So much more than just the Angkor Temple complexes. A fascinating country with a recently troubled past that is now embracing the future.

Cambodia cities and streets are a charming mix of its French colonial past. The countryside has beautiful mansions, but sadly many have been abandoned and are now overgrown, untouched from the 1970s and the Pol Pot era. A rich Buddhist past with glittering temples and pagodas brighten up many a village. Throw in the magnificent scenery with the welcoming and proud Cambodian people and you have another South East Asia country that is very affordable and easy to explore.

From Siem Reap, one of the world’s greatest attractions is right on your doorstep, the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Angkor temple complex. Battambang is the relaxing second city, very quiet and low key but home to the bamboo railway, a fun way to spend the morning. Phnom Penh is a vibrant bustling city, yet still retains the combination of traditional Khmer buildings including the Royal Palace alongside French boulevards and modern skyscrapers. It is also home to the grim history from just a couple of generations ago. The Khmer Rouge’s ‘cultural revolution’ is very much in evidence here with the Tuol Sleng S-21 Security Prison, now the Genocide Museum, within the city confines, and the Killing Fields just a short journey away. If possible we would suggest visiting these on separate days, they are both full of horrors that are impossible to comprehend and to do them one after another would be very difficult. On the lighter side a few hours away from the capital is the town of Kampot and the neighbouring beach resort of Kep. These both bring a more gentle carefree way of life and the opportunity to relax and unwind, watch the sun set and admire the natural beauty of Cambodia.