Destination Highlights

Destination Highlights

WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA
Overnight | February 11-12

Although rimmed by the inhospitable Namib Desert, Walvis Bay boasts a natural lagoon that attracts thousands of birds, including flamingos, pelicans and migratory species. Just outside of town, Dune 7 is the highest sand dune in the coastal dune belt and offers an impressive view of the desert. The region also reflects the influence of German settlers who came here over a century ago, as evidenced in the colonial buildings, Lutheran church and charming museum in the nearby town of Swakopmund.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
2 Overnights | February 14-16. 
Gorgeous Table Mountain looms above the city of Cape Town. For breathtaking views, ride the cable car to the summit and enjoy lunch in the mountaintop café. At the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, you can observe baboons, ostriches and amazing ocean vistas from Cape Point. With two full nights in port, you'll still have plenty of time for a jaunt to Stellenbosch in the heart of South African wine country, where you can taste some of the region's finest vintages.  We are doing a safari while we are here.

MAHÉ, SEYCHELLES
Overnight | March 4-5
Gorgeous and romantic, the islands of the Seychelles define tropical beauty. A mountain range runs through the spine of Mahé, the largest island, and scenic national parks have sprung up around it, attracting hikers and nature enthusiasts. Still, it's the idyllic beaches that have immortalized Mahé and its laidback capital of Victoria. Spend a full day relaxing on the white sands and then another day exploring the beautiful cathedrals, fascinating museums and historic clock tower of Victoria.

RANGOON, BURMA (YANGON, MYANMAR)
2 Overnights | March 15-17
In a land of temples, treasures and tumultuous history, Yangon is a city where one could spend days just visiting the magnificent religious sites. See the splendor of the Shwedagon Pagoda, a golden shrine towering to a height of 326 feet. Nearby visit the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda with its gigantic reclining Buddha statue measuring more than 200 feet long. The Botahtaung Pagoda was named after the 1,000 military leaders who escorted the sacred hair relics of Buddha that were brought from India over 2,000 years ago

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE
2 Overnights | March 21-23
Discover the delightful diversity of Singapore, from charming Chinatown to colorful Little India to Arab Street and the massive Sultan Mosque. The Asian Civilisations Museum tells of the many Asian cultures that have influenced Singapore. Gaze at 20,000 beautiful blooms in the National Orchid Garden and observe nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat at the unique Night Safari. For a historical perspective, visit the Kranji War Memorial and the Changi Chapel and Museum, dedicated to those who lost their lives during World War II.

BANGKOK, THAILAND
Overnight | March 27-28
From its golden temples to its bustling markets, the city of Bangkok will delight you at every turn. A massive complex of bejeweled and gilded buildings, the Royal Grand Palace enshrines the famous Emerald Buddha within the temple known as Wat Phra Kaeo. The enormous Reclining Buddha is housed in Wat Pho, the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. You also shouldn't miss the unique museum displaying the ornately decorated royal barges.

SAIGON (HO CHI MINH CITY), VIETNAM
Overnight | March 30-31
Now known as Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon has a rich heritage revealed in its lovely pagodas, colonial architecture and broad boulevards. Take an exhilarating ride on a local pedicab through the bustling streets to the vibrant markets of historic Chinatown. Or venture outside the city to one of the most important battlegrounds of the Vietnam War, the vast underground complex of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Explore the lush countryside of farms, rice paddies and villages with a cruise on the Mekong River.

HANOI (HAY LONG BAY), VIETNAM
Overnight | April 2-3

Cruise amidst the exquisite beauty of Ha Long Bay with its monolithic limestone islands and famous morning mists before traveling along the Red River to Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi. Enjoy the French Colonial architecture and the wonderful Old Quarter. Visit the impressive Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and then learn the story of the leader's life at the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Further history is revealed at the remains of Hoa Lo Prison, where American servicemen were held during the Vietnam War.

HONG KONG, CHINA
Overnight | April 5-6
Hong Kong is a unique juxtaposition of the ancient and modern with historic temples wedged amidst gleaming skyscrapers. The lights of the city at night are a spectacle not to be missed. Check out the popular Temple Street Night Market as well as the bustling Stanley Market and the antique shops along Hollywood Road. Cross the channel to Lantau Island to visit the Po Lin Monastery, home of the giant Tian Tan Buddha, and dine at a floating seafood restaurant in Aberdeen.

SHANGHAI, CHINA
2 Overnights | April 10-12
Begin your exploration of this city of contrasts at the waterfront district known as The Bund, where modern structures mingle with classic European architecture. Across the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl Tower offers a bird's-eye view. Visit the impressive art museum and the renowned 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens. To enjoy the city by night, see an acrobatic show or browse in local markets. Multiple days in port also allow time to explore the canals of the famed garden cities of Suzhou or Wuxi

BEIJING (TIANJIN), CHINA
Overnight | April 14-15
Travel from Tianjin through the North China countryside to see a scenic section of the iconic Great Wall at Huangyaguan. Or hop on a bullet train to Beijing and visit the amazing gates and palaces of the Forbidden City, home to emperors and off-limits to foreigners for hundreds of years. A stroll through infamous Tiananmen Square takes you to landmarks such as the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, the Monument to the People's Heroes and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

BALI (BENOA), INDONESIA
Overnight | May 3-4
Experience this exquisite island as you explore the lush countryside of terraced rice fields, towering volcanoes and tropical forests. Relax on any number of long, sandy beaches. Numerous temples dot the landscape, such as the Mother Temple of Besakih, the largest and most important Hindu temple in Bali. Perched on the slope of Mount Agung, it offers wonderful panoramic views. Traditional Balinese dance is also part of religious expression in Bali, so be sure to catch a performance of this ancient ritual

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
Overnight | May 10-11
Sail from Cairns to a section of the Great Barrier Reef where you can view the reef from a glass-bottomed boat or even snorkel amidst the stunning coral and diverse marine life. Travel inland to the magnificent rainforest on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which meanders through rugged mountains, spectacular waterfalls and deep ravines. At the Rainforestation Nature Park, you can cuddle a koala and feed freeroaming kangaroos or learn about Aboriginal customs and traditions.

PAPEETE (TAHITI), FRENCH POLYNESIA
Overnight | June 3-4
The island of Tahiti offers spectacular scenery, from pristine beaches to the cascading Faarumai Waterfalls to the Arahoho Blowhole, a geyser spouting from the sea cliff. But you'll also want to explore the interesting history of the island. The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands is one of the finest in the South Pacific, and the Paul Gauguin Museum tells the story of the famous artist so inspired by this land. Ancient history is revealed at the sacred archaeological site of the Arahurahu Marae.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• AUSTRALIA
  • Kakadu National Park (Darwin)
  • Great Barrier Reef (Cairns)
  • Wet Tropics of Queensland (Cairns)
  • Gondwana Rainforests (Brisbane)
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Australian Convict Sites (Sydney)
  • Greater Blue Mountains Area (Sydney)
  • Tasmanian Wilderness (Hobart)

• BENIN
  • Royal Palaces of Abomey

• BRAZIL
  • Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda (Recife)

• BARBADOS
  • Historic Centre of Macao (Hong Kong)
  • Fujian Tulou (Xiamen)
  • Classical Gardens of Suzhou (Shanghai)
  • West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou (Shanghai)
  • The Great Wall (Bejing/Tianjin)
  • Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing
  • Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing
  • Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing
  • Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (Beijing)
  • Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (Beijing)

• GUATEMALA
  • Antigua Guatemala

• INDIA
  • Western Ghats (Mangalore/Cochin)

• INDONESIA
  • Komodo National Park
  • Cultural Landscape of Bali Province

• KENYA
  • Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
  • Fort Jesus, Mombasa

• MALAYSIA
  • Melaka, Historic City of the Straits of Malacca
    (Kuala Lumpur)
  • Kinabalu Park (Kota Kinabalu)

• MOZAMBIQUE
  • Island of Mozambique

• NAMIBIA
  • Twyfelfontein ancient rock engravings

• NICARAGUA
  • Ruins of León Viejo
  • León Cathedral

• PHILIPPINES
  • Baroque Churches of the Philippines

• SOUTH AFRICA
  • Robben Island (Cape Town)
  • Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (Cape Town)
  • uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park (Durban)

• SOUTH KOREA
  • Changdeokgung Palace Complex
  • Jongmyo Shrine
  • Hwaseong Fortress
  • Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

• TANZANIA
  • Stone Town of Zanzibar

• THAILAND
  • Historic City of Ayutthaya (Bangkok)

• UNITED STATES
  • Everglades National Park (Miami)
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hilo)

• VIETNAM
  • Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of
    Thang Long – Hanoi
  • Ha Long Bay