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.

Come face to face with koalas, kangaroos and wombats on tours from this laid-back city. Wander in botanical gardens and enjoy people-watching from a cafe on the Brisbane River.

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.

Yorkeys Knob is a coastal suburb of Cairns, in Cairns Region, Far North Queensland, Australia. It is north of the centre of Cairns, and is the third beach suburb after Machans Beach and Holloways Beach.

Situated on the remote northern shores of Australia’s ‘Top End,’ balmy Darwin has matured from its early days as a true frontier settlement to become a welcoming, lively and multicultural modern city.
Your guide to Darwin.

Darwin is a thriving, multifaceted city and capital of Australia’s Northern Territory – one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions in the country. Built on the Timor Sea, the city is the gateway to some of Northern Australia’s most striking natural scenery, while its proximity to South East Asia has fuelled Darwin’s status as a bridge between the country and neighbouring Indonesia. Colossal mountains, verdant grasslands and sprawling national parks surround Darwin’s bustling urban centre, while characterful taverns, unique cultural attractions and a fabulous assortment of fresh fish restaurants reinforce the city’s welcoming, congenial feel.

The Philippines’ sprawling capital city is a bustling hub of diverse cultures and heritage. Manila’s heady assortment of historical influences combine to give the city its unique identity.
A long and varied history stretches back as far as 5,000 years, with human life occupying the area from around 3000 BC. The city first flourished during the Ming Dynasty due to trade relations with China, before experiencing invasions by Indian, Bruneian and further Chinese empires and then becoming the seat of the colonial government of Spain.

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.

Welcome to Vietnams culinary centre where there is plenty on the menu. The port of Phu My (pronounced “Foo Me”) is the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and the seaside resort of Vung Tau.

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.

Penang is an alluring combination of golden beaches and cultural gems. Along the north coast, Penang’s most famous beach is lined with luxury Asian hotels while Malay kampongs sprinkle across a countryside scented with cloves and nutmeg. Admire the giant reclining Buddha and the 1,000 gilded statues of Kek Lok Si Temple. See the elaborate clan house of the Chinese Khoo Kongsi. Ride a tram to the superb vistas atop Penang Hill. Or set out for the Temple of the Azure Cloud, a.k.a. the “Snake Temple”, where sacred pit vipers, half-drugged by incense, writhe around the columns and statues.

A landscape draped in greenery, stunning beaches, great wildlife refuges and the ruins of an ancient civilisation beckon visitors to Sri Lanka, an island inhabited by man for perhaps half a billion years. The sights of Colombo are many, a combination of British colonial architecture, historical museums, fine restaurants and shopping – especially for sapphires and rubies. Take a tour to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the last stronghold of Sinhalese kings, passing villages, rice paddies and ox carts along the way.

The UAE’s capital is a dynamic and fascinating city to explore. A Miami-like mix of salt-white sand and reflective skyscrapers, Abu Dhabi offers world-class art museums, innovative Middle Eastern cuisine, and countless opportunities to shop.
Your guide to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi City occupies its own island and it’s here that visitors arriving by sea will step ashore. Capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi takes its name from the Arabian Gazelle that once roamed here, long before the discovery of oil kick-started the area’s metamorphosis. Consequently, Abu Dhabi is today a futuristic metropolis populated by glass skyscrapers and fringed by salt-white beaches. From a destination billed previously as ‘one to watch’ Abu Dhabi is now officially ‘one to experience’ with world-class hotels, serious shopping, outstanding attractions, incredible restaurants and some of the world’s finest art museums.

Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts, a distinctive blend of East and West, of old and new. You can venture across vast, dunes, climb rugged mountains, play on sandy beaches, explore dusty villages and shop in an ultra-modern mall – all in the same day. Since earliest times, Dubai has been known as “the city of merchants”, welcoming traders from distant lands with a tradition of courtesy and hospitality that still lives on today.

Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts, a distinctive blend of East and West, of old and new. You can venture across vast, dunes, climb rugged mountains, play on sandy beaches, explore dusty villages and shop in an ultra-modern mall – all in the same day. Since earliest times, Dubai has been known as “the city of merchants”, welcoming traders from distant lands with a tradition of courtesy and hospitality that still lives on today.

In this low-rise gem between the Arabian Gulf and scenic mountains, your first impression will likely be from the Sultanate of Oman’s beautiful main palace, but there is a great deal more to Muscat.
Your guide to Muscat.

Perched on the Gulf of Oman, Muscat has long enjoyed a history as a continental crossroads – its ancient capital enticing visitors from all corners of the world. Where other cities have altered with time, Muscat honours its ancestral roots. Traditional sugar-white houses and yellowed forts stretch from the Arabian Sea to the foothills of Western Hajar. Bulbous domes and minarets erupt from rooftops, and the masts of dhows sway in the city’s harbours. Even Muscat’s newer buildings exude special character. Add in sumptuous food, decadent markets and sweeping gardens, and you’re certain to fall in love with this exuberant city of charm and splendour.

Safaga is our gateway to the magnificent antiquities of Luxor and Karnak, considered by many to be the grandest of all Pharoanic temples. Known as Thebes, Luxor has a rich history going back to 2,000 BC and reached its height of glory during the 18th and 19th dynasties. Marvel at the massive statues and structures. Stroll down the Avenue of the Sphinxes to the grand ceremonial gateway of the Temple of Amun-Ra. Cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings, sacred burial ground of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs; it was here King Tut’s tomb was discovered.

Safaga is our gateway to the magnificent antiquities of Luxor and Karnak, considered by many to be the grandest of all Pharoanic temples. Known as Thebes, Luxor has a rich history going back to 2,000 BC and reached its height of glory during the 18th and 19th dynasties. Marvel at the massive statues and structures. Stroll down the Avenue of the Sphinxes to the grand ceremonial gateway of the Temple of Amun-Ra. Cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings, sacred burial ground of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs; it was here King Tut’s tomb was discovered.

Take in the impressive picture of the grand ships waiting to enter the Suez Canal at the southern entrance on the Red Sea. Suez is a primary hub for those wanting to visit Egypt’s historical wonders.

For more than 250 years, this was the last stronghold of the Knights of Malta. An optional excursion reveals the Grand Master’s Palace, doubtless one of the Mediterranean’s finest treasures.

Step aboard in Southampton & straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle. Just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moment. So, relax and raise a toast as the UK drifts from sight. Before you know it, you’ll be watching your destination come into view. But where will it be ?