An Insider’s Look: Cambodia and Thailand

Start with Bangkok

A scintillating brew of sights and sounds, Bangkok is a captivating mix of past and present. Underscored by a powerful Buddhist legacy, this vibrant metropolis has the best of both worlds.

- Meander through Wat Phra Kaew, the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha,” the most sacred shrine in Thailand followed by = - Wat Po’s magnificent reclining Buddha 50 feet high and 150 feet long.
- Roam the majestic halls of The Grand Palace made glorious by pillars and walls encrusted with gleaming colorful mosaics.
- Spend a morning wowed by the bustle of the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Cruise the Chao Phraya River and its many channels in a long-tail speed boat and see why Bangkok is called the “Venice of the East”.
- Pamper yourself at the Mandarin Oriental Spa Bangkok after an unforgettable day of exploration.

Hotels we love: The Peninsula Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental, and Shangri-La Bangkok.

North to Chiang Mai

An hour's flight north from the capital is the 700-year-old city of Chang Mai nestled in a mountain range amidst vestiges of 13th-century ruins and ornate Buddhist temples. Like Bangkok, the past and present here merge seamlessly. Considerably more laid back than the capital, it’s a perfect spot to unwind.

- Wander the ancient Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in the city, as well as Wat Chedi Luang where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined.
- Pass the Tha Pae Gate, a part of the original wall which encircled Chiang Mai centuries ago, now the waymark to the hottest restaurants, hotels, and cafes.
- After dinner at 137 Pillar House, join the throngs of globetrotters and locals alike at the legendary Night Bazaar.

Hotels we love: 137 Pillar House, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, and Shangri-La Chiang Mai.

South to Phnom Penh

At the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers, there’s much to discover in Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh.

- Spend the morning at the Royal Palace, home to the bejeweled Silver Pagoda so named for the floor’s five thousand tiles crafted from the precious metal. The diamond-encrusted Buddha inside will make your jaw drop.
- Remember the thousands of Cambodians killed by the Khmer Rouge during a private tour of the Choeung Ek Killing Fields.
- Set sail on the Mekong aboard Aqua Expeditions’ three-day ultra-luxe river cruise to Siem Reap.

Hotels we love: Rosewood Phnom Penh.

North to Siem Reap

No trip to Southeast Asia is complete without a stay in Siem Reap to explore the temples of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument on the planet.

- Start the day with the sunrise over Angkor Wat Temple, a spectacular scene worth the early-morning effort.
- Venture to the floating villages of Kampong Phluk where the residents of the Tonle Sap floodplains live in homes built on stilts.
- Build a well to help local communities have access to clean water.
- Bask in a sunset view of the paddy fields at the end of an exhilarating Quad ride around town.
- Bring your sightseeing to a close on a private gondola as the sun sets behind the ruins.

Hotels we love: Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor, Amansara, and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.

- The Tully Team