Awaken your senses as you tour the city’s fabulous golden temples and palaces, the royal barges and the Emerald Buddha. Explore the hidden city of teak mansions and lovely gardens or learn about Thai culture. The Royal Palace, familiar to many as the scene of the true story of Anna and the King of Siam, is a massive complex of carved and gilded buildings still used by the Thai royal family. Visit the home of Jim Thompson, former spy and promoter of the local silk industry who disappeared mysteriously.

Think beaches and snorkeling, as Sihanoukville sits on the beautiful island-studded Bay of Thailand. Wats, or Buddhist temples, are abundant and often modest architecturally, as seen at Wat Otres behind Otres Beach. There are even two wats in Ream National Park, a birdwatcher's paradise.

At Sea,

Quieter and more off the beaten path than its neighbor of Nha Trang, the hidden gem of Cam Ranh features a landscape of white sands, turquoise waters and lush forests. Relax on pristine Bai Dai Beach and then extend the serenity at Tu Van Pagoda, a unique temple built from seashells and coral. For lunch, check out the local fish market where eateries prepare banh mi and other dishes with the fresh catch of the day. Just north of Cam Ranh stands Nha Trang, one of Vietnam’s most popular seaside resorts boasting hot springs, mud baths and palm-fringed beaches as well as the striking temples of Po Nagar Cham Towers and the enormous white Buddha of Long Son Pagoda.

At Sea

Situated in the northern region of the island province of Palawan – often billed as one of the best island destinations in the world – Coron is blessed with towering limestone karsts, gorgeous beaches and incredible coral reefs. You can explore old-growth rainforests, snorkel in picturesque lagoons and even dive World War II wrecks. Kayangan Lake offers sweeping views of limestone towers draped in lush vegetation, and visitors are welcome to swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. You’ll quickly understand why this mountain lake is among the most photographed places in the Philippines. Just a short drive from the port, the mangrove-shrouded Maquinit Hot Springs is one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world and is the perfect location to take a restorative dip.

Founded as a Spanish naval hub in 1872, Puerto Princesa is developing a new identity as the ecotourism center of the Philippines. Marvel at the sights of the popular underground river, located in a nearby national park, or go zip-lining at Ugong Rock. In town, learn about the Palawan massacre of Allied soldiers during World War II, and then reflect at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

Enjoy the sights in this bustling, ethnically diverse city as you see the gold-domed mosque, unique high-rise architecture and the Heritage Village. Or venture into the interior and astonishing Kinabalu Park. Stroll past rare plants along a nature trail and through a garden of rare orchids. Or ride Borneo's last train into the lush countryside of farms, water buffalo and villages. Spend time on the glorious beaches.

Enjoy a drive through this fascinating city past the beautiful mosques with their glittering domes and minarets and the Sultan's palace, the largest in the world. Visit the Brunei Museum, a repository of Malay culture and priceless Islamic art. Or take a riverboat through the city's canals and experience its daily life. Travel into the primitive Borneo countryside to a Dayak village where warriors dance in the longhouse.

At Sea

Discover a delightful city of contrasts, from its old Chinese quarter and colorful Hindu temples to its modern skyscrapers, famous Tiger Balm Gardens and magnificent National Orchid Garden. Stroll along the Esplanade. Take a short cruise along the Singapore River and a tri-shaw ride through town. Visit the Kranji Memorial and Changi Chapel and Memorial, dedicated to those who lost their lives here during World War II.