Hong Kong to Benoa (Bali)

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.

Europeans first landed in Vietnam at serene Da Nang Bay back in 1535, and the area has attracted numerous visitors – some friendly, some not – ever since. The French occupied Vietnam for nearly a century. During the Vietnam War, the United States kept a large military base in Da Nang. Today, tourists from all over the world arrive in this fine, deep-water port to marvel at the country’s rebirth. One of the city’s greatest points of interest is the Cham Museum, home to a wonderful collection of sculpture and artifacts from the 4th to the 14th centuries. Some of the Central Vietnam’s finest beaches lie just outside of Da Nang, such as famed China Beach and lesser-known but no less spectacular My Khe Beach. Still, the area’s true gem remains the Imperial City of Hue, the country’s former capital on the banks of the Perfume River. Its architectural treasures include the multi-tiered Thien Mu Pagoda and the huge Citadel, protected by a moat.

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.

Semarang is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It was a major port during the Dutch colonial era, and is still an important regional center and port today.

Showcasing a dizzying array of cultural influences, this second-largest city in Indonesia was once the most important port of the Dutch East Indies. A prime example is the stately 19th-century House of Sampoerna, a colonial-style cigarette factory that houses a fascinating museum. Discover a vast selection of wares at Pasar Pabean, a lively market that links Chinatown and the Arab Quarter. At the Grand Mosque of Surabaya, one of Indonesia’s largest, climb the soaring minaret for better views of the gleaming blue and green tiles adorning the sanctuary’s domes. As a tranquil respite, settle in for high tea at the elegant Majapahit Hotel, a highlight of Surabaya’s complex and absorbing historical legacy.

Explore the hidden wonders of northern Bali from this busy port, where modern seagoing vessels mingle with traditional Bugis schooners, high-prowed wooden ships that have plied these waters for centuries. More eclectic charms await in Bali’s former capital of Singaraja, whose colonial Dutch influence contrasts with the island’s age-old stone temples. Immerse yourself in the untamed wilderness of Bali Barat National Park, perhaps snorkeling among the luminous coral reefs surrounding Menjangan Island or sighting the graceful Bali starling in a lush monsoon forest. Stroll exotic botanical gardens in the lakeside village of Bedugul and browse a colorful farmer’s market for an authentic glimpse of Bali’s timeless allure.

Experience this exquisite island and its gentle people as you explore the lush countryside of terraced rice fields and mountains dotted with temples. Visit a royal palace, watch an entrancing dance performance, or see carvers at work. Enjoy villages filled with beautiful arts and crafts and the daily festivals with villagers parading in their finery to local temples.