Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

The Kingdom of Cambodia boasts a fantastic heritage and an unspoilt, wild landscape that is home to numerous Cambodia luxury resort hotels and many warm, friendly people.

 Breakaway's Siem Reap

Siem Reap - Located between rice paddies and flanking the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. The town is actually the result of a conglomeration of several small villages built around several pagodas and subsequently united under the French and Siem Reap's architecture reflects their influence. Despite its rural location, the town has a healthy nightlife and good restaurants are not hard to find. Being a tourist destination for over 100 years, Siem Reap has plentiful accommodation, ranging from simpler guesthouses around the old market to five-star resorts nearer the airport.

Siem Reap

Battambang - The second largest city in Cambodia, Battambang is located in a rich and fertile plain. The Sangker River flows through the town centre, which is filled with interesting, if dilapidated, colonial architecture. A very relaxed place to visit Battambang offers access to numerous pre-Angkorian and Angkorian sites and some of the most interesting are the 7th century Wat Toul Baset, 11th century Wat Ek and 10th century Phnom Banon which sits on the top of a hill and affords great views of the surrounding countryside.

Street Market, BAttembang

Bamboo Train - A popular excursion to see rural Cambodian lifestyles is a ride on the Bamboo Train. The train comprises of a simple bamboo platform on 4 wheels with a small motor, and was created by local villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods. The train travels 8km from one village to the next through beautiful landscape and rice paddies. Known as 'norry' in Khmer, it uses the spur lines, which means when a real train comes puffing, get ready to jump off your ride!

Between Battambang and Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, you'll find this interesting train

Stopping off for a visit to the Artisans d'Angkor silk weaving project in Puok. This is a working silk farm where it is possible to learn about the cultivation of mulberry trees and the production of silk. Artisans d'Angkor was established to revitalise the Cambodian handicraft industry and offers skills training and employment opportunities for young disadvantaged Cambodians.

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