Holiday Pearls Of Arabia & Asia - 7280A

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

Sir Bani Yas Island lies in the Persian Gulf, 170km W of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. It is a nature-based destination alive with wildlife and adventure activities, and many interesting historical sites. The island is one of eight that make up the Desert Islands in Al Gharbia (Western Region). Awarded the World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination at the 2014 World Travel Awards, more than half of the island is made up of the Arabian Wildlife Park, one of the region’s largest wildlife reserves, and home to more than 10,000 free roaming animals. Read more about Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates

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

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

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

Pulau Weh or Weh Island is a small active volcanic island in Aceh Province, just off the northern tip of Sumatra. The largest city on the island, Sabang, has a deep water harbour providing a logistic hub for international vessels passing through the busy shipping route, the Malacca Strait. Islam is the main religion, as Aceh is a special province where Sharia law has been applied, exclusively for the province. Weh Island is best known for ecotourism and underwater diving. Read more about Pulau Weh, Indonesia

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

Pulau Langkawi, the largest of 99 islands collectively known by the same name, is situated off the NW coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. Since being made a duty-free port in 1987, shopping here is cheaper than anywhere else in Malaysia. Yes, this delightful island's economy is primarily based on tourism. Be sure to take the opportunity of riding the cable car from the Oriental Village, and be astounded at the world class Langkawi Skybridge clinging to a 700m high mountain ridge. Read more about Langkawi, Malaysia

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

Ko Samui is an island off the E coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, about 35 km NE of Surat Thani town on the mainland peninsula. It lies in the Gulf of Thailand, and is Thailand's second largest island, though only 15 km across. The central part of the island is an uninhabitable mountainous jungle. The various lowland areas are connected by a single road that circumnavigates the island. Read more about Ko Samui, Thailand

Bangkok, the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand, is about a two-hour trip from Laem Chabang Port. The city is situated at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. It is a place where the past, present, and future live harmoniously together, as reflected by the luxury hotels and gleaming skyscrapers that grace the skyline alongside dazzling, historical temples. The city's wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with exoticism. Read more about Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand

Bangkok, the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand, is about a two-hour trip from Laem Chabang Port. The city is situated at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. It is a place where the past, present, and future live harmoniously together, as reflected by the luxury hotels and gleaming skyscrapers that grace the skyline alongside dazzling, historical temples. The city's wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with exoticism. Read more about Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand

Ko Kut is an island in the Trat Sea Waters of Thailand, at the eastern-most part of the country adjacent to Cambodia. It was originally a village, but now the name encompasses a whole district in Trat Province, eastern Thailand, consisting completely of islands. Ko Kut is ringed with sleepy seaside villages, while inland the island is very wild with a lot of coconut and rubber tree plantations. It is a delightfully quiet and 'away from it all' destination. Read more about Ko Kut, Thailand

Sihanoukville (aka Kampong Som) is a port city in southern Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand, 185 km SW of the capital Phnom Penh. Historically, it was the site of the last official battle of the U.S. Army in the war, and two shipwrecks 40 m down, off one of its islands, are of interest to divers. It is the only deep water port in the country, and one of the main centres of economic growth in Cambodia. Read more about Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the largest city of Vietnam in SE Asia, is situated on the banks of the Saigon River which flows into the Mekong delta, in the south of the country. Phu My, 70km to the SE, is one of the many ports used by tourist ships bringing visitors to this rapidly developing and dynamic city with more than 6 million citizens. Ho Chi Minh City’s architecture and lifestyle is a combination of American and Chinese influences. Modern office skyscrapers, amidst Chinese style pagodas and food stalls along the street, create a dynamic urban area in a very special sense. Read more about Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the largest city of Vietnam in SE Asia, is situated on the banks of the Saigon River which flows into the Mekong delta, in the south of the country. Phu My, 70km to the SE, is one of the many ports used by tourist ships bringing visitors to this rapidly developing and dynamic city with more than 6 million citizens. Ho Chi Minh City’s architecture and lifestyle is a combination of American and Chinese influences. Modern office skyscrapers, amidst Chinese style pagodas and food stalls along the street, create a dynamic urban area in a very special sense. Read more about Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Da Nang, Vietnam's dominant port and 4th largest city, is located on the southerly curve of a vast well-protected bay on the South China Sea coast, midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The city has a strong industrial base, a traditional fishing industry, and growing tourism market. Stroll along the Han riverfront with its modern hotels, apartments and restaurants. Spectacular new bridges span the river, and in the north the landmark new D-City is rising from the flatlands. Read more about Da Nang, Viet Nam

Hong Gai – aka Halong, Hanoi – is a port city located about 160 km NE of Hanoi in Vietnam. The city lies mainly on Bai Tu Long Bay, a part of the beautiful Halong Bay. This huge bay is famous for its wonderful landscape of over 200 cliff islands covered with beautiful tropical vegetation and surrounded by the mysterious, beautiful, quiet waters of the bay. Over innumerable centuries the lapping waves at the bases of the cliffs have resulted in the many strangely shaped limestone inlets, striking caves and grottos. Read more about Hong Gai, Viet Nam

Hong Kong, situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea, is a kaleidoscope of life, a sophisticated fusion of East and West, a city of diversity where new and old meet at every turn. Hong Kong offers a host of memorable tourist attractions within its compact area. Victoria Harbour and the Giant Buddha are among the most awe-inspiring. Then take the famous Escalator and the Tram to the Peak, the tallest point on the island, with some of the most expensive homes to be found anywhere. Read more about Hong Kong, Hong Kong