Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australias largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby.

Once considered the “country cousin” among Australian cities, Brisbane is today the nations third-largest metropolis – and one of the most desirable places to live in the country. Lying on the banks of the meandering Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th-century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also your gateway to uniquely Australian adventures, be it the theme parks of the Gold Coast or Queenslands dazzling beaches. The beaches south of Brisbane form Queenslands Gold Coast. Travel tip: Brisbane is pronounced “Bris-bin.”

Tanjung Benoa is a peninsula that is a subdistrict of Kuta South District of Badung Regency on Bali. It is famous for its beaches. Tanjung Benoa is also a location of various water sports like banana boat, scuba diving, parasailing, rolling donuts, seawalker, flying fish, snorkeling.

The commercial center of Southeast Asia, this island city-state of four million people is a metropolis of modern high-rises, Chinese shop-houses with red-tiled roofs, Victorian architecture, Buddhist temples and Arab bazaars. It is a melting pot of people and cultures — Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil are official languages; Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are the major faiths. Ever fascinating, Singapore boasts diverse cultures, luxurious hotels, and some of the finest duty-free shopping in the world.

Sri Lanka conjures up the exotic and the mysterious. Once known as Ceylon, the island boasts a fantastic landscape that ranges from primeval rain forest to the bustling modern streets of Colombo, the capital. A visitor to Sri Lanka has a wealth of options. Relax on some of the worlds finest beaches. Explore the temples, halls and palaces of the last Sinhalese kingdom at Kandy. Or take a guided tour of an elephant orphanage. Colombo also offers an array of charms, from the Royal Botanic Gardens, once a royal pleasure garden, to the Pettah Bazaar, where vendors hawk everything under the sun. Colombo and Sri Lanka were shaped by Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and European influences. Colombo also serves as a gateway for Overland Adventures to India.

The port of Aqaba has been an important strategic and commercial center for over three millennia. Originally called Elath, the home of the Edomites became in Roman times a trading center where goods from as far away as China found entry to Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Today Aqaba is Jordans only seaport, and the city serves as an intriguing gateway for travelers. In the surrounding desert lies the lost city of Petra – a city that may date to 6,000 B.C. – and Wadi Rum, where an English soldier mystic named T.E. Lawrence found his destiny as “Lawrence of Arabia.” Perched at the apex of the Gulf of Aqaba, Aqaba offers internationally renowned diving opportunities and the richest marine life in the entire Red Sea. The old fortress on the waterfront dates to the 14th-century. Passengers should drink only bottled water while ashore. Please respect local customs and dress accordingly, avoiding exposed shoulders and knees.

Transiting through the Suez Canal is sure to be one of the lifelong memories of your cruise. The thought of a canal linking the Mediterranean and Red Sea extends back in history as far as 2100 B.C. Napoleon Bonaparte, pursuing his dreams of conquest, entertained the notion in 1798. But it was French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps who finally proved that a canal across the Suez was practicable. Work on the canal began in 1858. Eleven years later the opening of the Suez Canal was an international event. The world had acquired a quicker route to Asia-as well as a Verdi opera called Aida. Of course the Suez Canal was a source of immediate controversy. The British wrested control of the canal from Egypt in 1882. Egypt regained control during its revolution of 1952. In 1956, the British, allied with the French and Israelis, nearly took the canal back. The Arab-Israeli Six Day War of 1967 closed the canal until 1973, when another war and intense international negotiations led to its return to Egyptian control.

Transiting through the Suez Canal is sure to be one of the lifelong memories of your cruise. The thought of a canal linking the Mediterranean and Red Sea extends back in history as far as 2100 B.C. Napoleon Bonaparte, pursuing his dreams of conquest, entertained the notion in 1798. But it was French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps who finally proved that a canal across the Suez was practicable. Work on the canal began in 1858. Eleven years later the opening of the Suez Canal was an international event. The world had acquired a quicker route to Asia-as well as a Verdi opera called Aida. Of course the Suez Canal was a source of immediate controversy. The British wrested control of the canal from Egypt in 1882. Egypt regained control during its revolution of 1952. In 1956, the British, allied with the French and Israelis, nearly took the canal back. The Arab-Israeli Six Day War of 1967 closed the canal until 1973, when another war and intense international negotiations led to its return to Egyptian control.

Alexander the Great traveled to Egypt after conquering Greece and selected a small fishing village in the Mediterranean for his new capital, Alexandria. Its now Egypts second largest city, and a juxtaposition of modern influences and ancient culture.

This small island in the Dodecanese enjoys a singular honor. In 1981 the Greek Parliament passed a special resolution designating Patmos a “Sacred Island.” For rocky and barren Patmos claims one of the holiest spots in Christendom: the Grotto of the Revelation. Exiled from Ephesus in 95 A.D., St. John retired to Patmos spending 18 months in a cave. There he received the visions that resulted in Revelation, the last Book of the New Testament. Travelers can still view the saints Grotto and climb the path to the 11th-century monastery of St. John the Theologian. Patmos occupies a place in classical mythology as well. Orestes fled to Patmos to escape the Furies after avenging the murder of his father Agamemnon.

A sleepy fishing village until only recently, Kusadasi has emerged as one of the most alluring spots for travelers along the Ionian Coast. Tourists from all over the world come to Kusadasi to visit Ephesus, one of the most fascinating archeological sites available to the modern-day traveler.

The past maintains a vibrant presence in the cradle of Western civilization. Atop the Acropolis, the serene Parthenon sails above the commotion of the modern city. The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were performed in the Theater of Dionysus at the foot of the Acropolis. On Pnyx Hill, citizens of a fledgling democracy gathered to cast their votes on Athens destiny. Then there is the hustle and bustle of the modern city, a metropolis of 4.5 million that spreads out from the foot of Mt. Lycabettus and across the plain. Packed with busy shops and lively tavernas, modern Athens is a colorful counterpoint to classical Greece. Piraeus is the port city for Athens and has been Athens port of entry for over two millennia.

Malta is the largest in a group of seven islands that occupy a strategic position between Europe and Africa. The islands history is long and turbulent. Everyone from the Normans to the Nazis have vied for control of this small, honey-colored rock. For centuries the island was the possession of the knightly Order of St. John – the Knights Hospitaller. Valletta, Maltas current capital, was planned by the Orders Grandmaster Jean de la Valette to secure the islands eastern coast from Turk incursions. Founded in 1566, Vallettas bustling streets are lined with superb Baroque buildings and churches. Malta has a long history: the megalithic stone temples at Gozo may be the oldest freestanding structures on Earth. Malta has two official languages, Maltese (constitutionally the national language) and English. Malta was admitted to the European Union in 2004 and in 2008 became part of the eurozone.

Palermo is a cultural feast, a fascinating combination of East and West, Arab and Norman that is quite unlike any other European city on the Mediterranean. A simple stroll can serve to illustrate Palermos rich heritage. The Quattro Canti is the great square at the heart of the city. A short walk past its 17th-century palazzos and fountains brings the traveler to the Palazzo dei Normanni. Begun by Arab emirs in the 9th century, the Palazzo was finished by the islands Norman conquerors. The Palazzos stone arches and buttresses stand in stark contrast to its Palatine Chapel. There elaborate tile work and mosaics lend mute testimonies to the Islamic and Byzantine influences that a lso shaped Palermos culture. The city abounds in such colorful sights, from the neo-classical Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe, to the catacombs beneath the Capuchin convent, where thousands of mummified bodies lie in eternal rest.

Set against a picturesque natural bay, this walled city is one of Spains best-kept secrets, boasting a proud naval history that dates back for centuries. Visits its bars and shops, and or course, its fascinating ruins that encompass the rule of Carthaginians, Romans, Moors among others.

Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that is rapidly becoming one of Western Europes most respected tourist destinations. The city boasts an extensive history. There is a lot to see and do in Porto, and this diverse city will appeal to a wide range of visitors. Opening up like a pop-up book from the banks of the Rio Douro, edgy-yet-opulent Porto entices with its historic centre, sumptuous food and wine, and charismatic locals. The region is famed for the production of Port, which is still stored and matured in the vast cellars that stretch along the banks of the Douro River.

Zeebrugge is a Belgian port and seaside resort. Its linked to the city of Bruges by the Baudouin Canal. The old fish market in the marina houses Seafront, a theme park focusing on the local seafaring and fishing heritage. Exhibits include a Russian submarine.

Gdynia is a port city on the Baltic coast of Poland. It’s known for its modernist buildings, including the Museum of the City of Gdynia, which has exhibits about local history. Kościuszki Square, with a distinctive fountain as its center, leads to the waterfront.

Dramatic 13th-century city walls surround the former Viking settlement of Visby, Sweden. Recognized by UNESCO as the best-preserved medieval commercial center in Northern Europe, this quaint town of 20,000 residents, known as the “City of Roses and Ruins,” is home to ancient forts, churches and winding streets lined with cafés and cozy cottages. The Gotlands Fornsal Museum explores 8,000 years of the regions rich cultural history, from the geological formation of Gotland through the Viking period to the modern age. A venture beyond the ancient walls takes you to the Hanseatic harbor of Almedalen, dotted by such historical sites as the Kruttornet (Powder Tower) and the Jungfrutornet (Maidens Tower), or to scenic Dalmansporten, site of the 12th-century St. Mary Church, the only one of Visbys earliest churches to still be in use today. For those seeking the solace of the countryside, Gotland, Swedens largest island, offers flowering meadows, pastoral views and the opportunity to experience the dairy products and sweet jams produced on local farms.

Perhaps their countrys harsh climate encouraged the Finns love and respect for design and the arts. Whatever the cause, theres no denying that Helsinki is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in Scandinavia. Hailed as the “Daughter of the Baltic,” Finlands capital is a city of graceful neoclassical buildings, striking modern architecture and spacious boulevards dotted with squares and parks. In the past century, Finland has nurtured some of the major creative talents of Western culture, from the composer Sibelius to architects Eliel & Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto. The center of Finnish commerce and culture, Helsinki is home to some 616.000 people. Much of the citys neoclassical architecture dates from the period of Tsarist rule, which began in 1809 after political control of Finland passed from Sweden to Russia, Finland gained its independence in 1917.

Like Latvia and Lithuania, the Baltic republic of Estonia has survived a turbulent history. The small nation was conquered and ruled by the likes of Teutonic Knights, Polish princes and Russian Tsars. For 51 years, Estonia remained a pawn in the Soviet empire, until the burgeoning freedom movement led to independence for the Baltic Republics in 1991. Like its sister republics, Estonia maintained its ties to the Western tradition, retaining the Latin alphabet and Catholic and Protestant faiths. Once a member of the historic Hanseatic League, Tallinn is the political, commercial and cultural center of Estonia.

Often described as the “Capital of Scandinavia,” Stockholm traces its origins back seven centuries, when it was founded on the island of Gamla Stan and became the capital of Sweden. Today, the city covers 14 separate islands connected by bays, channels and inlets. The skyline is a sea of copper roofs grown green with patina, towers, spires and graceful cupolas stand sentinel over the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan). With its population of nearly a million people, Stockholm is one of the worlds most beautiful, clean and orderly cities. With a history stretching over seven centuries, Stockholm is not just a beautiful city but also Swedens center of art and culture.

Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. The city owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmarks monarchs, and boasts a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture. Copenhagen deserves its accolade as the Venice of the North. Founded on a series of islands and islets, the city today is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. See the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersens Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city. Stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses. Browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europes most celebrated pleasure gardens.

Dover is a coastal town in England’s southeastern county of Kent. It’s a major port for ferries to Calais, in France. Built to repel invasions from across the English Channel, medieval Dover Castle overlooks the town and houses the extensive Secret Wartime Tunnels.

In 1933, an enterprising editor in Inverness enlivened a slow news week with the story of an odd sighting in Loch Ness. The legend grew overnight – and today individuals still scan the dark waters of the Loch for a sight of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Legend goes back as far as the 6th century and insists that the celebrated Loch Ness Monster inhabits a cave beneath the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle. Welcome to Invergordon, your gateway to Loch Ness and that area of the Highlands known as the “Great Glen.”

Lerwick is the main town and port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland. Shetlands only burgh, Lerwick had a population of about 7,000 residents in 2010.

The town is your gateway to the famous “Land of Fire and Ice” – Icelands dramatic landscape of volcanic craters, extinct lava lakes and majestic waterfalls. Visitors to Akureyri have a hard time grasping the fact that the town lies just below the Arctic Circle. The climate here is temperate: flower boxes fill the windows of houses, and trees line the neat, well-tended avenues. Thanks to that mild climate, Akureyris Botanical Gardens provide a home for over 2,000 species of flora from around the world – all surviving without greenhouses. No wonder Icelanders refer to Akureyri as the most pleasant town on the entire island.

Iceland, the second largest island in Europe, is a natural wonder of active volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, desert plateaus, and a midnight sun. The air is startlingly clean, and ideal for communing with nature, Iceland style — fjord fishing, river rafting and whale watching. On its northwestern peninsula, the rock formations that make up the fjords date back 14 million years. And some of the countrys oldest and best-preserved buildings remain in this former trading post.

The patron saints of Reykjavik are fire and ice. Iceland is a land of volcanoes and glaciers, lava fields and green pastures, boiling thermal springs and ice-cold rivers teeming with salmon. This unspoiled demi-paradise is also home to a very old and sophisticated culture. The northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavik was founded in 874 when Ingolfur Arnarson threw wood pillars into the sea, vowing to settle where the pillars washed ashore. Today, Iceland is an international center of commerce and home to one of the most technologically sophisticated societies in the world. Reykjavik is the gateway to Icelands natural wonders, which range from ice fields to thermal pools. The island is in a continual process of transformation much like its society, which blends Nordic tradition with sophisticated technology.

Corner Brook is located on the west coast of Newfoundland nestled among the Long Range Mountains. The coastline is filled with magnificent fjords, thick forested areas and jagged headlands. For thousands of years, people have lived and worked along the shores of the Humber River Valley and the Bay of Islands. The Port of Corner Brook has been welcoming cruise ships for more than 30 years. Nestled in the sheltered Bay of Islands, the 35 kilometre (22 mile) sail into Corner Brook is a favorite among cruise passengers, especially in the fall when the Blomidon Mountains are ablaze with vibrant autumn leaves. James Cook was the first to survey and record the geography of the Bay of Islands. Most of the maps he created are displayed at the Captain James Cook Monument. This picturesque region has many groomed walking trails as well as many thriving communities. Mount Moriah, Benoits Cove, Johns Beach and Frenchmans Cove and Lark Harbour are some of the fishing and mountain communities on Captain Cooks Trail.

To visit Québec is to experience France without crossing the Atlantic. The architecture, the ambience, and the animated conversation on the street confirm the impression that a bit of France has been permanently imbedded in North America. Stroll along the streets of the atmospheric Latin Quarter and explore the historic stone and brick houses of Old Québec, the only remaining walled city north of Mexico. Visit the Place Royale and Notre Dame des Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America, and marvel at the turreted Château de Frontenac.

To visit Québec is to experience France without crossing the Atlantic. The architecture, the ambience, and the animated conversation on the street confirm the impression that a bit of France has been permanently imbedded in North America. Stroll along the streets of the atmospheric Latin Quarter and explore the historic stone and brick houses of Old Québec, the only remaining walled city north of Mexico. Visit the Place Royale and Notre Dame des Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America, and marvel at the turreted Château de Frontenac.

While Prince Edward Island is Canadas smallest providence in terms of area and population, it more than makes up for this with the friendliness of its people, its natural beauty, and for being known as the birthplace of Canada. The islands landscape is dramatic and features rolling hills, pristine forests, reddish-white sand beaches, ocean coves and the famous red soil. The capital of Charlottetown offers a small town feel and a relaxed atmosphere with a cosmopolitan flair. The town has evolved into a dynamic city without sacrificing its historic charm. One certainly cannot think about Prince Edward without mentioning the author Lucy Maud Montgomery who once lived on PEI and drew inspiration from the land during the late Victorian Era for the setting of her classic novel “Anne of Green Gables.” PEI also has another claim to fame with the Confederation Bridge built in 1997. The worlds longest bridge over ice-covered waters provides a connection from PEI to the mainland Canada.

Cape Breton is fabled as a magical travel destination and the Port of Sydney is the gateway. Known for its beauty and unique Celtic music and culture, Sydney puts some of the Islands greatest sights and attractions at your fingertips when you disembark into the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion. The dockside pavilion offers an array of Shopping Boutiques, a Craft Market and the Worlds Largest Fiddle. You will also find wireless Internet services, a Visitor Information Centre, and the Cape Breton Island Exhibition Centre featuring artifacts, images and an overview of the rich culture and heritage of this historic Island. Or you can simply sit and savour our local seafood cuisine at the Range Light Cafe, or enjoy a glass of wine on our second level balcony. The city of Sydney has a deep history and was originally founded in 1785 by British Loyalists fleeing the perils of the American Revolution. The rich natural resources led these new settlers to establish prosperous coal and steel industries, which attracted immigrants from a myriad of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. To this day, Sydney remains a haven of multiculturalism. The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion is just a short drive from the community of Baddeck and the breathtaking Bras dOr Lake where Alexander Graham Bell lived, worked and studied. On the east coast of Cape Breton lies the largest historic reconstruction in North America, the Fortress of Louisbourg. The Fortress is a Parks Canada National Historic Site and is described as a Williamsburg-style attraction that is not to be missed.

Halifax, capital of Nova Scotia, has considerable charms. The beautifully restored waterfront buildings recall the citys centuries-old maritime heritage. Halifax is also the gateway to Nova Scotias picturesque landscapes and rugged natural beauty.

Youll never run out of things to do in the city that never sleeps, from the bright lights of Broadway and Times Square to the citys world-renowned museums, shopping, and vast culinary choices. Its an incredibly diverse and active place, consisting of an intricate patchwork of neighborhoods, each with its own character and history, yet seamlessly coexisting.