Cunard March 2020 - January 2022

41 Australian extravaganza. A short jaunt across the Tasman Sea takes you to Sydney’s magnificent harbour, where you have three full days to explore the many iconic sights, including the historic Rocks district and glistening Bondi Beach, or spend an evening at the opera in the spellbinding Opera House. In cosmopolitan Brisbane you can meander along the Brisbane River on a Mississippi-style paddleboat, or lounge in the sun on the sensational Gold Coast beaches. Then get a glimpse into the colourful underwater world of the amazing Great Barrier Reef from the dreamy Whitsunday Islands. There’s more wildlife on show in the remote, balmy city of Darwin where you can try to spot the huge ’salties’, saltwater crocodiles, along the Adelaide River that can grow to an impressive 23 feet. An exotic welcome to Asia. The awe-inspiring beauty of Bali is a wonderful introduction to Asia, with its lush terraced rice paddies and graceful traditionally costumed dancers. Then enjoy a captivating visit to Ho Chi Minh City where a frenetic whirl of bicycles and tuk tuks circulates around the striking French colonial architecture. Nha Trang is known for its beautiful beaches and glittering turquoise bay, but it also possesses a rich history, which is more than illustrated in the 7th century Po Nagar Cham Towers. Explore the bustling harbour of Hong Kong and the multitude of street markets, and soak up the views from The Peak, but don’t miss the delicious local dim sum. The multi-cultural ‘Garden City’ of Singapore boasts sparkling skyscrapers and some of the planet’s finest shopping, while high tea at Raffles is a rather civilised affair. Kuala Lumpur is a diverse melting pot with plenty to discover, from the Golden Triangle’s vast shopping malls and iconic Petronas Towers, to the Old Town’s traditional core and bustling Chinatown. Penang is a delicious mix of Chinese and Indian cultures, among a string of others, and a culinary paradise where food is virtually a religion. Colombo is another intriguing city of contrasts, best witnessed in the spectacle of the exuberant Pettah Market. Indian Ocean Gems. Heading south through the Indian Ocean Queen Victoria sets a course for two sparkling islands. First, the tropical climate and white sandy beaches of Mauritius, which also boasts the wonderful Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolan Botanical Gardens. Then tiny Réunion, the crossroads of European, African, and Asian cultures, and home to some of the world’s most active volcanoes. African Adventure. Your first taste of Africa is friendly Port Elizabeth, from where you can go on safari in search of the Big Five, or get up close and personal with the 350+ cape elephants at the Addo Elephant Park. Next, it’s Cape Town, one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Ride the funicular to the top of iconic Table Mountain, which dominates the horizon, or sample the excellent wines in the nearby Stellenbosch region. Then Namibia’s magnificent natural lagoon welcomes you, along with huge flocks of rare flamingos and hundreds of thousands of migrating birds. Turning north along Africa’s west you cross back into the northern hemisphere and make a final call at Gran Canaria. Enjoy the bustling, culturally rich capital Las Palmas, or relax on the splendid golden beaches before returning to Southampton. Singapore Nha Trang