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| Choosing a holiday can be a daunting affair for many people thanks to the variety of destinations on offer, each of which has something unique that draws visitors. The Internet has made this even more challenging by making it possible for people to look at what is available from the comfort of their homes, resulting in some spending hours upon hours looking at online brochures. Cambodia holidays are one area that has benefitted from increased online exposure. |
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| One of the factors taken into consideration when choosing a holiday is the cost of the break, which plays a significant role as many people place great importance on value for money. This is enough to encourage or dissuade people from choosing one destination over another. However, it is complicated by the fact that value for money is relative and largely depends on individual tastes and what people look for in a break. |
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| Take Cambodia holidays, for example. People choosing to visit this country may have a number of reasons for settling on it compared to, say, Greece, as the two destinations have entirely different things to offer visitors. Holidaymakers choosing Cambodia may be heading to the country to explore things such as its capital and largest city Phnom Penh, which is located on the banks of the Mekong River. |
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| An industrial, commercial and historical centre for Cambodia, Phnom Penh has grown over the years to become a cultural and tourist hub thanks to its wide variety of attractions and amenities. The city's beautiful and historical architecture draws thousands of visitors to the country annually who come to explore a past informed by different influences, including the French, who colonised the nation. |
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| Their legacy can be seen in a number of buildings in the capital including the Royal Palace, the glimmering spires of which are something visitors may particularly want to check out while in the capital. Boasting a lot of character and vibrancy brought about by its people and the beautiful setting on the banks of the mighty Mekong, Phnom Penh has many attributes that would make people choose it over destinations such as Paphos. |
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| Once the 'Pearl of Asia', the city has a number of buildings and attractions, the majority of which are family-friendly, that visitors may particularly want to see and have in the background of their holiday photos. Among them is Wat Phnom, a famous Buddhist temple dating back to 1373, which is the tallest religious structure in the city. Shrines and magnificent Buddhist statues can be seen in the temple, which was featured in the Travel Channel documentary '1,000 Places to See Before You Die'. |
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| For many people, such rich history, culture, culinary delights, beautiful colonial architecture, ancient temples and palaces would be enough to make them choose a holiday in Phnom Penh, costs notwithstanding. However, others may take an entirely different view and settle for Paphos, a coastal family destination in the south-west of Cyprus, on the Mediterranean coast. |
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| The destination's subtropical-Mediterranean climate may be more than enough to convince people to steer clear of Cambodia holidays in its favour, despite the fact that good weather can be found in the latter too. For car hire Paphos is well equipped, while other factors including proximity to the UK, choice of amenities and Greek heritage may also play a significant part in influencing people's family holiday decisions. |
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| The mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Paphos is in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage. The area's special cultural and physical significance makes it a popular tourist destination as thousands of people visit each year not only to enjoy sun and sea, but to explore its vast historical attractions. |
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| Paphos' superb ancient attractions include the Acropolis, which features ancient ruins and buildings such as the Odeon, a pure limestone-constructed semi-circular structure used to stage musical and live performances. The love story between Aphrodite and Adonis can be relived with a visit to Adonis Bath, while the Agia Solomoni church, which was originally a Christian catacomb, presents an entirely different religious story. Frescoes and graffiti inscribed by the Crusaders can be seen in this underground attraction. |
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| Superbly preserved mosaic remains dating from the third to the fifth century can also be seen at the Villa of Dionysos, Orpheus and Aion, as well as the Villa of Theseus. Although Paphos is rich with historically significant attractions, those in need of something more modern can head to the Paphos aquarium where they can experience the mysterious underwater world featuring a variety of creatures. |
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| Having said all that, we are back at the beginning; what is the average cost of a holiday in Phnom Penh compared to Paphos? Well, it depends on what you are looking for. |
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