The “Mother City” has welcomed sailors since Portuguese navigators first rounded the Cape of Good Hope in the 15th century. Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in the world – tucked into the arms of a broad bay, beneath Table Mountain – but it is also surrounded by wild beaches, rugged mountains and bucolic vineyards. On a fine day you can ride the cable car to the summit of massive, flat-topped Table Mountain, with majestic Cape Town at your feet and the Cape of Good Hope in the distance. Less than an hour away, you can go wine tasting at Stellenbosch, famous for its Cape Dutch architecture and fine estate wines.

As you sail to Port Elizabeth, or ‘The Bay’, you begin to sense the energy and prosperity of this thriving city. It is one of the largest, sunniest and wonderfully vibrant cities in all South Africa. The city stretches for 10 miles along Algoa Bay and is one of the major seaports in the country. Travelling to South Africa by ship it is quite likely you will cruise to Port Elizabeth to dock. As you sail into the port area there are magnificent views of a small group of islands, home to many rare seabird populations, dotted in the waters.

As you sail to Port Elizabeth, or ‘The Bay’, you begin to sense the energy and prosperity of this thriving city. It is one of the largest, sunniest and wonderfully vibrant cities in all South Africa. The city stretches for 10 miles along Algoa Bay and is one of the major seaports in the country. Travelling to South Africa by ship it is quite likely you will cruise to Port Elizabeth to dock. As you sail into the port area there are magnificent views of a small group of islands, home to many rare seabird populations, dotted in the waters.

The summer resort of Transvaalers is your gateway to some of South Africa’s greatest attractions. Discover the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills, the Kingdom of the Zulu. Or set out along The Garden Route, a region of high mountains, lush forests, sun drenched beaches and quaint little towns, an explorer’s dream and undoubtedly one of South Africa’s premier sights.

East of Madagascar, the warmly inviting Réunion offers a little taste of French culture on a tropical island full of cultural Creole buildings and an expansive range of superb geographical diversity. From beaches to lush forests, Réunion’s rugged roads and plains lead to any number of inspiring scenes. Seek out the ‘Piton de la Fournaise’ or ‘Peak of the Furnace,’ to witness an active volcano.

You’ll find beauty, beaches and la bonne vie in this former French Colony. It’s encircled with picturesque villages, volcanic peaks, aquamarine lagoons and a spectacular coral reef. The capital of Port Louis offers shopping bargains at the old-fashioned central market. Take a Land Rover to see deer, monkeys and rare birds at the 3,000 acre Domaine Les Pailles. Go bird watching at Casela Bird Park. Or set out on a catamaran to admire the sun-drenched beauty of the island, landing on dazzling white beaches and snorkelling amongst shoals brimming with kaleidoscopic fish.

Modern Singapore is a fascinating mélange of cultures. Browse the shop-houses of Little India, perfumed with fragrant spices and flowers. Have tea in Chinatown where medicine shops and calligraphers line the narrow streets. Meander through the world’s largest collection of orchids in the Botanic Garden, and walk through Raffles Landing, the old colonial district with its restored British-style buildings.

Modern Singapore is a fascinating mélange of cultures. Browse the shop-houses of Little India, perfumed with fragrant spices and flowers. Have tea in Chinatown where medicine shops and calligraphers line the narrow streets. Meander through the world’s largest collection of orchids in the Botanic Garden, and walk through Raffles Landing, the old colonial district with its restored British-style buildings.

Contradiction is part of Hong Kong’s attraction. While the city buzzes with modern commerce, soaring skyscrapers and sophistication, it remains a place of ancient beliefs and intriguing local customs.
Your guide to Hong Kong.

Few cities balance old and new like Hong Kong. A city as fiercely modern as it is traditional, life here pulses with vigour and vitality while still honouring ancient customs and beliefs. Market traders hawk steaming dumplings on neon-lit streets. Sacred temples stand in the shadow of skyscrapers and luxury boutiques populate glossy shopping centres. Contradiction is all part of Hong Kong’s appeal, the city’s dynamic personality a complementary blend of Chinese and British influences. Heralded as one of the world’s foremost culinary, cultural and commercial capitals, a port call here provides myriad ways to satisfy your stomach, your senses and your suitcase.

Contradiction is part of Hong Kong’s attraction. While the city buzzes with modern commerce, soaring skyscrapers and sophistication, it remains a place of ancient beliefs and intriguing local customs.
Your guide to Hong Kong.

Few cities balance old and new like Hong Kong. A city as fiercely modern as it is traditional, life here pulses with vigour and vitality while still honouring ancient customs and beliefs. Market traders hawk steaming dumplings on neon-lit streets. Sacred temples stand in the shadow of skyscrapers and luxury boutiques populate glossy shopping centres. Contradiction is all part of Hong Kong’s appeal, the city’s dynamic personality a complementary blend of Chinese and British influences. Heralded as one of the world’s foremost culinary, cultural and commercial capitals, a port call here provides myriad ways to satisfy your stomach, your senses and your suitcase.

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city and seaport, and it’s a laid-back, metropolitan destination. Its pace is slower, and its diversity more pronounced, than the country’s capital city of Seoul.
Busan has an intriguing medley of culture and history, beautiful natural settings and exciting adventures. It’s also near South Korea’s cultural capital, Gyeongju, and the fortress of Jinju.

Japan’s first contact with the West came in the form of Portuguese explorers and Jesuit missionaries. Dutch merchants followed. Apprehensive shoguns closed Japan to foreign trade – except at Nagasaki. Stop by Peace Park for a moment of serenity, or visit the Confucian Shrine to see the influence that the Chinese community has on Nagasaki. And for a truly spectacular view of the city, take the ropeway to the lookout tower atop Mount Isa.

On the southern tip of Kyushu lies Kagoshima, a place of spectacular scenery. Why not enjoy the rugged mountain vistas, the rivers and bubbling hot springs, and the unexpected palm tree lined streets.

The Japanese port city of Yokohama to the south of Tokyo on the main island of Honshu. It is a starting point for excursions to Tokyo, Mount Fuji or the Hakone National Park, but the local attractions are worth a visit as well.In addition to bars and restaurants, the former lighthouse at the port of Yokohama has an observation deck which offers a beautiful view of the city and the surroundings. If weather permits, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance.

The Japanese port city of Yokohama to the south of Tokyo on the main island of Honshu. It is a starting point for excursions to Tokyo, Mount Fuji or the Hakone National Park, but the local attractions are worth a visit as well.In addition to bars and restaurants, the former lighthouse at the port of Yokohama has an observation deck which offers a beautiful view of the city and the surroundings. If weather permits, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance.

Papua New Guinea showcases extraordinary wildernesses, a land of tiny tree kangaroos and giant butterflies. Rabaul, with its dramatic backdrop of volcanoes, certainly epitomises this sense of nature untamed. with red lamps, joss sticks and fresh oranges; markets are heaped high with salted eggs, squid and every kind of medicinal root and herbal remedy imaginable; red-sailed junks and sampans ply the harbour.

Cairns, in northeastern Australia, is surrounded by nature at its most extraordinary. Ancient rainforest is found close by, and offshore lies the incredible expanse of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for almost 1,500 miles off the Queensland Coast. It is an astonishing system that combines thousands of individual reefs, coral cays and tropical islands. Over 600 varieties of hard and soft coral attracts and shelters an extraordinary array of marine life, including starfish and crabs, a dazzling palette of tropical fish, turtles, sharks, dolphins and whales. You can explore part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site during your visit, whether by boat, on a diving or snorkelling trip, or perhaps even on a stunning overview by helicopter or light aircraft.

Discover the history and sightseeing highlights of this charming beachside town. Your coach will take you to the Proserpine Historical Museum, where you’ll delve into the legacy of the region’s sugar and cattle industries, as well as viewing a ‘Digger’ vintage steam locomotive that was used in the sugar fields during WWI. Then you’ll take in the highlights of this developing area, pausing at the Harbour Lookout for stunning panoramic views, and concluding with refreshments at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Mark Twain called it “the wonder of the world”. James Michener wrote, “It is a thing of beauty, a fairy-tale body of water”. With an area that sprawls 670 square miles, Sydney is one of the largest cities in the world. But it’s the exquisite Sydney Harbour that draws world-wide acclaim – that, along with its magnificent Opera House. And with nearly three days, you’ll have plenty of time to go exploring.

Mark Twain called it “the wonder of the world”. James Michener wrote, “It is a thing of beauty, a fairy-tale body of water”. With an area that sprawls 670 square miles, Sydney is one of the largest cities in the world. But it’s the exquisite Sydney Harbour that draws world-wide acclaim – that, along with its magnificent Opera House. And with nearly three days, you’ll have plenty of time to go exploring.