Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - (Page 21) LEFT: The Hindu temples of Angkor Wat outside of Siem Reap were built nearly 800 years ago RIGHT: The Khmer-designed pool at Le Méridien Angkor at sunset the 15th century. The 200-acre temple complex is a combination of Hindu and Buddhist temples showcasing awesome carved faces and ornate bas-reliefs. Other standouts include the heavily sculpted Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm, which is more intact than most other structures in the complex. A tip for those looking for the best photographic opportunities: As most of the temples face east, the best lighting conditions are in the morning—except for Angkor Wat, where the best light is in the afternoon because it faces west. Tickets are sold in several variations. Travelers can buy a one-day, three-day or seven-day pass, and the days have to be used consecutively. Resources Location: Cambodia’s borders are shared with Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the West and the North, and the Social Republic of Vietnam on the East and the Southeast. Arriving by Air: Cambodia is served by an increasing number of flights from neighboring countries to both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, though the best choice is from Bangkok in Thailand. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is about 15 minutes by car from the city of Siem Reap. Visitors can also arrive in Cambodia via land crossings. There are presently five overland crossings: two from Thailand, two from Vietnam and one from Laos. Design and Convenience The Le Méridien Angkor (www.lemeridien. com) is a synthesis of Khmer architecture and contemporary design and is the closest hotel to the temples of Angkor Wat. This makes it especially convenient for sunrise or sunset tours of Angkor Wat’s ancient monuments. Guest rooms continue the fusion of Khmer and contemporary decor with rich timbers and exotic silks. All rooms have Wi-Fi (at a charge). Deluxe rooms are considered to offer the best value because of the garden views and 124 square feet of space. Deluxe Rooms have DVD players, pillowtop mattress, aromatherapy oil and access to Naga Lounge for complimentary tea and coffee. Families will like one of the hotel’s eight corner suites. These have a generous 250 square feet of space and offer a separate bedroom and living rooms with garden views. One rollaway bed can be accommodated, making these suites ideal for families. The Grande Suite is the most expensive accommodation at the hotel. It has 528 square feet of living space, with one bedroom, a marble bathroom and separate living and dining rooms. Grand Suite guests also enjoy Naga Lounge benefits and privileges. Le Méridien Angkor Spa has six treatment rooms, three designed for couples and one with a Jacuzzi. The spa offers a menu CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required of U.S. visitors. Tourists and business travelers may purchase a Cambodian visa valid for one month at the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Both require a passport-size photograph. A departure tax is charged on all domestic and international flights. Currency: The Riel. At press time the exchange rate was US$1 to 4,118 Riels. U.S. dollars are as commonly used as the Riel and most hotels and many restaurants and shops set their prices in dollars. ATMs are not readily available in Cambodia. Climate: Cambodia’s tropical climate has three distinct seasons: the rainy season (June-October), the cool dry season (November-February) and the hot dry season (March-May). Water: Drink bottled water. Time: Cambodia runs at Greenwich Mean Time plus seven hours. This is the same time zone as Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Tour Operators: A partial list of tour operators with programs to Cambodia includes Abercrombie & Kent (www.abercrombiekent.com; info@ abercrombiekent.com; 800-323-7308); Gate 1 Travel (www.gate1travel. com, info@gate1travel.com, 800-682-3333); Globus (www.globusjourneys. com, 866-755-8581); GTS Globotours (www.globotours.net; 800-9884833); Orient Flexi-Pax Tours (www.orientflexipax.com; info@orientflexipax. com; 800-545-5540); Pacific Delight Tours (www.pacificdelighttours.com; pdt@pacificdelighttours.com; 800-221-7179); Pleasant Holidays (www. pleasantagent.com; sales@pleasant.net; 800-448-3333); Ritz Tours (www. ritztours.com; china@ritztours.com; 800-900-2446); and SITA World Tours (www.sitatours.com; sitatours@sitatours.com; 800-421-56430). September 29, 2008 TravelAgent | 21 http://www.lemeridien.com http://www.lemeridien.com http://www.abercrombiekent.com http://www.gate1travel.com http://www.globusjourneys.com http://www.gate1travel.com http://www.globotours.net http://www.globusjourneys.com http://www.orientflexipax.com http://www.pacificdelighttours.com http://www.pleasantagent.com http://www.pleasantagent.com http://www.ritztours.com http://www.ritztours.com http://www.sitatours.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Executive VP From the Editor Europe Pacific/Asia Hawaii Alaska Las Vegas Mexico Caribbean Cruises Travelmart Latin America Girlfriend Getaways Agent Profile Agenda Tours Luxury Travel Expo Taiwan's New Golden Triangle Despite Weak Economy, Americans Are Still Cruising In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Executive VP (Page 8) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Executive VP (Page 9) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Europe (Page 16) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Europe (Page 17) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Europe (Page 18) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Europe (Page 19) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 20) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 21) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 22) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 23) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 24) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 25) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 26) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 27) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Alaska (Page 28) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Alaska (Page 29) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 30) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 31) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 32) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 33) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 34) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 35) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 36) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 37) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 38) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 39) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 40) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Mexico (Page 41) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 42) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 43) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 44) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 45) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Cruises (Page 46) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Cruises (Page 47) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Cruises (Page 48) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Cruises (Page 49) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 50) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 51) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 52) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 53) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 54) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 55) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 56) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Travelmart Latin America (Page 57) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Girlfriend Getaways (Page 58) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Girlfriend Getaways (Page 59) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Girlfriend Getaways (Page 60) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Girlfriend Getaways (Page 61) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Girlfriend Getaways (Page 62) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Girlfriend Getaways (Page 63) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 64) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 65) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 66) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 67) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Agenda (Page 68) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Agenda (Page 69) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Tours (Page 70) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Tours (Page 71) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Tours (Page 72) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 73) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Taiwan's New Golden Triangle (Page 74) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Despite Weak Economy, Americans Are Still Cruising (Page 75) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Despite Weak Economy, Americans Are Still Cruising (Page 76) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 77) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 78) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 79) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page 80) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - September 29, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover4)
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