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April 5, 2024

Scenic Cruises, known for luxury travel experiences, has also been operating in the river cruise segment for years, offering explorations in the heart of cities aboard innovative, luxurious, and technological ships.

Another source of pride for Scenic Cruises is the excursions led by expert local guides with the ability to immerse guests in the visited locations and the various destinations offered to cater to everyone’s tastes. For those who wish to embark on a journey full of exotic wonders, Scenic offers itineraries in Southeast Asia among vibrant cities including Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as historically rich cities like Phnom Penh.

Sailing aboard the Scenic Spirit along the Mekong River, it will be possible to discover ancient kingdoms, stories, and traditions from enchanting temples in Cambodia to the cultural melting pot in Vietnam, and then relax in the land of mountains and natural beauties in Laos. Moreover, guests can also experience unique activities that will enrich and complete the journey in Southeast Asia.

With the exclusive Scenic Enrich experience, guests can customize their journey with experiences that match their interests by participating in Vietnam, such as a Water Puppet show in Hanoi, discovering the secrets behind the show with a special backstage pass; joining a Royal Dinner in Hue held in a traditional private house with garden accompanied by music from the Royal Court of Hue; or thoroughly exploring Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a special two-night stay aboard the elegant Au Co cruise, including a sunset wine tasting against the backdrop of karst islands.

In Cambodia, guests can attend a gala dinner at the Angkor Temple, which will be held at Prasat Kravan, a 10th-century Angkor temple in Siem Reap, where they can enjoy a three-course meal based on traditional Khmer cuisine accompanied by Apsara dancers’ performance. They can also receive a blessing from a monk in a Buddhist pagoda in Cambodia, attend a Phare show, the Cambodian circus, or visit and taste at the Phnom Penh distillery while exploring the illuminated city on a remork (tuk-tuk), passing through iconic places like Wat Phnom and the Royal Palace. Lastly, they can support an NGO with a sunrise experience to see the sun rise over the magnificent Angkor Wat and then head to an exclusive location for a champagne breakfast with pastries prepared by students from a local bakery school supported by an NGO.

In Laos, guests can participate in the Baci Ceremony in Luang Prabang, an experience that will immerse them in Laotian spirituality during a traditional Baci ceremony, one of the most important customs of this culture performed on special occasions to maintain balance and promote harmony of the soul. Alternatively, they can visit the Pak Ou Caves, nestled inside a mystical limestone cliff, which host 4,000 Buddha statues carved in wood, ceramic, and bronze.

In addition to these fantastic experiences along the Mekong, highlights of the journey will include visits to ancient temples and pagodas located near the Mekong River, as it has long been the main transportation and trade route, and through their rich history, they will take all guests back in time and Authentic gastronomic experiences, from a Vespa food tour in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with Vietnamese street food dishes made from fresh ingredients to a cooking class in Phnom Penh, will also be offered.

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