DAY 1: Depart UK.

DAY 2: Arrive Singapore.
On arrival in Singapore you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. The rest of the day is yours to explore this former colonial city, with its eclectic mix of British and south-east Asian architecture.

DAY 3: Singapore.
Today is free for you to enjoy the city, perhaps by taking a boat ride along the Singapore River to the harbour. Explore this modern metropolis and venture into the distinctly different districts of bustling Little India - home to the Temple of a Thousand Lights, Chinatown - including the wooden Thian Hock Keng Temple, Arab Street - for textiles, silks and the magnificent Sultan's Mosque, and the Civic District - home to Parliament House, Empress Palace, and the legendary Raffles Hotel. Visit the world's largest collection of orchids at the Botanical Garden, or Mount Faber, for spectacular views of the Singapore skyline. This evening, transfer to your cruise ship, Costa Allegra, for embarkation. (D)

DAY 4: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 5: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
A friendly, bustling and eclectic city, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly called Saigon) has a heady mixture of modern, colonial and traditional elements. Sights include well-preserved French Colonial architecture including the Notre Dame cathedral and Reunification Palace, and more traditional aspects such as the colourful Jade Emperor Pagoda and bustling Ben Thanh Market. For a taste of traditional Vietnam, take an optional excursion through the jungle-like landscape, passing glistening, verdant paddy fields, to the mighty Mekong River. See floating markets and traditional homes built on stilts above the water, before a leisurely sampan cruise along the Tan Thach Canal. Alternatively, head to the Cu Chi district and see the tiny tunnels built by the Viet Cong to evade the enemy during the Indochina and Vietnam wars. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 7: Da Nang, Vietnam.
Formerly a French Colony, Da Nang is one of south-east Asia's most European cities. Explore this chic, urban centre on an optional rickshaw ride including the Ho Chi Minh and Cham museums, the Han Market and the Tam Bao Pagoda. Perhaps take an optional trip through central Vietnam's stunning surroundings to My Son, the ancient site of the Champa Kingdom and home to spectacular jungle-clad ruins. Spend time in Hoi An, a lively town on the banks of the Thu Bon River, with a fascinating blend of European and Asian architecture, culture and customs, and enjoy the market, museum, temples and Cu Dai beach. Alternatively, join an optional excursion across the spectacular Hai Van Pass to the Royal City of Hue to see the Forbidden Purple City. Modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City, this imperial citadel is an ornate architectural masterpiece filled with lavish reminders of a bygone imperial rule. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 9: Hong Kong.
You have a full day at leisure to make the most of cosmopolitan Hong Kong today. Perhaps take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour and head to the summit of Victoria Peak for great views over Hong Kong Island. You could also visit Stanley Market for some bargain hunting or Kowloon's Mong Kok district for great shopping opportunities. There are plenty of museums, temples and galleries to explore including the History and Science Museums and Hong Kong's oldest and most famous temple: Man Mo. Alternatively, head over to Lantau Island to see the famed Giant Buddha at Po Lin Monastery. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 11: Manila, Philippines.
Spread across an archipelago of over 7000 islands and known locally as the 'String of Pearls', the Philippines are home to mountainous yet breathtakingly beautiful tropical landscapes varying from rich emerald rice paddies to blossoming coconut plantations and aromatic fruit orchards to soft white beaches lapped by clear warm water. The capital, Manila, is a colourful and chaotic metropolis renowned for its fantastic shopping malls and vibrant nightlife. Join an optional excursion to fully appreciate all that the city has to offer, visit historic Rizal Park and the colonial walled city of Intramuros including Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Manila Cathedral. Take an optional excursion to the Filipino version of Alcatraz at Corregidor, set in the mouth of Manila Bay, or head to the Tagaytay Highlands, an exclusive summer retreat for Manila's elite, to visit the world's smallest volcano: Taal. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 13: Kota Kinabalu, Borneo.
Reaching Malaysian Borneo this morning, head to the sophisticated city of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah. An optional city tour takes in the distinctive glass Sabah Foundation Building, the elegant State Mosque and the Sabah Museum before introducing the more traditional aspects of Bornean life at the Heritage Village with its Iban longhouses, bamboo houses and handicraft market. Alternatively, experience the tropical, mountainous terrain of the Tunku Adbul Rahman National Park, with its luxurious rain and mangrove forests, colourful flora and vast array of wildlife, on an optional excursion. The coastal area of the national park is rich in vibrant coral reefs, beautiful beaches and sparkling, clear seas. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
The Sultanate of Brunei sits nestled between Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Reaching the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan - meaning 'Port of the Respected Ruler', explore this modern, bustling city on an optional tour. See one of the finest mosques in south-east Asia, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, built on a man-made lagoon and graced with an elaborate gold dome and luxurious interior, before heading to the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, the largest in Brunei and lavished with an intricate minaret and ornate, landscaped terrain dotted with fountains. Visit the ancient riverside village of Kampung Ayer, dating back to the 7th century, to see many traditional homes built on stilts over the Brunei River, before ending the day at the awesome Sultan's Palace. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 16: Singapore.
Spend the day at leisure, or perhaps join an optional excursion through the world's first night-safari park. This 98 acre reserve is home to over 1200 nocturnal animals from over 110 different species. (B, L, D)

DAY 17: Singapore - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

DAY 18: Home landing in the UK.