About Cambodia
Despite a ravaged past the Kingdom of Cambodia remains one of Asia’s most enthralling destinations. A country deeply enriched in its history and culture, it never fails to impress even the most seasoned traveller. From the deserted beaches on the Gulf of Thailand, to the exotic senses generated during a visit to Phnom Penh, from the deep jungles and minorities of the northwest, to the final mystique and grandeur of the Angkorean period in all its glory, Cambodia is a land of warm, enigmatic people maintaining the richness of their culture for the world to see.
With two Raffles International properties the Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap and Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh, the Amansara, Sofitel Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort, Le Meridien Angkor, Hotel de la Paix, the Orient Express hotel La Residence d’Angkor and Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa hotels in Siem Reap it is possible to see the great sights of Cambodia in unabated luxury and in the style and elegance of an era long past.
Nobody leaves Cambodia disappointed. The exotic land of the Angkor Kings lies waiting to be explored.
Traveling in Cambodia
Traveling in Cambodia is easy and there are many different ways to go from A to B. Both, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are famous for their oversupply on Remok’s and motorbikes. When leaving the hotel or restaurant most of the time there a driver will already be waiting for you. In the smaller cities where not so many tourists can be found Remok’s are rather rare.
Still, supposedly any other Cambodian owns a motorbike so there will always be the possibility to go around the cities.
A visit to Cambodia wouldn’t be complete if you hadn’t done an overland through the country and to do this there are a lot of possibilities. Today there are operated flights from Phnom to Siem Reap almost every 4 hours and for those who like an airfare can also charter a helicopter from either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap to Sihanoukville or any other destination in Cambodia. Frankly the more interesting way of traveling throughout the country is overland by car or bus.
For tourists who would like to try the public local transport – which is an opportunity to get to know the country from a different perspective – it is always being advised to book two seats in a bus or even a taxi in order to get the least bit of comfort as the front seat in a taxi for example would have to be shared if not booked exclusively.
For those who are really looking for an adventure a train ride through the country it is. The railway network has been installed by the French almost 100 years ago and hasn’t probably been renovated yet. A ride therefore is really bumpy and trains often have a lot of delay facing problems like cows, people, or smaller bamboo trains on the road.
Destinations in Cambodia
From the white sanded beaches of Sihanoukville in the south, to the jungle villages of Rattanakiri in the east and from the largest fresh water lake South East Asia’s – the Tonle Sap Lake – to the impressing world wonders of Siem Reap – Angkor Wat, the colorful country of Cambodia with its friendly and welcoming charm offers its visitors a variety of things to see, venues to be visited and experiences to be made.
Surely the best known and most visited destination in Cambodia is the world-renowned Angkor. These stunning temples are witnesses of the amazing history of the Khmer and are attracting more and more visitors from all over the world each year. But Angkor is just one piece of the Cambodia experience as this beautiful country will offer so much more to its guests.
The breath taking white sanded beaches of Sihanoukville with the beautiful islands along the coastline are the perfect setting for a wonderful beach holiday in one of the new high class hotels.
A totally different world is waiting in the much less touristy influenced province of Rattanakiri. With its undiscovered jungles, the diversity of species and people who are still living in the bosom of nature, this part of the country tells a story of a Cambodia 100 years ago as time seems to stand still.
The perfect stopover for city tourism is Phnom Penh. This city was once the most beautiful and modern as well as charming city in Southeast Asia and has kept most of it until today. The beautiful French colonial buildings which have been renovated in the last years, the Mekong River flowing through the city and surely the kings palace make Phnom Penh a must seen city.
Without a doubt Cambodia offers everything for everyone just come and discover yourself. But what is it that makes Cambodia so unique and outstanding? Find out right now, click through the destinations and pick out your personal favorites.
Corporate Travel in Cambodia
When planning meetings and incentives one should automatically think of Cambodia as a land of golden opportunities where nothing seems impossible. With high class luxury hotels, good meeting facilities, an improved and convincing infrastructure and a rich historical background, Cambodia surely shows its high MICE potential.
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions in Siem Reap.
The major attraction and an interesting and stunning experience are the Temples of Angkor in Siem Reap. Siem Reap, the capital of tourism in Cambodia features the best hotels of the country, combining a mixture of old Khmer charm and new tourist thinking. It is not only the gateway to the amazing adventure of Angkor but also the perfect location for your MICE activities as it is able and has the facilities to host events for groups of nearly all sizes.
Regardless of being a combination with Thailand, Vietnam, Laos or a luxurious and beautiful event on its own, Cambodia offers the breathtaking sights and the perfect and classy service of a country which is hungry and thankful for every guest visiting it. With its high standards Siem Reap nowadays is able to compete with any other destination in the world offering comparatively small prices for excellent value.
Incentive and Team-building options
Visiting the temples of Angkor is an experience of a lifetime, climbing up the tomb of one of the kings of the Khmer empire – Angkor Wat – and exploring one of the greatest high cultures that have ever existed. Enjoying a helicopter flight over the impressive temples or an elephant ride through one of the formerly biggest cities in the world – Angkor Thom. A quad safari through the paddy fields and the countryside, a cruise on the freshwater lake Tonle Sap or a sunset at the temples, everything is possible.
Special Events
Just imagine a candlelit dinner within the temples of Angkor – torches lighting the way through the dark, ancient warriors guarding your way, drummers and dancer’s performing cultural dances, elephants standing on the pathway, monks chanting and in front of you an illuminated and amazingly beautiful temple. Truly a temple dinner is the one and only experience you can enjoy in Cambodia.
Cambodia is the land of golden opportunities because where else in the world is it possible to have a meeting in the morning, a cruise on the largest freshwater floodplain in the afternoon and an unforgettable dinner within a temple in the evening.
Regardless if you are searching for high class accommodation, perfect meeting facilities, beautiful excursions, team building activities, fantastic dinner venues or just time for recreation our destination Management team will design and deliver an event exceeding all your expectations offering the best service and hospitality.
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Holidays and Festivals
Mid April: Bonn Chaul Chhnam (Khmer New Year)
The New year’s festival spans three days following the end of the harvest season. Khmers clean and decorate their houses with altars for offerings. Then they play traditional games such as Angkunh, Chaol Chhoung, Leak Kansaeng and tug of war.
13–15 May: HM the King’s birthday.
The newly appointed King His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodaom Sihamoni celbrates his birthday with a three day public holiday
May: Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal.
The Royal Plowing Ceremony is the inauguration of the planting season. The plowing ceremony is performed by a man. King of Meakh, who leads the yoke and plough, followed by a woman, Queen Me Hour, who sows seeds. After thrice circling the rice field, the procession stops at a chapel where Brahmins invoke the protection of the Gods. The sacred cows are unharnessed and guided to seven silver trays containing rice, corn and other foods. Based on their choice, predictions are made for the coming year.
End of September/early October: Bonn Dacca Ben & Bonn Pchoum Ben.
The Spirits Commemoration Festival is held for the spirits of the dead. Bonn Dak Ben – the offering of food to the monks – lasts for 15 days. The 15 day of the ceremony – the full moon – is called Bonn Phchoum Ben, the collection of the bens (offerings). During this celebration, if departed souls do not find their family making offering at a Wat, it is believed that the soul is cursed and will bother the descendent throughout the year.
October: Bonn Kathen
The 29-day religious festival is marked by town and country folks marching in procession to the Wat where the Monks are waiting to change their old saffron robes for new ones offered during the festival. The ceremony brings spiritual merit to both lay people and the monks.
31 October–1 November: HM the retired King’s birthday.
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Norodom Sihanouk Varman, the retired King of Cambodia, was born on 31 October 1922 in Phnom Penh. Every year his birthday is celebrated in regal fashion and the entire nation joins in to honour their King.
9 November: Independence day.
Independence day, the date Cambodia achieved independence from France in 1953, is marked by a parade with floats and spectacles highlighting the nation’s achievements.
Early November: Bonn Om Touk
The Water Festival, which ushers in the fishing season and marks the reversing of the current in the Tonle Sap river, is a spectacle to behold. At the height of the rainy season, the water in the Mekong river flows with such power that it backs up into the Tonle Sap river, forcing the Tonle Sap to reverse its current and begin flowing northward to the Great Lake. As the water level begins to subside, the current reserves again. The festival draws tens of thousand of people to the river banks to watch longboat races, fireworks and a lighted flotilla of boats under the full moon.
