Begin your holiday with an overnight stay in Perth, capital of the state of Western Australia. Here you could delve into the city’s many attractions, from Kings Park, a sprawling botanical garden, to the former prison at nearby Fremantle.
You’ll then embark Queen Mary 2 for your cruise to Southampton. Which take’s in some of the most fascinating cities of the Eastern hemisphere. With three days at sea you’ll have ample time to familiarise yourself with this superb ocean liner and its wealth of first-class amenities.
Bali, your first destination, is a paradise island where ancient Hindu temples peek through dense tropical foliage and dormant volcanoes loom over black-sand beaches. Head to lively Kuta Beach or the markets of the Capital Denpasar,for hand-crafted souvenirs.
Sail onto scintillating Singapore. Marvel at the beautifully illuminated Super tree Grove taking in the panoramic views from the dizzying SkyPark that lies across the three towers of the Marina Bay Sands complex.
From Penang, whose capital George Town is an intoxicating mix of British colonial charm and Chinese shop houses, you’ll then head for the atmospheric city of Colombo. Sri Lanka’s capital city is crowded around the tranquil Lake Beira, where gleaming gold Buddha statues gaze over the water and verdant tea plantations lie beyond the urban sprawl.
Entering the Persian Gulf, you’ll then discover three of the Arabian Peninsula’s most exciting cities. Doha and Abu Dhabi are bursting with dazzling architecture and opulent mosques, while Dubai is home to the world’s tallest building, golden beaches and a number of souks for bargain-hunting.
After stopping at leafy Salalah on the south coast of Oman, you’ll then enter the Red Sea where Aqaba awaits. This relaxed Jordanian city is the gateway to Petra, one of the world’s best-known archaeological sites, as well as the rust-hued landscape of Wadi Rum.
You’ll then pass through the Suez Canal, stopping at Port Said in the southern Mediterranean before calling at Rome, an “open-air museum” of ancient sites including the world-famous Colosseum. Your final destination before disembarking in Southampton is Lisbon, where you could take in the sights of the River Targus estuary from Sao Jorge Castle and sample local cuisine at the superb Time Out Food Market.
