Melissa Trinkl's Guide to Bali, Thailand & Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of those regions that sounds intimidating until you've been — and then you spend the rest of your life trying to get back. The combination of extraordinary natural beauty, deeply layered culture, world-class food, and genuinely warm hospitality creates a travel experience that's hard to replicate anywhere else.

I've helped clients plan trips across this region for years, and I've watched it evolve from a backpacker circuit into one of the most sophisticated luxury travel destinations in the world. The infrastructure is there. The hotels are extraordinary. And the experiences — if you plan them right — are unlike anything else.

Here's how I think about it.

Bali has a reputation problem, and I say that as someone who loves it. The images that circulate online — the Tegallalang rice terraces, the Uluwatu cliffs, the infinity pools — are real, but they've also created a version of Bali in people's minds that's either a cliché or a fantasy, depending on who you ask.

The Bali I book for clients is more nuanced than that.

Ubud is where I send people who want to understand Bali's cultural soul. The rice terraces are genuinely beautiful, the traditional arts scene is thriving, and the wellness offerings — yoga retreats, Ayurvedic treatments, cooking classes — are world-class. Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, set in a river valley above the jungle, is one of the most spectacular resort settings I've ever seen. Komaneka at Bisma is smaller and equally extraordinary.

Seminyak and Canggu are for travelers who want a more social, design-forward experience — great restaurants, boutique shopping, beach clubs, and a creative energy that feels distinctly modern. It's a different Bali than Ubud, and both are worth knowing.

Uluwatu is where I send couples who want dramatic clifftop scenery and some of the best surf in the world. The Bulgari Resort Bali here is genuinely one of the most beautiful hotels I've ever seen — perched on a cliff above the Indian Ocean, with a design that feels like it grew out of the rock.

A note on timing: Bali's dry season runs from April to October, with July and August being the busiest months. If you want the best weather with fewer crowds, May, June, and September are ideal.

If I had to recommend one country in Southeast Asia for a first-time visitor, it would be Thailand — not because it's the easiest (though it is relatively easy), but because it offers the widest range of experiences in a compact, well-connected geography.

Bangkok is one of the great cities of the world. The temples, the street food, the rooftop bars, the markets — it's overwhelming in the best possible way. I always recommend at least two nights here, even if the rest of the trip is beach-focused. The Capella Bangkok, set on the Chao Phraya River, is my current favorite hotel in the city.

Chiang Mai in the north is a completely different Thailand — cooler, slower, surrounded by mountains and temples. It's excellent for cooking classes, elephant sanctuaries (the ethical ones), and trekking. For clients who want cultural depth alongside beach time, I often build in two or three nights here.

The islands are where most people spend the majority of their time, and the choices matter. Koh Samui is the most developed and accessible, with excellent luxury resorts — Four Seasons Koh Samui is exceptional. Koh Yao Noi, in Phang Nga Bay, is smaller and more serene, with extraordinary views of the limestone karsts. The Andaman coast — Krabi, Railay, the Phi Phi Islands — has some of the most dramatic scenery in Southeast Asia.

Phuket is the most visited island and, frankly, not my first recommendation for luxury travelers. It's large, traffic-heavy, and the most touristy parts feel generic. That said, the northern tip of Phuket — around Trisara and Amanpuri — is genuinely beautiful and worth knowing about.

One of the most common questions I get is: "Should we do Bali or Thailand?" My answer is usually: "Why not both?"

Southeast Asia rewards multi-destination itineraries because the flights between countries are short and inexpensive, and the contrast between destinations makes each one feel richer. A week in Thailand followed by a week in Bali is a very different trip than two weeks in either place alone.

Some combinations I love:

Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Koh Samui (10–12 days) — The classic Thailand circuit, hitting city, culture, and beach. This is my most-booked Southeast Asia itinerary.

Bali + Lombok (10 days) — Ubud for culture, Seminyak or Uluwatu for beach, then a short flight to Lombok for the Gili Islands and a quieter, less-developed experience.

Thailand + Bali (14–16 days) — The full Southeast Asia experience. Bangkok, one or two Thai islands, then Bali. This is the trip I recommend for honeymoons and milestone celebrations.

Vietnam add-on — If you have three weeks, adding Hanoi and Ha Long Bay (or Hoi An and Da Nang in the south) takes the trip to another level. Vietnam is extraordinary and still underrated as a luxury destination.

I've seen Southeast Asia trips go wrong in predictable ways, and I've seen them exceed every expectation. Here's what separates the two:

Pacing. Southeast Asia is not a destination to rush. The heat, the time change, the sensory intensity — it all requires more recovery time than a European city break. I build in slower days, and I don't try to cram too many destinations into a single trip.

The right hotels. This region has some of the most extraordinary hotels in the world, and the difference between a good property and a great one is significant. I know which ones are worth the splurge and which ones are overpriced for what they deliver.

Private guides. In Bangkok, Ubud, Chiang Mai — having a private guide for even one day transforms the experience. They take you to places you'd never find on your own, they explain what you're seeing, and they make the logistics effortless.

Not over-planning. Some of the best moments in Southeast Asia happen when you wander. I build in unscheduled time deliberately.

Southeast Asia is one of my favorite regions to plan, and I'd love to help you build a trip that's exactly right for you — whether that's a romantic two weeks in Bali and Thailand, a family adventure through Vietnam and Cambodia, or something entirely your own.

Start planning your Southeast Asia trip →