency and rateCurrent rate: 1 € ≈ 24.25 CZK (CNB). In Asia you can pay by card almost everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I go in Asia for the first time?
For a first long-haul trip we’d recommend the United Arab Emirates (minimal logistics and plenty of comfort) or Thailand, which is welcoming, cheap and easy to travel around. Turkey is ideal too if you want a shorter flight and a mix of sea and culture.
When is the best time to travel to Asia?
It depends on the country. For Thailand and Indonesia the dry season is best (roughly November–March); for the Emirates, our winter (November–March) too, because of the summer heat; and for Turkey, spring and autumn (April–June and September–October).
Is travelling to Asia expensive?
It depends a lot on the country and your style of travel. Your money usually goes furthest in Thailand. Flights tend to be the biggest expense, so it pays to book them well ahead and keep an eye on flexible dates.
How far in advance should I book flights to Asia?
We’ve found booking around 2 to 4 months ahead works well. Being flexible with dates helps, as does avoiding school holidays and public holidays and comparing several arrival airports.
Which Asian country is best for beaches?
For the sea and easy lazing about we’d go for Thailand with its islands, or Indonesia if you’d like to combine beaches with nature and atmosphere.
Is a package tour or independent travel better?
Both have their place. A package tour comes into its own for the Emirates and a classic beach holiday, where they handle flights, transfers and accommodation for you. Thailand and Indonesia are lovely to explore independently. With package tours, always compare what’s included.
Do I need a visa for Asian countries?
Visa requirements vary by country and often change, so always check them before you travel with official sources. We cover the specifics for each country in the individual guides.
Can you travel in Asia with children?
Yes, families can have a wonderful, relaxed time in Asia. For easy travel with kids, the Emirates and a classic beach holiday in Thailand work well, where everything is conveniently arranged for you.
