PORTDENARAU, FIJI
Queen Elizabeth
Welcome to a paradise of azure lagoons, white sands, verdant jungle, tumbling waterfalls, rippling sugar cane and ancient Polynesian shrines. Here, seek out the mineral-rich mud pools of Sabeto Hot Springs or admire the Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple in nearby Nadi, swathed in a rainbow of brightly carved deities.
PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS
Queen Mary 2
On this friendly isle, explore Pamplemousses Botanical Garden on foot, abloom with spices, lotuses and the magnificent Giant Amazon Water Lily. Venture by four-wheel drive to Domaine Les Pailles, home to deer, monkeys and rare bird species. Or board a catamaran to appreciate the island’s stunning beauty from its reef-sheltered waters.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Queen Mary 2
Copacabana or Ipanema? The merest mention of these legendary beaches inspires the imagination and fires the anticipation. At this time of year, the pulsating rhythms and captivating energy reach their mesmerising peak; Carnival lies just around the corner, so visit a samba school as they put the finishing touches to their dazzling performances.
ROME (FROMCIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
The seamless blend of old and new makes Rome an eternal joy. Vespas buzz by the ancient Colosseum, lively chatter fills stately piazzas and chic boutiques line cobbled streets. It is simply irresistible, and you’ll surely long to return. No problem, legend says that throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain will ensure just that.
SAFAGA (FOR LUXOR), EGYPT
Queen Mary 2
Uncover the many riches of ancient Egypt from here on the Red Sea. Follow the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to the Temple of Karnak, marvel at elaborate wall paintings in the Valley of the Kings and behold the magnificent temples lining the Nile at Abu Simbel, with giant pharaohs carved into the rose-coloured stone.
SALALAH, OMAN
Queen Elizabeth
Set off on trail for fragrant frankincense. Stopping by a wadi – or oasis – you’ll witness the time-honoured practice of tapping a frankincense tree to extract the prized resin. At aromatic and vibrant Al Husn Souq, you can pick some up as a souvenir alongside myrrh, incense, perfumed oils and all manner of eclectic wares.
www.cunard.com 219
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
O= Overnight Stay • For Queen Elizabeth itineraries see pages 38-47 • For Queen Mary 2 itineraries see pages 136-153
SALVADOR, DA BAHIA, BRAZIL
Queen Mary 2
The Pelourinho district, known fondly as the Pelô, is like no museum you’ve ever seen. Pastel-painted colonial mansions and gilded churches cluster along cobbled streets that teem with joyful life. Capoeira, the balletic blend of dance and martial art, is played on street corners and the uplifting beat of samba drums never feels far away.
SHANGHAI, CHINA
Queen Mary 2
Shanghai means ‘Above the Sea’ and its futuristic skyscrapers dynamically emphasise the point, the emblematic Orient Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower among them. Pockets of the past do linger, like the Yuyuan Gardens or the Bund, a populous river walkway whose grand façades are among few surviving colonial echoes.
SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT
Queen Mary 2
Here on the Sinai Peninsula, the Red Sea’s glinting waters delight snorkellers and divers with reefs that swirl with tropical fish – in vivid contrast to a backdrop of dusty peaks and arid deserts. Yet these dramatic landscapes are daubed with the brightly hued tents of local Bedouin, almost as colourful as their intriguing handicraft stalls.
SINGAPORE
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Explore multi-cultural Singapore at the gold-domed Sultan Mosque, the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple with its vivid images of Hindu god Vishnu and the calm lotus-filled lakes of the Chinese garden. A certain Britishness lingers too, so stop by Singapore Polo Club and Raffles Hotel for a tall glass of the pink stuff – a signature Singapore Sling.
SYDNEY,AUSTRALIA
Queen ElizabethO
, Queen Mary 2O
Appreciate the distinct characters of the historic Rocks district and Darling Harbor. After some scenic strolling, rest your legs in Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. You cannot fault the wife of a former governor for her seating choice: the views of the ‘Coat Hanger’ – the Harbour Bridge to non-Sydneysiders – and Opera House are as good as you’ll find.
TOKYO (FROM YOKOHAMA), JAPAN
Queen Mary 2
In Japan’s frenetically paced capital, seek out the calm Tokyo Museum, packed with scrolls and sculptures, paintings and pottery, or stroll the Imperial Palace’s East Garden with its elaborate guardhouses and tea pavilions. Shopping is a treat too, whether in the upmarket Ginza district or watching raucous fish vendors at Tsukiji Market.
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
Queen Elizabeth
Aficionados of fine ales can savour a drop of local brew in historic, hospitable pubs with a tale or two to tell. Perhaps none tell quite such a fascinating tale as at the Te Papa museum, affectionately known as ‘Our Place’, a striking architectural jewel on the waterfront whose engaging narrative is the story of New Zealand itself.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260 |
Page 261 |
Page 262 |
Page 263 |
Page 264 |
Page 265 |
Page 266 |
Page 267 |
Page 268 |
Page 269 |
Page 270 |
Page 271 |
Page 272 |
Page 273 |
Page 274