Dream trips Ancient sites, starry nights and epic walks
Get to the heart of some of the world’s oldest civilisations with a cultural break in China, Cambodia, Italy – or Suffolk
ANGKOR WAT & SIEM REAP
See the spine-tingling sight of Angkor Wat at sunrise and seek out Siem Reap’s top-notch cuisine and an artsy afterdark scene – this is one of Asia’s most enchanting destinations.
WHY IT’S SPECIAL
Siem Reap is best known as a gateway to the ancient temples of Angkor, with most visitors swinging by for just a day or two as part of a larger south-east Asia tour.
But this city, and the dozens of temple complexes of Angkor Wat which surround it, are worth more than a flying visit. Stay a while and you’ll find a thrumming creative scene, much of it supported by NGOs. There are art cafés such as Tribe, which features works from famed graffiti artist Pure Evil alongside paintings by local artists; great little hotels and restaurants which are also hospitality training schools staffed by underprivileged street kids – such as Marum (tree-alliance.org) and Spoons and Sala Bai (salabai.com) – and Cambodia’s leading contemporary circus Phare (pharecircus.org). On top of that there’s a sizzling street food scene, sumptuous spas, hip hotels, tip-top shopping, and tours to suit every taste, from motorbike excursions and secret temples to foodie extravaganzas and stargazing in the national park.
YOU’LL NEVER FORGET… Feeling the hair raise on the back of your neck as you watch the magenta sun rise over the blackened 12thcentury spires of Angkor Wat.
INSIDER TIP
For the best chance of a cloud-free sunrise, visit Angkor during the November to March high season, when the weather is cooler, clearer and drier. Alternatively, the shoulder months of April, May and June are hotter but mostly dry.
HOW TO DO IT
There are no direct flights between Great Britain and Cambodia. The quickest and most straightforward flight to Siem Reap is from London via Bangkok, with Thai Airways (thaiairways.com) or Eva Air (evaair.com). Although there are plenty of cheap taxis, tuk-tuks and tour guides, for a hassle-free dream holiday it’s best to use a tour operator.
Audley Travel (audleytravel.com) has a 15-day package with stops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, including international and domestic flights, boutique hotel accommodation, breakfast and excursions from £4,275pp. For accommodation try the beautiful Phum Baitang (zannierhotels.com), a tranquil luxed-up version of a traditional Khmer village.