Posts Tagged ‘cruise routes’

Australia is a country of amazing diversity and awe-
inspiring beauty. From grand cities to ancient coral
reefs, there is no end of star attractions in the land of
Oz and the best way to see them is to book yourself on
an Australia cruise.

Sydney and its world famous harbor is a good starting
point for an Australia cruise, although it is of course
possible to start at other Australian ports, and also
at ports outside of Australia. For instance, you could
join the US to Australia leg of a round-the-world cruise
at Los Angeles and find yourself in Sydney, Australia
30-days later. From Sydney you could depart on a smaller
cruise around Australia and/or New Zealand.

Cruise routes around Australia normally concentrate on
port stops along the East and North coasts. Brisbane,
the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Port Douglas,
Townsville and Darwin are the main ports of call, with
cruise durations typically of between 7-10 days. From
Darwin, a few cruise lines offer services westwards
towards Broome. Cruises along the southern and western
coasts are less popular. Here, the main ports of call
are Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. A port stop in
Tasmania is also incorporated into many an Australia
cruise, as are ports of call in New Zealand, such as
Auckland and Dunedin, and sometimes ports of call in
Indonesia.

So, what great treasures await those who adventure to
Australia on a cruise? Sydney, Australia’s capital and
the jewel in the crown of Australia’s south-east
coastline, offers a whole host of sightseeing
opportunities just on its own. Sydney harbor, the Opera
House, Bondi Beach and Watson’s Bay are among the top
attractions. Sydney is also bursting with museums,
fine restaurants and excellent shopping facilities.
Two hours outside of Sydney is the world renowned
Hunter Valley wine region, where you can sample some
of Australia’s finest wines.

Further to the North, the Gold Coast – one of the
world’s hottest surfing locations – and the city of
Brisbane await. In Brisbane you will have many shore
excursions to choose from, including boat trips up the
Brisbane River and a bushwalking experience in Brisbane
district’s forests.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s main
attractions. You can dive the reef to experience its
full glory, join a snorkeling tour of the reef or see the
reef from the air. There are also opportunities for
landward adventures into the great Australian outback.

Cairns offers a further experience with the Great Barrier
Reef, as well as beautiful sandy beaches, while Darwin
- one of the hottest coastal regions in Australia during
the summer – is another great place in which to relax
under the hot Australian sun.

Author: John Metcalfe
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Duty on LCD/Plasma TV

Ever since Marco Polo returned from his 24-year trek to
China at the end of the 13th century, Asia has beckoned
travelers from around the world to explore its enchanted
lands courtesy of an Asia cruise. Befitting of a
continent that is the largest on Earth, the mesh of
countries that make up this landmass embrace some
mind-blowing extremes. The thickest forests, highest
mountains and longest coastline on the planet all belong
to Asia, as do some of the world’s most varied wildlife
and plant species..

Few places on Earth can offer cruise visitors such a
varied and dramatic experience. From the vestiges of
ancient China to the modern day wealth and opulence
of Singapore and Taipei, an Asia cruise encapsulates
thousands of years of history and diverse cultures in a
single voyage…

When choosing an Asia cruise, tourists are presented
with a variety of cruise routes to pick from. Many Asia
cruises offering a taste of the Orient depart from
Beijing in China, taking in Hong Kong and ports of call
in Japan and along the Chinese coastline. The more
exotic Asia cruises may include stops in Korea,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand…

Other Asia cruise options include routes around the Bay
of Bengal, and routes that follow in the footsteps of
Marco Polo’s return sea journey from China in 1293.
The typical duration of an Asia cruise is 12-16 nights,
although extended cruise vacations that take in a
voyage through the South China Sea and Bay of Bengal
can be arranged…

Destination highlights:

China: Beijing – the capital of China – is a ‘must see’
destination on every Asia cruise. The fabled Forbidden
City and Temple Of Heaven, both of which are
accessed through the vastness of Tiananmen Square,
reside in Beijing. Only a short distance from the city is
the Beijing section of the Great Wall of China.

Hong Kong:

A city on an island, Hong Kong is the
antithesis of Beijing. Gleaming towers of power exude
a modern wealth that contrasts sharply with the older
districts of the Chinese capital. Hong Kong is one of the
wealthiest places in the world – something that is very
much in evidence as you walk the numerous districts on
this thirty square-mile chunk of rock.

Singapore:

Singapore is the ultimate exotic destination
on an Asia cruise. Situated at the southern tip of the
Malaysian Peninsula, it represents the furthest point
south an Asia cruise is likely to extend to. Here all year
round warmth, stunning architecture and cuisine that is
truly out of this world combine to make it a stop not to
be missed.

Author: John Metcalfe
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cellphone news