ACAPULCO,MEXICO Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria
Acapulco. Its very name conjures up sun-kissed glamour. And when you see its irresistible curves, where a crescent of white sand curls round its azure bay, it’s impossible not to feel a tingle of excitement. And you may want to hold your breath during the quintessential experience here: watching daring locals dive from the cliff tops into the ocean swell 40 metres below.
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA Queen Mary 2
Connoisseurs of New World wines are in luck. Around a third of Australia’s supply is produced an hour or less from church-sprinkled Adelaide, a legacy of German settlers in the early 1800s. Perhaps its best known is the gorgeous Penfolds Magill Estate, a wonderful spot for a first-class tasting in the rolling South Australian countryside.
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT Queen Elizabeth
Ponder an age-old enigma as Giza’s mighty pyramids continue to puzzle and mystify today. Mostly, they inspire a profound awe to all who stand before them, just like the riches they once contained. Many of these now reside at Cairo’s superb Archaeological Museum, notably Tutankhamen’s mask of gleaming gold inset with deep blue lapis lazuli.
AQABA (FOR PETRA), JORDAN Queen Elizabeth
Make the breathtaking entrance to Petra as you pass through the narrow gorge opening into the rose red city ‘lost’ until 1812. Photograph its picturesque Monastery and iconic Treasury, their columns etched into the solid cliff. Or cross undulating desert by four-wheel drive to set eyes on Wadi Rum, dotted with striking rock formations.
ATHENS (FROM PIRAEUS),GREECE Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
It’s impossible not be drawn to that undisputed icon, the Parthenon, maintaining its 2,500-year vigil from the Acropolis. The Temple of Zeus and Theatre of Dionysus are other ancient must-sees, while the colourful Plaka district – an enticing jumble of café-lined alleys, flower-decked balconies and brightly painted shutters – and the chic Kolonaki area are also well worth exploring.
AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND Queen Elizabeth
Here in the City of Sails, boats are a passion and a way of life – indeed there are more per person here than anywhere else on the globe. You can even glide along a serene underground river in the famous Waitomo Caves, emerging in a magical grotto whose roof is pin-picked with the green and blue hues of thousands of tiny glow-worms.
BALI, INDONESIA Queen Mary 2
Be captivated by curved steps of rice paddies climbing misty volcanic slopes and golden ribbons arcing along the shore. Just as vibrant are the resplendent costumes and gilded headwear of local traditional dancers. The island’s many temples include Tanah Lot, set on a rocky outcrop encircled by sea, and the tranquil Ubud Water Temple.
BANGKOK (FROM LAEMCHABANG), THAILAND Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
The vibrant heart of an ancient kingdom, Bangkok is at times spiritual and serene, at others fast and furious. Undoubted jewel in its crown is the Grand Palace, whose spires and finials seem to shimmer gold. Marvel too at the postcard favourite Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) intricately decorated in Khmer mosaics.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Nestling on the banks of the gently curving Brisbane River, this sleek, cosmopolitan city retains a distinctly down-to-earth feel. Explore the vibrant South Bank, discover the collection of Aboriginal, European and Asian artwork at Queensland Art Gallery or sample the cuisine at one of the award-winning local restaurants.
CABO SAN LUCAS,MEXICO Queen Elizabeth
Stunning scenery beckons you to the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where La Playa del Amor delights with its golden sands and a striking rock, El Arco, juts out from clear ocean. Shoppers can pick up Mexican silver and ceramics or return home with souvenirs from the Glass Factory, where you can witness traditional glass blowers in action.
CAIRNS (FROM YORKEYS KNOB), AUSTRALIA Queen Mary 2
Laid-back Cairns is your gateway to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, a spectacular location for snorkelling and diving among kaleidoscopic marine life and coral. Follow Foreshore Promenade around the lagoon filled with pleasure craft or take a scenic railway ride to the tranquil mountain village of Kuranda.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Queen Mary 2O
For a first glimpse over this wonderful city, savour an awe-inspiring cable car ride up Table Mountain. Perhaps make the poignant tour of Robben Island or take a cultural trip to Stellenbosch and its surrounding wine lands. Then again, a leisurely browse of the modern Waterfront and a number of clamorous city markets is just as rewarding.
CHANMAY, VIETNAM Queen Elizabeth
Pass coastal sand dunes, verdant green hills and paddy fields en route to the historic Vietnamese cities of Hue or Da Nang. Explore the sprawling complex of temples and pavilions in Hue’s Imperial Citadel, glimpse ancient tombs and pagodas that line the shimmering Perfume River or explore the sacred caves found within the Marble Mountains.
CHARLESTON, SOUTHCAROLINA Queen Victoria
Chance upon antebellum houses, especially those at Rainbow Row, every inch as colourful as their name suggests. Drive out to grand plantation houses or trot by horse and carriage around centuries-old squares. Fort Sumter is a must for history buffs, as it was here that the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST THOMAS Queen Victoria
An island of towering cliffs and mangrove swamps, not to mention one of the most perfect of all Caribbean beaches at heart-shaped Magens Bay. In Charlotte Amalie, named after a Danish princess, discover red brick Fort Christian and Blackbeard Castle – claimed by some to be the pirate’s former lookout. Most, however, simply seek out their own bounty in copious duty free stores.
O=Overnight Stay • For Queen Elizabeth itineraries see pages 28-41 • For Queen Mary 2 itineraries see pages 44-55 • For Queen Victoria itineraries see pages 58-65
Adelaide, Australia
El Arco,Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Gate of Phung Tien Temple, Hue Citadel, Vietnam
www.cunard.com 69
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