155-night Azamara World Voyage

Cradled along Upolu's northern shore lies the peaceful township of Apia. Picturesque thatched-roof "fales" blend into the emerald-hued countryside. Jagged mountains rise above deserted beaches where trade winds sigh on coconut palms. Banana groves and bread-fruit trees gently ripen in the moist, tropical climate. Western Samoa's friendly, carefree islanders will welcome you and proudly show you the former home of their adopted son, Robert Louis Stevenson. This is a contented island where traditional ways hold despite the passage of time.

Nuku'alofa, the capital and largest town of Tonga is on the north coast of Tongatapu Island in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the island's chief port and principal economic, administrative, and tourist centre. The red-roofed Royal Palace (1865-1867) on the waterfront, is a major landmark. In 1643 the Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman landed here.

The southern gateway to the Sapphire Coast, Eden is set in rugged beauty with golden sandy beaches and crystal waters to the east and forests and parklands to the west.

Albany is a popular resort town located on one of southwestern Australia's most beautiful stretches of coast. It lies on the northern shore of Princess Royal Harbour - one of the world's best natural deep-water harbours. Built soon after the first convicts arrived, Albany's oldest buildings include the Old Gaol, the Old Post Office and the Old Farmhouse. In the area around Albany discover the rugged coastline of Torndirrup National Park, forests, and arable and sheep farms.

Bussleton (Busselton) is one of Western Australia's favorite seaside port towns, and the gateway to Margaret River's wine region.
Busselton Jetty and the surrounding waterfront is the highlight of the city, with many seaside cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques, as well as a white sandy beach and bike paths to enjoy.

A lagoon of emerald and blue framed by dense ancient forests greets you as you approach Puerto Princessa's most renown attraction: the Subterranean River National Park, a designated UNESCO world heritage site. Tour the 8.2 kilometers of underground river by boat through otherworldly, spectacular caves. For mountain hiking and trekking, ascend to the Cleopatra's Needle, where wild rivers, lush forest and vibrant meadows all wait to be explored. Hop on a boat and spend an afternoon on the white beaches of the Honda Islands, with dive sites along Pandan Island and Arreceffi Island, and the Panglima Reef to see large coral masses and reef sharks. Remains left from WWII can also be visited, such as the Plaza Cuartel. Experience local and regional culture at the Vietnamese Village or by visiting the Palawan Museum, where artifacts of from Tabon Cave may be found.
 

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.

The Suez Canal links two oceans and two seas the Atlantic and Mediterranean via Gibraltar to Port Said, and the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea via Bab Al Mandab and the Gulf of Suez to the port of Suez. It is the longest Canal that has no locks, it can be widened and deepened at any time when necessary. The Suez Canal's strategic importance lies in the fact it is essential for world trade and greatly shortens the distance between East and West. The distance between Tokyo (Japan) and Rotterdam (Holland) is shortened by 23% if it goes round Africa.

The Suez Canal links two oceans and two seas the Atlantic and Mediterranean via Gibraltar to Port Said, and the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea via Bab Al Mandab and the Gulf of Suez to the port of Suez. It is the longest Canal that has no locks, it can be widened and deepened at any time when necessary. The Suez Canal's strategic importance lies in the fact it is essential for world trade and greatly shortens the distance between East and West. The distance between Tokyo (Japan) and Rotterdam (Holland) is shortened by 23% if it goes round Africa.

Argostoli is the capital of Cephalonia. The harbour front is worth a walk. There is an excellent market for buying fresh fruit and veg, and the traffic free shopping area running parallel to the harbor front is also well worth visiting. Spend a Saturday evening in the main square over an ouzo, watching the local populace taking their volta. The whole family comes out to play. There are balloon sellers and amateur entertainers. Children race around on tricycles and on foot while their older brothers and sisters play the age old game of eyeing each other from the safety of their own peer groups. All this while the parents look on indulgently.

Often referred to as "Little Venice," Chioggia is 25 miles south of Venice, on the southern side of the Lagoon of Venice. Chioggia is laced with canals and bussling main streets lined with shops, markets and rustic buildings. Visit the Piazetta Vigo and Bridge, Clock Tower, and Duomo or cathedral, complete with marble, gold and stained glass. A fishing town and port, Chioggia also features a sandy beach at Sottomarina, and many site-seeing locations, shopping opportunities, and restaurants to enjoy authentic, local cuisine.

Often referred to as "Little Venice," Chioggia is 25 miles south of Venice, on the southern side of the Lagoon of Venice. Chioggia is laced with canals and bussling main streets lined with shops, markets and rustic buildings. Visit the Piazetta Vigo and Bridge, Clock Tower, and Duomo or cathedral, complete with marble, gold and stained glass. A fishing town and port, Chioggia also features a sandy beach at Sottomarina, and many site-seeing locations, shopping opportunities, and restaurants to enjoy authentic, local cuisine.

This tiny town on the Italian Riviera was strategically planned at the tip of a rocky peninsula overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia. Its 12th-century tall, narrow houses climb precipitously up the hillside from the sea. Portovenere is built on different levels; visitors enjoy strolling through the narrow streets, delighting in the town's unique ambiance. From Portovenere it is possible to explore the ruggedly beautiful Ligurian villages of Cinque Terre. With their steep-walled coastal cliffs, the villages of these "Five Lands" are perched high above the sea, commanding spectacular views. The 13th-century San Pietro church stands above a grotto named after Lord Byron. Brightly painted with black and white stripes, this striking landmark can be spotted from far out at sea. From the terrace enjoy a spectacular panorama of the Gulf of La Spezia and the hills of Cinque Terre.

St.Helier is a parish and the capital of Jersey, Channel Islands. It is a very urban destination, with many accommodations, restaurants and shopping opportunities. There are plenty social events planned year-round with many of these involving sailing/yacht rallies.

The peaceful setting of the picturesque port of Honfleur along the estuary of the Seine attracted many artists and writers over the years, including Impressionist Painters. Throughout its history, numerous maritime journeys were initiated from Honfleur. It's a place of great historic charm, notably around the Vieux Bassin, where lofty slate-and-timber fronted houses overlook the colorful yacht and fishing harbor, and sloping cobbled streets recall 16th century Honfleur. Not to be missed are the 15th century wooden church and the Impressionist paintings of the Musee Eugene Boudin. From here it is possible to visit Monet's Garden, Arromanches, the Normandy Landing Beaches and if there is time, Paris.