The program starts in Bangkok where guests will visit revered sights such as the Grand Palace, Wat Po and Jim Thompson Museum with rides on tuk-tuks and taxi boats. Flying to Luang Prabang on the third day, the program tours the ancient city’s iconic temples, Mekong River and evening market with opportunities to learn about Lao culture through alms giving, a textile workshop and cooking course. The program continues to Vientiane where guests will visit famed temples as well as participate in a traditional baci ceremony. Crossing borders into Cambodia, they will spend another two days sightseeing in Phnom Penh before heading to Siem Reap to discover its Angkor monuments. The program ends with a flight back to Bangkok.

To view program details of Colorful Capitals, click here.

New Deluxe Cruise Option for Tonle Sap and Mekong River
The Jayavarman is the latest boat addition on the popular route between Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Saigon. It is a 60-m deluxe riverboat with 27 cabins and suites as well as 800m² of public space across its 4 decks. Operated by Heritage Line Cruise Company, the Jayavarman has various river itineraries ranging from one to seven nights. The company does not operate the Phnom Penh – Siem Reap route during the low water season from April to June.

The two new wooden riverboats, Satra and Dara, are available for day trips and charters from Phnom Penh. The Satra can host 10 passengers on day trips and 2 guests on overnight trips, whereas the larger Dara is suitable for 20 passengers on day trips and 7 overnight guests. Both boats are equipped with elegant cabins with ensuite bathrooms and spacious living space.

Day trips will take guests to unexplored places along the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers such as Koh Chen, an island where silverware is produced, the beaches of Preak Bang Kang and several floating villages. These boats can be chartered for trips anywhere along the rivers, making them a private and tranquil way to explore Cambodia’s rivers.

Contact cambodia@exotissimo.com for more information.

Our latest programs in Phnom Penh, the half-day bike trips are a great way to explore the city outskirts. Led by experienced adventure guides, guests will cycle on small roads with little traffic and visit local villages, temples and other interesting sites. Public boats and ferries are used for cross-river transportation.

These day trips make a great way to explore the Cambodian countryside in a low impact way. Click here to view the program details.

On 28 July 2009, Cambodia launched a new national carrier, Cambodia Angkor Air (CAA) as a joint venture with Vietnam Airlines. Flying on ATR-72-500 aircrafts, CAA services domestic routes between Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville as well as regional routes from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. The Ho Chi Minh City flights are well connected to many Vietnamese destinations with the extensive Vietnam Airlines network.

Attractive CAA promotional fares are now valid until 31 August 2009. The long-awaited Siem Reap-Sihanoukville route is scheduled to be opened in October. Contact cambodia@exotissimo.com for more information.

Opened in January, Ella Wine & Jazz Bar makes for a cozy evening with jazz music and a menu featuring snacks and a superb selection of wines, both of the classic and new world varieties. With the recent opening of Nest Angkor, Siem Reap now boasts a chic rooftop bar that is similar in style to the acclaimed Bangkok Nest. The innovative open-air architecture is furnished with white canvas sails and comfortable daybeds.

At Phnom Penh’s Meta House, Exotissimo Cambodia offers a range of talks by emerging and established artists who will give insights into their work and on contemporary Cambodian culture. Meta House also provides private movie screenings with on-site catering as well as walking tours through Phnom Penh’s developing arts scene, including visits to ateliers and interesting galleries. To find out more, contact cambodia@exotissimo.com.

The Chinese House: Overlooking the Tonle Sap River, this beautifully restored 100-year house features a cozy lounge bar and art gallery, making it a great place to enjoy drinks and snacks in style while admiring contemporary art pieces.

Gasolina: Close to the Boeng Keng Kong Market, this Spanish-style restaurant and bar serves tapas, cocktails, Chilean wines, Belgian beer in a lush garden setting. Salsa dance and martial arts lessons are regular activities and live music is performed on Friday nights.

Memphis Club: The popular Memphis Club delivers live music ranging from classic rock to country to blues every evening from Monday to Saturday.

Riverhouse Lounge: Popular among the local, expatriate, and tourist crowds, this elegant club boasts of a team of local and foreign DJs, a large selection of drinks, and panoramic views of the Tonle Sap River from its balcony.

Pontoon: Situated upon a floating dock, Pontoon is a popular for its house and electronic music, a well-stocked bar and is deemed as the place ‘to see and to be seen’.

La Mansion: The latest addition to Phnom Penh’s party scene, La Mansion is housed in a crumbling 2-storey Rococo building that makes a charming setting for dance parties and attracts a cool mix of local expatriates and tourists on weekends.