Southeast Asia Adventure: City, Culture, Coast

Once a colonial port, Singapore is now home to skyscrapers, futuristic architecture and decadent hotels an ever-popular stopover destination en route to other exotic climes, this constantly changing city is a must-visit destination in its own right.

During your first day in the city, cycle your way around a tropical island paradise, escape to Singapore’s soothing Botanic Gardens, savour hawker fare and bask in the non-stop city life. Wander through Singapore’s Chinatown, a spirited enclave along Keong Saik Road and home to a handful of stylish bars and restaurants, as well as quirky traditional shops.

Other recommended activities here include: catching a cable car to Sentosa Island, Orchid Road, Marina Bay and a thrilling night safari. Whatever your personal interests, we can curate the perfect two-day Singapore itinerary for you.

Leave Singapore behind you today as you fly to Cambodia and the cultural capital of Siem Reap.

Today you’ll travel by road to the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom.

Alongside a private guide, explore this important temple with its many captivating giant stone faces. Your guide will point out the most interesting of the detailed bas-reliefs illustrating everyday life in the Angkorian era.

Enjoy sunset drinks with a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the ancient Khmer water systems, relaxing with G & T in hand and accompanied by the sound of bird song.

Begin your two-wheeled adventure at Srah Srang and then Ta Prohm today as you take your time to walk through the temple from the West entrance to the East entrance where you will pick up your bikes again and continue your ride through the forest to the rarely visited temple of Ta Nei.

There is a reasonable chance of having this beautiful Angkor temple to yourself. Pause for a light breakfast around this peaceful area before exploring further.

End the morning at Angkor Wat by the quieter and less frequented Eastern Causeway. The temple is busy at any time of day, but late morning is the quietest time for us to explore and admire this architectural wonder and the world-class bas-reliefs.

Explore the well-preserved central complex and detailed bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythologies and battles of the ancient empire. The beauty in balance and composition, combined with its sheer vast scale ensure Angkor Wat’s place as the crowning achievement in Khmer art and architecture.

In the evening, you’ll witness the spectacle of The Cambodian Circus as tightrope walkers, contortionists and acrobats take to the stage blending visual arts, traditional music, modern dance and classic circus skills.

Leave Siem Reap on a 45-minute drive through beautiful rural Cambodia along traditional dirt roads to the Port of Mechrey, a small rarely-visited fishing village on the edge of the great lake.

Here you’ll board a specially-designed shallow-drafted boat originally used by park rangers to catch poachers to reach the shallowest water areas.

Through near-empty waterways with remnants of floating villages and flooded forests all around, zip across the water to the authentic village of Prek Toal, a permanent floating settlement complete with church, schools and village stores. A hive of activity, Preak Toal is the Tone Sap’s largest floating village and the jump-off point for the best birdlife spotting in the region (season dependent).

From here you’ll circle out to the edge of the vast lake (which looks more like a sea) before stopping for a picnic lunch.

Wake early this morning to witness the breathtaking view of the tropical sun emerging from behind the iconic lotus towers of Angkor Wat.

Fly from Siem Reap to the city of Phnom Penh, where you’ll immediately be immersed in the culinary scene.

Street food is a particularly effective way to peel through the layers of a city like Phnom Penh and experience the tastes, sights, aromas, and sounds of one of Asia’s most beautiful and mysterious cities onboard a traditional tuk-tuk.

Begin your day by weaving through Phnom Penh’s colourful city streets with a local architect student who will reveal some of the hidden gems of this multifaceted capital.

Take in highlights that showcase the city’s fusion of past and present and its juxtaposition of old and new. Most of these buildings reflect three basic groups, the Chinese shop-house style, the late 19th and early 20th century French colonial buildings – with an eclectic mix of influences and the “New Khmer Architecture” of the late 1950s – 1960s, built in the post-independent Golden era.

This afternoon, you’ll visit the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: a former high school that the Khmer Rouge converted into an interrogation centre and prison in 1975 during the genocide.

You’ll hear how Pol Pot’s brutal attempt to create a society without class resulted in nearly 2 million people dying from execution, starvation, or disease.

It’s a short flight to reach your next destination, taking just 55 minutes to reach Ho Chi Minh City from Phnom Penh.

It’s Vietnam which will be your home for the remaining days of your holiday a land of extraordinary natural beauty tracing a curve down the eastern edge of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a wonderful fusion of influences from around the world, with French, Chinese and various other nations all having left a noticeable impression.

Upon arrival at the airport, our representative will greet you in arrivals – before whisking you off to your luxury hotel where you’ll spend the afternoon at leisure.

Your first activity of the day will be to explore the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels – a labyrinth of narrow passages used as hideouts during the war.

Located approximately 40km northwest of Saigon, you will explore sections of the extensive network that served as an underground city in the not-too-distant past.

For this evening’s entertainment, you will collected from your hotel to begin your Vespa night trip through the city.

Take in the scene of complex traffic while riding through different districts of old Saigon. Stop by some street food restaurants to try Vietnamese seafood and crepes, as well as discover the diversity between the local Cafés with Vietnamese music.

You’ll drive to Cai Be and take a boat cruise to the Cai Be River today, where you will have a chance to observe the lively activities of local merchants trading their produce from laden vessels.

Visit a village where you will see some family-run businesses that produce rice cakes and rice paper. After eating lunch at a local house, you will proceed to Binh Hoa Phuoc islet for a sampan ride before disembarking at Vinh Long for your drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Today’s flight takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, and upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted by our representative who will whisk you off to your luxury hotel.

With the afternoon ahead of you, you’ll begin a Hanoi city tour with a private guide.

Kick off with a one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi’s quaint Old Quarter which allows you to catch a glimpse of historic Hanoi and see plenty of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Then explore the first university of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature, which is imbued with the profound philosophies of Confucianism.

With a total of just 20 cabins consisting of private balconies overlooking the bays, an outdoor jacuzzi that embraces the magnificent natural scenery and a restaurant with a variety of Asian-European flavours, Orchid Trendy promises an unforgettable sail through two of Vietnam’s most iconic bays. Sit back and relax for the next 48 hours as you go off-grid in style.

Once back on dry land, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Hanoi where you’ll spend the following day at leisure before catching a flight to Phu Bai for the final week of your luxury Vietnam holiday.

Arrive in Qui Nhon after a short flight and head to your 5* beachfront villa via private transfer, where you’ll spend the next two days at leisure.

After checking out on day 16, you’ll head to the local train station where an exquisite train carriage awaits you. Onboard, dine on a three-course meal and champagne, as you chug along the countryside tracks to reach your final point of call on this Southeast Asia family adventure.

Your final few days will be spent at no less than two ultra 5* resorts on the white sands of Hoi An – including an incredible Four Seasons property.

Dine on exceptional food, stay in suites overlooking the ocean, and enjoy some spa R&R before your onward journey home after three weeks of city, culture and coast.