Emerald Seas & The Great Reef Sydney to Singapore

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s 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. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Newcastle is a harbour city in the Australian state of New South Wales. Its plentiful beaches are linked by the Bathers Way, a coastal walk stretching between Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach. The walk provides access to Bogey Hole, a convict-built ocean bath from the colonial period. Also on the path is the 1880s Fort Scratchley, a historic site and a viewpoint for spotting migrating whales.

Head out to the Great Barrier Reef to dive or snorkel, or discover the local beaches and enjoy the tropical scenery, the seafront promenade, galleries and shops. Venture out to stunning Magnetic Island with its national park, miles of walking trails, wildlife and magnificent coral reefs. Take home local artwork, crafts, jewelry and souvenirs. Savor fresh seafood along with a wide variety of international cuisines, perhaps a cold beer or a glass of fine wine.

Cairns is the capital of Far North Queensland, and its east coastal cities rest along the Great Barrier Reef. The state of Queensland occupies a vast 667,000 square miles and much of the land remains uninhabited, covered with miles of rainforest where Australian teak, hopp, pine and fig trees abound. Before 1879, when the city of Cairns was established, the only inhabitants of this region were the Aborigines, the culture for which Australia is perhaps best known.

This quaint frontier town, scenically located on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Cooktown is the site of Australia’s first European settlement. The town is named after the famous South Seas explorer Captain Cook, and Cook’s Pillar marks the spot where his ship, the Endeavour landed ashore in 1770. Grassy Hill offers a 360° panorama of the countryside and pristine beaches. The area remains a near-wilderness offering dramatic mountains, eucalypts, mangroves and rainforests, heathlands, grasslands, and rivers for the adventurous traveler.

Along the coast of the Northern Territory lies Darwin, a city isolated by the vast Australian desert. The area was sought by the French, Dutch and British, and was established as the town of Darwin in 1869. In 1942, the city was under the threat of a Japanese attack, so a major Australian military base was established. Today Darwin is the largest city of the Northern Territory, offering sights from its colonial past and excellent shopping and dining opportunities.

Indonesia’s isolated Komodo Island is a natural wonder of tropical savanna and scrubland, home to the famed pre-historic Komodo dragon. Komodo National Park is the only place on earth that they can be found in the wild. The island of Komodo itself is about 60 squares miles in area with dramatic landscapes of 2,000 foot craggy mountains, canyons, Savannas and monsoon rain forests in the valleys. Human habitation is therefore limited to only one settlement in Slawi Bay.

Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. The island is home to religious sites such as cliffside Uluwatu Temple. To the south, the beachside city of Kuta has lively bars, while Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua are popular resort towns. The island is also known for its yoga and meditation retreats.

Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. The island is home to religious sites such as cliffside Uluwatu Temple. To the south, the beachside city of Kuta has lively bars, while Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua are popular resort towns. The island is also known for its yoga and meditation retreats.

Surabaya is the gateway to a world of wonders, from Buddhist temples to Arab quarters. You will notice the vast differences in architecture as you move around the various neighborhoods. In particular, tour the Sampoerna Museum, a well-preserved historical site built in the 19th-century Dutch colonial-style. Also, visit the Grand Mosque of Surabaya and witness the tall minaret, with exquisite bright blue and green mosaic titles on the top of the pyramid-looking roof and dome. It’s a 21st-century masterpiece showcasing stylish religious structural design and layout. There’s plenty to do in the city center of Surabaya, whether you’re a history buff, a relentless shopper or an intrepid foodie.

Spend the day discovering this cosmopolitan city and its many cultural levels, from the soaring Petronas Towers to a Royal Palace, Gothic churches, stolid Colonial remnants and a restored Malay timber house, once the residence of a local headman in a lovely Heritage Center. Browse in the markets and shops. Shop for crafts, excellent pewter, jewelry, batik. The fusion of cultures here offers a variety of menus from Malay and Chinese to continental cuisines. Try a curry or spicy broiled duck, a satay or broiled fish.

Straegically located at the end of the Malaysian peninsula, the island nation of Singapore is a modern,

thriving metropolis and a true melting pot of cultures. Singapore offers diverse colorful ethnic quarters; a fantastic array of superb cuisines; and a shopping mecca second to none. In many ways Singapore (the name means Lion City) was built by Sir Stamford Raffles. Coming ashore to a tiny fishing village in 1819, through trade treaties and business acumen, he laid the foundation for one of the most amazing urban success stories in history. Today, travelers can embrace exotic sights and sounds as they stroll or ride a trishaw through Chinatown, the Arab Quarter or Little India. Head down to the scenic Boat Quay for unrivaled views of the harbor and stop at one of the many international eateries for a refreshing repast. Shop along famous Orchard Road with its merchandise from every corner of the Pacific Rim; embark on a night safari at the Singapore Zoo or relax in the verdant shade of the Bukit Timah Nature Preserve. Be sure to leave time to try a refreshing Singapore Sling at the bar at Raffles Hotel.

Straegically located at the end of the Malaysian peninsula, the island nation of Singapore is a modern,

thriving metropolis and a true melting pot of cultures. Singapore offers diverse colorful ethnic quarters; a fantastic array of superb cuisines; and a shopping mecca second to none. In many ways Singapore (the name means Lion City) was built by Sir Stamford Raffles. Coming ashore to a tiny fishing village in 1819, through trade treaties and business acumen, he laid the foundation for one of the most amazing urban success stories in history. Today, travelers can embrace exotic sights and sounds as they stroll or ride a trishaw through Chinatown, the Arab Quarter or Little India. Head down to the scenic Boat Quay for unrivaled views of the harbor and stop at one of the many international eateries for a refreshing repast. Shop along famous Orchard Road with its merchandise from every corner of the Pacific Rim; embark on a night safari at the Singapore Zoo or relax in the verdant shade of the Bukit Timah Nature Preserve. Be sure to leave time to try a refreshing Singapore Sling at the bar at Raffles Hotel.