Phnom Penh & The Mekong Delta

The French colonial part of Phnom Penh offers a charming mix of architecture and is a delightful area to explore. Don’t miss the Grand Palace, a majestic building with immaculate gardens, perfect for wandering. The city is known for its excellent shopping and the Russian Market is top of the list. This bustling bazaar is the place to find handicrafts and antiquities as well as some great food stalls to fuel your shopping spree. The food in Phnom Penh is excellent. Enjoy a taste of French-Khmer cuisine on offer everywhere from fine dining restaurants to street stalls. You will not be disappointed.

By far the most sombre side to Phnom Penh is a visit to Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. These sights give a glimpse into the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime during the 1970s. These are not easy tours but done quietly and with respect, they are an important part of the history of this amazing country and an opportunity to pay homage to the many people who suffered under the brutal regime.

The Mekong River spans 4,350 kilometres through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, finishing in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. This river is central to the way of life in so many of these countries and Cambodia is a fine example. The great lake of Tonle Sap supports millions of people who rely on fishing and farming around the lake. Phnom Penh is the start of the Mekong Delta where the main river breaks up into more and more branches as it fans out into Vietnam. This vast delta is home to rice paddies, fish farms, fruit orchards and floating villages all working to farm the waterways and surrounding land.

Without doubt the most luxurious way to experience the Mekong is on a river cruise. We have chosen the best boats which allow for an authentic and intimate experience as you sail along this magnificent river. Cruises vary from three days up to a week and the fabulous scenery combined with daily outings to charming riverside towns allow for a glimpse into daily life in rural Indochina.