15-night Asia: India, Thailand, Malaysia & Sri Lanka Cruise

Penang, or more properly Pulau Pinang, is the northern gateway to Malaysia and also the country’s oldest British settlement. To the tourist industry, Penang has been marketed for a long time as the Pearl of the Orient. Although Penang is best known for its beaches, there is much more here than just sand and sea. The island is considered a cultural and architectural gem with Chinese, Malay and Indian influences. Other sights include St. George’s Church - built in 1818 of classic Georgian architecture; Penang Hill - a 2,500-foot hill with a splendid view over Georgetown; Botanical Gardens - the 74-acre landscaped gardens featuring many indigenous and exotic plant species, a waterfall, jungle-clad hills and two species of monkeys, the macaque and dusky leaf monkeys; Golf Courses - The Bukit Jambul Golf & Country Club is located on Penang Island, and other golf courses in Province Wellesley on the mainland are the Penang Golf Resort and Bukit Jawi Golf Resort.

Mangalore is located in India's Karnataka region, strategically situated in a hilly area between the Western Ghats and the shores of the Arabian Sea. Visitors to Mangalore learn about India's ancient caste system, which is still very much intact. The people are also extremely spiritual, as evident in their many temples and religious traditions. Mangalore contains remnants of Tippu Sultan's naval fort.