Cambodia: A Honeymoon Journey

Arrive into Siem Reap, where an English-speaking guide will be waiting to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel, around an hour away. Settle in and rest before the journey begins tomorrow. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Spend the morning at Angkor Wat, marvelling at the scale of the temple built by King Suryavarman II in the early twelfth century. Afterward, head back into town for a visit to Satcha, a peaceful garden workshop where local artisans carve stone and wood, weave baskets and paint, with your guide explaining how the enterprise supports Cambodian craftspeople. Enjoy lunch at Mahob, a celebrated restaurant taking traditional Khmer cuisine to a new level. In the afternoon, head to Tonle Sap Lake, where a private wooden boat carries you along a canal lined with houses that sit either at the water's edge or high on stilts, depending on the lake's seasonal rise and fall. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Set off this morning by remork into the Angkor Archaeological Park to Ta Prohm, where the jungle has crept back in and reclaimed much of the temple since the fall of the Angkorian Empire. Continue to Bayon, at the centre of Angkor Thom, built by the last great king, Jayavarman VII, then take in the Terrace of the Elephants and the old Royal Palace enclosure. Lunch is at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the APOPO visitor centre to learn about the organisation's work clearing landmines from the Cambodian countryside using specially trained rats, a fascinating look at a creative solution to a devastating legacy. As the sun begins to set, board a gondola paddle boat for a relaxing cruise on the moat of Angkor Thom, watching the sunset over Prasat Chrung temple with drinks and canapes included. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Head out early into the countryside, passing local villages and farms on the way to Kbal Spean, one of Cambodia's earliest Hindu sites. A three-kilometre trek through the jungle, uphill and over uneven ground, leads to the carvings of the 'River of a Thousand Lingas.' Continue to the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, Cambodia's first nature conservation project. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Banteay Srei, known as the 'Citadel of the Women' and considered Cambodia's best-preserved temple. Continue to the Landmine Museum, founded by Aki Ra, who is reputed to have served as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime, before returning to Siem Reap. End the day with a private dinner at Embassy, one of Siem Reap's most celebrated fine-dining restaurants, led by two chefs trained under Michelin-starred kitchens. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Sihanoukville, then on to the pier for a speedboat crossing, around 45 to 60 minutes, to an idyllic offshore island, Koh Rong or Koh Russey. The rest of the day is free to settle in. Overnight on the island.

A full day free to enjoy the island at your own pace: swim, relax on the beach, or simply do nothing at all. Overnight on the island.

Another day free to enjoy the island. Overnight on the island.

After breakfast, take the speedboat back to the mainland, then a four-hour drive on to Kep. Once a glamorous 1960s beach resort, Kep is enjoying a quiet revival, prized for its serene setting and its legendary crab market. The afternoon is free to explore the town or enjoy the hotel's facilities. Overnight in Kep.

Spend the morning at a working Kampot pepper farm, learning about the different varieties grown and processed on site, with tastings along the way. Stay on to cook a few traditional Khmer dishes using the farm's own spices, then sit down to enjoy what you've made. Return to Kep for a free afternoon, then close the day with a sunset cruise aboard a converted fishing boat, tracing the coastline for a different perspective on this quiet seaside town. Overnight in Kep.

Transfer this morning to Phnom Penh, checking into your hotel around midday. Spend the afternoon at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21, a sobering look at Cambodia's recent history at a site once used by the Khmer Rouge as its main detention and torture centre. If time allows, stop at the Russian Market, a bustling bazaar that earned its name from the expat community that once shopped there. In the evening, set off by remork on a street food walking tour, beginning near the Royal Palace with sun-dried buffalo jerky, then continuing past Wat Botom to sample stir-fried corn, a stroll through Independence Park, and a stop at a street-side barbecue restaurant before finishing at a bar known for creative cocktails and live Cambodian music. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Tour Phnom Penh's most remarkable sights by cyclo, beginning at the Royal Palace, home to the Silver Pagoda and its more than 5,000 silver floor tiles, then continuing to the National Museum, home to the world's foremost collection of Khmer artistic and archaeological artefacts, and Wat Phnom, the birthplace of the city. This evening, board a boat on the riverside for a sunset cruise along the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, watching the city's skyline catch the last light of day. Return to shore for dinner at Sombok, a restaurant celebrating Khmer cuisine and the creativity of Khmer women. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Enjoy some time at leisure this morning before transferring to the airport for your onward flight, bringing your journey through Cambodia to a close.