Hong Kong to Dubai

Experience old and new Hong Kong with its ultra-modern high-rise buildings beside street markets and lovely temples. Visit the boat people in Aberdeen and shop in Stanley Market or stroll through the bustling Temple Street night market. Visit Hollywood Road with its temple and antique shops or take a junk cruise and explore the magnificent bay. Travel to the New Territories to see family shrines, the wishing tree and the preserved wetlands. Or visit Lantau Island and the Po Lin Monastery with its giant Buddha statue.

Drink in the exquisite beauty of Ha Long Bay with its breathtaking monolithic limestone islands and famous morning mists before traveling along the Red River to Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. Enjoy the broad boulevards, French colonial architecture and wonderful Old Quarter. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Vuon Bach Thao park where locals practice Tai Chi.

Drink in the exquisite beauty of Ha Long Bay with its breathtaking monolithic limestone islands and famous morning mists before traveling along the Red River to Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. Enjoy the broad boulevards, French colonial architecture and wonderful Old Quarter. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Vuon Bach Thao park where locals practice Tai Chi.

Hue, the former imperial capital on the Perfume River, beckons with its lovely temples, pagodas and imposing citadel protected by a moat. Explore its many attractions, including tombs of Nguyen dynasty emperors, by boat. Visit the iconic Trang Tien Bridge, which connects the ancient citadel area with Hue across the river, and stroll among the town’s colonial-style buildings and outdoor cafés. In nearby Da Nang, visit famed China Beach and the intriguing Cham Museum, filled with fascinating artifacts of the Cham culture.

Hue, the former imperial capital on the Perfume River, beckons with its lovely temples, pagodas and imposing citadel protected by a moat. Explore its many attractions, including tombs of Nguyen dynasty emperors, by boat. Visit the iconic Trang Tien Bridge, which connects the ancient citadel area with Hue across the river, and stroll among the town’s colonial-style buildings and outdoor cafés. In nearby Da Nang, visit famed China Beach and the intriguing Cham Museum, filled with fascinating artifacts of the Cham culture.

Discover this bustling resort town, renowned for its turquoise waters and yellow sand beaches. See its grand colonial buildings and stroll across a bridge to a fishing village alive with trawlers and junks. Visit the celebrated Cham Towers of Po Nagar, a spot revered by Buddhists. In the countryside, experience rural life in Vietnam today.

Discover the rich heritage of Saigon and the rural Mekong Delta. See the city’s lovely pagodas, colonial architecture and broad boulevards. Ride a local pedicab through the bustling streets; visit the vibrant markets, Chinatown and the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels. Explore the lush countryside of farms, rice paddies and villages with a cruise on the Mekong.

Discover the rich heritage of Saigon and the rural Mekong Delta. See the city’s lovely pagodas, colonial architecture and broad boulevards. Ride a local pedicab through the bustling streets; visit the vibrant markets, Chinatown and the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels. Explore the lush countryside of farms, rice paddies and villages with a cruise on the Mekong.

Indulge your senses in the city’s fabulous golden temples and palaces, the royal barges and the Emerald Buddha. Explore the hidden city of teak mansions and lovely gardens or learn about Thai culture. The Royal Palace, familiar to many as the scene of the true story of Anna and the King of Siam, is a massive complex of carved and gilded buildings still used by the Thai royal family. Or visit the home of Jim Thompson, former spy and promoter of the local silk industry who disappeared mysteriously.

Indulge your senses in the city’s fabulous golden temples and palaces, the royal barges and the Emerald Buddha. Explore the hidden city of teak mansions and lovely gardens or learn about Thai culture. The Royal Palace, familiar to many as the scene of the true story of Anna and the King of Siam, is a massive complex of carved and gilded buildings still used by the Thai royal family. Or visit the home of Jim Thompson, former spy and promoter of the local silk industry who disappeared mysteriously.

Explore this idyllic, forested island and its pristine beaches. Visit the giant Buddha at Wat Phra Yai, the elephant camp where these intelligent animals display their work skills and a plantation where monkeys harvest coconuts. Head to the interior and see majestic cascading waterfalls and how rubber trees are tapped. Enjoy the gorgeous beaches.

Discover a delightful city of contrasts, from its old Chinese quarter and colorful Hindu temples to its modern skyscrapers, famous Tiger Balm Gardens and magnificent National Orchid Garden. Stroll along the Esplanade. Take a short cruise along the Singapore River and a tri-shaw ride through town. Visit the Kranji Memorial and Changi Chapel and Memorial, dedicated to those who lost their lives here during World War II.

Spend the day discovering this cosmopolitan city and its diversity of cultures, from the soaring Petronas Towers and the royal palace to Gothic churches, colonial remnants and a restored Malay timber house in a lovely heritage center. Experience everyday life as you browse the bustling markets and shops. Shopping: Shop for crafts, fine pewter, jewelry and batik.

Visit a batik factory, a butterfly farm, a mosque, church and Indian temple, or just laze around on the beach. Hike the rainforest and waterfall-clad mountains that form the backdrop to the beautiful sandy beaches on the island known as “The Pearl of the Orient.” The capital of the island was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique culture and architecture.

Langkawi is the main island in the archipelago of the same name in the Andaman Sea. Stunning natural beauty and unique wildlife will surround you as you snorkel, horseback ride, hike, golf or simply relax on the powdery sands of the island beaches. Experience Langkawi’s wildlife up close on a boat tour of the amazing mangrove forest. Travel by cable car over ancient rainforests to the top of Mount Machincang.

Experience the many aspects of beautiful Phuket, from its lush landscape and gorgeous beaches to its 19th century Chinese and Western architecture and stunning temples. Visit the fascinating Sea Shell Museum, see the ornate Wat Chalong, watch elephants go through their paces at the elephant camp, and explore the unique and breathtaking Phang Nga National Park. Or just play on one of the island’s fabulous beaches.

As possibly the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in southern Asia, Galle is an exciting, internationally famous destination. The Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally built by the Portuguese and then fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. It now serves as an excellent example of the multicultural influences on the island, representing both European architectural styles and Sinhalese culture

Dotted with stately colonial buildings, Sri Lanka’s largest city is quite beautiful and wonderfully frenetic. Explore the museums and temples or watch cricket at Galle Face Green. If the thrilling energy of the city becomes too much, relax under a cinnamon tree in serene Viharamahadevi Park.

Discover the amazing contrasts of this cosmopolitan, Portuguese-founded city with its lovely colonial architecture, Dutch-style palaces, historic churches, Jewish quarter and huge Chinese fishing nets. Or explore tranquil canals by boat and see ancient villages, exquisite scenery, plantations and temples. See Indian cotton made in traditional fashion.

Enjoy the beautiful beaches on the Arabian Sea, watch the fishing boats and explore the city, especially the 10th century Manjunatha Temple, St. Aloysius College Chapel, the Sultan Battery, Light House Hill Garden, Mangala Devi Temple and the Jumma Masjid. See a traditional South Indian dance performance or perhaps encounter a festival honoring a local deity.

Enjoy this marvelous old Portuguese and Hindu city studded with vibrant temples and majestic churches. Visit the stunning Baroque cathedral and quaint, colorful Panjim for a taste of Portugal in India. Explore the countryside and its spice farms, local markets and the region’s exquisite beaches.

Enjoy the sights of this teeming city, visiting the many lovely Jain and Hindu temples, the Hanging Gardens, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and the magnificent Victoria Station. Take a harbor cruise from the Gateway of India or travel to lush Gharapuri Island to see the 7th century rock-cut temples of the Elephanta Caves. Shopping: Lovely silks, fine gold jewelry, ornate woodcarvings, personal altars, finely carved screens and antiques abound.

The only emirate on the Gulf of Oman rather than the Persian Gulf, Fujairah is blessed with fine beaches and offers excellent deep-sea fishing and snorkeling. It’s separated from the rest of the country by the Hagar mountain range that looms majestically behind the port of Fujairah. Built in 1670, Fujairah Fort and the spring-fed Ain Al Madhab Gardens lie nearby.

Explore this amazing emirate where ultra-modern architecture soars over traditional Arab styles. See the impressive Jumeirah Mosque and stroll through the narrow alleys of old Dubai. Visit a museum in a former all-boys school or journey along Dubai Creek in a dhow. Visit fascinating Sharjah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its fabulous souks.