KOSAMUI, THAILAND Queen Elizabeth
Beach lovers, look no further! Thailand’s third largest island draws understandable acclaim with its flawless sands and shallow iridescent waters. It’s no great surprise that Ko Samui has garnered the odd resort or two, yet a thriving rustic coconut farming industry pays testament to a lingering sense of untouched paradise.
KOTA KINABALU,MALAYSIA Queen Elizabeth
Go wild for the delights of tropical Borneo from Kota Kinabalu, capital of the Malaysian region of Sabah. Practice your blowpipe skills at the Monosopiad Cultural Village, admire the majestic flora and fauna in the mangrove swamps of Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary or enjoy the picturesque shores of Tanjun Aru beach.
KRALENDIJK, BONAIRE Queen Victoria
Acclaimed by diving enthusiasts for the teeming reefs of its Marine Park, Bonaire is splashed with natural colour inland too. A coral-tinted beach can be found south of Kralendijk, whose sands are pastel pink, while bolder shades adorn thousands of resident flamingos. Expect to find more birdlife in Washington Slagbaai National Park, from the green Caribbean parakeet to the yellow bananaquit.
KUALA LUMPUR (FROM PORT KELANG),MALAYSIA Queen Elizabeth
Welcome to KL, a bubbling melting pot of cultures. Wonder at the soaring Petronas Towers then wander Central Market’s jumble of batik painters, shadow puppeteers and glass blowers. Nearby, the Batu Caves frame their inner secrets with jagged limestone: deft wall paintings, wonderful statues and gleaming Hindu shrines among them.
LAHAINA,MAUI,HAWAII Queen Victoria
Glimpse into the emerald heart of this stunning isle at Iao National Park, whose popular landmark, the Iao Needle towers up 1,200 feet, then bask in the crystalline waters of Big Beach. Staying in Lahaina is an open invitation to browse dozens of art galleries for paintings, ceramics and wood carvings, before settling back with a fruit punch to scan the harbour for humpback whales.
LISBON, PORTUGAL Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
In Belem, seek out the much photographed Monument to the Discoveries, old watchtower and superb Jeronimos Monastery. Ascend to the Bairro Alto by the century-old Elevador do Carmo, where you may hear mournful fadosingers. Or venture into the Moorish Alfama district, winding around the impressive Castelo de São Jorge.
LOS ANGELES,CALIFORNIA Queen Victoria
This is the home of Hollywood, so spend the day star-gazing. Look up at the world’s most celebrated real estate sign, then compare handprints with silver screen icons outside Mann’s Chinese Theatre. Or go behind the scenes on a tour of Universal Studios, glimpsing the sound stages and movie sets that bring legendary films to life.
LUXOR (FROM SAFAGA), EGYPT Queen Elizabeth
Uncover the many riches of ancient Egypt from here on the Red Sea. Follow the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to the Temple of Karnak, marvel at elaborate wall paintings in the Valley of the Kings and behold the magnificent temples lining the Nile at Abu Simbel, with giant pharaohs carved into the rose-coloured stone.
MANZANILLO,MEXICO Queen Victoria
This natural harbour was named for the manzanillo tree, whose tough waterproof wood was once every shipbuilder’s best friend. The former pirate haunt now attracts visitors lured to the Mexican Riviera by different bounties: uncrowded beaches, a beautiful promenade, colonial houses, jungle- textured peaks, nearby waterfalls and a choice of scenic volcanoes to view.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market crams all manner of mouthwatering stalls into an incredible 17 hectares, just as it has for 120 years. Tempting goodies on display range from fresh fish to exotic fruits, from succulent meats to colourful sweets. Just don’t be put off by the quirky fact that the site once housed the city’s first burial ground!
MONTECARLO,MONACO Queen Elizabeth
Famed for royal romances, spinning roulette wheels and Grand Prix, this tiny principality is big on glamour. In the Prince’s Palace, admire its Louis XV Salon, resplendent in yellow and gold, and the courtyard with its sumptuous marble double staircase. Or try your luck at that most illustrious landmark, the Monte Carlo Casino.
MUMBAI, INDIA Queen Elizabeth
From Victorian Gothic buildings to ultra-modern skyscrapers and from street hawkers to Bollywood glitterati, lively Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is a true feast for the senses. See the iconic Gateway to India or the glorious Victoria Terminus, more akin to a palace than a train station. Visit Mani Bhavan, former home of Mahatma Gandhi, or the National Gallery of Modern Art.
MUSCAT,OMAN Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
In this low-rise gem, wedged between Arabian Gulf and scenic mountains, your first impression will be of the trio of forts dominating its entrance. Once ashore witness lavish palaces, Zawawi Mosque, its pink marble crowned by a gilded dome, and Muttrah Souq, a jumble of crafts and clothing perfumed with spices and frankincense.
NAGASAKI, JAPAN Queen Mary 2
On Japan’s south-western tip, recall Nagasaki’s tragic history at the Peace Park. Then explore Chinese influences at the Sofukuji temple or the Confucian Shrine, with its curved roofs and scarlet pillars. Though the land on which it stands actually belongs to China, the latter is the only such shrine built by the Chinese beyond their own borders.
NAPIER,NEW ZEALAND Queen Elizabeth
Discover New Zealand’s ‘Art Deco’ city, destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in the style of the time. Overlooking Hawkes Bay on New Zealand’s North Island, Napier is where you can photograph the famous Pania of the Reef statue, see the huge gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers or visit one of the many local vineyards.
O=Overnight Stay • For Queen Elizabeth itineraries see pages 28-41 • For Queen Mary 2 itineraries see pages 44-45 • For Queen Victoria itineraries see pages 58-65
Akaka Falls, Hawaii
Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt
www.cunard.com 71
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