Straegically located at the end of the Malaysian peninsula, the island nation of Singapore is a modern, thriving metropolis and a true melting pot of cultures. Singapore offers diverse colorful ethnic quarters; a fantastic array of superb cuisines; and a shopping mecca second to none. In many ways Singapore (the name means Lion City) was built by Sir Stamford Raffles. Coming ashore to a tiny fishing village in 1819, through trade treaties and business acumen, he laid the foundation for one of the most amazing urban success stories in history. Today, travelers can embrace exotic sights and sounds as they stroll or ride a trishaw through Chinatown, the Arab Quarter or Little India. Head down to the scenic Boat Quay for unrivaled views of the harbor and stop at one of the many international eateries for a refreshing repast. Shop along famous Orchard Road with its merchandise 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 Preserve. Be sure to leave time to try a refreshing Singapore Sling at the bar at Raffles Hotel.

Spend the day discovering this cosmopolitan city and its many cultural levels, 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 Center. Browse in the markets and shops. Shop for crafts, excellent pewter, jewelry, 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 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 started 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 colorful 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.

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 colorful 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 Male’ Atoll Kaafu Atoll. Traditionally, Malé was the “King’s Island,” from where the ancient Maldive Royal families had their palace and ruled the country. Malé is dotted with mosques, wide streets, parks and markets. Tour the national Museum, the colorful Fish Market and the Friday mosque with its splendid golden dome.

Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives, is located at the southern edge of North Male’ Atoll Kaafu Atoll. Traditionally, Malé was the “King’s Island,” from where the ancient Maldive Royal families had their palace and ruled the country. Malé is dotted with mosques, wide streets, parks and markets. Tour the national Museum, the colorful Fish Market and the Friday mosque with its splendid golden dome.

Popularly referred to as the ’Queen of the Arabian Sea,’ Cochin (Khochi) has been a trading post since early Roman times, due to its strategic location between Europe and China. From the court of Kubla Khan to the captains of Europe’s great Age of Exploration, travelers 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.

Scenic, tropical, and often called the Pearl of the Orient, Mormugao, India’s largest, natural harbor offers unexpected cultural contrasts in this former Portuguese ruled seaport area. Hire a taxi to transport you to Vasco City, named after founder, Vasco da Gama who fortified the area in 1543. You’ll discover the largest Roman Catholic Cathedral in all of Asia, along with an area more reminiscent of Portugal than India. Delightful colonial architecture, complete with overhanging balconies, narrow winding cobblestone streets, small shops and eateries beckon. Shop for colorful azulejos, painted tin-glazed ceramic tiles typically used in Portuguese architecture. Take a stroll on one of the area’s magnificent beaches, and dine on some of the finest seafood in all of India.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the most populous city 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.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the most populous city 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 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 jewelry 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.

Doha (‘place of beautiful flowers’) lies on the small peninsula of Qatar, that juts into the Persian Gulf. This sleepy town, once a British protectorate, was a center of pearl fishing until the discovery of oil turned it into a bustling port. Nearby attractions showcase Doha’s emergence as an important cultural and commercial center. Stroll along the crescent-shaped Corniche and admire the crystal-blue waters of the bay, the Emir’s Palace, the Museum of Islamic Arts and the traditional dhows, bobbing on the waters. Further afield, venture out on a desert safari, take in picturesque forts, or choose the perfect memento in Doha City Center, the largest shopping complex in the Mideast.

The discovery of oil in 1958 transformed this rural backwater into a modern metropolis with the highest per-capita income in the world. Today, Abu Dhabi boasts extraordinary sky scrapers, shopping malls, top quality hotels, tree-lined boulevards and picturesque gardens, while still maintaining a subtle Arabian mystique. Sail the lovely Gulf waters and numerous islands surrounding the city in a traditional dhow; tour heritage Village, a living museum where artisans ply their traditional crafts; or shop the central souk area for gold and Bedouin silver jewelry.