Hi All
I've just started thinking about next years holiday and Cambodia has been on my 'to do' list for a while. I've invested in a travel guide and browsed the web but the amount of info out there is overwhelming.
We're a couple in our 30's and like sightseeing - especially historical sites, local markets, nice food and quiet bars for people watching. Based on that would Cambodia suit us (We've previously enjoyed Goa but want somewhere different)?
We have 2 weeks so was thinking starting in Thailand with 2 or 3 nights in Bangkok followed by 7 nights in Siem Reap, 3 nights in Phnom Phen then maybe another night in Bangkok on the way home to break up tje journey. There are many other towns in Cambodia that appeal but we want to get a good balance of time to relax between sightseeing. We want a couple of days of the holiday to be spent chilling out rather than travelling from place to place.
Any thoughts on this would be welcomed. Is 7 nights in SR too long? Any other 'must see' places thst I should consider?
Thanks
Claire
I think 7 days in Siem Reap is too much, I stayed 3 nights and saw pretty much everything. It's usually very hot and sticky so if you wanted an extra day may give you a bit more time to relax between the sightseeing.
I would stay 2-3 night in Bangkok, then 2 nights in Phnom Penh, 4nights in Siem Reap and maybe spend 4 days on the beach at Sihanoukville to relax at the end of your holiday.
I would stay 2-3 night in Bangkok, then 2 nights in Phnom Penh, 4nights in Siem Reap and maybe spend 4 days on the beach at Sihanoukville to relax at the end of your holiday.
Siem Reap- 7 days is not too much if you want to use this for rest. Perhaps 4 days needed to see everything. Just make sure you have a pool. The bar street there is good fun- lots of fantastic restaurants and little bars. It did remind me of Goa but not as hectic. It is certainly very hot and sticky. I don't think I've ever drunk so much water in a day as I did there!
However, I think Judith might have a better itinerary. I can't help beyond Siem Reap I'm afraid.
However, I think Judith might have a better itinerary. I can't help beyond Siem Reap I'm afraid.
Hi Claire,
I'm sure that you'll love Cambodia and think that you will find Siem Reap will suit your needs for
As Fiona says, Judith's suggested itinerary is good. I notice that you have not mentioned a beach in your outline of what suits. As an off-the-wall suggestion have you considered:
-- UK to Bangkok (1 night)
-- Siem Reap (3 or 4 nights)
-- Phnom Penh (2 nights)
-- Luang Prabang (Laos - 4 nights)
-- Bangkok (2 or 3 nights) and back to UK?
Much will depend on when you want to go, whether you mind packing/unpacking and working out detailed flights and timings but, given your basic requirements, would seem to me to be a good option.
Enjoy your research, planning and enjoy your trip. From preference we would probably use EVA Air for UK to Thailand and Bangkok Airways for Bangkok to Siem Reap and Luang Prabang to Bangkok. Have no experience of flights Phnom Penh to Luang Prabang.
Good luck
Peter
I'm sure that you'll love Cambodia and think that you will find Siem Reap will suit your needs for
.historical sites, local markets, nice food and quiet bars for people watching.
As Fiona says, Judith's suggested itinerary is good. I notice that you have not mentioned a beach in your outline of what suits. As an off-the-wall suggestion have you considered:
-- UK to Bangkok (1 night)
-- Siem Reap (3 or 4 nights)
-- Phnom Penh (2 nights)
-- Luang Prabang (Laos - 4 nights)
-- Bangkok (2 or 3 nights) and back to UK?
Much will depend on when you want to go, whether you mind packing/unpacking and working out detailed flights and timings but, given your basic requirements, would seem to me to be a good option.
Enjoy your research, planning and enjoy your trip. From preference we would probably use EVA Air for UK to Thailand and Bangkok Airways for Bangkok to Siem Reap and Luang Prabang to Bangkok. Have no experience of flights Phnom Penh to Luang Prabang.
Good luck
Peter
Thanks for your responses everyone - you've definitely given me a lot to think about.
I had originally thought about Sihanoukville but have read some mixed reviews of the area. Is there anything worth seeing that I would miss by staying in Siem Reap or particular places to avoid once there? We do enjoy the beach so I will give this some more thought. Laos hadn't even crossed my mind so that's definitely another place for me to look into. We don't mind travelling about a bit but at the same time don't want to waste too much time in getting from one place to another - especially only having 2 weeks.
Thanks again for you help
I had originally thought about Sihanoukville but have read some mixed reviews of the area. Is there anything worth seeing that I would miss by staying in Siem Reap or particular places to avoid once there? We do enjoy the beach so I will give this some more thought. Laos hadn't even crossed my mind so that's definitely another place for me to look into. We don't mind travelling about a bit but at the same time don't want to waste too much time in getting from one place to another - especially only having 2 weeks.
Thanks again for you help
When are you thinking of going? We went to SR in July and decided that it wasn't the best time of year to do the beach part in Cambodia so we went to Hua Hin. We chose that as it didn't involve another plane!
I would choose Luang Prabang over Sihanoukville, but then I'm not a beach person. I hadn't mentioned LP because it would mean another flight, but it's well worth a visit. Laos is probably my favourite of all the SE Asian countries that I have visited and LP is a lovely little town.
Another idea could be fitting in a short visit to Vietnam. You can catch a boat along the Mekong from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc and possibly Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). (I've done it in the opposite direction).
Lots of different combinations to think about and a lovely part of the world to visit.
Another idea could be fitting in a short visit to Vietnam. You can catch a boat along the Mekong from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc and possibly Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). (I've done it in the opposite direction).
Lots of different combinations to think about and a lovely part of the world to visit.
This information is really helpful so thank you. We'd probably be looking to go in late November next year (I like to plan early for something to look forward to!).
Hi Claire,
Some good suggestions coming in from Judith and good advice from Fiona. Personally, I would not go to the coast (Sihanoukville / Kep) or even Saigon in November - from December, however, perhaps see:
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/VVTS/2012/11/18/MonthlyHistory.html
I would not hesitate to go to Phnom Penh / Siem Reap / Luang Prabang / North Thailand in November. The better weather tends to come down from the North.
Obviously this is a personal opinion and others may have different thoughts, but I hope that it helps.
Peter
Some good suggestions coming in from Judith and good advice from Fiona. Personally, I would not go to the coast (Sihanoukville / Kep) or even Saigon in November - from December, however, perhaps see:
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/VVTS/2012/11/18/MonthlyHistory.html
I would not hesitate to go to Phnom Penh / Siem Reap / Luang Prabang / North Thailand in November. The better weather tends to come down from the North.
Obviously this is a personal opinion and others may have different thoughts, but I hope that it helps.
Peter
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