Asia - Where to go over Christmas

My family would like to go on a 2 week or so (give or take a couple of days) trip to Asia (or somewhere tropical) over Christmas (leaving maybe Dec 17th or 18th) and we're trying to figure out where to go and would appreciate advice. The kids are not exactly kids (late 20s and 30). We're adventurous but also like some luxury (but don't want to spend too much). We know Christmas is a busy season and things often get very very expensive, so we're also looking for places that would be good deals, are inexpensive to begin with, or don't get as overrun with Christmas travelers as other destinations. We'd also like to not hit the wet season in places, if possible.

We're been to Hong Kong and Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket) and loved Chiang Mai and the beauty of the Phuket area more than the big cities of Bangkok or Hong Kong to give you an idea of our tastes (i.e. we're countryside people more than city people). We've also gone to Guatemala and Europe as a family. We'll try to book tickets with miles, but it is so late in the game and such a desired travel time that we may end up having to pay for tickets.

Any ideas?

Sounds like you and your party like to mix it up a bit as to activities and aren't just lay-on-the-beach types. With 2 weeks, two places immediately come to mind in Asia that might fit your criteria: 1) Bali and some selected Indonesian islands nearby. 2) East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak, or just one of the two). I've been to the former and have done a lot of research on the latter--and will be going to Sabah and Sarawak for 3 weeks in February 2010. Pretty easy to access these fairly inexpensively through either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur gateways. So if you can get tickets as far as SIN or KUL, you can fill in the rest with local flights on Air Asia, Jetstar, Tiger, or somewhat more expensively on MY or SQ.

Thanks! It is my understanding that it will be the wet season in Indonesia. Do you think that will be a problem?

Thanks! It is my understanding that it will be the wet season in Indonesia. Do you think that will be a problem?

No I don't think so. My trip was during the wet season and while it is possible to get a little rain most days, it doesn't last that long and usually isn't even that hard. And not usually a thunderstormy-type of rain storm. I travel all the time in SE Asia during the various wet seasons-per-area, and have never found this to be an impediment to travelling. Do take a good mosquito repellent, though!

However, if you really want to lessen the chances of any possible encounters with rain, then you should consider the west coast of Thailand and peninsular Malaysia (though you've already been to Phuket)--be advised any beach resorts will be CROWDED and expensive that time of year. For a really interesting and memorable time, you could go to Burma, one of my favorite SE Asia locations but don't go there unless you have a full 2 weeks+ or you'll hate yourself. Also, the southern part of Vietnam, and/or Cambodia. If you need to see a beach sometime in that itinerary, Mui Ne or Phu Quoc in Vietnam, or Thandwe/Ngapali in Burma would fit the bill. I'd skip Sihanoukville in Cambodia for beach purposes, and Thailand beaches I assume you've already researched. For any of these locations, BKK is probably going to be your best gateway for incoming international tickets, with local/regional ticketing done separately from there. (You might be able to find something to SGN now, if Vietnam is your destination.)

My family would like to go on a 2 week or so (give or take a couple of days) trip to Asia (or somewhere tropical) over Christmas (leaving maybe Dec 17th or 18th) and we're trying to figure out where to go and would appreciate advice. The kids are not exactly kids (late 20s and 30). We're adventurous but also like some luxury (but don't want to spend too much). We know Christmas is a busy season and things often get very very expensive, so we're also looking for places that would be good deals, are inexpensive to begin with, or don't get as overrun with Christmas travelers as other destinations. We'd also like to not hit the wet season in places, if possible.
We're been to Hong Kong and Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket) and loved Chiang Mai and the beauty of the Phuket area more than the big cities of Bangkok or Hong Kong to give you an idea of our tastes (i.e. we're countryside people more than city people). We've also gone to Guatemala and Europe as a family. We'll try to book tickets with miles, but it is so late in the game and such a desired travel time that we may end up having to pay for tickets.
Any ideas?

Langkawi, Malaysia is interesting, has lovely beaches and an exciting rainforest on the north west coast. I was there one Christmas and stayed at The Datai resort which is stunning but if that is above your budget there are many reasonably priced very nice resorts on the island

What about New Zealand?

During Christmas over a week or so, I am thinking about visiting Vietnam (flying from Beijing), does anyone know where I can get good deals or packages from travel agents in Beijing? Or any other suggestions/alternatives are welcomed. Although I've only been in PEK for about a year, I'd like to try visiting other places outside of China as well.

Thanks.