Cambodia
Situated within the tropics with temperatures ranging from about 21Es during the cooler months to 35Es during the warmer ones, the country's climate is perfectly suited to pleasant Cambodia holidays. The rainy season lasts from May to October, where temperatures are lowest, and the dry season lasts from November to April, with April generally being the hottest month of the year.
The best time for a Cambodia holiday is between the months of November and January, where the weather is dry and the temperature and humidity is lower. And with 443 km of coastline on the Gulf of Thailand, you won't be short of swimming spots though the culture and landscape are the main drawcards for visitors.
One of the most interesting aspects of the region's nature is the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. The region was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and is an interesting ecological phenomenon surrounding Tonle Sap, the Great Lake of Cambodia. This beautiful area is well worth visiting when on a Cambodia holiday.
Cambodian Culture
Cambodia has a rich local heritage, and a stay at a luxury Cambodia hotel can allow you to mingle with the locals and get a taste for the culture. 90% of the population follow the Khmer belief system, which is an amalgamation of indigenous beliefs, Buddhism and Hinduism. Much of the artwork you will see whilst on your Cambodia holiday is the Khmer art dating back to the Angkor period. Ranging from silversmithing to wat murals and stone carvings, the artwork produced during this time is beautiful and fascinating.
A stay in a boutique hotel in Cambodia is an even better chance to get to know the people whilst enjoying a relaxing holiday break. It could also be a time to appreciate the local music.
The Cambodian pinpeat ensemble is a court ensemble accompanying both ritual dance and theatrical events. Made of lead and bamboo xylophones, tuned gongs, drums and a sralai (a quadruple reed instrument), this band's percussive sounds will be interesting to listen to whilst on a Cambodia holiday.
While staying in a luxury Cambodia hotel, be sure to sample some of the local cuisine.
Cambodian cuisine is similar to the cuisines of the Thai and Vietnamese. Fish-based sauces are widely used, with rice noodles and coconut milk also being popular ingredients. Pork broth rice noodle soup is a popular dish, and prahok, a Khmer specialty made up of fermented fish paste is also common.
The Ancient Ruins of Angkor
One of the most popular tourist sites to visit when on a Cambodia holiday is Angkor. This ancient region is considered to be the seat of the Khmer empire, and is thought to be the largest known pre-industrial city. The ruins of this ancient city are located in a forest and farmland setting, a popular tourist spot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The area hosts the remains of over 1,000 temples (some of which are no more than a pile of bricks) including the famous Angkor Wat, the world's largest single religious monument. It makes for a fascinating day out when staying at a Cambodia boutique hotel, giving you insight into the ancient cultural history of the region.