Singapore - Phuket

Singapore is a city dedicated to business. The spires of its skyscrapers look like a big bar graph pointing to the sky. It is incredibly clean and crime is virtually unknown. But amid this obsessive neatness is a madly chaotic welter of peoples and cultures, drawn to Singapore in pursuit of the almighty Singapore dollar. Get a taste of colonial Singapore at Raffles, where the Singapore Sling was invented, Emerald Hill, with its charming pavilioned pre-war homes, the Victorian botanic garden, and the green lawns of the Padang Cricket Club. Lest you forget, be sure to visit Orchard Road for non-stop shopping.

Malacca. The Spice Trade. The two are inseparably associated. From the time of the early Renaissance explorers onward, it was the control of the Malaccan Straits that dictated who would own the most precious treasures of the Orient, its spices. The Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British ruled Malacca at one time or another. Explore opulent private mansions built in the distinctive Peranakan colonial style and filled with priceless Chinese antiques.

The ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time onboard, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. 

The breathtaking Malaysian island of Langkawi is one of a group of 104 islands scattered in the calm seas off the northern-most tip of Malaysia. The clear, tropical waters here provide some of the most spectacular swimming and diving in the world, while scenes of paddy fields contoured into limestone hillsides, lush tropical forests, and high tumbling waterfalls entrance nature lovers on land. Kuah Town, its capital, is a fascinating city of cross-cultures and offers duty-free shopping.

The Butang Group of islands is about as far south as you can go on the western coast of Thailand. Protected by the Ko Tarutao National Park, this 61-island archipelago is only a stone’s throw from the Malaysian border and way, way off the radar screen of tourist groups. The only habitations on Ko Adang are the Park offices and since there aren’t many visitors, the pristine beaches and deserted coves are all yours.

The sheer-sided sea mountains that rise vertically out of Phang Nga Bay form some of Thailand’s most spectacular scenery. The islands in this region feature wonderful white sandy beaches and superb coral reefs.

Ko Hong (“hong meaning room”), part of the Ko Hong archipelago, is so named because of its large internal lagoon. One of the prettiest bays in the area, huge monolithic rocks provide shade all day long on a beautiful white silica sand beach.

The Similan Islands, or Nine Islands as they are also known because of their number, nestle in the Andaman Sea to the north of Phuket and are world-renowned among diving enthusiasts for underwater sightseeing. Accessible only by sea, The Similan Islands are stunningly beautiful with scenes straight out of your dreams of a tropical paradise.

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea and is joined to the mainland by a causeway. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves, and rubber plantations, with a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. Phuket is a holiday paradise with the lively area of Patong providing the up-beat resort life with its many shops, restaurants and bars, leaving the rest of the island to show off her natural beauty and unspoiled culture. Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent trip back home.