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| The Far East | FEATURE |
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Hong Kong
Qantas, Air New Zealand, British
Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Indirect flights are offered by
carriers including Air France (via
This former British colony Paris); Emirates (via Dubai); Finnair
makes an ideal stopping off (via Helsinki); KLM (via
point from where to explore Amsterdam); Lufthansa (via
other parts of China. As a Frankfurt); Malaysia Airlines (via
cruise embarkation and Kuala Lumpur); Singapore Airlines
disembarkation point, it (via Singapore) and Thai Airways
lends itself to pre and post (via Bangkok).
stays. Travellers can choose Direct flights take around 11hrs 40
to go further afield to see minutes.
the beauty of Guilin, From the US:Direct services are
experience the frenetic offered by Continental, United,
appeal or Shanghai or visit Cathay Pacific and Singapore
Beijing or Xian. Airlines. Flight time is around 16
Alternatively they can stay hours. Airlines offering indirect
close to Hong Kong for its services include Northwest
shopping, oriental cuisine Airlines, Air Canada, KLM and Air
Airlines offering indirect flights and nightlife, or visit France. They are also offered by
include Continental Airlines, neighbouring Macau and British Airways, Qantas, Air
Northwest and United. the cities of Shenzhen and New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic
They are also offered by British Guangzhou. via Heathrow.
Airways, Qantas and Virgin
Atlantic via Heathrow. Ports of Call Where to Stay
Hong Kong– Ocean Terminal is Travellers can take their pick from
Where to Stay the name of the cruise pier on more than 50,000 rooms in every-
There’s no shortage of hotels in Kowloon Island where ships from thing from simple guest-houses to
Singapore. The obvious high- cruise lines such as Cunard, Hong Kong’s compact size means plush five-star hotels. Hong Kong
profile choice is Raffles, but Princess Cruises, Star Cruises, it is easy to get around and take in boasts some of the world’s best
international chains are well Costa Cruises and Oceania Cruises the main sights. Visitors can go to properties, such as The Peninsula,
represented here with the Pan dock. Located in the city’s famous the top of Victoria Peak, giving known as Grand Dame of the East,
Pacific, Fairmont, Swissotel, Victoria Harbour, it is Hong Kong’s wonderful views over the city and the Kowloon Shangri-La, and the
Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-la, only cruise terminal, and is ideally the harbour to the mountains Langham. International chains
Regent and Holiday Inn properties. placed for the shops, restaurants beyond; take a Star Ferry across which have a presence here
For those on a budget, there are and attractions that make this Victoria Harbour; and admire the include InterContinental,
budget hotels and bed and metropolis one of the most world’s tallest outdoor seated Sheraton, Hyatt Regency, Holiday
breakfasts. Alternatively, there happening places on the planet. bronze Buddha on nearby Inn, Renaissance, Ramada, Grand
is the luxury Eastern & Oriental Close to where the ships dock is Lantau Island. Hyatt, Novotel and Mandarin
Express train which offers a five-storey terminal building Here, tourists can also visit the Oriental. But there are also
two-night trips from housing three floors of boutiques Po Lin Monastery, the village of cheaper alternatives and budget
Singapore to Bangkok. and eating spots, while next Ngong Ping, the stilt houses of Tai hotels or youth hostels for those
door is where the famous Star O Village and the thrills and spills wanting to keep costs down.
Ferry pulls in. of Hong Kong Disneyland.
Essential Info Excursions:Shopping, shopping Or they can take the fast ferry to
Visas:Generally not required by and more shopping! This is one of Macau, the former Portuguese Essential Info
tourists for stays of less than 30 days. Hong Kong’s top attractions and colony further along the coast and Visas:Visitors from most countries
Health:No compulsory vaccinations the shops start just outside the visit other nearby islands such as can stay in Hong Kong for up to 180
are required, though travellers arriving terminal along with lively markets Lamma Island or Cheung Chau. days without needing a visa.
from a country where Yellow Fever is selling anything from made-to- There are also overland trips into Health:No compulsory vaccinations
present will required a valid yellow measure suits, precious jade, and southern China or longer tours, are required.
fever vaccination certificate. Chinese handicrafts. Nathan Road lasting a few days to Beijing and Exchange Rate:
Exchange Rate: is where browsers can find the Great Wall. £1 = $12.5 Hong Kong dollars.
£1 = $2.35 Singapore dollars upmarket boutiques, while Temple Useful Websites:
Useful websites: Street market is the place for Getting There www.discover-cruises.co.uk
www.discover-cruises.co.uk night-time shopping. A short taxi From the UK:Hong Kong is a key www.cruisecritic.co.uk
www.cruisecritic.co.uk ride away is the village of Stanley Asian hub, served by a good www.oceanterminal.com.hk
www.visitsingapore.com on the south side of Hong Kong choice of flights. www.discoverhongkong.com
www.mpa.gov.sg Island which is famous for its Direct services are offered by www.hkha.org
bustling market. carriers such as Cathay Pacific,
| ITINERARY PLANNING | SHORE PROGRAMMES | PASSENGER HANDLING | SUMMER 2009 |
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