Transcultural Peregrination - Singapore to Lisbon

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

In the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, head straight for the city where historic temples unite with fashionable skyscrapers and lush parks.

Explore the relaxed charm of Langkawi with its farms, fishing villages and peaceful rice paddies. Langkawi boasts colorful myths and legends, dramatic mountains, and vast, pristine beaches. Begin with a visit to Eagle Square. Then soar to the height of eagles on the Langkawi cable car and admire the amazing views at Kereta Kabel. Look for beautifully handcrafted plates made from cinnamon trees. Discover the impact of rice agriculture in Malaysia with a visit to the Laman Padi Langkawi. Try seafood sizzlers made with coconut and chile paste or tea and chocolate treats in this romantic paradise.

With a land area of 215 square miles, Phuket Island is about the same size as Singapore, making it Thailand's largest island. Known as the "Pearl of Thailand," this beautiful retreat offers pristine beaches, lush vegetation, traditional villages, and seascapes of huge limestone pillars that tower over the turquoise waters of Phang-Nga Bay. Apart from tourism, much of the province's wealth derives from tin production, which started back in the 16th century.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip.

Sri Lanka's naturally wonderful landscape has been shaped by Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and European influences for a fascinating multicultural heritage.

A major port on the Arabian Sea located in Southern India, Mangalore derives its name from a goddess. The city has a rich historical past, part of it even dating back to major epics that are the bedrock of the Hindu mythological pantheon. Mangalore has 11th century temples, scintillating beaches dotted with coconut palm trees, museums and lighthouses. Red-roofed houses against the lush greenery provide a much-needed escape from the ordinary.

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

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Made up of 26 ring-shaped atolls, this picturesque Indian Ocean nation is exceedingly romantic and an ideal place to get away from it all

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, lying north east of Mahé. Originally known as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants, Lazare Picault named the island “Isle de Palmes” in 1744. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin in honor of Cesar Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin, a French diplomat. Tropical forests and nature preserves abound, housing the unique coco de mer and vanilla orchids.

Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. Its terrain is defined by white-sand beaches such as those in the popular resort area of Beau Vallon, and granite peaks including the rainforested Morne Seychellois. The island is also home to Victoria, Seychelles' capital, known for Creole architecture and a colorful covered market with wares like fish, fruit and clothing

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Unique plants and animals, a staggeringly impressive landscape and inviting bays make Madagascar a must-see destination.

Mayotte is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. It’s a department and region of France, though traditional Mayotte culture is most closely related to that of the neighboring Comoros islands. The Mayotte archipelago is surrounded by a coral barrier reef, which shelters a lagoon and marine reserve that are popular diving destinations

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Discover the relaxed charm of Maputo with its wide, European style boulevards, lush with jacaranda, bougainvillea and other tropical foliage, where old colonial palaces are mixed in with modern high-rise buildings. Visit The Cathedral built in 1944 in the shape of a cross, then the lively Mercado Central. Enjoy a snack of freshly roasted cashews and a cold bottled drink. Stop by the National Museum of Art then stroll along the Avenida Julius Nyerere, browsing the boutiques, vendors, and restaurants. Look for African waxprint and woven fabrics, beautiful wooden boxes and picture frames. Seek out the surreal Pancho Guedes buildings, reminiscent of Gaudi. Visit the Praça de Trabalhadores designed by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century. Sip coffee in one of the many outdoor cafés as you watch the world go by in this vibrant seaside capital.

Richards Bay is one of South Africa’s largest harbors, and is the tourist’s gateway to Zululand, once the mightiest of the sub-Saharan African Kingdoms. Richards Bay began its life as a makeshift harbor, set up by Sir Fredererick Richards, after whom it is named, during the Anglo-Boer War of 1880-81. Richards Bay has some of the most spectacular wetland scenery and pristine beaches on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal. Join us as we explore the land of King Shaka, or embark on an unforgettable safari to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.

Durban, South Africa’s sultry subtropical jewel, stretches along the sun-kissed beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Mossel Bay, a coastal jewel nestled along South Africa’s renowned Garden Route, boasts a fusion of historical intrigue and modern seaside charm.

Cape Town, a jewel nestled at the foot of the awe-inspiring Table Mountain, pulses with an unmatchable rhythm of diversity.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Walvis Bay, Namibia’s unique maritime and adventure oasis, is a sparkling city on the Atlantic, renowned for its natural lagoon and thriving birdlife.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Luanda, the capital of Angola, is a port city on the west coast of Southern Africa. A seafront promenade known as the Marginal runs alongside Luanda Bay. Nearby is the well-preserved 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel, which now contains the Museum of the Armed Forces. The fort has views of the harbor and the Ilha do Cabo, a long, thin peninsula in the bay that’s home to beaches, bars and restaurants.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

São Tomé is the capital and largest city of the Central African island country of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its name is Portuguese for "Saint Thomas". Founded in the 15th century, is one of Africa's oldest colonial cities

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Cotonou is a large port city on the south coast of Benin, in West Africa. At the eastern end of central Boulevard St. Michel is the huge Dantokpa Market, which features religious items and spices alongside everyday objects. To the southwest, the 19th-century Cotonou Cathedral has a striking red-and-white striped facade. Nearby, in the Haie Vive district, the Fondation Zinsou museum shows contemporary African art. ― Google

The Ivory Coast's largest city and former capital, skyscraper-studded Abidjan curves around placid Ebrié Lagoon. Being one of the world's largest French-speaking cities, it's often referred to as the "Paris of Africa." Abidjan's more affluent Le Plateau and Cocody neighborhoods exude a palpable European ambiance. Take in the city’s modern architecture whether visiting the Cathedrale St. Paul or La Pyramide. For those that prefer a comprehensive overview of Abidjan’s history, tour the National Museum, which houses an interesting collection of traditional art, including masks, pottery and wooden statues.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Experience the rhythm and vibrancy of Dakar with its bustling open-air markets, historical colonial architecture and French influences. Visit the African Renaissance Monument standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Look for embroidered cloth, lace, and silk to turn into traditional robes called boubou. Try bissap, the local tea made with hibiscus, sugar and water. Browse through the gallery and gardens of L’Institut Francais. Savor a café au lait and pastry as you revel in the syncopated rhythm of this dynamic city.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Discover gorgeous Santa Cruz de La Palma with its colorful buildings, 18th Century mansions, and wrought-iron balconies draped with lush bougainvillea, dramatic volcanic mountains, and fertile green valleys set amid a pristine turquoise sea. Explore the star-shaped 17th Century Castillo de Santa Catarina fortress. Then visit the Moorish influenced Iglesia de El Salvador to admire the luminous stained-glass windows. Stroll along O’Daly Street browsing through lovely boutiques, antique and artisan shops. Enjoy a glass of fine Canary Island wine in a jewel-like setting.

Desirable and dramatic, the luxuriant landscape of the Madeira archipelago has been a popular favourite for 6 centuries.

Why not spend your day at sea learning how to play the 7,000-year-old Bocce Ball (Italian lawn bowling), or work on your game at the paddle Tennis Court. If you feel like some alone time, why not curl up with a book in the library. In the evening head to Chartreuse for French cuisine with a modern twist or Sette Mari at La Veranda for a casual intimate Italian dinner.

Follow in the footsteps of the world’s greatest explorers as you wind your way through Lisbon’s cobblestone streets. Take in the tree-lined squares, ancient castles and colourful cityscape of Portugal’s capital city.