To fly to Indonesia for one week

[OrangeCrushes]

We will only have one week for our honeymoon, in early April next year. IABU to fly to Indonesia (from London) for this very short period?

Depends where? I spent 2 weeks in Bali a couple of years ago and think it could be done in a week if you pick just a couple of places. So you could do 4 days in Ubud and 4 days in Canggu.

If you only have a week and you want to go to Asia, go somewhere you can fly direct. Also, if you can afford it, go in business class so you can do an overnight flight and sleep on the plane. So you could fly out Friday night after work, and fly home the following Sunday, giving you 8 nights there.

@Crushed23 we are thinking of Bali. The trip would probably involve leaving on Sunday, then getting on our flight home on Sunday as well.

Have you been to Bali before or anywhere else in Indonesia? Bali has gone downhill since covid sadly, and the traffic is horrendous. I think a week is pushing it tbh. I live in SE Asia, so Bali is an easy trip for me and so many people I know have stopped going. If you haven't been before, it's a long way to go to be disappointed. What about Sri Lanka, it's a bit closer?

Sunday-Sunday wouldn’t be worth it, given length of flight, plus I think there are no/very few direct flights to Bali? You’d get no more than 6 days there in total.

Having recently been in Thailand, it took me 5 days to get over the jetlag ( I was there for 6 weeks, partly because of that ), I m not sure it's such a good idea! Can you not go for 2 weeks? Is there not somewhere lovely closer you could go instead?

I probably wouldn't, the flight is quite long. I went for 3 weeks a long time ago and wouldn't personally be up for doing it twice within such a short time. Also got quite bad jet lag on the way back, although it should have been worse on the way there apparently!

What about the Maldives instead? Still 10 hours but much closer

I would honestly pick somewhere else.
what draws you to Indonesia?

Oh god yes, the traffic is awful and that was 2013 when I was there.

If you are going to do it, fly business class to phuket and stay at the Slate. I think that is doable - better if you can stretch to 7 nights there.

I really wouldn't go all that way for such a short time (and I love Bali, but its only a 4 hour trip for me). I would spend the money on going somewhere closer and upgrading my hotel/experiences. But I live in Perth and going to Bali is like going to Spain or Portugal, its not thought of as fancy (although it can be as fancy as you like).

I really wouldn't. I don't mind a long haul flight but Indonesia is VERY long. We went years ago. I remember getting as far as Malaysia (which we had been to on a previous holiday and which had seemed a pretty long flight) and my heart sinking because we still had another flight to go.

It was still worth it but that's because we went for a month and travelled around, visiting a few different islands. I wouldn't do it for a week.

I done it in 8 in Feb with my 14 month old, pregnant! Didn't feel too short etc.

Second time there, echo previous poster it has went downhill since covid unfortunately.

If you're looking for a relaxing time I woudn't, that's a hell of a lot of travel faff. Ubud was beautiful years ago, but the coast is unrecognisable now due to development. Not worth it I don't think.

In terms of the jet lag, I flew to Australia for a week and it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. We landed early morning and I had a long nap in the afternoon , but was find for the rest of the time I was there. It caught up with me when I got home again.

Warm weather, "exotic" (as in, not European, different culture, different food), availability of luxurious resorts with things like private plunge pools and lovely spas in a forested area.

I think you all have convinced me that this is a stupid idea. Maybe I will start a new thread seeking advice!

Nope from me. 25percent of the time to be spent travelling plus jet lag to boot…

Id take your budget and prioritise amazing hotels with spas and different landscapes - Stockholm, Helsinki, Budapest etc spring to mind. Or if you’re looking for resort-style, Mexico or even 5* canaries.

whatever you pick have a great time!

Don't go to Bali. It's awful now. 30 years ago it was nice but it's totally polluted and dirty and you may well get Bali belly - we went last year and 9 of 14 of us were quite ill. Took us 3 hours to go 9kms to the airport as it was so congested. Will never ever go back!

I think that's v sensible OP!😁

You could goto Goa, Kerala or Marrakesh? Shorter flights, less jetlag, but still hot and exotic? ( have been to all those places and really liked them )

I think we are on the verge of committing to Marrakech! Accepting advice and hotel tips 😊

Not for a week, no. Our neighbours just went and it took 22 hours from leaving their home to checking in at the hotel. Have you looked at the Caribbean?

I really didn't enjoy Marrakech (sorry!) constant harassment everywhere you go. Goa would be a good choice, I think April is on the cusp of the rainy season mind

Bali isn’t just one resort. A bit like saying don’t go to Spain as Benidorm is awful.