Hong Kong may boast some 236 islands but most of the five million inhabitants of this former British Crown Colony are concentrated on just one, Hong Kong Island, and one city, Kowloon, on the facing peninsula. It is known as one of the most crowded and vibrant places in the world, making Hong King cruises a must see. Be energised just walking down its teeming streets where you can buy anything from a handmade suit, fancy jewellery and the latest duty-free electronic gizmos to Asian antiques. Also part of our cruises to Hong Kong is a journey between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island with Star Ferry, which gives you the experience of the world’s busiest crossings. For one of the steepest journeys, try the tram which travels to the top of Victoria Peak, 1,300ft above the harbour. And for the ultimate taste sensation on your Hong Kong cruise, head for Aberdeens floating restaurants featuring every kind of Asian cuisine.

Set against a backdrop of lushly-forested mountains, with a beautiful waterfront and wide, golden beaches, the Vietnamese seaside resort of Nha Trang is now well on its way to becoming a sophisticated modern town. You will still find plenty of old fashioned charm, though, in the colourful markets, lively restaurants and broad streets of its bustling downtown area, which lies close to the clear turquoise seas, uncrowded sands and excellent diving and snorkelling facilities of the main City Beach.

The ‘Lion City’, Singapore, offers visitors a colourful colonial history, beautiful gardens, and a dazzling array of shops and markets. You’ll find evidence of the city’s oriental origins in Chinatown, home to a number of splendidly restored ancient temples and in the crowded streets, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. On Orchard Road you’ll find shops brimming with desirables, perfect for picking up the odd souvenir or two!

The ‘Lion City’, Singapore, offers visitors a colourful colonial history, beautiful gardens, and a dazzling array of shops and markets. You’ll find evidence of the city’s oriental origins in Chinatown, home to a number of splendidly restored ancient temples and in the crowded streets, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. On Orchard Road you’ll find shops brimming with desirables, perfect for picking up the odd souvenir or two!

Kuala Lumpur combines cutting edge architecture with the charm of another era. Home to a efficient monorail system and the Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest buildings at the time of their construction, this appears a very modern capital. But there is also another side. Colonial mansions, Moorish architecture and mosques present a more established image of the city. Take a trip to the top of Kuala Lumpur Tower for fantastic views. Explore the manicured spaces of Lake Gardens and take in Chinatown’s street vendors, bright lights and fragrant cuisine.

Known as ‘the Pearl of the Orient’, Penang presents an intriguing blend of beaches, mysterious temples and exotic cuisines. And the capital of Georgetown reflects this multiplicity with ease. You can find a church, a Chinese temple, an Indian temple and a Muslim mosque all within five minutes of each other! Hawkers sell all types of foods round the clock. And festivals abound throughout the year. A colourful city by anyone’s standards!

For international shopping and restaurants, head for the Fort District in the north of the city and then catch some local colour in the Pettah Bazaar District. This is a warren of streets rich in mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples and lined with shops selling everything from exquisitely worked gold jewellery (on Sea Street) to herbs for Ayurvedic treatments and bargain-priced CDs and cassettes (Malwatte Avenue). To the south of the city, you can enjoy lush scenery and watch a cricket match at the lovely seafront park of Galle Face Green, then enjoy a stylish afternoon tea at the historic Galle Face Hotel – after admiring the exquisite hand carved doors at its entrance.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprises the United Arab Emirates. With a mix of traditional architecture and glittering modern buildings, Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts that can best be described as the ‘Middle East meets Hong Kong with a little Las Vegas thrown in for style’. It is also the home of sand, sea and sun. As you sail into the formidable city of Dubai, you can’t help but to gaze up in wonder at the magnificent Burj Al Arab Hotel. Designed to resemble a billowing sail, it stands at a height of 321 metres and dominates the Dubai coastline. Visit Dubai’s waterfront and take a boat trip up Dubai creek, admire the beautiful architecture of the Grand Mosque, boasting the city’s tallest minaret, or barter for souvenirs in the many souks around the city. Don’t miss the Spice Souk and the glittering Gold Souq – crammed full of exquisite jewellery and at prices lower than anywhere else in the world. From designer clothes and custom-made sari’s, to perfumes and spices you can get anything you desire. With guaranteed sunshine the multitude of water sports is spectacular, but you might like to try sand-skiing, 4-wheel drive desert safaris or camel riding. Or for something a little more relaxing enjoy a moonlit Bedouin barbeque, deep in the heart of the desert. The nearby emirate of Sharjah, with its captivating architecture and spectacular souks, was selected by UNESCO as the cultural capital of the Middle East.