A Cambodian Honeymoon

Arrive in Siem Reap and meet your local guide before transferring to your hotel. The rest of the day is kept light, giving you time to settle in together after the journey. Siem Reap has a calm, almost village-like feel in the evenings despite its global reputation as the gateway to Angkor. Small lantern-lit streets, relaxed cafés and riverside spots set an easy pace for your first night.

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Start with Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and still an active site for local worship. Continue to Ta Prohm, known for the way the jungle has overtaken the stone structures, then Bayon with its carved stone faces. In the afternoon, visit Satcha to see local crafts being made, followed by a simple Khmer lunch. End the day on Tonlé Sap Lake, where life on the water changes with the seasons and villages are built around the lake’s movement. A full day, but paced with space between stops. (B,L)

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Explore Angkor Thom by tuk-tuk, including Ta Prohm, Bayon and the surrounding royal structures. These sites show the scale of the former Khmer capital without needing to rush through them. Visit APOPO, a working organisation focused on landmine detection and clearance, offering a clear view of Cambodia’s recent history. In the late afternoon, take a boat ride along the moat of Angkor Thom at sunset. It’s a quieter way to see the temples from the water and wind down after a full day. (B,L)

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Leave the city and head into the countryside to Kbal Spean, a forest walk that leads to carvings etched directly into the riverbed. It’s a quieter site that shows how spirituality in Cambodia often sits within nature rather than separate from it. Continue to Banteay Srei, a smaller temple known for its detailed sandstone carvings and unusually well-preserved structure, often considered one of the most refined examples of Khmer art. Visit the Landmine Museum for a clear, unfiltered look at Cambodia’s more recent history and the ongoing work around clearance and education.

In the evening, dine at Embassy Restaurant in Siem Reap. This is one of the country’s most recognised modern Khmer restaurants and has been included in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants “50 Best Discovery” list for its interpretation of Cambodian cuisine. It is a set-menu experience led by local chefs focusing on traditional flavours presented in a more contemporary way, served in an intimate setting that works well for a quieter evening together rather than a formal fine dining atmosphere. (B,L,D)

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Fly to Sihanoukville and continue by speedboat to your island stay. The change in setting is immediate, from inland temples to open sea. The islands are simple and low key, with beaches that are easy to access and not heavily developed. The rest of the day is free to relax after travelling. This is the start of a slower section of the trip, with no set activities planned. (B)

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Full day at leisure on the island. There are no scheduled tours or excursions, so the day is entirely flexible. The focus here is on downtime rather than activity, giving you a break in the middle of the trip. (B)

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Another free day on the island. The pace remains slow, with time to do as much or as little as you want. Most couples use this time to switch off completely, with no need to travel or plan. (B)

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Take a boat back to the mainland and continue by road to Kep. This is a small coastal town known for seafood, especially crab, and a quieter atmosphere compared to other beach areas. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the immediate surroundings at your own pace. (B)

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Visit La Plantation pepper farm to learn about Kampot pepper, one of Cambodia’s most famous exports and the only pepper in the world with a protected geographical indication status, often compared to fine wine for its quality and variation. See how it’s grown, harvested and processed, with a guided tasting that shows the difference between fresh, dried and aged pepper.

Continue with a Khmer cooking class where you prepare simple local dishes using fresh ingredients. In the afternoon, return to Kep for free time. End the day with a shared sunset boat trip along the coast, a quiet way to see the shoreline and nearby islands as the light fades. (B,L)

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Leave the coast and drive towards Phnom Penh, moving from quiet seaside life back into the energy of the capital. On arrival, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school turned prison during the Khmer Rouge era. It is a difficult visit, but an important one for understanding Cambodia’s recent history and how far the country has come since. If time allows, stop at the Russian Market, a busy local trading space where everyday life in the city plays out through food stalls, textiles and small workshops.

In the evening, join a guided street food walk through Phnom Penh. Start around local neighbourhoods near the river, moving between street stalls and small eateries where dishes are cooked fresh to order. It is informal, local and a very different side of the country compared to Siem Reap and the islands. (B,D)

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Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo, a slow way to move through the city that gives you time to take in the streets rather than rush past them. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, still used for official ceremonies and home to some of the country’s most important cultural artefacts. Continue to the National Museum, which gives context to everything you’ve seen in Angkor, and Wat Phnom, the hilltop temple that marks the origin point of the city.

In the evening, head to the river for a sunset cruise along the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. Watching the city light up from the water gives a final, simple overview of Phnom Penh’s mix of old and new. Dinner is by the river, keeping things easy and unstructured to end the trip. (B,D)

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Free time depending on your flight. Transfer to the airport for departure. (B)