Romantic Getaway Tour to Cambodia: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh & Sihanoukville

Banteay Srei is a sensational complex of temples filled with treasures of Angkorian art. The area is known as the “Citadel of Women,” due to the intricate relief carvings that tell scenes of ancient and mythological Hindu stories. The temples were constructed in the 10th century and continue to mystify and captivate people with their beauty. The central tower was devoted to Shiva but the northern towers were devoted to Vishnu. You traverse portions of the jungle before you arrive at the citadel. Suddenly the trees drift apart and you come to a clearing. Small niches are carved into the walls and contain carvings of devatas, deities, and dvarapalas, a gate guardian. A causeway almost 220 feet connects two separate corridors. The more you explore the complex the more detail you find in each edifice. The romance of each detailed image charms and delights you.

The dawn air is cool and still. You cuddle up to one another as you journey to the western entrance gate of the celebrated Angkor Wat. The bridge crosses the 190-foot moat and the gate is more of a looming tower. The moat encompasses a three-mile perimeter around the complex. The dark corridor opens up to a courtyard. The walkway continues to the entrance of one of the largest religious monuments in the world. The 12th-century temple is adorned with five towers that symbolize the home of the Hindu gods, Mount Meru. The central spire is 213 feet tall. The majesty of Angkor Wat is its golden shine in the sunrise. The colors of the first light begin to layer over the sky and you can see the sandstone glisten.

Enter the edifice and find the aroma of sandalwood. Monks maintain shrines around the entire complex, accepting alms and lighting incense. In the central tower, you can find paintings that were once hidden by time. One chamber depicts a scene of a traditional musical ensemble of gongs, xylophones, and wind instruments. Although the temple is famous and popular, as you explore the site you feel like you have a secluded tour.

The morning is filled with the aromas of freshly baked pastries and rich, decadent coffee emanating from a collection of cafes. When you indulge in the scent of the croissants and baguettes beneath the graceful windows and awnings, you are transported to a charming French boulevard. You combine the rich history of the Khmer Empire with the delicate flavors of French Colonialism, embracing the evolution of the country’s unique culture. After breakfast, you wave goodbye to Siem Reap and make your way to the capital city of Phnom Penh. The landscape is plush with towering trees that open up to vast paddy fields. The fertile land creates verdant grasslands. Life slows down for an enjoyable moment.

You pass villages where houses are raised on stilts. Farmers sit on carts pulled by ox and cow. They haul produce and sacks of rice. The villagers wave emphatically; their smiles are large and gregarious. Arrive in Phnom Penh and find a city that maintains its historical grace. The Sisowath Quay is a pleasant brick promenade that runs alongside the river. French architecture looks out over the water, palm trees, and grass. In the evening you can enjoy dinner at the Foreign Correspondents Club. The restaurant looks over the Tonle Sap River and offers a romantic view within the drifting aroma of traditional Cambodian and western cuisine, including an incredible grilled beef rump accompanied by a chili palm sugar dipping sauce.

The streets of Phnom Penh begin to bustle in the morning light. Fishing trolleys and longtail boats weigh anchor and cruise along the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. The current drifts onward towards Vietnam. After breakfast, your guide meets you at your hotel. The city is filled with history, from the French Colonial era to the 14th-century temple of the capital’s namesake, Wat Phnom. You arrive at the Royal Palace and find the complex glistening with gilded frames. The palace was constructed in the 19th century over an old citadel.

The Silver Pagoda has an immaculate white façade and a roof built in the traditional Khmer style, tiered and steeply angled. Inside the pagoda is the treasured Emerald Buddha, cast in the 17th century using baccarat crystal. The gallery captures the luster of mythology and devotion. You can’t help but be mesmerized by the glistening colors, not to mention the near life-sized golden Buddha statue decorated with 9,584 diamonds. The latter statue is dressed in royal regalia. 5,000 silver tiles pave the gallery. The opulence of the entire room shows the passion of the past and the continued persistence of devotion.

The morning is calm around the riverbanks. Locals gather around Sisowath Quay and exercise in collective groups. The music is energetic and jovial. The city and the country continue to feel the effects of the totalitarian government of the 1970s but their attitudes are always jovial and optimistic. They wave their arms in the air as they exercise. The sunlight bounces off of the river. The city comes to life and you awaken with it. After breakfast, you make your way to the tranquil Choeung Ek Memorial to visit the country’s indescribable history.

A Buddhist stupa now stands as a 203 foot memorial to the victims of the Pol Pot regime. The Khmer architecture offers more than just a display of the people’s historic strength but a reminder of it. The fields are serene. The trees rustle in the dwindling breeze. You return to the city for lunch at the Lotus Blanc Restaurant, an organization that helps underprivileged children learn the hospitality trade. In the afternoon you will journey to Sihanoukville and indulge in the quiet, romantic atmosphere of Cambodia’s premier beach destination.

The sun casts a gentle glow over the golden sand. The crystal water brushes against the shore. The scent of the sweet sea drifts in from the water. You can press your toes into the powdery golden beach and feel the warmth wrap around your skin. The day is yours to indulge in the beauty of Sihanoukville, from relaxing alongside the lapping water to venturing out onto the sea on a kayak. When the tide is low on Independence Beach the sandy shore extends over a third of a mile. You can see the towering stories of the elegant Independence Hotel rising above the tree line.

Grass umbrellas offer shade at the far end of the beach and rhesus monkeys often come down to the golden sand and mingle among the people. The water is cool on your skin and rejuvenates you. The coastal breeze swirls the scent of fresh seafood. Local restaurants grill fish and squid caught fresh that morning. The scent rises from the coal barbecue and lingers in the air. The garden adjacent to the beach is lush, the beach is pristine, and the beauty is intoxicating.

The morning feels like a dream in the surrounding elegance of the beach. The day is yours to experience and enjoy the exceptional water and culture around Sihanoukville. Islands spot the horizon. Fishing villages can be found hugging the foothills of forested outcroppings. You could even search the seafloor on a snorkel tour. In the hills outside of the city you will find the Kbal Chhay Waterfall. The Prek Tuk Sap River meanders through the trees. In the wet season, the river has created a collection of falls that cascade to the pools 16 feet below. The rushing water is tranquil. You can picnic on flat, smooth rocks that sit alongside the river and listen to the rushing falls. The trees are verdant and still. The sky is perfectly clear blue. In the luxuries of Cambodia, you have found the romance of the beach and its surrounding natural comforts.

Embrace the morning once more. The sunlight rises over the jungle-studded mountains. The greenery shimmers against the rising blue sky. Savor the flavors of breakfast and the view of the immaculate golden sand. The sea breeze sweeps through the trees. The water is peaceful as it laps against the shore. After breakfast, you will return to Phnom Penh to make your flight home. Cambodia has taken you from witnessing history to making history, all along its hidden treasures and private wonders. You have found romance and memories and can’t wait for more.