Adventures in Asia & Far East

From shimmering skyscrapers to lush, green landscapes, Asia and the Far East are home to some of the most diverse landscapes in the world, which makes them the perfect choice for a cruise. Luckily, lots of cruise itineraries bear in mind that you’ll want to see a bit of everything, meaning there are historic temples, modern cities and plenty of natural beauty on near enough every adventure.

The itinerary its self is very important as this attracts to you which cruise you pick however I think the starting port is just as important, why not add on some extra time in this destination to explore and get immersed into the country, culture and cuisine before you have even stepped foot onto the cruise ship? Lets me see if I can tempt you….

Singapore 

Singapore’s the perfect balance of cool city hangouts and stunning scenery, thanks to its number of beautiful green spaces which are dotted amongst towering skyscrapers. If you visit here, there’s one place you can’t go without visiting. Gardens by the Bay is a park probably most famous for its Supertrees, which range from 80ft to 160ft and line the coast of the city-state. If you’ve got a head for heights, you can even climb up to the walkways far above the ground, strolling between the structures and admiring all the nature below. They’re functional too, providing shade for plants and creating some stunning light shows by night. If you don’t have lots of time to spare when you are there, one of the best things you can do to get a real taste of the culture is to enjoy some traditional Singaporean food. Head to one of the Hawker Centers to try some flavours of the Far East; there are lots of different Asian dishes to discover all in one place. If you feel like tying something even more authentic, Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle is one of two street food venues in the world to be awarded Michelin Star; and once you’ve visited, it won’t be hard to see why.

Hong Kong 

As vibrant as it is urban, Hong Kong has a towering skyline to rival those of New York and Dubai. There’s always lots going on here, day or night, so whenever you stop-by you’ll be able to find something to do that’s simply amazing. Top of the list for things to do in the daytime has to be The Peak. A trip to this platform on the highest point of Hong Kong Island means you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic views, stretching from the glitzy Victoria Harbour all the way to the New Territories. If your legs are feeling a little weary by this point, taking The Peak Tram around the site will give you an even better view of everything that Hong Kong has to offer. If you’re looking for something to do in the evenings, the markets of
Mongkok really come into their own by night. Always thriving with life and glowing with neon signs, you’ll be able to find everything here from flowers and clothes to kitchenware. Thinking about taking some souvenirs home with you? Haggling is always encouraged in the markets of Mongkok; it’s the perfect place to people-watch and immerse yourself in a culture which might be completely new to you.

Shanghai 

There are two fantastic things you can experience that are only a 20-minute taxi drive from each other. Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden dates back to the 1500s, during the Ming Dynasty, and is the perfect place to stroll amongst the cherry blossom while snapping some pictures of ancient architecture. It’s also a great spot to grab a bite to eat; the Nanxiang Dumplings sold here are said to be the best in China, and well-worth queuing up to an hour for! To explore the more modern side of  Shanghai, take a trip to the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower. It’s the 6th highest building in the world and offers amazing views across the city’s shimmering skyline from its distinctive pink ‘pearls’. If you’re feeling brave, you can even walk along the glass-bottomed sightseeing corridor; it’ll give you the best views in Shanghai, with its 360-degree walk-around  platform. If the Nanxiang Dumplings didn’t take your fancy, stop-by the revolving restaurant here, which sits 267m above the ground; you’ll get a complete panoramic view of the city within two hours while you enjoy your meal.

If you’ve explored Europe and cruised across Caribbean, these fantastic cities and the amazing destinations around Asia and the Far East are well-worth taking a look at if you fancy something totally unique.

What destinations should we look at next??