Homage To Holy Lands

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 km N of the Equator, just south of the Malaysian state of Johor. One of the few remaining city-states in the world, Singapore is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is brimming with diversity and has a multiplicity of culture, language, arts and architecture and a world famous variety of cuisine. You'll find historic sites like the Thian Hock Keng temple, superlative shopping, including gargantuan malls, and numerous beaches. Read more about Singapore, Singapore

Kuala Lumpur - or KL as it is known - is situated midway along the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, and as the nation's capital city it is the focal point of the new Malaysia. The city truly brings together Malaysia's past and present and its varied cultures. Visitors can appreciate the evocative British buildings as well as the unbounded spirit of progress that symbolises Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. Indeed it is home to the Petronas Twin Towers, among the tallest twin towers in the world. Read more about Kuala Lumpur (Kelang), Malaysia

Penang Island is located on the NW coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, by the Strait of Malacca, while Penang State includes a narrow hinterland that is separated from the island by a channel. All tourists should visit the World Heritage Listed site of George Town. Take a trishaw ride or a guided walking tour to explore the nooks and crannies of George Town which, with its unique architectural and cultural townscape, and where every clanhouse and building represents a page of its colourful history, is definitely a ‘must-see’. Perhaps take a thirty minute cable car ride, or a three-hour hike through lush foliage of the rainforest to Penang Hill with its amazing views. Read more about Penang, Malaysia

Phuket is the main town in the SE of an island of the same name, in the south of Thailand. This destination provides perfect silky-soft beaches, together with superb hospitality. With spectacular scenery and warm blue waters, it is not surprising that it is Asia's most popular beach destination. A range of fantastic day trips are of offer that include rafting, trekking, riding an elephant in Khao Lak, snorkelling at Coral Island, sea kayaking or canoeing in Phang Nga Bay, or taking a Jungle Safari in Khao Sok National Park where you get to ride elephants through the jungle - to name but a few. Read more about Phuket, Thailand

Yangon, aka Rangoon, is Myanmar’s largest city and most important commercial centre. It is regarded as the Garden City of the East, and is also famous for its entirely unfamiliar cuisine. Interestingly, due to its international isolation over the last five decades, Yangon has been left not only with its unmistakably colonial style buildings - downtown is a warren of historic streets concealing some of the best British colonial-era architecture - but also an enduring colonial charm and that has all but disappeared elsewhere. Then there’s the Museum that is home to priceless rubies, sapphires, jade and the world's largest pearl that was discovered in 2001. Read more about Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Yangon, aka Rangoon, is Myanmar’s largest city and most important commercial centre. It is regarded as the Garden City of the East, and is also famous for its entirely unfamiliar cuisine. Interestingly, due to its international isolation over the last five decades, Yangon has been left not only with its unmistakably colonial style buildings - downtown is a warren of historic streets concealing some of the best British colonial-era architecture - but also an enduring colonial charm and that has all but disappeared elsewhere. Then there’s the Museum that is home to priceless rubies, sapphires, jade and the world's largest pearl that was discovered in 2001. Read more about Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Yangon, aka Rangoon, is Myanmar’s largest city and most important commercial centre. It is regarded as the Garden City of the East, and is also famous for its entirely unfamiliar cuisine. Interestingly, due to its international isolation over the last five decades, Yangon has been left not only with its unmistakably colonial style buildings - downtown is a warren of historic streets concealing some of the best British colonial-era architecture - but also an enduring colonial charm and that has all but disappeared elsewhere. Then there’s the Museum that is home to priceless rubies, sapphires, jade and the world's largest pearl that was discovered in 2001. Read more about Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Cochin, which now takes in much of the region adjoining the original town, is a vibrant city on the SW coast of India. It is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west and it enjoys a moderate equatorial climate. It is a blend of modern India, while the old quarter maintains a colonial 'feel'. Successive waves of migration over several centuries of people from all parts of Kerala and most of India has resulted in all being rather more cosmopolitan in outlook. Read more about Cochin, India

New Mangalore is the chief port for Mangalore (formerly Bangalore), on the Arabian Sea of India's west coast. Here a very popular venue for visitors is Panambur Beach that offers jet ski rides, camel rides, boating, dolphin viewing, and food stalls serving ice-cream and natural fruit syrups. Importantly, there are trained beach life-guards and patrol vehicles for safety and security. Most visitors to Mangalore search out its numerous temples that date back to 1068, with their delightful architecture and detailed carvings. Read more about New Mangalore, Indonesia

The small Indian state of Goa, with a 100 km coastline and extending 50 km inland, is situated at the centre of the western shores of India, facing the Arabian Sea. For 450 years Goa was a Portuguese province, until annexed by India in 1961. As India’s smallest and richest state, it offers the best quality of life in the country. The major Indian port Vasco da Gama (named for the first European to reach India by sea) is also Goa’s largest city. Read more about Goa, India

Mumbai, with its natural deep harbour on India's west coast, is its most populous city as well as the richest. Comprising seven islands that once were home to communities of fishing colonies, over time, joined to form the city earlier known as Bombay. It is now the commercial and entertainment capital of India. Surprisingly, the townscape is more reminiscent of a prosperous 19th-century English industrial city than anything you'd expect to find on the edge of the Arabian Sea. Read more about Mumbai, India

Fujairah, considered one of the safest cities of the United Arab Emirates, is situated on the Gulf of Oman in the country’s east. While the weather is warm for most of the year, the months of October to March enjoy temperatures averaging around 25°C. The clean beaches and the numerous water sports such as water surfing, yachting, swimming and deep sea fishing, draw tourists all round the year. Fujairah has some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in the UAE, and there are other water sports such as yachting, swimming, water surfing and deep-sea fishing that also attract tourists. Read more about Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Dubai, The Pride of the United Arab Emirates, is situated on the southern Arabian Gulf. The subtropical climate sees blue skies, temperatures reaching the mid-40s, and little annual rain. The city is all about contemporary shopping with more than 70 shopping malls in the city and indoor entertainment. Regarded as a shopper’s paradise, price negotiation is often acceptable, especially in the markets. Read more about Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Muscat, lying on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman, is the capital and largest city in the Sultanate of Oman. The climate is very hot, with annual average temperatures ranging from 24C. to 33C., but it can get as high as 49C in the summer. It is, though, very dry, hence humidity is not a problem. Read more about Muscat, Oman

Salalah, which lies in the southern Dhofar region, is the second largest city in Oman, and is known for its glorious history, heritage, rich culture, traditions and wonders of nature. The beautiful beaches are also very popular, with scuba diving and bird watching favourite tourist activities. Not surprisingly, it is known as the ‘Stunning Jewel’ of Oman. Don’t miss Wadi Darbat, a natural park with majestic views of waterfalls, lakes, mountains, wildlife, and lush green vegetation. Read more about Salalah, Oman

Aqaba, in the far south of Jordan, is the country’s only port city and, due to the rich coral reefs in the Gulf, is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Cooled by a steady northerly breeze, and ringed by mountains that change in colour with the change of hours, many visitors simply just relax on the sandy beaches. Aqaba is the port for the 3800 year-old ‘hidden city’ of Petra, 100 km to the north. Expect 20 tour coaches to meet your ship for a Petra tour! Read more about Aqaba, Jordan

Port Safaga is a town in Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea, in what is now known as the Red Sea Riviera. With its unpolluted atmosphere, black sand-dunes and mineral springs, Safaga City is considered - by important medical researchers - an important therapeutic tourist centre, and has resulted in attracting international tourism. It also serves as an embarkation point for flights to Luxor and the Upper Nile, enabling visitors to explore the wonderful highlights of Egypt that include the Karnak Temple complex and Valley of the Kings at Luxor. These sites are incredibly interesting. Read more about Safaga, Egypt

Port Safaga is a town in Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea, in what is now known as the Red Sea Riviera. With its unpolluted atmosphere, black sand-dunes and mineral springs, Safaga City is considered - by important medical researchers - an important therapeutic tourist centre, and has resulted in attracting international tourism. It also serves as an embarkation point for flights to Luxor and the Upper Nile, enabling visitors to explore the wonderful highlights of Egypt that include the Karnak Temple complex and Valley of the Kings at Luxor. These sites are incredibly interesting. Read more about Safaga, Egypt

(NOTE: Check that your cruise still visits Haifa due to current safety concerns.) Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is split over three tiers. The lowest is the centre of commerce and industry including the Port of Haifa, the middle level is on the slopes of Mount Carmel consists of older residential neighbourhoods, while the upper level is known for its modern suburbs. From here there are some fascinating views. Read more about Haifa, Israel

(NOTE: Check that your cruise still visits Haifa due to current safety concerns.) Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is split over three tiers. The lowest is the centre of commerce and industry including the Port of Haifa, the middle level is on the slopes of Mount Carmel consists of older residential neighbourhoods, while the upper level is known for its modern suburbs. From here there are some fascinating views. Read more about Haifa, Israel

Ashdod - aka Isdud - is a city on the Mediterranean Sea coast in the South District of Israel, approximately 70 km from Jerusalem and Beer Sheba. It is a major industrial centre and Israel’s largest and busiest cargo port, through which over 100,000 tourists visit annually. It is also one of the most ancient cities in the world, dating back to the Canaanite culture of the 17th century BC, and interestingly is mentioned thirteen times in the Bible. Ashdod is a convenient jumping-off point for exploring several of Israel's most interesting cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Bethlehem. Read more about Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

Heraklion is the largest urban centre in Crete, the capital of the region, and the economic centre of this Greek Island. It is a town with modern buildings, but it is probably the surrounding area of amazing beaches, delightful villages, and impressive gorges that accord it its popularity. Heraklion is home to some of Greece's most important archaeological sites. Just five kilometres south of Heraklion is Knossos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe, and remains the legendary centre of the Minoan civilization from 1900 to 1400 BC. Read more about Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Positano is a small town on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy. The main part of the city with its steeply stacked houses presents a pleasant medley of pastel colours, and its near vertical streets - indeed some of the streets are actually staircases - sits in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast. This is one of the coast's most photogenic and expensive towns. The city has been buried by lava seventeen times in recorded history, and in layers under the present day city are the Roman city that preceded it, and the Greek city before that. Read more about Positano, Italy

Rome, the capital, and largest city of Italy, is full of unending possibilities. It can be reached from the port of Civitavecchia in approximately ninety minutes either by train or coach. Rome greets visitors with a multitude of faces, such as the Ancient City with ruins like: the Colosseum; the seven hills; the Roman Forum; and the Sacred Way, the path used for triumphal processions. There is Renaissance Rome, full of winding streets and sun-dappled piazzas, and the Vatican, home to the Pope. Read more about Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy