Enchanting Family Holiday

After breakfast, gaining insight into Cambodia’s recent dark history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in the former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center named ‘S-21’. Further visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. The audio headset guide provided is available in 15 different languages and gives some harrowing but informative stories from survivors and liberators of the camp. A grim, but important visit that will allow you to dig below the surface and understand Cambodia better. Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm. Wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial-era buildings reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way. Enjoy your touring in the historical French Quarter of Phnom Penh. Visit the Royal Palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5,000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple you will view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze. Also stop to visit the National Museum, which was built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Join a breathtaking celebration of Cambodia's music and dance tradition! Take a seat in the grounds of the National Museum and embark on a magical journey! Our 30 dancers will take you through Cambodian mythology, ancestral traditions and village life. With live music, stunning costumes and charming stories, 'Earth and Sky' will delight visitors of all ages! "The dancers perform each of these numbers with truly infectious joy!" - Back to your hotel and enjoy your free time at leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your day at leisure. Mother could take an Yoga classes on the infinity pool deck and feels extra invigorating because of the sea breeze and expansive view. The golden hour just before sunset is the perfect time for dad & kids to rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board and paddle around the island as it is bathed in brilliant hues. Overnight on island.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your day at leisure. Lounging on your stretch of white sand fringed with palm trees and dazzling turquoise waters. Take a dip in the warm waters and snorkel out to discover the colorful reefs teeming with marine life, or go further out to Koh Rong Archipelago for a diving expedition to discover the home of barracuda, sea turtles, giant clams and dugongs. Overnight on island.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy some time at leisure until the transfer back to the mainland pier and then you will be driven to Sihanoukville International airport to take a short flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your guide for transfer to the hotel. Take a rest before stepping out for touring in the afternoon. Begin exploring the crown jewel of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat, travelling in a vintage car. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat was constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside, the temple walls are covered with stone carvings depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty five years of intensive labour. Today, Angkor Wat is featured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Arrive just before sunset, when Angkor Wat is less visited and the Apsaras will shine in the most beautiful light. As the sun begins to set, return to your hotel to freshen up before enjoying dinner with a traditional Khmer dance show. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Begin the morning by discovering the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine with a half-day cooking class with Mrs Kethana Dunnet. Travel 35km out of Siem Reap to a village near Banteay Srei to meet the chef at her beautiful country home. Kethana is the owner and founder of the Sugar Palm restaurants in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and is known for her work with many celebrity TV chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Luke Nguyen. Kethana offers a truly practical Siem Reap cooking class. Over the course of the morning, learn how to prepare various dishes that are served at Sugar Palm and the differences between Khmer and other regional cuisines. The class lasts about 3 hours before sitting and appreciating the hard work with a tasting of the day’s creations (2 starters and 2 main courses). Afterwards, head to the Tonlé Sap Lake and have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake with a visit to Kompong Khleang village. Board a private wooden vessel to cruise along the canal with houses on either side: depending on the time of the visit, the houses will either have immediate access to the water or stand perched on stilts high above the ground, a phenomena caused by the annual rising and receding waters of the Tonle Sap Lake. Pass by the boats and nets used by local fishermen, and spot them fishing in the waters through which the boat passes. While approaching the lake, see floating houses that move location with the annual ebb and flow of the lake’s waters. Along the way, gain a better understanding of the local lifestyle with lunch in a family house. This is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the way of life of the local people- sitting inside a stilted house while watching the boats pass outside. Back to your hotel and enjoy your free time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Start your morning temple exploration by adventure Jeep to the most illustrious of the Small Circuit Temples, Ta Prohm. Built in the middle of 12th to early 13th centuries during the reign of Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm is unique in that it remains largely overgrown by jungle. With many parts crumbling to the ground, it is one of the most picturesque Angkor temples. Next, visit another temple complex built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan. While Ta Prohm was built to honour the king’s mother, Preah Khan was built for his father. Afterwards, head into the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m-high wall, drawing a perfect square. Pass over the city moat causeway that is flanked on either side by a row of 54 gods and demons, each holding a sacred naga snake, and through a towering entry gate decorated with three-headed elephants and capped with four smiling faces of the Buddha. Continue to Bayon temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 52 towers with enigmatic faces looking out over the vast provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate and unique carvings. Back to your hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Siem Reap.