Above: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland

Ask Andrew: Cambodia, Iceland & the Scottish Highlands

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

We editors always enjoy hearing from Andrew Harper members. If you have a question or feedback you’d like to share, you can email us at [email protected]. Below are a few interesting queries we’ve received lately.

Your website shows the Rosewood and Raffles as the two hotel choices in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Which is more conveniently located?

Bar, Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Rosewood Phnom Penh and Raffles Hotel Le Royal are just a five-minute walk from each other; either one is a central choice. However, note that only the Raffles, rated at 92, is part of the Harper Collection. The Rosewood is listed as “Unrated.” That designation on our website indicates a hotel that offers benefits to Harper members but is not recommended. In this case, that’s because we haven’t yet reviewed the Rosewood, which is set in a modern glass tower. The Raffles property centers on a low-rise historic building with less-impressive views but with more character. (It also offers member benefits.)

I’m new to Andrew Harper and planning my first-ever international trip this summer. What would you recommend if I have only 10 days in July?

The Ritz-Carlton Evrima in the Mediterranean – Jack Hardy

We’re honored that you’ve chosen Andrew Harper for this momentous occasion! I would begin with a visit to Britain, spending a week exploring charming villages and grand country estates before ending your trip with a few days in London, where you’ll find some of the world’s best museums and restaurants. With no language barrier, you’ll have an easier time immersing yourself in the culture and connecting with locals. For a broader sweep, consider one of the seven-night Mediterranean sailings with Ritz-Carlton or Crystal. You’ll get to visit multiple destinations — places like Barcelona, the Greek Islands, the French Riviera and Sicily — and can decide where you’d like to spend more time on your next trip. Consider it a European sampler platter.

We’d like suggestions for an Iceland driving itinerary, including recommendations along the Golden Circle and in Reykjavík.

Lagoon Suite, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland – Helga Laufey Photos

Our 11-day Iceland itinerary outlines my ideal journey through Reykjavík and the Golden Circle. Begin with a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon near the international airport, which offers unlimited spa access — ideal for easing jet lag. From there, Reykjavík is just 45 minutes away. Explore the shops on Laugavegur Street, join a food tour and experience more of Iceland’s bathing culture at Sky Lagoon. Be sure to try the famous hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur and the lamb rib-eye at Forréttabarinn. The Golden Circle is best explored by car, with most major sights just steps from the parking areas. Along the route, we recommend Hótel Geysir, well located for Thingvellir National Park, the Haukadalur geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Farther south, charming Skálakot Manor Hotel is an excellent base for visiting Seljalandsfoss and the black-sand beaches of Vík. If time allows, consider a three-hour detour east to Diamond Beach and the Glacier Lagoons; Fosshotel and Hotel Jökulsárlón are the best available accommodation options there.

My wife and I are planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands. The North Coast 500 is a priority, and we’d like to visit one or two distilleries.

Belmond’s Royal Scotsman

A journey through the Scottish Highlands is a sublime escape from the modern world. After arriving in Edinburgh, drive 90 minutes to Kinloch House, a family-owned retreat set in a serene woodland park. The property serves as an elegant base from which, within an hour, one can tour Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Elizabeth; visit the fairy-tale Blair Castle; or explore Cairngorms National Park, a hiker’s paradise. After a few nights, continue north to The Torridon, perched above unspoiled Loch Torridon in Wester Ross. Nearby is Glenlivet Distillery, and 20 miles away lies the Applecross Pass (Bealach na Bà), one of the most spectacular drives on the North Coast 500. Alternatively, or in addition, Belmond’s Royal Scotsman offers a two-night “Taste of the Highlands” from Edinburgh, allowing for unhurried appreciation of both the landscapes and the whisky, while leaving the driving to someone else. It’s one of my favorite trains anywhere.


Transform the way you travel. Become an Andrew Harper member today. Join here.


Join Andrew Harper today to continue reading our exclusive content.
Above: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland
Connect with a
Travel Advisor