HILO, HAWAII Queen Victoria
The Big Island is also known as the Volcano Island, as the 14,000-feet peaks of Mauna Lou and Mauna Kea create a backdrop of uncompromising beauty. Another nickname, the Orchid Isle, hints at the abundant flora within its rich rainforests, while macadamia nut plantations add their mark to the patchwork landscapes. Amidst all this, Hilo greets you with a sedate friendliness and delightful clapboard buildings.
HO CHI MINH CITY (TOURS FROM PHU MY), VIETNAM Queen Mary 2
Still fondly known as Saigon, the city is a thrilling, chaotic whirl played out against a French colonial backdrop, including its own Notre Dame Cathedral. Scooters buzz here, there and everywhere, raucous floating markets hawk fresh produce on the Mekong Delta and the aroma of tantalising Vietnamese dishes swirls on the breeze
HONG KONG, CHINA Queen ElizabethO
, Queen Mary 2O
Souvenir hunting is a sensory delight in this city of timeless traditions and age-old superstition. Pick out silk wares in the old fishing lanes of Stanley Market, scent the fragrant aromas at the Flower Market and hear the sweet song amidst Yuen Po Street Bird Garden. Just make sure you don’t return without feasting on speciality dim sum.
HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria
Expect the ukulele and hula to offer a warm ‘aloha’ to Oahu. For legendary beaches, few rival Waikiki. For breathtaking views, how about Diamond Head Crater? While your yearning for history is served at the Bishop Museum – filled with artefacts like pearls, carved bone and exquisite capes shimmering with feathers – or on a fascinating visit to Pearl Harbor.
KOBE, JAPAN Queen ElizabethM
Kobe is sat across a bay from Osaka and close to Mount Rokko, an ascent of which makes for a superb overview of the city. You could also explore its bustling Chinatown, visit the museum which tells the tragic story of the devastating 1995 earthquake or even learn the secret of sake at one of the Nada district’s distilleries.
KOCHI, JAPAN Queen ElizabethM
Imagine the days of the shoguns as you step into the castle here which dates back some 400 years, one of just twelve in all Japan to have survived from the feudal age. This city in southern Japan also has a pleasant botanical gardens adjacent to the Chikurinji Temple on Mount Godaisan, whose grounds include a photogenic five-storied pagoda.
KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA Queen Mary 2
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.
KUALA LUMPUR (TOURS FROM PORT KELANG), MALAYSIA Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
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 Elizabeth
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.
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA Queen Mary 2
This cluster of 99 islands boasts palm-fringed beaches that are at the envy of all Malaysia beside an abundance of other natural wonders shrouded in folklore. Among these are the Telaga Tujuh, or the Seven Wells, a series of shallow lagoons threaded together by waterfalls where fairies reputedly bathe amidst the verdant lime trees.
LIMON, COSTA RICA Queen Elizabeth
Set foot on ‘the Rich Coast’ to appreciate just how rich it really is. Strolling the city’s palm-lined promenade or verdant Parque Vargas will tell you that much. But no visit would be complete without admiring the vast swathes of dense rainforest, and Braulio Carillo National Park obliges with an aerial tram ride through the lush canopy.
LISBON, PORTUGAL Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Choose from two dazzling ascents in or around this delightful capital. Make the vertical climb in the clunking, early 1900s Elevador de Santa Justa for a sweeping city perspective. Or venture up to the UNESCO town of Sintra, to appreciate grand houses, wooded slopes, twin-spired palace, horse and carriage rides, fabulous views and crystal clear air.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA 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!
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY Queen VictoriaM
Which side of Uruguay will you uncover? The stately palm-fringed boulevards of the capital, basking in a decidedly European air. Or a glimpse of the gaucho spirit on an authentic estancia, as you admire daredevil horsemanship, displays of throwing bolas, three stones linked by a leather strap, and a delicious beef churrascoor barbecue.
MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA Queen VictoriaM
Feast your eyes on this fabulous heart shaped island. Dark green mountain ridges reach up towards cobalt skies in a dramatic zig-zag, and sweep down towards lagoons dappled in turquoise and aquamarine. You can ascend Mount Rotui at the island’s centre, explore by 4x4 or even visit Tiki Village Theatre.
Hong Kong, China 88
Kochi, Japan
Moorea, French Polynesia
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