Deal

This island nation at the end of the Malaysian peninsula offers an extraordinary array of culture, history, and cuisine. Embrace exotic sights and sounds while strolling through Chinatown, the Arab Quarter, or Little India. Head to Boat Quay for unrivalled views of the harbour before dining at one of many international eateries. Shop along Orchard Road for treasures from every corner of the Pacific Rim; embark on a night safari at the Singapore Zoo, or relax in the verdant shade of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Wander the wondrously futuristic Gardens by the Bay before relaxing with a refreshing Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel.

Spend the day discovering this cosmopolitan city and its many cultural layers, from the soaring Petronas Towers to a Royal Palace, Gothic churches, stolid Colonial remnants, and a restored Malay timber house, once the residence of a local headman in a lovely Heritage Centre. Browse in the markets and shops. Shop for crafts, excellent pewter, jewellery, and batik. The fusion of cultures here offers a variety of menus, from Malay and Chinese to continental cuisines. Try a curry or spicy broiled duck, a satay, or broiled fish.

Pulau Pinang, as it is known locally, is the northern gateway to Malaysia and also the country’s oldest British settlement. The word “Pinang” in Malay refers to the areca nut palm, which provides the betel nut, an essential ingredient in a delicacy chewed by millions in the Far East. Today, Georgetown is noted for having the largest collection of pre-war houses in all of Southeast Asia, and the Penang Heritage Trust has been established to maintain its unique heritage.

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 began back in the 16th century.

Capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kandy, Colombo has been visited for over 2,000 years by Roman, Chinese, Arab, and European traders. Explore this exotic city and view colourful colonial buildings, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Grand Oriental Hotel, and the Lighthouse Clock Tower.

A “must” to visit is Pettah, Colombo’s leading bazaar district. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with shops and street stalls offering the most unimaginable range of goods. Other noteworthy sights include Viharamahadevi Park, the city’s largest and oldest green expanse, and the palatial mansions of Cinnamon Gardens.

Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives, is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll, Kaafu Atoll. Traditionally, Malé was the “King’s Island,” from where the ancient Maldivian royal families had their palace and ruled the country.

Malé is dotted with mosques, wide streets, parks, and markets. Tour the National Museum, the colourful Fish Market, and the Friday mosque with its splendid golden dome.

Popularly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea,’ Cochin (Kochi) has been a trading post since early Roman times, due to its strategic location between Europe and China. From the court of Kublai Khan to the captains of Europe’s great Age of Exploration, travellers and merchants from far-off lands have been coming here since ancient times in search of spices, sandalwood, and ivory. Explore St. Francis’ Church, the oldest existing European church in India. View one of the oldest synagogues in the world – a jewel of incomparable beauty with its brass columns, Belgian hanging lamps, and exquisite hand-painted, blue-and-white Chinese porcelain tiles.

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.

Enjoy this marvellous old Portuguese and Hindu city studded with vibrant temples and majestic churches. Visit the stunning baroque cathedral and quaint, colourful Panjim for a taste of Portugal in India. Explore the countryside and its spice farms, local markets, and the region’s exquisite beaches. Buy fragrant spices and search for colourful local crafts in the bustling markets. Enjoy fresh seafood, curries, stuffed oysters, and roast suckling pig, among other tasty specialities.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and one of the most populous cities in the world. This bustling city offers a seemingly endless array of sights and cultural activities and is the commercial and entertainment capital of India.

Mumbai is home to India’s Hindi film and television industry, known as “Bollywood.” Mumbai is also one of the few cities that accommodates a national park, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, within its city limits.

Muscat is the capital of Oman, a sovereign country. Muscat has been important since the 6th century BC, when Persians controlled the port. It was under Portuguese domination from 1508 to 1650, and subsequently, the Iranians gained control of the city. Muscat became the capital of independent Muscat and Oman in 1741 – the country’s name was changed to just Oman in 1970. Muscat offers a number of exciting excursions, including dolphin watching and off-road desert adventures.

Located in the northeast of the United Arab Emirates, bustling Dubai attracts visitors with its international facilities and exotic, yet cosmopolitan lifestyle. Known as the Hong Kong of Arabia, Dubai’s modern duty-free shopping malls and traditional souks offer some of the best bargains in the world on such luxury items as gold jewellery and designer creations. For a more historic outing, visitors can explore the museum at Al Fahidi Fort or venture out into the Old Quarter of Bastakia.

Preserving traditions in the face of rapid modernisation, the bustling port city of Doha offers a bevy of fascinating attractions. Wander the bustling Souq Waqif, a modern evolution of an ancient Bedouin market. Take in the stunning National Museum of Qatar, Doha’s newest architectural gem that seems to grow out of the landscape like a desert rose. After admiring the treasures of the Museum of Islamic Art, look for Doha’s famed pearl monument as you stroll the crescent-shaped Corniche.