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.
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