Detailed Port Descriptions

Day 1                 Singapore, Singapore Advanced, airy and elevated, Singapore is a spectacular, futuristic vision of utopian city life. A healthy population of almost six million call it home, but this is a city designed with space to breathe, and gorgeous outdoor parks, massive indoor greenhouses and beautiful recreational spaces spread between the City of Gardens' skyscrapers and soaring structures. Once a quiet fishing village, now a glistening island city-state and an international beacon of science, education and technology. Singapore is almost intimidatingly clean - and the hyper-efficient public transport system whips residents and visitors across the city's neighbourhoods in a heartbeat. Glorious fountains and audacious skyscrapers loom up - nodding to traditional feng shui beliefs - and putting on dazzling illuminated displays after dark. The lush green botanical gardens are a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering 52 hectares and decorated with impressive colourful orchids. Or breathe in more of the freshest air by heading up to wander the canopy strung bridges of MacRitchie Reservoir Park. Head for the iconic Marina Bay - a landmark of the city crowned by three interconnected towers, which watch out over island sprinkled waters. Jaunt between Little India and the atmospheric Chinatown in minutes, where beautiful temples - like the Chinese Thian Hock Keng Temple and Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple add rich cultural intrigue. Singapore's cuisine is a mouthwatering fusion of its Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay influences, taking and enhancing the best of each. Enjoy dishes in towering restaurants, or toast the glowing skyline with the city's eponymous gin-soaked cocktail - a Singapore Sling. Day 2                  Malacca, Malaysia With a fascinating multicultural history, Malacca is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with much to explore. It was a trading center with China, India, and Indonesia, and was at one time occupied by Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, and British, resulting in an abundance of historical sites and an interesting local cuisine. 3 Included Shore Excursions to chose from-

• Melaka’s Historic Highlights

 

• Melaka by Trishaw

 

• Discover Melaka’s Culture & Heritage

An Additional 4 Selected Shore Excursions Available (not included in pricing) Day 3                 Day at Sea Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side. Day 4                Phuket, Thailand Thailand’s largest island promises ocean bliss and wide beaches of indulgent opulence, with some of the country’s most attractive, and dreamily dramatic scenery. Head for sumptuous spas and perfect beaches, or explore the streets of busy Phuket Town, which hum with markets, lively celebrations and an endless chorus of whirring scooters. Phang Nga Bay National Park is a nearby treasure - a remarkable landscape of towering limestone karst. The iconic rock formations are breathlessly beautiful, encased by theatrical inlets and incredible greenery-clad rock formations. Heavenly beaches - where the sun dips to paint vibrant pink and red streaks across the skies - offer intense relaxation, and you can indulge in rejuvenating treatments or take it slow to enjoy cocktails and glorious sea views while swinging in a hammock. Wander beaches where the only sounds are the rustle of folding waves, and the gentle crunch of footprints in the sand. Watersport lovers can rip across the waves, or glide through the air while taking part in the various adrenaline-pumping activities on offer. Speedboat tours give you the chance to feel the salty whip of the air in your hair, as you whizz between secluded islands, and visit authentic stilted villages, teetering out over the beautiful waters. Tuck into a delicious fusion of Thai food - think crab curry and tom yum goong’s sweet and sour prawns – to ensure this sensory journey delights your taste buds too. Lavish temples, Chinese shrines and giant Buddha statues add another layer of cultural depth. 6 Included Shore Excursions to chose from -

• • Phuket Island Overview

 

• • Phuket Highlights

 

• • Sea Cave Canoeing Adventure

 

• • Phang Nga Bay by Speedboat

 

• • Saii Laguna Phuket Resort Escape

 

• • Dusit Thani Laguna Resort

  An Additional 4 Selected Shore Excursions Available (not included in pricing) Day 5                 Penang, George Town, Malaysia An incredible, disorientating collage of cultures and heritage, Georgetown is a fascinating layered city of countless influences. Taking its name from King George III, Malaysia’s cultural capital, Georgetown, has long been a trading hub and outward-looking city. Grand colonial architecture mixes with Chinese, Indian and British influences, forming an artsy, exotic melting pot of food, colour and extraordinary heritage. Quirky coffee shops hum, while the fragrances of incense and sounds of gong strikes reverberate from temples. Rickshaws trundle through its streets, as modern street art adds interest to every spare wall. Shophouses, passed down through generations, add more colour to the rich mosaic of life on show here. Bright pagodas, layered with deities rise up, while multi-coloured paintwork shimmers in the sunshine of this UNESCO World Heritage Site city’s historic streets. The fragrant spices of Little India offer a slice of Delhi - although if you’re feeling hungry, Chulia Street’s feast of street food is also a good starting point – try wonton noodles with soft pork. The Blue Mansion – another World Heritage Site – is a sky-coloured insight into the city’s rich history and a star of the silver screen. The other World Heritage Site, the Clan Jetties, form a fascinating wander, as you climb across stilted boardwalk piers of over-water wooden villages. These fascinating floating villages were created by Chinese immigrant communities in the 19th century. Escape the city into the green rainforest of Penang Hill, or to Penang National Park - where trails slice through dense jungle and open up to pearly white beaches. Monkeys roam the trees, and giant lizards crawl, in this small but stunning national park. 7 Included Shore Excursions to chose from -

• • Penang Round Island

 

• • George Town by Trishaw & Tea

 

• • Penang Hill & Temple

 

• • Cooking Demonstration at Tropical Spice Garden

 

• • The Habitat Nature

 

• • UNESCO Héritage Walking Trail

 

• • Historic Landmarks of Penang

  An Additional 6 Selected Shore Excursions Available (not included in pricing)  Day 6                    Port Klang ( Kuala Lumpur) Towered over by the world's most famous architectural siblings - the Petronas Twin Towers - Kuala Lumpur is a staggering melting pot of influences. These twin towers stand 451 metres over the city and bathe in bright lights as night's cloak descends. The glittering skyline mingles with colonial architecture and ornate temples, which decorate lush hillsides around the city. Haggle your way through humming markets, visit cultural treasures and historic sites, and dive headfirst into this city, where tradition collides head-on with modernity. The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, is a multicultural metropolis of lively markets and tongue-tantalising street food. Globe-trot between different streets and influences in minutes, as you discover diverse architectural treasures all over the city. Evenings are spent shopping in air-conditioned malls and bustling streets filled with sprawling outdoor markets. Fill up on fragrant coconut rice of nasi lemak and sink ice-cold beers to soak up the lively atmosphere. Malaysia achieved independence in Merdeka Square in 1957, when the Union Jack was lowered, and Malaysia’s flag was hoisted high into the sky. One of Malaysia’s most visited attractions is Batu Caves, an awe-inspiring, colourful journey into a sacred void in these immense limestone cliffs. Huge statues tower over the brightly-hued steps, as you climb to the unique cave temple, in this most dramatic of locations. The golden onion dome of the National Palace, Istana Negara, is a spectacular sight, where horses clop and white-robed soldiers wait patiently. Look for the Malaysian flag fluttering before it – if it’s present, the King and Queen of Malaysia are in residence. 6 Included Shore Excursions to chose from -

• • Kuala Lumpur City Orientation

 

• • A Day in Kuala Lumpur

 

• • Batu Caves & Kuala Lumpur Sightseeing

 

• • Kuala Lumpur on Your Own Exploration

 

• • Historical Heritage of Kuala Lumpur

 

• • Gallery, Monument & Art Museum

  An Additional 5 Selected Shore Excursions Available (not included in pricing) Day 7                          Day At Sea Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.   Day 8                          Day At Sea Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side. Day 9                          Koh Samui Refreshing coconut juices, blissful beaches and soaring culture – Koh Samui is an island where you can leave it all behind. Thailand’s second-largest island invites you to sink into indulgent wellness spas, and lounge on pristine beaches, Or, head out on enriching explorations among golden pagodas, elephant sanctuaries and rushing waterfalls. With its silky-smooth sands, and irresistible sapphire-coloured seas, Chaweng Beach is one of the island’s most popular, offering shallow turquoise water, perfect for swimming. Head to an opulent resort to soak up this dream setting in style. Lamai is another white sand option, where you can lie back and listen to the sounds of the waves gently folding onto the shore. Or indulge in a Thai massage before settling into waterfront bars and restaurants. Reefs nearby offer exciting snorkelling adventures, spotting colourful fish life swirling below the waves. A ramp of 73 steps leads up to The Big Buddha statue, sitting in a contemplative, peaceful pose. Buddhist worshipers come here to give their offerings of fruit and flowers. Familiarise yourself with the locals’ religion and customs, before catching the dazzling pinks and fuchsias colours of sunset - watching on as the last of the sun’s rays fall over the beautiful sea and beaches. With its many palm trees rustling in the gentle breeze, it’s no surprise that Koh Samui is said to have the best coconuts in Thailand - so this is a perfect place to try the exotic refreshment of sweet coconut water or a cocktail. Seafood is also particularly revered here, try tom yum a spicy soup of shrimps, lemongrass, and a hearty squeeze of lime juice. 3 Included Shore Excursions to chose from -

• • Landscape & Temples of Ko Samui

 

• • Scenic Drive by Jeep

 

• • Resort Beach Getaway

  An Additional 3 Selected Shore Excursions Available (not included in pricing) Day 10 & 11                        Bangkok Bangkok, also known as the City of Angels and Venice of the East thrills with energy. There's such a vast array of sightseeing, shopping, and eating possibilities that you'll have little time to rest. When you do find a moment, pamper yourself with spa treatments, skyline-view bars, luxurious hotels, and excellent restaurants. The city is a mesmerizing blend of old and new, East and West, and dizzying contradictions. Temples and red-light districts, languid canals and permanent gridlock, streetside vendors and chic upscale eateries, all make their home together, all at the same time. Bangkok rarely fails to make an impression, and yes, you might need to go spend a few days on the beach to recover from it all. Although Bangkok is not known for jaw-dropping tourist attractions, it does have an endless supply of worthwhile pilgrimages. The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and the Emerald Buddha are tops on every visitor's itinerary, and lesser-known temples, such as Wat Benjamabophit, the golden stupa of Wat Sakhet, and Wat Suthat, are all worthy of a stop. Besides temples, there are plenty of other interesting niches and touring possibilities to fit just about every interest. Take in a venom extraction and python feeding show at the Queen Saowapha Snake Farm, or go to the nearby Jim Thompson House to learn all about the famed Thai silk industry. If architecture is your forte, there is the Suan Pakkard Palace with its antique teak house collection, and the even more astounding Vimanmek Palace, which contains the world's largest golden teak building. Bangkok's Chinatown merits at least a day on every travel itinerary—be sure to check out the sprawling labyrinthine Flower and Thieves markets. Thai food is unrivaled for spice, taste, and variation. From multicourse meals to small street vendors, the one constant here is fresh and delicious at every level. You can have superlative roast duck or wonton noodles on a street corner for lunch and then be dining on world-class chef creations in the Oriental or Shangri-La hotels for supper. It doesn't have to be all spicy Thai either, as Bangkok is home to excellent French, Italian, and other world cuisines, and you need a few years just to make a dent in all the options that are available. The Old City is a major destination for travelers, as it's home to opulent temples like Wat Po and Wat Phra Kaew. Across the river is Thonburi, a mostly residential neighborhood, where you can find Wat Arun. At the northern tip of the Old City is Banglamphu, one of Bangkok's older residential neighborhoods. It's best known now for Khao San Road, a backpacker hangout, though the neighborhood has much more to offer, especially when it comes to street food. North of Banglamphu is Dusit, the royal district since the days of Rama V. East of the Old City is Chinatown, a labyrinth of streets with restaurants, shops, and warehouses. Farther down the Chao Phraya River is bustling Silom Road, one of the city's major commercial districts. Patpong, the city's most famous of several red-light districts, is also here. Bang Rak is home to some of the city's leading hotels: the Mandarin Oriental, the Peninsula, the Royal Orchid Sheraton, and the Shangri-La. To the north of Rama IV Road is Bangkok's largest green area, Lumphini Park. Continue north and you reach Sukhumvit Road, once a residential area. More recently, Thong Lor, farther east along Sukhumvit, has become the "in" neighborhood for those want to see and be seen. The Nana and Asok areas of Sukhumvit are now home to the even busier red-light entertainment districts (Nana and Soi Cowboy) than Patpong. 4 Included Shore Excursions to chose from -

• • Grand Palace & Scenic Old Bangkok

 

• • Bangkok Temples with Tuk Tuk ride

 

• • River Cruise & Royal Barge Museum

 

• • Bangkok’s Hidden Treasures

  An Additional 3 Selected Shore Excursions Available (not included in pricing)