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• Angkor
Cambodia’s Angkor Wat is regarded as the supreme masterpiece of Khmer architecture and is a huge pyramid temple built between 1113 and 1150. It has also become a must–see tourist destination
Where: The temples at Angkor are spread out over some 40 miles around the town of Siem Reap, about 192 miles from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
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Airport: Siem Reap International Airport has a new international terminal and boasts direct connections with Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.
The temples: Hinduism has been an important influence – Banteai Srei Temple was also significant in the evolution of Khmer architecture as the first temple complex. It is a well-planned and well laid out series of buildings surrounding several central shrines. These buildings are set around courtyards,
and each courtyard is linked by avenues. The less important buildings are located at the outer edges of the complex, with the most important ones and
the shrines in the centre. The whole complex is surrounded by a moat. This area was inhabited by several priests who tended the shrines and performed
the religious rituals of worship. Gradually this form would evolve to the massive complexes of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and the Bayon, in which thousands of priests would live.
When to go: The dry season from December to April is hot and sunshine averages about eight hours a day. The main rainy season from March to November is much more cloudy; humidity is higher, and the weather is then sultry and oppressive.
Where to stay: H?tel de la Paix features 107 spacious rooms including nine Duplex Spa Suites with private terraces and oversized soaking tubs and five Courtyard Garden Suites with large outdoor bathtubs on private garden terraces.
The Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa is the newest jewel in the crown of the Victoria Hotels & Resorts group, which owns and operates six luxury, colonial
style hotels and resorts in some of the most fascinating, off-the-beaten-track locations in Vietnam and Cambodia.
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The elegant resort is in a prime location next to the King’s Residence in Siem Reap, overlooking the Royal Gardens and within walking distance of the
Old Market and river.
The Meridien Angkor is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special offer running through February – complimentary daily breakfast for two people, a
bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate biscotti delivered to your room and a romantic dinner for two at L’Angelo offering a blend of northern Italian cuisine
with an Asian touch. Prices start from US$645 per room per package based on double occupancy for a three night stay.
These are just three of many options facing the intrepid traveller to Angkor Wat.
Currency and prices: The Cambodian unit of currency is the riel (KHR) and at the time of writing US$1 = KHR 4,043. Inflation was running at 123.75 percent in September 2006 – the latest figure available. High–end restaurants and bars charge internationally competitive prices in US dollars but bargains are available for those using local currency at less opulent establishments.
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