Day to day itinerary
Day 1. Singapore
Singapore was a small commercial centre in the powerful Srivijaya empire of Sumatra and later, towards the middle of the 13th century, a puppet state of the Majapahit empire in Java, while in the 15th and 16th century it became part of the sultanate of Joho.
It is situated just 127 km from the equator in a strategic position on the trade routes between the east and west and has undergone unrivalled economic growth: its main businesses are trade, oil refinement and distribution, finance, high technology and biotechnology, tourism, manufacturing, and electronics, and all are managed by an advanced telecommunications system. There are around 300 multinationals and 130 banks (almost all foreign banks) here, whilst its port is the busiest in the world and base for around 600 shipping companies. Arab Street is on the other hand the Islamic district, centre of the textile manufacturing industry: batik, silks, sarongs and fabrics. Here naturally we find the mosques: the Sultan’s Mosque is the largest, although the Malabar Jama-ath mosque is more appealing.
Depart at 19.00pm for Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2. Day at sea
Day at sea. Own Leisure.
Day 3. Ho Chi Minh City
Located close to the delta of the Mekong River, or on the western shore of the Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam with the most recent estimates putting its population at approximately 6 million. The most populated neighbourhood of the city is Cholon, the Chinese district, with its fascinating market and interesting architecture notable for its numerous pagodas. The most famous pagodas in HCMC are Giac Lam and Thien Hau: the latter is consecrated to Buddha but also to the Chinese Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors, Thien Hau Thanh Mau. Of the colonial architecture, particularly noteworthy are the extremely well-conserved City Hall, the Municipal Theatre, constructed during French rule and recently restored, and the neo-Roman Notre Dame Cathedral built between 1877 and 1880. The former presidential palace was built in 1868 as the palace of the French Governor and was later the residence of Ngo Dinh Diem: bombarded and completely destroyed during the war it was rebuilt from scratch and re-named the Hall of Reunification. Finally, also worth a visit are the commemorative museums such as the Museum of the Revolution and the War Remnants Museum, and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Arriving at 08.00am.Depart at 16.00pm for Da Nang.
Day 4. Day at sea
Day at sea. Own Leisure.
Day 5. Da Nang
Da Nang therefore became an industrial city with a notable textile production sector, particularly with regard to the spinning of cotton and silk. At the same time the port was further developed and modernised, becoming a naval base with ship building and repair yards. The port acquired even more importance thanks to the trading of tea, fish and fish products, alcohol and agricultural products. In 1965 Da Nang was one of the main landing ports of the US Army, who consequently created a large military base here. Shiva. The Hai Van Pass still represents the boundary that separated the Champa kingdom from Vietnam in the 15th century, and is a hilly area with a road that runs through the middle offering some amazing panoramic views from a height of around 500 metres. Equally beautiful and famous are the views from the Marble Mountains to the south of the city, an area made up of 5 limestone hills, each with caves, pagodas and sacred altars. These caves were used as Buddhist sanctuaries. The main hill is Thuy Son, from where you can enjoy a spectacular vista over Da Nang, the other hills and China Beach. At the summit you will also find various marble workshops. Situated at the foot of Ngu Hanh Son, the local name for the Marble Mountains, are the villages of Khoan Khoai and Hoa Khe, known for their production of little marble sculptures and objects
Arriving at 08.00 am.Depart at 19.00pm for Hong Kong.
Day 6. Day at sea
Day at sea. Own leisure.
Day 7. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a "Special Administrative Region of China”. It comprises the island of the same name, 259 other islands in the South China Sea, as well as areas of the mainland around the Kowloon Peninsula and in the so-called “New Territories”. Although it was occupied by Chinese settlers as early as the 2nd millennium B.C., the region remained untouched by Chinese imperialism up until the 17th century when it was the setting for a conflict between the Ming and the Manchu dynasties. The majority of Hong Kong’s population – those native to the region and those from surrounding provinces – is of Chinese origin, although there are also Filipino, British, Indian, Portuguese and American populations among the region’s 7 million or so inhabitants. Located on the southern coast of the island, is a very colourful and lively district and has one of the city’s busiest markets where there is no shortage of fabrics, silk, traditional Chinese costumes, artistic products, souvenirs and handcrafted items.
Arriving at 07.00am. Depart at 23.00pm for Manila.
Day 8. Day at sea.
Day at sea. Own leisure.
Day 9. Manila
The City of Manila or simply Manila, is the capital of the Philippines and one of the 17 cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila. Located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay just west of the National Capital Region in western side of Luzon, it is one of the central hubs of a thriving metropolitan area home to over 14 million people. The popular districts of Malate and Ermita showcase a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars, cafes, art and antique shops. The nightlife offers everything from cultural shows to discothèques, casinos, entertainment lounges, and fashionable cafes. Right at the heart of the city lies the Intramuros, and it is the site of forts and dungeons, old churches, colonial houses, and horse-drawn carriages. other historical buildings and landmarks, parks and open spaces, museums, shopping centers, and sports facililities can be found all over the city.The Rizal Park it include the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the Department of Tourism building, the National Museum of the Philippines, The National Library of the Philippines, the Planetarium, the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, an open-air auditorium for cultural performances, a relief map of the Philippines, a fountain area, a children's lagoon, a chess plaza, a light and sound presentation.
Arriving at 09.00.Depart at 20.00pm for Kota Kinabalu.
Day 10. Day at sea
Day at sea. Own leisure.
Day 11. Kota Kinabalu
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and the largest of the Indonesian archipelago. It is bordered by the Sulu Sea to the northeast, the South China Sea to the west, the Java Sea and Sunda Sea to the south and the Makassar Strait and Celebes Sea to the east. It is a mountainous island (Mount Kinabalu is over 4000 metres high) crossed by many rivers (Rajang, Kapuas, Barito, Mahakam, Kayan), with a hot and humid climate and luxuriant forests. From a political point of view, it is divided into three parts: the north and northwest (Sarawak and Sabah), except for Brunei, belong to the Malaysian federation, whereas the east and south (Kalimantan) are part of Indonesia. The seafront area has the typical atmosphere of a seaside town, with shops and stalls offering souvenirs, craft objects, shells and fabrics, fruit and fish. The history and culture of the city and the whole region can be traced with a visit to the Sabah Museum, which boasts a rich collection of indigenous exhibits and ceramics. Amongst the other attractions, are the State Mosque and the Sabah Foundation Building, an ultra-modern 32-storey building with huge mirrored glass walls. But Kota Kinabalu's beauty is essentially linked to nature.
Arriving at 08.00am. Depart at 20.00 pm for Bandar Seri Begawan.
Day 12. Bandar Seri Begawan
The Sultanate of Brunei, also known as Brunei Darussalam or more simply Brunei, is located on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. It is made up of two distinct areas along the north coast of the island, facing the South China Sea and practically - geographically speaking - enclosed by another state, Sarawak, belonging to the Malaysian federation. Its capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, which means "port of the respected ruler". It is a very new city, for it was completely rebuilt following the Allied bombings suffered at the end of the Second World War. Its history, however, is ancient and dates back to the 7th century, when a riverside village of pile dwellings (Kampong Ayer) was founded in the area, not far from present-day Kampong Kota Batu and the building housing the National Museum. Since then the city has experienced alternating phases of development and the main urban centre has been moved to various sites around the bay, from Kota Batu to Kampong Ayer and finally to today's Bandar Seri Begawan.
Arriving at 08.00am. Depart at 17.00 pm for Singapore.
Day 13. Cruising
Day at sea. Own leisure.
Day 14. Singapore
Singapore was a small commercial centre in the powerful Srivijaya empire of Sumatra and later, towards the middle of the 13th century, a puppet state of the Majapahit empire in Java, while in the 15th and 16th century it became part of the sultanate of Joho. It is situated just 127 km from the equator in a strategic position on the trade routes between the east and west and has undergone unrivalled economic growth: its main businesses are trade, oil refinement and distribution, finance, high technology and biotechnology, tourism, manufacturing, and electronics, and all are managed by an advanced telecommunications system. There are around 300 multinationals and 130 banks (almost all foreign banks) here, whilst its port is the busiest in the world and base for around 600 shipping companies. Arab Street is on the other hand the Islamic district, centre of the textile manufacturing industry: batik, silks, sarongs and fabrics. Here naturally we find the mosques: the Sultan’s Mosque is the largest, although the Malabar Jama-ath mosque is more appealing.
Arriving at 09.00
Day 15. Singapore
Disembarking.