Jewels of India & Arabia

Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963. Two years later, it became an independent island-state, developing into one of the world's most prosperous countries. With ultra-modern skyscrapers combined with a medley of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences, Singapore is a dynamic city rich in contrast and color, exhibiting a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture.

Port Klang is your portal to the "Garden City" of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia's famous Batu Caves. Discover Kuala Lumpur's diverse architecture in giant sky scrapers, Malay mosques, Hindu temples, and impressive municipal buildings; marvel at the colorful displays of Hindu deities in the limestone Batu Caves; and visit the 222-acre Lake Gardens with its Orchid Garden, Butterfly Park and Bird Park.

The name Penang comes from the Malay words for the betel nut, Palau Pinang. Ever since its founding over two centuries ago, Penang has been a favored destination of travelers for both its scenic beauty and places of ethnic and historic significance. Today, Penang is one of the most culturally diverse destinations in Malaysia. Established in 1786 as a trading post by the British, the island is a contemporary metropolis with old world charm, offering the best of both worlds while maintaining its illustrious, rich heritage.

Phuket, nestled in the balmy Andaman Sea waters, lies 536 miles south of Bangkok. Initially, Phuket derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. Located on a major trade route between India and China, Phuket was frequently mentioned in foreign trader's ship logs. Blessed with a natural heritage of stunning white-sand beaches, sapphire blue seas, exotic marine life and lushly forested hillsides, Phuket is one of Southeast Asia's most popular destinations.

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Galle was a major trading port for more than a thousand years before the Portuguese arrived in the early 1500s, followed by the Dutch and British. Over the next few centuries, these colonial powers established a picturesque, red tile-roofed city encircled by bastioned stone walls. UNESCO granted World Heritage status to Galle’s Old Town and Fort, describing it as “the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia.” Take a walk — or a tuk tuk ride — through its narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with Dutch colonial houses, churches and government buildings; the ancient Arab Quarter is still home to a thriving Muslim community. Get a taste of local life at the buzzy fish market near the fort, or one of many farmers’ markets brimming with exotic fruits and vegetables. You can visit a tea plantation to learn how Sri Lanka’s popular export is produced; or catch some rays on Unawatuna Beach, one of Sri Lanka’s finest.

Sri Lanka. A name that calls to mind the exotic and mysterious. This is a land of jungles inhabited by leopards and elephants, wondrous ruins of the great civilizations of ages past, and a modern city, Colombo, where western technology is superimposed on the passion of a traditional Asian metropolis. Originally known as Ceylon, the island became famous for producing the world's finest teas. Bright fragrant spices, sparkling sapphires, and the colorful trappings of a variety of ceremonies and religious festivals make this a most rewarding destination. Today, Colombo is a bustling mix of diverse races and religions, and contrasts of old and new. The tangible history of the city is a unique mix of relics from its Portuguese, Dutch and English settlements, blended with Indian influences throughout.

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Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a captivating city, known for its striking contrasts. The fastest growing, most affluent and industrialized city in India, Mumbai represents the ever-changing face of today's India: the old coupled with the dynamic new. This vibrant city is a kaleidoscopic mixture of intriguing people and incredible places, where within a block or two you can find modern skyscrapers, ornate Victorian buildings, and bustling bazaars.

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Oman, "The Pearl of Mystic Arabia," is one of the oldest civilizations on the Arabian Peninsula. Wedged between the Arabian Gulf and the Western Al Hajar Mountains, Muscat boasts an ancient history and rich Islamic heritage, evident in its prominent landmarks such as forts, castles, towers and mosques. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development, leading to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.

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Qatar’s capital and largest city displays a broad sea-front corniche lined with impressive, towering, and strikingly modern architecture. View it from the sea with a ride on a traditional dhow. Notable highlights include the I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art, which houses the largest collection of Islamic artifacts in the world. Modest dress is requested for visits here as well as at the serene State Grand Mosque. The teeming Souq Waqif is a contemporary incarnation of the central market area that has served the city for centuries. Many shops close for a few hours in the afternoon, so a morning visit is suggested. Next to it is the newer Falcon Souq, where not only birds of prey, but also all the equipment and accouterments of Arabia’s immensely popular hobby of falconry are on display and for sale. The unique, eclectic Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum displays one man’s massive collection of everything from cars to stamps and Islamic treasures.

Founded in 1971 by the founding President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahyan, this ambitious visionary project is located on a natural island that has been occupied for centuries. There are over 40 archaeological sites on the island. One of the oldest is a Nestorian Christian monastery dating from 600 AD. Today Sir Bani Yas is a huge ecological experiment that explores “greening the desert” by re-introducing native and endangered species of Arabian flora and fauna. Over half the island is dedicated to the Arabian Wildlife Park. The island is a popular resort, where visitors indulge in active land and water sports and walk or drive to view the over 13,000 rare, free-roaming wild animals. 

The United Arab Emirates is strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, and the traditional trading routes from Asia and the Far East to Europe and further afield are even more significant today than they were hundreds of years ago. Nestled at the very heart of the Islamic world, the country is unique in its embrace of the Western world. Here you can see the contrasts of the nomadic Bedouin people, and the opulence and splendor of the Sheiks, set against a backdrop of Western lifestyles.