Elegantly Charming
Our acclaimed Insignia has undergone a multimillion-dollar transformation to create a virtually new ship that is both sleek and elegantly charming. Her decks are resplendent in the finest teak, custom stone and tile work, and her lounges, suites and staterooms boast luxurious, neo-classical furnishings.
Insignia offers every luxury you may expect on board one of our stylish ships. She features four unique, open-seating restaurants, a world-class fitness center and spa, eight lounges and bars, a casino and 342 lavish suites and luxurious staterooms, nearly 70% of which feature private verandas. With just 684 guests to pamper, our 400 professionally trained European staff ensure you will wait for nothing.
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The wonder of New York is in the energy and diversity that emanates from its densely packed, multicultural population. It vibrates with colliding cultures and languages, as highlife and lowlife rubs together to produce a unique atmosphere, 24-hours a day.
Whether lolling on a bench in leafy Central Park, watching the world go by from a French bistro in Soho, or gazing up at Lady Liberty from the deck of the Staten Island Ferry, most visitors will feel they’ve done it all before.
Simply put, this is because New York is so familiar to anyone who has ever seen a movie or watched television. There is something special, however, in actually seeing the familiar landmarks and experiencing the pulse of The City That Never Sleeps.
Five boroughs make up New York City: Staten Island, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. But many visitors never leave Manhattan, with loads of things to do and see packed into this small area relative to the other boroughs.
This includes the 24-hour pasta restaurants of Little Italy, and the bustling sidewalks of Chinatown, the jazz clubs of Greenwich Village, and the theatres of Broadway. Of course, iconic sights include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.
New York has been described as the best three-day city in the world, and that’s about right. After a frenzy of museums, galleries, bars, and clubs, many visitors are ready for a break. Fortunately, there’s a lot of choice in excursions.
Outdoor attractions include the National Parks of upstate New York, to the beaches of Long Island, or simply the leafy oasis of Central Park. Whatever you’re after, New York is ready and waiting to bewitch, enchant, and bewilder.
Being the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, Miami has a large Cuban presence, evident in the vibrant neighbourhood of Little Havana. Art lovers can meander around the art districts like Wynwood and the Coconut Grove, while others can lounge on the miles of sandy beaches. For families there are kid-friendly attractions like the Seaquariumand Metrozoo. The nightlife is sophisticated and varied. The city also gives easy access to Florida’s popular Gold Coast resorts and attractions, as well as the natural wonder of the Florida Everglades.
It is no wonder Miami is America’s favourite holiday destination and the hub of a vibrant cruise ship industry, its port constantly jammed with sleek passenger liners. North of the city, the miles of beautiful beaches on the Gold Coast are hemmed in by southeast Florida’s major tourist towns: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Palm Beach.
The historic old town, Habana Viejaor Colonial Havana, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a major tourist destination. The Spanish left behind some superb colonial architecture, and many of the great buildings and grand plazas are being restored to their former glory, although ironically the general dilapidation of the great buildings of Havana contributes enormously to their charm. Central Havana ( Centro Habana) boasts some of the most important museums and architectural highlights of the city, including the Revolution Museum and the National Capitol, which resembles the US Capitol Building in Washington DC. The trendy suburb of Vedado boasts high-rise buildings and modern hotels, and draws locals and visitors alike with its theatres, art galleries, restaurants, cafes and cabaret shows; however, most of the city’s sights are in Habana Viejaand Centro Habana. The five-mile (8km) seawall, or malecón, stretches from Vedado to Habana Vieja, and is lined with architectural gems in various states of dilapidation and restoration.
Havana’s nightlife will exhaust even the most seasoned partygoer. After dark, nightclubs and bars come alive and the famous rum cocktails flow freely. For travellers needing rest from all this revelry, the lovely beaches are only twenty minutes east of the city.
Los Angeles is not really a city but rather a sprawling metropolis constituting more than 80 smaller city areas woven together by a daunting network of traffic-congested freeways without a clearly defined centre. LA is just one of these cities with Downtown at its heart, and lying outside the city limits is the surrounding conglomeration of cities that comprise LA County.
Los Angeles offers a dazzling variety of attractions and world-famous amusements. Downtown is a mixture of cultures and local communities: the traditional herbalists of Chinatown’s Bamboo Lane; Little Tokyo with its sushi bars and Japanese gardens; and the narrow Latino-influenced Olvera Street. Los Angeles County is endowed with a rich diversity of backgrounds and a mix of people from 140 countries speaking 96 different languages.
West Hollywood: the focal point of gay and lesbian culture, the posh beachside resort of Santa Monica, body-builders at Muscle Beach and the childhood fantasy of Disneyland all add to LA’s diversity. There are exciting museums, cinemas featuring every conceivable production, fashionable boutiques, comedy clubs, poetry readings and coffee house recitals, and music of every kind played in various venues throughout the city.
Underneath the huge ‘Hollywood’ sign on the crest of the Hollywood Hills, the high energy and pleasure-seeking atmosphere, bold billboards, beautiful sun-bronzed people, bright lights and fancy cars are images of a city that everyone loves to hate; but whether one likes what one finds or not, Los Angeles must be experienced at least once in a lifetime.
The main city on the Island is Honolulu, with Waikiki being the primarybeach and resort hotel area. Among the many popular things to do on Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center and Sea Life Park, on the opposite side of the Island from Honolulu, are very popular.
Hana is an industrial port town on the windward (rainier) side of the island, with several hotels and an airport, although the majority of the resort activity is on the Kona side of the Island.
There are snow-capped 14,038-foot peaks (Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea), vast macadamia nut plantations, as well as black lava, white coral and green olivine beaches–not to mention the fiery landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The 2,100 inhabitants live in Taiohae, Taipivai, Hatiheu, Aakapa, Pua, Houmi, Anaho and Hakaui, where they work for the government, the community, Catholic church or school system, or for themselves chopping copra high in the mountains, fishing, raising cattle and other livestock, or sculpting bowls and platters or making Marquesan ceremonial clubs, tiki’s and ukuleles.
Taiohae is a pleasant village bordering the sea. It is the administrative, economic, educational and health center of the Marquesas Islands. Here are the French and Territorial administrators, the government buildings, gendarmerie, post office, general hospital, town hall, Air Tahiti office, banks, schools, well-stocked stores and shops. Sundays and holidays are just as busy as any work day, when the villagers drive back and forth along the sea front road in their 4-wheel drive
vehicles, calling out to their friends, and stopping to join the on-going game of petanque or French bowls, played under the flowering flamboyant tree in the front of the town hall.
Visitors to Bora Bora touch down on an airstrip (built by US troops during World War II) situated on a motu(islet) in the middle of the beautiful crystal-clear lagoon, and are ferried to the main island. The lagoon forms the centre of activities for holidaymakers, being the stage for numerous adventures, from shark-feeding excursions and swimming with giant turtles, to scuba diving, snorkelling, jet-skiing, glass-bottom boat cruises, descending into the ‘lagoonarium’, kite-sailing, picnicking on a motuand more.
Bora Bora also offers plenty of cultural and historical attractions, like taking a day trip to a Marae(ancient temple), exploring the World War II-era cannon and relics, browsing the art and craft galleries, watching a Tahitian dance ceremony, and perhaps even braving a traditional tattoo (the skin art is said to have originated here).
Bora Bora is a famously dreamy travel destination and more than lives up to its reputation. For a romantic holiday in a tropical beach paradise there is no better choice.
The subtleties of its attraction lie as much in the graceful fusion of sea with land as in the manoeuvres of Man – of Maori, whaler, missionary, and later, settler.
The Bay, studded with over 150 islands, is a ‘drowned river system’, an area where the sea has invaded and drowned a number of river valleys. Its sheltered waters offer some of the finest boating and fishing to be found anywhere, and the menus of local restaurants reflect the abundance of marine life in the Bay.
Known as the ‘City of Sails’, with a larger boat-to-person ratio than anywhere else on earth, it is a paradise for sailing enthusiasts. Every weekend the waters of the Hauraki Gulf come alive with a flotilla of colourful sails. The best way to experience the city is from the water, sailing around the attractive harbour or on a ferry cruise to one of the many stunning islands dotted about the Gulf.
Auckland is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand, and acts as a major gateway to the rest of the country. Yet it is also one of the least densely populated in the world, covering an area twice the size of London but with barely a million inhabitants. It has a friendly small-town atmosphere and a relaxed pace of life.
Beyond the bustling downtown area, dominated by the southern hemisphere’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, the city sprawls outwards, with low-slung buildings and wooden houses among leafy parks and walking tracks. The suburbs wind their way around picturesque bays and harbours and between volcanic hills that provide panoramic views over the city and mountains, encompassing numerous green urban parklands that are dotted with sheep.
Also called ‘Windy Wellington’, it lives up to its name especially in winter when the lashing winds from the Cook Strait whistle through the wind funnels created by the high-rise buildings of the central business district. The bustling, pretty waterfront area is a sheltered refuge with a graceful promenade, featuring shops, restaurants and various leisure activities. Brightly coloured sails scud across the harbour, with the reliable wind providing excellent sailing and windsurfing opportunities. The ferry to the picturesque Days Bay, one of Wellington’s best swimming beaches, affords excellent views of the city from the water. Dominating the waterfront is the Te Papa Museum, the pride and joy of the nation that embodies the quintessence of New Zealand and its people.
Just like its characteristic white-sailed Opera House, Sydney seems to cruise effortlessly through nights and days filled with myriad entertainment opportunities, sophisticated shopping, memorable museums, and strings of beautiful beaches. Visitors find it exhausting to take it all in, even though the tourist precinct where most of the interesting attractions are to be found is concentrated in quite a small area around the downtown waterfront and harbour.
The fact that Sydney is a thriving seaport and industrial city has been cleverly concealed behind attractive pleasure and leisure grounds and residential suburbs, making full use of the scenic, watery geographical location. The harbour area is dominated by the span of one of the world’s largest arched bridges, backed by towering skyscrapers. It is all a far cry from the remote penal colony established by the British back in 1788.
Another plus for visitors is that compared to most big cities Sydney offers excellent, reasonably priced food, accommodation and public transport. The city also has an excellent suburban rail network, with its hub at Circular Quay in the city centre, and full use is made of the waterways with ferries and passenger jet boats plying to and from various points.
To the north of Sydney is the Pacific Coastal route, which passes beautiful coastal scenery, laid back seaside communities like Byron Bay, and excellent surf, with nearly 249 miles (400km) of beaches to explore. Whale watching is popular in season and the region is also dotted with numerous national parks and nature reserves that offer activities from hiking to kayaking in the Myall Lakes. The Waterfall Way, which winds up to the New England Tablelands, is one of the most scenic drives in the world, taking in the vineyards of the famed Hunter Valley. To the south of Sydney is Australia’s only alpine habitat in the Snowy Mountains, where winter skiing is the main attraction. In summer the mountains become a playground for whitewater rafters, fishermen, kayakers and hikers.
There is plenty to keep shopaholics busy too, with the designer boutiques and department stores of Queens Street Mall ready to welcome visitors and numerous bustling markets dotted around the city. Sport fanatics, as always the case in Australia, are well catered for thanks to the Gabba sports ground and Suncorp Stadium, where the Wallabies often take on the world at rugby. The city is generally easy to explore on foot, and provides the perfect base from which to make daytrips to popular surrounding areas.
Situated on Australia’s fabled Gold Coast, a holiday in Brisbane means fun in the sun, providing easy access to Australia’s east coast resorts and theme parks on the Pacific Motorway. A sub-tropical climate ensures that a holiday in Brisbane will be a sunny experience no matter what time of year is chosen. Most of the rain falls in summer, but not enough to deter holidaymakers. Most of those who travel to Brisbane come for leisure and pleasure. It is an ideal destination for a family holiday, a surfing holiday, or as a good base for anyone wanting to visit the nearby National Parks
Cairns started life as a small fishing encampment, which received an injection of prosperity in the 19th century when gold was discovered to the north and tin and timber began to be exploited in the nearby Atherton Tablelands. The harbour and fishing operations increased in importance, and tourism arrived in the early 20th century when marlin fishing became popular, and the world discovered the delights of exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
Aided by its pleasant, warm climate, the relaxed tropical town has now become a frenzied international tourism centre, flooded with visitors most of the year, its streets lined with souvenir stores, eateries and some first class hotels. The harbour is clogged with streamlined pleasure boats, and the offshore islands bristle with resorts. To cater for tourists the city fathers have even created a man-made salt-water lagoon and sandy beach on the Esplanade to replace the original muddy swamp that crowned Trinity Bay.
To holiday in Cairns is to holiday in a city that has a mission to make tourists as happy as possible. Facilities and fun recreation opportunities are excellent, and the city is a relatively inexpensive destination. Anyone who enjoys a sunny beach holiday should travel to Cairns, where the magnificent man-made lagoon offers safe swimming all year round, the sunshine guarantees a suntan, and there are plenty of shops, restaurants and nightclubs to indulge in. A Cairns holiday is also popular among young adventure tourists, with pursuits like scuba diving, skydiving, and ballooning on offer. And, of course, the Great Barrier Reef is just a hop and a skip away.
Webber Esplanade is to the north of the town and starts at the tip of Grassy Peak, where you will find the Powder Magazine which is the oldest brick building in Far North Queensland. There is a great view from the headland as well as from the top of the hill and it makes a pleasant walk back towards town, along the Endeavour River. Once in town, the road turns into Charlotte Street and is where you will find a bank, some cafes and restaurants, many shops, a post office and several pubs. There are also some memorials and monuments along Charlotte Street, for Captain Cook and other explorers.
Darwin has survived destruction three times: the city was hit by a cyclone in 1893; it was then bombed by the Japanese in 1942 during World War II; and more recently, in 1974, Cyclone Tracy levelled the city on Christmas Eve. It is a tribute to the pioneering spirit of its cosmopolitan population of 87,000 that it has not only overcome these calamities, but gone on to thrive.
The city is compact, and the areas of most interest to tourists are easy to explore on foot. The tropical climate encourages outdoor living and simply strolling through the leafy streets, browsing art galleries and enjoying refreshments at sidewalk cafes, is a pleasure for visitors. Shady parks can be found behind busy shopping streets and are a delight with exotic flowering trees like frangipani, banyan and tamarind.
Darwin is a youthful, tropical city, small enough to feel friendly and relaxed, and a great travel hub for exploring the incredible natural wonders on the city’s doorstep.
What sets Bali apart from the rest of Indonesia is the prevalence of Balinese Hinduism. Scattered around Bali are thousands of Hindu temples and places of worship. The island’s religious beliefs are evident in the ceremonies, daily rituals and attitudes of the locals, in the offerings of flowers and food that adorn the roadsides, the charms hung inside taxis, and the numerous vibrant festivals that occur throughout the year. It is also perceptible in local reverence for the Holy Mountain, the soaring volcanic cone of Gunung Agung, which is the spiritual centre of the Balinese universe. Art is an integral part of daily life and every village has its artists, from internationally acclaimed painters to aspirational young cow herders. Ubud, the cultural centre, with its streets lined with art and crafts shops, also offers regular performances of traditional Balinese dance and music. Art, together with tourism, is an important source of revenue for the island.
With its fine beach, the popular resort of Kuta is the most visited destination, but there are numerous other beach resorts around the island, with more peaceful settings on the east coast at Candidasa, Sanur, and the fishing village of Padang Bai, and on the northern coast at Lovina. There are a number of good scuba diving sites and reef snorkelling spots close by.
Despite the shock of terrorist attacks a few years ago, Bali is still a tropical paradise with a rich and intriguing culture, and beautiful land and seascapes, that attracts those in search of an idyllic vacation; however, visitors are still advised to contact their foreign office for the latest travel advice before travelling to Indonesia, and Bali in particular.
Manila was once known as The Pearl of the Orient and was an important centre for South East Asia. However, during the second world war the city was ravaged by the some of the most destructive urban battles of the period – as a result, much of the old Manila was destroyed. Today, Manila is a morass of traffic and people, polluted and chaotic, it grew from the ashes of war and is the cultural and political centre of the archipelago. Thick, congested traffic is juxtaposed with expansive parks, modern high-rises with polluted slums, all of which conspire to make Manila a difficult but enthralling metropolis.
Most visitors to the Philippines use Manila as a spring board for their exploration of the other provinces and islands, as most flights must land at Nino Aquino International Airport; however, it is possible to fly into Cebu and Aklan on select airlines and from particular locations. Manila is also within easy reach of day and weekend getaways on the island of Luzon, which makes it a good base for travellers intent on touring. One thing no visitor should miss is a famous Manila Bay sunset: a light show created out of the high humidity conditions coupled with the effects of cloud over the city’s harbour. View the sunset from Rizal Park, Roxas Boulevard or from a cruise boat that circles around the bay.
Visitors arriving from the Kansai International Airport or on board the famous Shinkansen bullet train at Kyoto’s modern central station may be disenchanted to initially discover a thriving, overcrowded industrial city with a straight grid of uniform streets presided over by the futuristic Kyoto Tower. The city may present a modern face, but explore behind the scenes in the outer districts or off the beaten track in the old merchants’ quarters and you will glimpse cameos and images of traditional Japan, from cherry blossoms to geishas and bonsai trees to shoji screens.
Apart from the architectural legacy, which was fortunately spared the heavy bombings inflicted on other Japanese cities during World War II, Kyoto also boasts some of Japan’s most significant art works, a culturally traditional way of life and superior cuisine. No visit to Japan is complete without devoting some time to exploring Kyoto.
With such a dense population, Tokyo is an urban maze of buildings that jostle for space in an unplanned jumble of grey concrete, which makes parts of it drab. The city fills a huge area that seems to go on forever, with no specific city centre, but rather a succession of districts grouped together. In the back streets, where timber houses line narrow lanes, there are reminders that this is exotic Japan: kimono-clad women prune bonsai trees and colourful neighbourhood festivals take place.
The city is an exuberant experience for visitors. It is home to many museums and is the largest repository of Japanese art in the world. Then, of course, it would take forever to exhaust the shopping possibilities in this megalopolis. The more one explores Tokyo the more it becomes obvious that one cannot judge a book by its cover. Inside the modern buildings the cultural life of Japan is very much alive and well. Interiors reflect the tranquil minimalist Asian style and taste of Japan.
In the late 16th century, Nagasaki traded with the Dutch, Spanish, and Portugese. The subsequent European and Christian influences are reflected in many of its churches, gardens, homes and museums.
Dotting Nagasaki’s coastline is an array of outlying islands – a particularly spectacular sight at sunset, when the islands are bathed in the sun’s golden hues.
A great deal of the credit for the well-ordered urban planning of Seoul can be given to the ancient Joseon Dynasty, which used great foresight when crafting the city into a capital way back in the 14th century. The old Joseon Dynasty city, with its central main palace, is now the traditional downtown heart of Seoul where many of the most popular sights, hotels and markets are to be found. One of the most interesting areas for visitors to explore is Insa-dong, filled with antique shops, art galleries, traditional teahouses, restaurants and bookshops.
Across the Han River the modern city is dominated by Korea’s World Trade Centre, and the Coex Mall, a shopper’s delight. Even the island, Yeouido, in the middle of the Han River, is densely packed with high-rise buildings; this is also the base for the Korean National Assembly, and the world’s biggest Presbyterian church.
Interspersed through the urban landscape are several lush, green parks, the most central being Namsan Park, encompassing the mountain of the same name just to the south of downtown Seoul. Namsan Park is also home to the iconic Seoul Tower, which offers spectacular 360 degree views of the city and surrounding countryside.
Nightlife in Seoul is lively and legendary with something to suit all tastes, from a ‘booze-cruise’ through the raunchy red light district of Itaewon, or a sedate sit-down at a traditional teahouse. Eating out, too, is a feast for the senses in Seoul, with an enormous international variety to choose from, whether it is succulent steak, perfect pizza, multi-course gourmet, tasty tandoori or, of course, classic Korean.
The first port of call for most visitors is the Forbidden City, which lies at the heart of Beijing with the rest of the city radiating out from it in a grid pattern. For five centuries this massive palace complex, with 9,999 rooms, functioned as the administrative centre of the country and home to a succession of emperors who lived in luxurious isolation, surrounded by courtiers and retainers. The Palace overlooks the infamous Tiananmen Square, a historical site of considerable political drama and dissent, but also a vibrant social and cultural centre point.
In preparing to host what they hoped to be ‘the best games in Olympic history’, Beijing undertook many major renovations in 2008. Public transport was improved, environmental issues addressed and a general clean-up of the city was ordered. The games highlighted Beijing’s economic rise and emergence as a world power. Some of the infrastructure, such as the iconic ‘Birds Nest’ stadium, is still in use for different purposes, and contributes to Beijing’s unique landscape. Travellers should go prepared for less than stellar air quality in this booming city, but luckily breathlessness is just as likely to stem from excitement and awe when confronted with historic Beijing.
Shanghai is China’s industrial and commercial capital. It is a busy seaport, a science and technology centre, and has a vibrant business community. Visitors don’t generally come to Shanghai for its scenic beauty or history but those who arrive on business can find plenty of off-duty entertainment and relaxation, and the city is drawing increasing numbers of tourists with its neon cityscape, exotic nightlife and booming shopping scene. Just walking the busy streets and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere is worthwhile, and there are some temples and gardens to visit along with a handful of excellent museums.
This great cosmopolitan metropolis has a colourful colonial background, which has had the edge rubbed off of it during half a century of Communist rule. It was the first Chinese coastal port to be opened to Western trade in 1843, resulting in an influx of British, French and American diplomats and business interests, each of which established their own independent enclaves. In the 1920s and 30s, Shanghai was regarded as a glamorous, decadent and fashionable place to visit. It all ended with World War II and the coming to power of the Communist party but, since the early 1990s, a dramatic re-building programme has been underway to put Shanghai back on the map as a major international finance and trade centre. The World Financial Centre, completed in 2008, is one of the tallest buildings on Earth and symbolic of this glitzy rejuvenation.
There is nothing like Hong Kong and the bustle of commerce, of enterprise, of fortunes being made. And there’s nothing like her duty-free shops and colorful markets to explore both on land and afloat in Victoria Harbour.
An intriguing blend of old China and the modern world, this venerable British Crown colony reverted to Chinese sovereignty on June 30, 1997. Lying at the southern area of Mainland China and the China Sea, it serves as a major sea port and access point to southern China. It is has ferry and plane service to Maccau and the many outlying islands, many that offer excellent vacation opportunities
If you want to get out of the city for a swim, head 13km (8mi) north-east to Thuan An Beach, where there’s a lagoon, a hotel and the possibility of sampan trips up the Perfume River. Vehicles from Hué’s Dong Ba bus station run here.
There’s a range of accommodation in Hué to suit most budgets, and some good restaurants. Hué has a long tradition of vegetarian food, which is prepared at pagodas for the monks. Stalls in the markets serve vegetarian food on the 1st and the 15th days of the lunar month, and there are several restaurants serving it all the time.
Hué is about 700km (434mi) from Hanoi and 1100km (682mi) from Ho Chi Minh City. The Reunification Express train running between those cities stops here, and there are frequent flights and buses to both cities.
Despite its pollution and overcrowding, Bangkok is undoubtedly one of Asia’s most exciting cities, and one of the world’s largest, promising to reveal to each traveller the wild and untamed mysteries of the east. Khao San Road is one of the city’s most vibrant streets, and is probably one of the best examples in the world of a backpacker’s ‘ghetto’. Day and night the short stretch of road is abuzz with activity. On the banks of the Chao Phraya visitors will find the Grand Palace as well as Wat Phra Kaew, the palace temple housing the Emerald Buddha, constructed entirely from translucent green jade. Slightly upriver are the exquisitely ornamented Royal Barges, still used today for special floating processions.
Of the 30 or so temples in Bangkok, the largest is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which houses an impressive statue of the deity. The famous Floating Market is a delight to visitors and well worth a visit. As the sun lurches towards the horizon in the west and the sweat cools, this city of royalty and religion comes alive with a palpable decadence. Music and dazzling neon advertise a plethora of trendy bars and nightclubs, as well as the notorious ‘girlie joints’ that have ensured the Patpong district its reputation for hedonism.
Though the city’s frenetic pace and infamous congestion can be overwhelming, a holiday in Bangkok is a must for anyone travelling in Thailand.
The most popular beaches are Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai: both have good swimming and snorkelling but are getting a little crowded. For more peace and quiet, try Mae Nam, Bo Phut and Big Buddha on the northern coast. The main town on the island is Na Thon.
Most of the beaches have plenty of rustic, thatched-roofed bungalows but accommodation can still be hard to secure in the high seasons between December and February and July and August. The best time to visit is during the hot and dry season between February and June. There are flights from Bangkok to the island’s Don Sak Airport. Several ferry and jetboat companies operate from Surat Thani: express boats take two and a half hours and jet boats take one and a half hours. Local transport comprises songthaews, though several places hire motorcycles.
Ko Samui’s northern neighbour, Ko Pha-Ngan, is more tranquil, and has equally good beaches and fine snorkelling. Its renowned beach parties at Hat Rin are popular with backpackers, though not with the local police. The island is a half-hour boat ride from Ko Samui.
This city is a blend of old and new worlds, a melting pot of the diverse influences of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, making exploring Kuala Lumpur a fascinating experience. An exploration of Kuala Lumpur is best begun from Merdeka Square, the heart of the city. To the southeast of the square is the modern business centre and the bustling, colourful streets of Chinatown. The picturesque National Mosque (Masjid Negara) and impressive Railway Station can be located to the south, and beyond them to the west is the city’s green belt. The tranquil and lush Perdana Botanical Gardens provide some respite from the frenetic activity of the city. The National Museum (Muzim Negara), the National Monument, and the Malaysian Parliament are also found on this stretch. Kuala Lumpur’s most famous landmark, however, is the stunning Petronas Towers, which afford visitors phenomenal views of the city.
It was established in 1786 by the British as the first trading post east of India. Today, Penang’s historic Georgetown is filled with many fine examples of British architecture.
And if architecture doesn’t do it for you, Penang is also home to the best beaches in Malaysia. Finally, visitors can have a good time just pronouncing the Chayamangkalaram Temple. Whether a first time visitor or frequent traveller to Penang, this exceptional island will captivate you the minute you set foot on its soil. Apart from enjoying beautiful beaches, culture and sights, nothing is far more breathtaking than looking at the sunrise as a new day in Penang dawns.
Penang is food paradise to anyone who has experienced a taste of Penang’s simple yet sumptous galore. This amazing island has always been associated with a rich culture and a place where food is much appreciated by locals and foreigners. From exquisitely prepared sea food to mouth-watering hawkers’ fare, it’s a must to relish every bit of everything, when in Penang.
Its deep-river port, Thilawa, is the access point for Yangon for most visiting cruisers. The Thilawa Special Economic Zone, an area of approximately 2400 hectares south of Yangon, is a project driven by Japanese investors and the Burmese government in hopes of boosting the economy and perhaps even leading an industrial boom capitalizing on the area’s labor surplus.
Goa was ‘discovered’ by travellers in the late 1960s, when many were searching for somewhere unique and off the beaten tourist track. Goa quickly became a kind of hippie paradise, where holidaying meant simply hanging out, doing some recreational drugs and partying on the beach (particularly during full moon). The state quickly grew a reputation for its hedonism and liberal attitude, not to mention its hot sun, that sets in splendour every evening over the Arabian Sea. In recent years, though it still hosts epic trance music festivals (such as Sunburn), the authorities of Goa have tried to discourage hippies and budget backpackers from swamping the area, angling rather for clientele with fatter wallets, with the result that Goa is slowly losing its reputation as India’s ‘party central’.
With a quick rail link to Mumbai and charter flights from the UK, thousands of tourists flock here each winter to relax and enjoy the famous Goan cuisine, which largely consists of seafood prepared in exotic Indian spices. Many hotels and resorts have popped up over the last few years to cater for this ever-popular destination, but with more than 25 miles (40km) of beautiful sandy beaches, there is still plenty of tranquillity to be found.
The Portuguese established this old Hindu city as a colony in 1509. In 1661, it passed to England as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II, and became a vital trading base for the East India Company and later the Crown. The centre of Imperial Bombay, the city contains a breathtaking array of High Victorian buildings and is reminiscent of a prosperous 19th-century English industrial city. The fascinating range of architectural styles reflects the British passion for the Gothic and demonstrates the wealth, panache and confidence of British Bombay. Prosperity has always been considered more important than religious homogeneity in Mumbai, and this is reflected in the range of places of worship throughout the city: churches and cathedrals sit alongside countless mosques, and Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Like many Indian cities, the streets of Mumbai are congested with cattle, carts and motor vehicles, and the air is thick with smog and the sound of horns. But despite this, the city has much to offer, and those en route to Goa should take time to discover Mumbai’s colourful and fascinating history, as well as its vibrant, energetic and friendly people.
Today Dubai ranks as the country’s foremost commercial centre, a city whose skyline is constantly being upgraded with new developments providing the infrastructure and facilities needed for a progressive society, including world-class hotels, shopping plazas and outstanding sports facilities. Dubai Creek divides the city centre into two parts: Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south and each has its fair share of souks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and fine mosques.
From within these high standards of luxury and convenience, visitors can experience exotic Arabia in the bustling souks or a night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing under the starlit desert skies, as well as a way of life that is still embedded in the Islamic traditions of an ancient land. Dubai’s attraction lies in the contrast between the ultra modern and the enchantingly traditional, which gives the city a personality like no other and visitors a variety of experiences to choose from. From desert oases and unspoiled beaches, camel races and old wind towers, to top-class shopping opportunities, avant-garde architecture and the finest international cuisine, Dubai has more than enough depth to satisfy even the most seasoned of travellers.
Besides underwater escapades, Aqaba is an ideal location for watersports and relaxation, whether it is swimming, waterskiing, parasailing, fishing or sunbathing. For the history enthusiast, Aqaba contains sites dating back to 4000 BC, including the recent discovery of what is believed to be the world’s oldest church from the 3rd century, the remains of the medieval walled city of Ayla and a Mamluke fort. These are proof of Aqaba’s strategic position as the main port on the trading route to the Far East from Africa in ancient times, which made it a thriving town, and it is this same location today that makes it an important tourist centre. It is also conveniently situated for excursions to the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum and the ancient rock city of Petra.
The Old City can be accessed through seven of the eight gates punctuating the ancient walls enveloping it. Within these walls are the separate quarters of the Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Armenian communities. A dazzling array of merchandise can be purchased from the lively Arab souk(open-air market), and meandering through the narrow corridors and cobbled pavements of the ancient centre inevitably provides a feast of sensations. For an orientation of the Old City it is best to set off along the Ramparts Walk, originally designed for watchmen, or to climb the Citadel of David for a panoramic vista of the eternally fascinating city of Jerusalem.
Although famous for its many remarkable historical and religious sites, Jerusalem does have more modern attractions too; the city has all you would expect in the way of amenities, shopping, restaurants and nightlife, although if you are visiting Israel primarily for these sorts of activities Tel Aviv may be more to your liking.
Today Limassol is Cyprus’ second-largest city with around 200,000 inhabitants. Many people travel to Limassol to enjoy its lovely beaches, sidewalk cafés, and lively nightlife. Visitors can take an evening stroll on the seafront Akti Olympion, followed by a visit to a traditional buzukia tavern for live music. The Old Town radiates from the fishing harbour, with narrow streets lined with shops and boutiques.
The foothills of the Troodos Mountains lie north of the city and offer charming country walks that meander through friendly villages. A quick drive to the Kourion, only nine miles (15km) away, also offers historic sites such as The House of Achilles, the Altar of Apollo, and Curium Beach.
The island’s two towns, Fira and Ia, are perched on the cliff tops of the highest part of the island. Ferries arrive and depart in the harbour below, and visitors walk or ride donkeys up the steep winding path to the towns. The towns are equipped with hotels, good restaurants, bars and plenty of nightlife to keep tourists happy while they relax between visiting the archaeological remains of ancient Thira, dating back to the 9th century BC, on the east side of the island. Other attractions include the excavations at Akrotiri, an archaeological museum, and an 18th-century monastery. Santorini has two swimming beaches, Perissa and Kamari, both characterised by their volcanic black sand.
Athens was named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, who according to mythology won the city as prize after a duel against Poseidon. The city can chart its history back thousands of years and is regarded as the cradle of western civilisation; the place where democracy was invented and philosophy, art and architecture were refined. After a classical golden age when it was home to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the city declined in the Middle Ages, dwindling to nothing but a town with a few thousand residents gathered in the colourful area that is now known as the Plaka, until its rebirth as capital of an independent Greece in 1834.
Nowadays the city is busy and bustling. While the pollution, frantic gridlock and dingy buildings are a striking contrast to the open beauty of Greece’s coast and islands, Athens is truly the heartbeat of the country, and ancient wonders like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temples of Zeus and Hephaesus ensure that Athens will always lure travellers.
For a taste of the Baroque, visitors need only climb the famous Spanish Steps, walk through the Piazza Navona or toss a coin into the beautiful Trevi Fountain. Renaissance splendour is perhaps best revealed in the Pope’s residence, the Vatican Palace, or in Michelangelo’s efforts on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. From early Christian Basilicas to the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and the Pantheon, the sequence of history trails back to the height of the Roman Empire.
It may sound like a city of contrasts, but Rome’s timeless magic lies in its ability to blend the old with the new. Empires have risen and fallen, old gods have been replaced with new ones, but Rome remains.
The heart of the city, where everyone from tourist to tout seems to congregate, is the Piazza de Duomo and the Piazza della Signoria. The statues dominating the Piazza della Signoria commemorate major historical events of the city’s life, and the magnificent Palazzo Vecchio still performs its original role as Florence’s town hall. The adjacent Uffizi is the oldest art gallery in the world, with a collection of the greatest works of the Renaissance, commissioned largely by the Medici family. The man who founded the great long-ruling Medici dynasty was Cosimo il Vecchio. His legacy is imprinted in the city’s northern area, marked by the churches of San Lorenzo, San Marco and the Palazzo Medici Riccardi.
The western stretches of the city are formed by Florence’s railway station at one end and the Ponte Vecchio at the other. The quaint Ponte Vecchio bridge was built in 1345, and was one of the few areas to emerge unscathed from the wartime bombs. Little workshops that used to belong to butchers, tanners and blacksmiths peer onto the river from their timber supports. The church of Santa Maria Novella also rises from the city’s western boundaries in true gothic splendour, preserving some of the most important works of art in Florence.
The Oltrarno (meaning ‘over the Arno’) area became the place from which the Medici ruled from the Palazzo Pitti. The magnificent Boboli Gardens were designed and laid out around it. The area surrounding Via Maggio and Piazza di Santo Spirito boasts a collection of other palazzi built during the 16th and 17th-centuries.
Florence has wonders and treasures enough to occupy travellers for many holidays.
Monaco is one of the smallest nation’s of the World and Monte Carlo is its city with the Palace place on top of a high rock overlooking the city, the quaint port and the Meditteranean Sea. The small town and Palace area are a must. Plan to spend at least half of a day exploring the many shops along the narrow streets and enjoy the views from the Palace grounds.
Monte-Carlo was founded in 1866 during the reign of Charles III,who gave it his name. This area includes the world famous Casino, great hotels and the recently completed recreational centers consisting of the Centenaire gardens, the Larvotto beach and the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club.
The funicular up to Tibidabo, or the cable car up Montjuic, both offer breathtaking views over this attractive city. Its skyline is perhaps most famous for Antoni Gaudi’s masterwork, the still incomplete church of the Sagrada Familia, as well as the city’s huge Gothic cathedral. The artistic legacy of Barcelona is one of the city’s most appealing attributes, with museums containing extensive collections of the works of Miro and Picasso. Barcelona is also a shopper’s paradise, with the city’s flair for style reflected in its numerous boutiques and markets, open late into the evenings. As the sun sets, and the city’s many bars and restaurants open, the night truly comes alive. Dinner is served at any time between nine o’clock and midnight, and the festivities around the bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of the morning.
Barcelona is the commercial centre of the popular holiday region known as the Costa Brava, the northernmost Mediterranean seafront in Spain, as well as the Costa Dorada to the south. The coast is dotted with popular resort towns, many retaining their age-old charm, which can be easily reached from the city.
The soul of the city is best epitomised during its two passion-filled grand festivals, the Semana Santa, held the week before Easter, and the Feria de Abril, held two weeks after Easter Sunday. Seville has an impressive collection of historical sights, including its cathedral, which is one of the largest Gothic buildings in the world. Having been occupied by the Moors for 500 years, the city also has a legacy left by the Arab kings in the form of the Alcazar, a palace-fortress that is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Moorish architecture.
Seville is the regional capital of Andalucia, which contains the densely populated beach resorts of the Costa del Sol along its southern reaches, and the mountain villages of the Sierra Nevada range further inland, about 25 miles (40km) from the coast.
One day can span centuries as visitors move between the picturesque medieval section of the Alfama district and historic São Jorge castle to being amazed by the spectacle of the futuristic Oceanarium of Lisboa.
Infrastructure has also been improved, with additions like the impressive Vasco da Gama Bridge across the River Tagus, which links the city’s airport to a network of national motorways and has facilitated access to other parts of Portugal. There is also a new showcase railway hub, the Gare de Oriente, which is the pride of a new modern suburb on the east bank of the Tagus, creating an even better link between Lisbon and the rest of Europe. But if tourists really want to see the city in style, they must be sure not to miss a ride on the famous Tram 28, which winds its way through the oldest parts of the city and give visitors a feel of the history and rich culture which Lisbon has to offer.
The main reason tourists visit Porto is to sample its legendary port wine, processed, blended and aged in the various lodges of the Vila Nova da Gaia district across the river from the city, via the spectacular two-tiered Dom Luis bridge. Visitors can tour the lodges and finish up with a tasting session. The city also has an historic riverside district called Ribeira, which is undergoing restoration and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Within easy reach of Porto are numerous coastal resorts and fishing villages along the Atlantic coastline, well known for their seafood restaurants. It is the perfect end to a day spent cruising down the River Douro, perfect for taking in the scenic splendour of the area.
The main attraction in the city is the controversial Guggenheim Museum, relatively new on the scene, having been opened in 1997. The city fathers regard this avant-garde building as the beginning of Bilbao’s revitalisation, and the city has also recently acquired a new metro system and airport terminal. Bilbao has some good beaches and a few scenic spots – a favoured picnic site is on Monte Archanda, north of the old town, accessible by funicular. Of the beaches Getxo is the favourite, particularly with surfers, and features a 100-year-old suspension bridge and some lively bars and nightclubs. Bilbao is an interesting, industrial city which is steadily increasing in popularity with tourists and makes for a fantastic weekend getaway.
Most travellers who visit Bordeaux are here for one thing: wine. Wine connoisseurs looking to take home some of their favourite wines will do best to buy directly from the wine farms, but shops such as La Vinothèque on cours du XXX Juillet, or L’Intendant and Badie on allées de Tourny are also good bets.
There are other things to see and do in Bordeaux besides tasting and buying wine, however. The city centre has undergone a remarkable upgrade in recent years, restoring many of its centuries-old buildings. Don’t miss the view from Les Quais, including the beautiful Aquitaine Bridge; the historical monuments and lively student bars of La Victoire; and the lush and peaceful Botanic Gardens. Bordeaux also has several interesting museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Musee D’Aquitaine, which exhibits Gallo-Roman statues and relics dating back 25,000 years.
An important maritime centre and industrial port, Liverpool was one of the great cities of the United Kingdom during the Industrial Revolution, and much of its wealth came from its dominance in the shipping of textiles, cotton, sugar and slaves. The city was severely bombed in World War II and has struggled to get back on its feet, experiencing alternating waves of prosperity and depression. The 1960s saw the explosion of the Beatles and pop music, while the 1990s saw an attempt to regenerate the urban centre.
Liverpool’s waterfront is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city has achieved World Heritage Status, joining Edinburgh and Bath as the only UK cities to carry the honour. Millions of pounds were poured into the development of the city when Liverpool was announced as the European Capital of Culture for 2008, including the £920 million Paradise Street development in the city centre.
Famous for football, music and shipping, Liverpool has steadily increased in popularity with tourists over the last decade.
Not far from the city, in County Wicklow, are the Wicklow Mountains, where hills, glens, forests and waterfalls attract weekend walkers and nature-lovers. Dublin Bay, which lies between the mouth of the River Liffey and the Dalkey headland, is the site of several small coastal towns and the ferry port of Dun Laoghaire. County Kildare is a region of rich farmland and fine reputation for the breeding of thoroughbred horses, while the similar counties of Louth and Meath have evidence of early civilisations and a wealth of castles and monasteries. With all this on Dublin’s doorstep the city is a great base for exploration further afield.
There is a great rivalry between Cork and Dublin, and the majority of Cork’s residents see themselves as distinctly different from the rest of Ireland. Cork is vibrant and cheerful, with music, theatre and film all playing a major role in city life. World-renowned annual festivals add to the lively atmosphere, and in 2005 it was named the European Capital of Culture.
Cork is also the gastronomic capital of Ireland, with the widest variety of top class restaurants in the country, while nearby Kinsale, also known for its host of award-winning pubs and restaurants, hosts the annual Gourmet Festival.
County Cork is located in the southwest, and it is the largest county in Ireland. It’s noted for its maritime identity and impressive coastal scenery as well as being the site of Ireland’s most famous attraction, the Blarney Stone. The city is a major seaport and is built around the waterways of the River Lee, connected by numerous bridges; Cork harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
Halifax was founded in 1749 by the British in an effort to strengthen their presence in the North Atlantic, and the city retains its British military air. Many historic stone and wood buildings have been preserved, particularly in the restored waterfront area that has become a major tourist attraction, offering shopping, nightlife, entertainment and restaurants.
Halifax is the cultural hub of Nova Scotia and for the Atlantic provinces as a whole. It has a number of art galleries, museums, theatres, and other entertainment facilities, and is home to the Nova Scotia Symphony, and many cultural festivals like the Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Shakespeare By the Sea, The Halifax International Busker Festival, Greekfest, and the Atlantic Film Festival. Visitors can find out more about the city’s culture from its free alternative arts weekly magazine, The Coast. The city also offers a range of recreation sites like beaches, parks, and walking trails, and some ‘living history’ experiences like the firing of the noon day gun at the Halifax Citadel and the working locks of the Shubenacadie Canal.
The wonder of New York is in the energy and diversity that emanates from its densely packed, multicultural population. It vibrates with colliding cultures and languages, as highlife and lowlife rubs together to produce a unique atmosphere, 24-hours a day.
Whether lolling on a bench in leafy Central Park, watching the world go by from a French bistro in Soho, or gazing up at Lady Liberty from the deck of the Staten Island Ferry, most visitors will feel they’ve done it all before.
Simply put, this is because New York is so familiar to anyone who has ever seen a movie or watched television. There is something special, however, in actually seeing the familiar landmarks and experiencing the pulse of The City That Never Sleeps.
Five boroughs make up New York City: Staten Island, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. But many visitors never leave Manhattan, with loads of things to do and see packed into this small area relative to the other boroughs.
This includes the 24-hour pasta restaurants of Little Italy, and the bustling sidewalks of Chinatown, the jazz clubs of Greenwich Village, and the theatres of Broadway. Of course, iconic sights include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.
New York has been described as the best three-day city in the world, and that’s about right. After a frenzy of museums, galleries, bars, and clubs, many visitors are ready for a break. Fortunately, there’s a lot of choice in excursions.
Outdoor attractions include the National Parks of upstate New York, to the beaches of Long Island, or simply the leafy oasis of Central Park. Whatever you’re after, New York is ready and waiting to bewitch, enchant, and bewilder.
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