Auckland
New Zealand offers a vacation with a twist. A perfect amount of diversity, a sprinkle of familiarity, and enough sights and great spots to keep you busy for months. Auckland is no exception, with dozens of spectacular restaurants, museums, and shopping facilities. You will find that Auckland is a close-knit community full of friendly and helpful locals, eager to assist you any way that they can. The environment is spectacular, and you will be in awe of the uniqueness of the land. The jewelry that is designed in Auckland is marvelous, and over forty different jewelers are represented in one small area. If you are looking for new ways to spice up your wardrobe or your home, Auckland is definitely the place to go. Auckland is said to produce some of the finest quality chocolate in the world. They claim that theirs rivals Sweden's. Give it a try, and you'll most likely agree!
Nicknamed the City of Sails, Auckland is perhaps the most bustling city in New Zealand. Home to 1.3 million people, some of it is cosmopolitan, while other parts are strictly tropical, and have gorgeous beaches with scuba diving, water sports, and fabulous sailing. Be warned that there is a great deal of big city life here in Auckland, but it is counterbalanced perfectly with the subtlety and warmth of the small town feel that emanates from the secluded parks and cozy diners. The energy in Auckland is overwhelming, and you cannot help but get caught up in it. The nightlife in Auckland is stellar. The bars, clubs, and dance joints rock throughout the night. Touring the 48 dormant volcanoes in Auckland could keep you occupied for days with their scenic wonder. In short, Auckland is a captivating city bursting with natural and man-made attractions, ready to be enjoyed by tourists from around the world.
Sydney
Sydney's secret was revealed to the world at the 2000 Olympic Games. The secret? That Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is one of the most dramatic, sophisticated, diverse, and fun-loving cities in the world. From its world famous Opera House to its pristine beaches, Sydney truly has something to offer everybody.
Sydney is Australia's largest city, with over four million people calling it home. While it covers over seven hundred square miles, it is remarkably easy to get around town. Buses, trains, ferries, taxis, water taxis, and even a monorail are all available to you.
Sydney's cultural highlights include a handful of museums and art galleries. The Australian National Maritime Museum is phenomenal, as is the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Tourists marvel at the world-renowned Sydney Aquarium, and many have undertaken the challenge of climbing the Harbour Bridge.
The city reveals its true magnificence when the sun goes down. The harbor positively sparkles, and the town crackles with energy. There are plenty of fine restaurants to choose from, and the nightlife gives as much as you're willing to take.
Because you are on such a limited time budget, you probably won't have much occasion to leave the downtown and harbor areas, unless you squeeze in a trip to the beach. If this is your first visit to Sydney, then that will probably suffice. But because there is so much to see and do in Sydney, you'll probably end up plotting your next visit before you leave!
Cairns
Cairns is a naturalist's heaven. The city has everything you're looking for, from perfect beaches to a pristine rain forest. And of course, just offshore is the truly awesome Great Barrier Reef. You will find that the day passes much too quickly in Cairns (pronounced cans).
The emphasis in Cairns is clearly placed on nature and natural wonders. You'll find that most activities in town are geared towards getting you out to the reef or to exploring the nearby Wet Tropics Rain Forest. The sights here grace most Australian tourism brochures, and you'll be left wondering how you will be able to pull yourself away from here.
It's difficult to recommend an itinerary for your stay in Cairns, especially because cruise passengers are on such a limited time budget. As a result, you will have an impossible time fitting everything mentioned in this guide into such a short time. Your best course of action is to plan out your day in advance, deciding whether you would rather spend your time admiring the splendor of the Great Barrier Reef, gazing at the natural beauty of the rain forest, or enjoying an adrenaline high from any of Cairns excellent outdoor adventure activities. No matter what you choose, one thing is certain after you visit Cairns. You will want to come back!
Singapore
Singapore is a wonderfully exciting destination that is full of relaxing activities, great architectural sites, and outstanding dining experiences. The shopping is world-class, and the nightlife is vibrant, as well. The abundance of water sports will please all of you looking for a physically challenging activity or two. The islands neighboring Singapore are gorgeous, making them ideal for an afternoon excursion. The protected park areas and nature reservations are beautiful, and there are a number of interesting attractions, especially in the historic district, that are of excellent for sightseeing and exploring.
Singapore may be a small island, geographically speaking, but it is tremendously popular with tourists. The locals are quite pleased with their home, as Singapore features some of the lowest violent crime rates of anywhere in the world. It is a very safe city for the whole family. The numerous religious factions represented in such close proximity in Singapore coexist peacefully and respect one another. This is one of the most visited places in all of Southeast Asia. If an exotic cruise destination with extraordinary scenery and a friendly society sounds good to you, then look no further. Singapore features all this and much more.
The region is so diverse that you will have no problem enjoying a completely different type of cuisine for every meal. The Chinese Opera plays in Singapore, and they are dynamite. In a single neighborhood, you will observe Muslim mosques, Chinese temples, Christian churches, and Hindu worship sites. The government of Singapore runs a tight ship, and this is probably why it is such a thriving, safe community. As a result, be wise and observe all local rules and regulations, because the law is relatively strict.
Bangkok
Amazing Thailand is the name that has been given to the recent tourism movement that is currently underway in Bangkok. This region is certainly living up to this title, and virtually everything about the city is amazing. The gorgeous beaches, fast-paced nightlife, and exquisite Thai cuisine are capturing the hearts and minds of tourists everywhere. It is only in the past few years that travel to Thailand has really exploded. But now that it has, watch out, because there is no stopping the expansion. The transportation and amenities in Bangkok have all been upgraded, and the city has a newfound safe and comfortable feel to it that it did not have before. The atmosphere is exciting and modern, and the shopping facilities are tremendous. The bazaars are as interesting as they are bizarre, and the shows and clubs are fantastic. They are fantastic as long as you exercise certain degree of caution. Prostitution is still heavily promoted in the area, and with prostitution comes sexually transmitted diseases that you can certainly do without. So be safe and say no.
The Thai people came from a province in southern China known as Yunnan about 1,000 years ago when the Mongols invaded the area. During the 12th century, Khmers ruled Thailand, and the real nationalism of the Thai people began in the 13th century when the Thai chieftains started a rebellion against the Khmers. As the Thai alliance began to gain strength and recognition, it expanded mightily. In 1350, the capital of the country was founded at Ayuthaya. A transition of power took place over the next couple of centuries, with many different forces occupying the region at one time or another. A new capital was established at Bangkok in 1783 when the Chakri royal dynasty, ruled by King Rama I, took power. Thai culture and tradition have survived intact throughout the decades. Tourism plays a huge role in the present economy. Without it, Bangkok would really suffer, but thankfully, the enjoyment that travelers from around the world derive from their visits help keep the sightseers coming in droves. While touring Bangkok, you are sure to encounter amazing architectural sites, picturesque terrain, and bustling city life, unique to that found in Western culture.
Manilla
Manila is a city bursting with life and excitement. The facilities are well-maintained, and the government of the Philippines has made plans to update the amenities to top-notch sites, and give the entire city a face-lift of sorts. So now is the perfect time to visit this sprawling, lively city by the water. The restaurants offer great food and surprisingly good service.
The museums and historical sites in Manila are quite fascinating, and offer insight and knowledge into the history and culture of the area. The Filipino heritage is a unique and interesting one, and you can explore it in depth at a number of destinations. Mount Pinatubo is one of the wonders of the world, an exquisite location that is a must see. A few days may be enough for Manila, but they will definitely be an action-packed and exciting few days. The city is very warm the entire year, and the heat can be stifling during the spring and summer months. You may encounter days of rain, but the parade never stops. A little rain or heat certainly won't stop the Filipino locals from having a raucous party. A little weather will not stop you either, because you are sure to get caught up in the fun and excitement of the city. There is a plethora of water sports available in Manila, and dining or relaxing on the beach is quite enjoyable. You can also attend sailing and whitewater rafting excursions that are outstanding. It may seem that the city is disorganized and difficult to navigate, but that's okay, because the taxi service in Manila is reliable and affordable. Getting around is easy, and this is a good thing, because there certainly is a lot to see and do.
Hong Kong
Many feared that Hong Kong's incredible rise to prominence would be stunted when Great Britain handed control of the island back to China in 1997. In the years since, however, Hong Kong has continued its meteoric rise to become one of the leading economic centers of the Pacific Rim.
This position of strength could hardly have been anticipated. When England gained control of Hong Kong after the 1841 Opium War, the island was regarded as little more than barren rock. In fact, most of its value came from its strategic trading position, for it stood as a perfect entryway to Canton. Hong Kong started to rise slowly, but exploded only after waves of mainland Chinese came to the island, fleeing the Communist Revolution. Many of the refugees included China's elite businessmen, who came to this small island and transformed it into a wealthy economic hub.
Hong Kong's skyscrapers actually take their name literally. Companies continually strive to outdo each other by building huge edifices, seemingly one on top of the other. But if you can escape Hong Kong Island, you will be enchanted by the less developed islands that surround it. A side trip to the island of Lantau will remind you that there is more to Hong Kong than tall buildings and money.
Hong Kong can be easily divided into three main sections. Hong Kong Island measures only thirty square miles, but this is where you will probably spend most, if not all of your time. Each district on the island has a distinct feel to it, with some more focused on fashion and others concerned with economy and industry. Kowloon is the peninsula that lies across the harbor from Hong Kong Island. Finally, the New Territories cover two hundred square miles of mostly pristine, undeveloped territory.
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