Join me on this amazing 14 day journey through Cambodia and Vietnam beginning with 3 nights in Siem Reap, where you will explore the iconic Angkor Wat and vibrant local culture.  Board the award winning luxury River Boat Emerald Harmony for a 7 night cruise along the Mekong River. Visit Phom Penh’s  “the Pearl of Asia” historic landmarks, receive a traditional Budhist blessing, and have an evening Tuk-tuk tour.  Glide through floating villages and lush landscape, shop in local markets, learn about local agriculture and enjoy cultural performances.  The adventure continues in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for 2 nights where you’ll uncover wartime history, bustling markets and vibrant Street Food for an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.

Ask about the special airfare deal available.  You may wish to stop in Singapore  or Bangkok for a couple days on your way over.

Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia.  You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your included 3 night stay.  This evening meet your Cambodian tour director to learn more about the days ahead.  The evening is free to enjoy some local delicacies.

Start your day with a visit to Angkor Thom, one of the most remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period and an architectural wonder.  It was the last capital of the Khmer Empire.  Next visit the sacred temple of To Prohm.  The jungles root systems have reclaimed the spiritual location now with wild vegetation, the backdrop to many Hollywood scenes.  This evening attend Phare, Thje Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story.

Rise early and witness sunrise, over Angkor Wat.  Afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage site to see its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings.  This evening savor an Apsara dance and dinner show.

Venture to the town of Koch Khash Krao and embark on your award winning River Boat, the Emerald Harmony.    En route stop in Kampong Klein and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.  Relish your welcome dinner and your included platinum drink package on board.

Wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.  The city , known as the “Pearl of Asia” was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975.  Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples.  This was the former royal capital of Cambodia until it moved to Phnom Penh in 1866.  Receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks.  Spend the afternoon exploring, or simply relaxing.  After dinner, delight in a Tuk-Tuk tour to see Phnom Penh by night.

This morning, you will learn about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of the country’s history.  A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields of Cheung Ek.  Here you will have the opportunity to walk through the fields and visit the memorial.  Afterwards visit Tull Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21).  This is a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.  Back on board our ship we will take pleasure in a Cambodian Street Fair Lunch.  This afternoon visit the majestic Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens, followed by a shopping trip at the Central Market.  This evening treasure a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization.

Cross the border and set sail to Tan Chau.  Embark on a sampan (flat-bottomed wooden boat) to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local farming community.  Visit the recently renovated Cao Dai temple.  Here you will learn about the mix of ideas that form the basis of this fascinating religion.  Ride in a XeLoi (a bicycle with a large two-wheeled trailer where passengers sit) back to your sampan.  Tonight you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance.

Travel through the villages of Gieng Island to visit families who work in a variety of local industries including boat building and creating incense sticks for the temples.  Visit Vietnams oldest church, before returning to your ship to sail to My An Hung Island.  This small village in rural Vietnam specializes in red-hot chilli peppers .  Take pleasure in some local folk singing as you wander through the coconut farms and meet the locals.

Take a short ride on a sampan to Sa Dec and enjoy a walking tour around town, including the central market to peruse its varied produce.  After lunch on board, arrive in Cai Be to visit a coconut candy workshop and learn how it and other local sweets are made.  Next visit a French colonial heritage villa.

After sailing from My Tho leave the Mekong Delta and enter the Cho Geo Canal.  This  canal is considered one of Vietnams major arterial canal that connects Tien Giang Province in the Mekong with Ho Chi Minh City.  Watch the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway.  Enjoy the vistas from the pool or perhaps take in a massage in the Wellness Area.  Cruise past mangroves, narrow canals, fish farms, and local fishing boats.  Tonight dock in Ho Chi Minh City and take in the evening lights.

Drive to Port CuChi Tunnels, through the rice paddies, villages and scenes typical to southern Vietnam.  Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide.  Check into the Sheraton Saigon Hotel for a 2 night stay.  This evening is yours to explore Ho Chi Minh.

Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building, the Reunification or Indolence Palace, formerly the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace.  Images of the building were seen around the world on April 30, 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese.  Then stroll through Ho Chi Minh’s City’s colonial quarter, seeing everyday life on the way.  Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall and the old Saigon Post Office and listen to stories about the glory days of French Indonchina.  Tonight savor a farewell dinner.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh airport to catch your homebound flight.  I hope you have had an amazing trip.  I  hope to see you on the next Adventures with Denise trip.  Safe Travels Home!