A Grand Indian Ocean Voyage on Queen Anne

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town isn’t just one of the most beautiful cities in the world – it’s also circled by magnificent beaches, rugged mountains and idyllic vineyards, all located on the stunning shores of Table Bay.

Your guide to Cape Town.

Situated at the foot of Table Mountain, Cape Town inhabits one of the most enviable settings in the world. Soaring mountains, fertile valleys, sweeping beaches and a sunny climate are the norm here, while the city’s attractions include museums, gardens, historic buildings and superb restaurants to savour. If venturing beyond Cape Town, the verdant vineyards of Stellenbosch and the historical architecture of Simon’s Town are little more than an hour’s drive away. Alternatively, ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular at the awe-inspiring Cape Point or visit Boulders Beach where walking amongst native African penguins is just one way to pass the time.

Exploring.

Cape Town’s most famous attraction, Table Mountain, has its own dedicated Aerial Cableway that delivers you from ground to summit in just five minutes. It’s outside of the city but if you choose to make the journey you won’t be disappointed. To say the views are spectacular is an understatement. Central Cape Town also offers plenty to explore, from the 18^th Century Koopmans de Wet House and the Old Town House on Greenmarket Square - a small gallery housed in a former City Hall. Along Government Avenue you’ll find several other noteworthy sights including South Africa’s oldest gardens, St George’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and The South African Museum.

Eating and drinking.

Cape Town is a gastronomic haven for foodies. The proximity to the sea means the freshest local catch is never in short supply and the city is now home to several popular sushi restaurants, while fish and chips - a British favourite - is also widely represented. For a truly authentic taste of South Africa try a traditional braai (BBQ) and choose Boerewors – a native South African sausage, popular throughout the region. A diverse selection of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines can be found along Victoria and Albert waterfront. The choice here is extensive and far-reaching, catering to everything from classic American to the freshest local oysters.

Shopping.

From flea markets and malls to specialist boutiques, the shopping choices in Cape Town are infinite and the city offers a wealth of ways to source that all important holiday keepsake. Gold, diamonds and semi-precious stones are widely available while African woodcarvings and woven goods make great souvenirs. The flea market, held at Greenmarket Square, is the place to source these kinds of crafts and the Square itself is a delightful place to visit. Alternatively, head to Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where Cape Town locals shop and eat. Largely pedestrianised, it’s a thoroughly worthwhile place to spend time and easily equals the waterfronts of Sydney and San Francisco.

Beyond Cape Town.

Travelling beyond Cape Town unlocks more of South Africa’s salt white beaches and world-famous wineries. Several Cape vineyards are within an hour of the city and a historic double-decker tram travels between them, rewarding you with incredible views as you voyage. Also, just an hour from Cape Town is Simon’s Town - one of South Africa’s oldest towns - where you’ll be able to get up close to native African penguins at Boulders Beach. The area offers charming antique shops and quaint cafés, while a little further on still brings you to the awe-inspiring Cape Point and the chance to ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular.

At Sea

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

As you sail to Port Elizabeth, or ‘The Bay’, you begin to sense the energy and prosperity of this thriving city. It is one of the largest, sunniest and wonderfully vibrant cities in all South Africa.

The city stretches for 10 miles along Algoa Bay and is one of the major seaports in the country. Travelling to South Africa by ship it is quite likely you will cruise to Port Elizabeth to dock. As you sail into the port area there are magnificent views of a small group of islands, home to many rare seabird populations, dotted in the waters.

The Port Elizabeth harbour, waterfront and city centre were renovated for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is a stylish and prosperous port with dazzling white buildings towering behind bobbing private yachts and cruisers. The British heritage of Port Elizabeth is indelibly marked in the classical architecture which at first glance looks entirely European.

The seaport was founded by the British Acting Governor, Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin in 1820. Many people assume Donkin named the port after the queen but it is actually named after his beloved wife.

Many of the local historic attractions are linked by “The Donkin Trail.” The tour is signposted with information boards at each point of particular interest. Enjoy the trail at a leisurely pace and soak in the fascinating historical sights. The Donkin Street terraced houses are enchanting, with their row of stepped roofs and picket fence balconies.

Today they are classed as a national monument and preserved as a testament to the past. The terrace is just one spectacle out of 51 places of historical interest you will come across as you follow the trail.

Port Elizabeth is located within a stretch of south-eastern coastline known as “The Garden Route” due to its verdant and ecologically diverse vegetation and the numerous lakes and lagoons dotted along the coast.

For nature lovers Port Elizabeth is a popular destination for whale watching. Humpback whales visit twice a year in summer and winter from June to August and November to January. Southern right whales enter the waters between July and November and Bryde’s whales can be sighted all year round.

The wider area surrounding Port Elizabeth also has some great game reserves including the Addo Elephant Park, 45 miles to the north near the Zuurberg mountain range and National Park. South Africa is often called the Rainbow Nation and the menus you encounter during your visit to Port Elizabeth will show you why. There is not a country that is not represented in the restaurants here. Italian restaurants sit next door to Chinese, then Mexican and French. It is like a gastronomic world tour walking around the city’s eateries. For a more authentic taste of Port Elizabeth, visit the township. The local Xhosa people are warm, hospitable and keen to show off their home-brewed beers and traditional food. Try bobotie, the closest thing to South Africa’s national dish. This hearty meal is similar to moussaka and made with curried meat and topped with a creamy, egg topping.

At Sea

 Durban, South Africa

Durban is an attractive city, whose long beach front and glass buildings look out onto the Indian Ocean. Inland, spectacular landscapes and Africa’s unique wildlife are waiting to captivate you.

Durban is a wonderfully multicultural gem of a city, which is home to the largest Indian population outside of India. The Victoria Street Market feels like its epicenter. Mostly just known as ‘Old Vic,’ its colourfully painted stalls are piled with red and yellow spices, while incense adds a heady fragrance to the air. You’ll no doubt find various food outlets offering ‘bunnychow,’ half a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry.

The serene magnificence of the Juma Masjid Mosque is found in this part of the city too, a vast building with golden domes on its minarets, which has stood on this site in some form or other since 1881.

Durban resides on the edge of the KwaZulu-Natal province, and it could be the springboard for an adventure inland to experience the stunning scenery and rich local customs. One excursion could whisk you into the evocatively named Valley of a Thousand Hills, with its rippled ridges and green slopes in the heart of Zulu country. There you can pay a visit to a cultural village for traditional demonstrations of beadwork, spear making, drumming and dancing.

In the city itself, the Phansi Museum is another way to delve into the local artistry. You can admire the ceremonial tribal costumes from across the region and, indeed, the nation, as well as all manner of objects from pipes and Zulu pots to wood carvings and fertility dolls.

Durban can be thought of as South Africa’s Riviera, basking as it does in a pleasant subtropical climate. Its enticing beachfront, known as the ‘Golden Mile,’ actually offers over three and a half miles of sandy shore where surfers and swimmers flock to waters warmed by the Mozambique Current.

A striking feature at the north of the Golden Mile is the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Built for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it features a large arch which is more than simply decorative: you can climb the steps or ride the SkyCar for sensational views. If you’re a cricket fan, the ground at Kingsmead, which first hosted a test match in 1923, may also be on your personal itinerary. Another way to sample the mild weather here is at the Durban Botanic Gardens, home to the orchid house, Japanese Garden and its rare Cycad collection.

Of course, one of Durban’s great attractions is what lies all around. This part of the world is an invitation to set off on a game drive at one of the many reserves in the area. It’s a thrilling experience to see giraffe loping gracefully across the savannah, herds of zebra or elephants, or to scan the brush for majestic lions, leopards and rhinos.

At Sea

Le Port, Reunion

East of Madagascar, the warmly inviting Réunion offers a little taste of French culture on a tropical island full of cultural Creole buildings and an expansive range of superb geographical diversity.

From beaches to lush forests, Réunion’s rugged roads and plains lead to any number of inspiring scenes. Seek out the ‘Piton de la Fournaise’ or ‘Peak of the Furnace,’ to witness an active volcano.

Port Louis, Mauritius

At Sea

Colombo, Sri Lanka

A beautiful landscape adorned with luscious greenery, stunning beaches, wildlife refuges and the ruins of ancient civilisations beckons visitors to Sri Lanka, an island inhabited by man for millennia.

Your guide to Colombo.

Situated at the crossroads of the great spice routes, Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has long been a gateway between East and West. Innumerable spices, textiles and treasures have passed through the city, bringing great diversity and resulting in colourful bazaars, vibrant temples and eye-pleasing colonial buildings. To this day, Colombo’s rich trading history shines through in its incredible food, thriving markets and the eclectic splendour of its architecture. Beyond the city, all manner of birds make their homes among the tangled vines of the outlying wetlands - this mangrove metropolis of energy and colour welcomes you to its sandy shores with open arms.

Exploring.

Colombo’s delights are many and varied, with excellent museums, fine restaurants and opportunities to shop. The city is a melting pot of people and religions, which makes for a unique cultural experience. Of the countless religious sites, the candy-striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque and Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple are among Colombo’s most celebrated buildings. Colombo National Museum offers artefacts expanding on Sri Lankan history, while The Dutch Museum occupies former Governor Thomas Van Rhee’s official residence. Wolvendaal Church, built between 1749 and 1757, is among Colombo’s most important Dutch Colonial buildings and one of the oldest protestant churches remaining in Sri Lanka.

Eating and drinking.

Sri Lanka is renowned for its curries, many of which are made with chilli and consequently very hot. Spices (cardamom, nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon) feature strongly in Sri Lankan cooking and meat and fish, either grilled or wrapped in banana leaf, are also common. Puddings can be sweet and fresh fruit often merges favourites like banana and pineapple with natively grown varaka (jack fruit), durian and soursop. Kottu roti, sliced roti (thin bread) blended with chicken, beef, egg, onions, tomatoes and chilli is a quintessential snack, local beers are very drinkable and a cup of tea is almost compulsory in this part of the world.

Shopping.

Colombo's modern malls and traditional marketplaces offer everything from handmade crafts to luxury brands. Shopping options include the harmoniously chaotic Pettah Market, the more upscale Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct and Arcade Independence Square. Fort, immediately south of the port, and neighbouring Pettah are two of the best shopping areas. The former specialising in reputable dealers selling precious gems, the latter an area of criss-crossing bazaars where visitors can test their bargaining skills. South of Fort and Pettah are the shopping centres of Majestic City, Crescat Boulevard and Liberty Plaza. If you seek typical souvenirs then Laksala, Colombo’s government-run store, stocks carvings, batiks, instruments, masks and leather goods, locally made in Sri Lanka.

Beyond Colombo.

Seven miles northeast of Sri Lanka brings you to Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple, one of three places visited by the Lord Buddha. The temple is famous for its decorated ceilings, frescoes showing Buddha and outer walls with carved elephants. Mlesna Tea Complex, about an hour from Colombo, guides visitors on the art of tea-grading and packaging. Tours end in a tasting session where teas can be purchased. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is 55 miles northeast along the Colombo-Kandy road. From just seven elephants in 1975, the sanctuary is now home to about 80, who are fed, cared for and routinely taken to the river to swim.

At Sea

Port Kelang (tours to Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia

Port Kelang is the port for Malaysia’s modern and bustling Kuala Lumpur, a city fusing Malayan, Chinese and Indian cultures. Fans of retail therapy are in luck, the shopping is some of Asia's finest.

Your guide to Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia’s dynamic capital is a melting pot of skyscrapers, Islamic architecture and British Colonial buildings offering a futuristic cityscape with an enduring nod to yesteryear. Home to some of Asia’s most opulent shopping malls, Kuala Lumpur’s skyline is dominated by the famous Petronas and Menara Kuala Lumpur Towers, while the hip Bukit Bintang district pulses with lively markets and street food vendors. Peruse over 7000 historic artefacts at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, set within the tropical grounds of Perdana Botanical Garden, or marvel at the intricacy of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. Beyond the city you’ll find the legendary Batu Caves, the most visited Hindu shrine outside of India.

Exploring.

Kuala Lumpur is a sprawling but well-connected city with trains, buses and monorails to help you move quickly between the main sights of interest. Most tourists make a beeline for the 86th-floor viewing deck of the Petronas Towers, but if you’re happy to see the city at ground level there’s a wealth to take in. Start at Merdeka Square for the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. The centrally-located KLCC Park is a lovely green space amidst the glass and steel skyscrapers, while the larger Perdana Botanical Garden (next to the National Mosque) is a haven from the city’s fast pace, where resident monkeys playfully swing between trees.

Eating & drinking.

Deciding where to eat out in Kuala Lumpur isn’t simply a case of what you want to eat, but how you want to eat it. The city offers an eclectic blend of dining experiences from restaurants offering the height of gastronomy to street vendors and Hawker centres (open-air food courts). While the latter may sound akin to eating in a shopping mall, the experience couldn’t be further removed. Hawker Centres are common throughout Asia and offer a communal dining experience, anchored around small independent eateries. It’s a fundamentally Asian way of enjoying a meal - one that everyone should try at least once. 

Shopping.

If there’s one thing above all else that Kuala Lumpur is known for, it’s shopping. Truth be told you’ll hardly turn a corner without encountering a gleaming mega mall in this part of Malaysia (it is the capital after all). You’ll find high-end fashion brands, high street stalwarts and native Asian labels all sharing square footage in many of KL’s uber-stylish shopping centres. They’re well worth exploring, but Kuala Lumpur’s retail scene extends beyond the sterilised and squeaky clean. The city’s Central Market is a great place to source a unique handicraft with a more authentic feel, while Chinatown’s Petaling Street is crammed full of characterful shopping stalls.

Beyond Kuala Lumpur.

One of the most popular tourist attractions to visit from Kuala Lumpur is the sacred Hindu site of the Batu Caves. Just a 40-minute train ride north of the city, these ancient caves are carved into a limestone cliff and represent the most popular Hindu shrine outside of India. They attract hundreds of thousands of worshippers during the festival of Thaipusam (usually the end of January) when worshippers gather in the holy Cathedral Cave to pay their respects. Outside you’ll see a colossal 42.7-metre high statue of Lord Murugan, while there’s a 272-step climb to enter the main cave’s chamber, so comfortable footwear is a necessity.

Singapore

Among the one of the world’s busiest ports and prosperous cities, Singapore is full of culture, history and excitement, where you are welcome to enjoy a tropical climate and multicultural population.

At its colonial core is Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s now flanked by the 18 Corinthian columns of City Hall. In Chinatown stands the oddly named but beautiful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

The first settlement known as Singapore was formed in the late 13th century on the banks of the Singapore River. This served as the only port at the southern end of the Strait of Malacca, thriving in its infancy before its role as an international trading port declined by the 15th century. Singapore’s main settlement and port were later destroyed in the early 17th century, with no significant settlement or functionality present here until Sir Stamford Raffles landed on the island in 1819.

Raffles established a new settlement and international port for Britain, keen to draw in traders from Asia and Europe. The Chinese began to set up trading houses on the river’s south bank and lower reaches, while the British resided on the upper reaches of the river. Singapore thrived and continued to do so when it ceased to be part of the British Empire in 1963, despite small setbacks in trade up until the 1990s, when the port once again became a key player.

A remarkable combination of history, culture, modernised ideals and tropical climate contribute to Singapore’s diverse and prosperous character. Business is booming, with the towering skyscrapers and big brands residing in the Central Business District proving a powerful nod to this. This is the area most visitors should start exploring during their Port of Singapore cruise given that the river forms the central artery of Singapore.

Beyond the business are several intriguing attractions centred round where Raffles founded his colony. Do not miss Cavenagh Bridge, the city’s oldest bridge, constructed in 1869. Take a look at the grand Fullerton Hotel, once the General Post Office building. Along the front of the river are a number of traditional shop houses in which today restaurants and bars are located. You cannot leave Singapore without tasting its famous chilli crab or sipping on a Singapore sling, and this is the best area to do so.

Marina Bay continues the theme of flamboyance and fortune, crowned by the incredible architecture of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. From here you will enjoy the best view of the Central Business District, further enhanced by a nightly fountain and light show along the river itself. Do not miss the Gardens by the Bay behind the hotel, especially if you fancy some serenity amid the busy city.

Chinatown and Little India bring another example of Singapore’s diversity to the table, home to wonderful authentic eateries and some stunning temples. In Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is the star of the show. While in Little India, a visit to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple will allow you to discover the district’s oldest and busiest temple.