HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII Queen Elizabeth
Here on Oahu, meaning ‘the Gathering Place’, ascend to the Pali Lookout, positioned on the Koolau Mountains, for visions of azure skies and a patchwork of vibrant greens framed around hulking cliffs. Alternatively brush up on your history at Loloni Palace, last residence of Hawaiian royalty, or aboard USS Missouri, now a floating interactive WWII museum.
KOSAMUI, THAILAND Queen Elizabeth
Beach lovers, look no further! Thailand’s third largest island draws understandable acclaim with its flawless sands and shallow iridescent waters. It’s no great surprise that Ko Samui has garnered the odd resort or two, yet a thriving rustic coconut farming industry pays testament to a lingering sense of untouched paradise.
KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA Queen Elizabeth
Go wild for the delights of tropical Borneo from Kota Kinabalu, capital of the Malaysian region of Sabah. Practice your blowpipe skills at the Monosopiad Cultural Village, admire the majestic flora and fauna in the mangrove swamps of Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary or enjoy the picturesque shores of Tanjun Aru beach.
KUALA LUMPUR (FROM PORT KELANG), MALAYSIA Queen Elizabeth
Welcome to KL, a bubbling melting pot of cultures. Wonder at the soaring Petronas Towers then wander Central Market’s jumble of batik painters, shadow puppeteers and glass blowers. Nearby, the Batu Caves frame their inner secrets with jagged limestone: deft wall paintings, wonderful statues and gleaming Hindu shrines among them.
LISBON, PORTUGAL Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Choose from two dazzling ascents in or around this delightful capital. Make the vertical climb in the clunking, early 1900s Elevador de Santa Justa for a sweeping city perspective. Or venture up to the UNESCO town of Sintra, to appreciate grand houses, wooded slopes, twin-spired palace, horse and carriage rides, fabulous views and crystal clear air.
LUXOR (FROM SAFAGA), EGYPT Queen Elizabeth
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.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market crams all manner of mouthwatering stalls into an incredible 17 hectares, just as it has for 120 years. Tempting goodies on display range from fresh fish to exotic fruits, from succulent meats to colourful sweets. Just don’t be put off by the quirky fact that the site once housed the city’s first burial ground!
MONTECARLO, MONACO Queen Elizabeth
Gaze out at the extravagant yachts that bob in this magnificent harbour, or browse an entire seafaring history in miniature at the principality’s engaging Naval Museum. Glimpse, too, into the opera house, where extravagance meets flamboyance, deep reds complement gleaming gold, and ornate frescoes vie with sculptures for your attention.
MUMBAI, INDIA Queen Elizabeth
From Victorian Gothic buildings to ultra-modern skyscrapers and from street hawkers to Bollywood glitterati, lively Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is a true feast for the senses. See the iconic Gateway to India or the glorious Victoria Terminus, more akin to a palace than a train station. Visit Mani Bhavan, former home of Mahatma Gandhi, or the National Gallery of Modern Art.
MUSCAT, OMAN Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
In this low-rise gem, wedged between Arabian Gulf and scenic mountains, your first impression will be of the trio of forts dominating its entrance. Once ashore witness lavish palaces, Zawawi Mosque, its pink marble crowned by a gilded dome, and Muttrah Souq, a jumble of crafts and clothing perfumed with spices and frankincense.
NAGASAKI, JAPAN Queen Mary 2
On Japan’s south-western tip, recall Nagasaki’s tragic history at the Peace Park. Then explore Chinese influences at the Sofukuji temple or the Confucian Shrine, with its curved roofs and scarlet pillars. Though the land on which it stands actually belongs to China, the latter is the only such shrine built by the Chinese beyond their own borders.
NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND Queen Elizabeth
Discover New Zealand’s ‘Art Deco’ city, destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in the style of the time. Overlooking Hawkes Bay on New Zealand’s North Island, Napier is where you can photograph the famous Pania of the Reef statue, see the huge gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers or visit one of the many local vineyards.
O= Overnight Stay • For Queen Elizabeth itineraries see pages 52-65 • For Queen Mary 2 itineraries see pages 118-129
Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt
www.cunard.com 177
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