escape to siem reap’s countryside
Looking for holiday ideas this October 2019? You may be just in time to take advantage of The Aviary Escape Package in Siem Reap. Available till 31 October 2019, it is designed to give guests at The Aviary a chance to explore spots beyond the popular temples of Angkor Wat and the ancient city of Bayon. You can experience Cambodia in a truly authentic way before returning to The Aviary’s luxurious perimeters.
The three-night package takes you on a journey of discovery in Siem Reap’s countryside. Consider the Buffalo Tours, where you can spend time with the rural Knapor community in Chansor Village and witness their way of life.
It also takes you to the banks of Cambodia’s picturesque Tonlé Sap Lake. This Unesco Biosphere Reserve is where you can find the Kompong Phluk and Chong Kneas communities who live on the water. Make sure you have ample memory space for photos.
if you really want to take it nice and slow…
In the age of conscious travel, what is a meaningful way to spend our holidays? Consider sailing. The oldest form of long-distance travel has had a facelift in recent years. There are now tailored itineraries and personalised experiences designed for solo travellers and families alike.
These eco-friendly expeditions take you on immersive adventures through pristine nature that is teeming with wildlife. Think swimming with whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay. You might even discover the rare seahorses in the Flores Sea. And all this while enjoying the finest accommodation and world-class cuisine.
One operator in the Asian region is Aqua Expeditions. It offers luxury cruises to Komodo, Ambon and Spice Islands, and as far out as Raja Ampat on its ultra-modern craft Aqua Blu. However, if you’re keener to explore Peru and the Amazon, then the beautifully appointed Aqua Nera is the way to go.
German adventures on two wheels
Apart from the chance to reduce our carbon footprint, the beauty of touring on a mountain bike is flexibility. You can go where you want, when you want. You can camp wherever you please. And you can dive into a mountain lake if you fancy a swim. In other words, you tour on your own terms.
One of the biggest mountain bike route networks in Germany is in Rhön. This is where some 100 routes are connected, making it simpler to plan tours. The Biohotel Sturm is a good starting point and Daniel Albrecht, the operator, supports his guests with tips and tricks and also offers guided tours.
Less hills and more fresh sea air welcome you at the Timmendorfer Strand at the Baltic Sea. There, the Sand Hotel loans out bikes made from bamboo, in cooperation with the German bicycle company My Boo. Guests can go for a ride along the Baltic coast or take a detour to lake Hemmelsdorf. Beautiful views guaranteed.
how blue is the ocean
It took a while but the InterContinental group now has a property in the Maldives. This is in the heart of the Unesco World Biosphere Reserve no less. The resort offers 81 luxurious villas, residences and facilities. And there are six restaurants, so your palate doesn’t have a chance to feel jaded. But more than that, travellers who care about our planet will appreciate its efforts towards preserving the ocean for future generations and guests.
Apart from various green initiatives to reduce waste, the InterContinental Maldives is also involved in a dedicated manta ray sanctuary project in partnership with the Manta Trust. The aim is to nurture a safe habitat for the manta rays within the resort’s lagoon. As well, it wants to provide guests with invaluable information and the opportunity to swim or snorkel alongside these graceful creatures.
