Hawaii, Oceania & the Far East

The Pacific port and tiny town of Puerto Caldera is well-situated for many of Costa Rica's top attractions and most popular cities, including San Jose, Jaco and Puntarenas. This tropical city is located off of the Gulf of Nicoya and its unspoilt, natural beauty is a true spectacle. The vast rainforest around Puerto Caldera spreads from the coastline up into breath-taking mountain ranges where rivers, waterfalls, parks and wildlife preserves are all waiting to be discovered.

Follow in the footsteps of The Beach Boys and fall in love with incredible Hawaii.

Quintessentially Hawaiian, gorgeous Lahaina blends a mix of history, beauty and modern-day delights, creating a wonderfully charming, and rewarding, destination for any visitor to breathtaking Maui Island. Situated on Maui’s picturesque west coast, the town was once Hawaii’s capital and an important part of the whaling boom in the 1800s. Now, while the days of whale trading are long gone, Lahaina remains a symbol of the past and features on the U.S Register of Historic Places. With every turn, especially within ‘Old Lahina’, you really get a feel for the history here, as around 55 acres of the town are designated historic districts. It’s all easily explored on foot, with highlights aplenty to discover; take a stroll along lively Front Streets, one of America’s ‘Top Ten Greatest Streets’, and see sights such as the U.S. Seamen’s Hospital, Hale Paahao (Lahaina Prison), the Pioneer Inn on the historic trail. Aside from its attractions from centuries past, Lahaina also offers a taste of authentic island culture and beauty – as you might expect from somewhere found in one of the world’s most spectacular archipelagos. You can immerse yourself in Maui’s way of life, tasting locally grown and sourced produce at Lahaina’ fine restaurants; catch performance of traditional dance and music at a seaside luau; head out for a volcanic hiking adventure; or simply indulge in pure relaxation at the dream-like beaches.

A mixture of enthralling cultural attractions and magnificent natural phenomena, Hilo offers some of the best sights in Hawaii.

Raiatea, which translates to ‘faraway heaven’, certainly lives up to its name. The island boasts breathtaking scenes of lush jungle interiors, volcanic peaks – including 3337ft-high Mount Tafatua and Mount Olympus, where rare and scared Tiare Apetati flowers grow – and extensive coastal lagoons offering stunning seascapes of azure blue waters and coral reefs teeming with colourful flora and fauna. Beyond the island’s abundant beauty, Raiatea is also rich with cultural and historical importance. It’s believed to be the original birthplace of Polynesia, and where the great Polynesian migration to Hawaii and New Zealand began many centuries ago. Today the island is a pilgrimage for those who wish to retrace the historic steps of their ancestors. Amongst the awe-inspiring landscapes, many fascinating historical and archaeological treasures await discovery, including Marae Taputapuatea – the largest outdoor temple in French Polynesia – and Hauviri Marae, home of the famous Te-papa-tea-ia-ruea sacred stone.

Explore the breathtaking beauty of Tahiti with its vast mountains, white sandy beaches, turquoise ocean and glittering coral reefs.

Bora Bora appears to be of another world, with pretty sand-edged motu (islets) and rainforest-covered ridges, while its fabulous coral reef is a joy to explore.

Stretched over a volcanic field on New Zealand's North Island is multicultural Auckland. The country's largest city, this thriving hub offers everything you would expect.

From the Sydney Opera House to Bondi Beach, man and Mother Nature contribute in equal measure to this splendid city.

A friendly city, loved by residents and popular with tourists. More than just a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns offers plenty to do.

Spread out across the hillsides and beautiful northern shores of Papua New Guinea’s picturesque Milne Bay, Alotau assumes a rarely visited, undiscovered feel. Visitors to Alotau can connect with nature amongst the town’s scenic surroundings and fauna-rich waters; unwind at the untrodden volcanic black sand beaches; and immerse themselves in authentic local culture. Alotau natives are proud of Papua New Guinea’s age-old heritage and traditions, which are celebrated at the not-to-be-missed Alotau Cultural Festival – an extravaganza of tribal music, dance and chanting. Also worth visiting for a taste of traditional life is Alotau’s bustling town market. Although Alotau is relaxed and laid back today, it was an entirely different place just a few decades ago. In World War II, Alotau was on many occasions at the centre of fierce and bloody battles between Australian Allied soldiers and Japanese troops. It was here where the Japanese suffered its first decisive defeat in the Pacific Theatre. The Australian War Memorial offers a detailed description of the Battle of Milne Bay, while the Turnbull Memorial – a short distance from Alotau – commemorates the death of Australian Squadron Leader Peter St George Turnbull, who was killed during the battle.

One of 17,000 islands in Indonesia, Komodo Island is famous for its bright blue waters, steep sloping hills, and the four thousand giant lizards who call the island home.

Part bustling shipping port, part gateway to paradise, Celukan Bawang blends the sights and highlights of ancient and modern Bali together to create an all-encompassing glimpse at life on this spectacular Indonesian island. At the port, you’ll notice how centuries-old trading traditions – represented by high-prowed Bugis schooners and historic architecture – co-exist with the marvels of modern day commerce and engineering, from cruise ships to tower blocks, highlighting the importance of Celukan Bawang as an industrial centre. Beyond the port however, it only takes a short journey to discover the dream-like scenes that are synonymous with Bali; head north for exotic black sand beaches, or south to indulge your wanderlust at postcard-perfect white sand stretches. For an authentic Balinese experience, head inland for explorations of lush, jungle-rich interiors alive with the sounds of native wildlife, and to discover traditional towns and settlements rich with local culture.

Diamond-shaped Pulau Ujong is Singapore's main island and it's bursting with colour, energy and culture.

Thailand is known as the 'land of smiles', whose gentle people are the friendliest you could ever meet. So be assured of a warm welcome in Phuket. This increasingly popular retreat, still mercifully unspoilt, boasts a stunningly colourful landscape of lush tropical plantations, dramatic mountain rainforest and endless white beaches.

Known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, serene Kochi on India’s south-western coast has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years. Formerly the port of Cochin, Kochi grew to prominence as an outlet for the spice trade in the 14th century, and is most famous for the iconic-cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that billow out across its harbour.[ReadMoreMob] This ancient trading centre is a melting pot of cultures and religions, evident in the town’s buildings, which range from the oldest synagogue in the British Commonwealth to the austere Mattancherry Palace, built by the Dutch but influenced by the Portuguese.

A popular beach-side base, this part of southern India offers more than yoga retreats and tie-dye market stalls.

As one of the wealthiest and most populous regions in Asia, Mumbai (known as Bombay until 1995) has been an inspiring tourist hotspot for years – and with its jaw-dropping architecture, culture and food, it’s easy to see why.

On the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates, this exotic destination boasts world-renowned structures, enviably glamorous resorts and pioneering industry.