Dubai → New York City (114 nights)

Seek out a sun-soaked city of luxurious excess, thrilling innovation and impressive landmarks. So cosmopolitan it hurts. Ski through snow, watch choreographed waterworks, listen to ship-shape opera, behold another Lamborghini, sail an abra and gasp at the floral universe. Delve into Old Dubai’s forgotten past, get the picture at the lofty Dubai Frame and head downtown to the iconic Burj Khalifa and uber-extravagant Mall. Rotate on the cosmical wheel and fine dine in the sky. Like a shimmering mirage, Dubai’s diversity lights up Arabian skies with its ability to evolve and astound.

Seek out a sun-soaked city of luxurious excess, thrilling innovation and impressive landmarks. So cosmopolitan it hurts. Ski through snow, watch choreographed waterworks, listen to ship-shape opera, behold another Lamborghini, sail an abra and gasp at the floral universe. Delve into Old Dubai’s forgotten past, get the picture at the lofty Dubai Frame and head downtown to the iconic Burj Khalifa and uber-extravagant Mall. Rotate on the cosmical wheel and fine dine in the sky. Like a shimmering mirage, Dubai’s diversity lights up Arabian skies with its ability to evolve and astound.

Arrive in a remote Omani peninsula at its filigreed fingertip pointing at the Strait of Hormuz. Burn up rocky peaks on bikes and off-road vehicles, cruise through spectacular inlets on converted dhows to explore the landscape and flit beneath warm waves with schools of dolphins and tuna of Telegraph Island. Look into Old Town forts, laid-back souks and whitewashed mosques. Pass hidden Bedouin houses, mosques and goats to reach a vast green oasis, then swing up to the summit for cooler climes, fossilised fish and views to behold. Blink and you might miss the richness of this discreet legend.

Shaped by the legacy of trade and empire, Mumbai is effervescent, energetic and one-of-a-kind. Echoes of a bygone era linger in the gothic spires of old Bombay, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the din of conversation fills spice-scented markets and bustling Parsi cafés. Silk Road merchants and seafarers all left their mark, leaving behind a patchwork of cultural quirks and captivating regional flavours; a richness that’s celebrated in the sensorial spectacle of the Bollywood film industry.

Shaped by the legacy of trade and empire, Mumbai is effervescent, energetic and one-of-a-kind. Echoes of a bygone era linger in the gothic spires of old Bombay, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the din of conversation fills spice-scented markets and bustling Parsi cafés. Silk Road merchants and seafarers all left their mark, leaving behind a patchwork of cultural quirks and captivating regional flavours; a richness that’s celebrated in the sensorial spectacle of the Bollywood film industry.

Life in Southern Goa flows to a gentle rhythm, where lazy days unfold on palm-fringed beaches and quiet coves shaped by the tide. Seabirds and fishing nets frame traditional villages along the golden coast, dotted with historic forts, temples and relics from Portuguese heritage. Explore elegant white churches and grand basilica in Old Goa and the remains of crumbling villas half-consumed by the lush vegetation, then pause to feast of Goan fish curry at a restaurant overlooking the serene shores of the Arabian Sea.

Lose your heart to Kerala’s melting pot of diverse cultures, scenic splendour, spirituality and spices. Cruise by rickshaw for a time warp past ancient houses, colourful churches and Chinese fishing nets in Fort Cochin. Replace Kochi bustle with tranquil birdsong at the Bird Sanctuary, float through a web mangroves and monkeys on the remote Kumarakom backwaters and have a moment at the dramatic Athirappilly Falls. Venture through lush wildlife-filled forests to thundering Thommankuthu, gawp at spellbinding gems in the world’s richest temple and marvel at nearby Maharaja treasures. Indulge in Ayurveda to enhance body and mind, galleries to admire artworks and Cult Modern for some threads. Sense-jolting Kerala seduces with spicy Southern Indian culture.

Romance meets reverie in Malé, doorway to the emerald atolls of the Maldives archipelago. Unscripted days might mean castaway moments on a deserted sandbank, snorkelling through rainbow reefs or sipping cocktails on a private island. Dive deeper in Maldivian identity in Malé itself, where mosques and museums reveal a glimpse of island life before tourism, and vibrant markets celebrate artisan crafts and the rich culinary heritage of the Indian Ocean. 

Understated and enchanting, Colombo reveals layer upon layer of charm. Home of Geoffrey Bawa’s tropical modernism, the city is an open-air celebration of architecture and design, where crafts and textiles fill colourful boutiques. Join cricketers and kite-flyers on Galle Face Green as you stroll along the promenade or appreciate 150 years of Ceylon tea-growing heritage in iconic waterfront hotels. Savour spice-laden flavours and tropical produce in vibrant markets and cafes, where sweet-toothed locals indulge in sticky coconut desserts drenched in jaggery and treacle. 

Hambantota fans out along Sri Lanka’s wild southern shore, where big cats and elephants roam in national parks and Indian Ocean waves crash onto unspoiled beaches. Fishermen cast their nets from precarious perches along the coast, as the road winds between shimmering salt pans and traditional villages. Follow tidal flats to coastal lagoons and paddle through quiet mangroves, sanctuaries for migratory birds whose chorus forms a backdrop to this pristine natural habitat.

Phuket's soft sands, warm seas and rich culture make it Thailand's crown jewel. Climb Nakkerd Hill to the tranquil Big Buddha for panoramic island views, or wander Phuket Old Town, where colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture and bustling markets reveal a cosmopolitan past. Offshore, Phang Nga Bay stuns with limestone cliffs rising from jade waters, best explored by kayak or boat. Phuket is where beachside bliss and cultural discovery meet beneath tropical skies.

Langkawi enchants with turquoise seas, lush rainforest and dramatic peaks. Cruise the mangroves of Kilim Geoforest Park, a UNESCO treasure where eagles soar and limestone cliffs rise over emerald waterways. Ride the cable car up Mount Mat Cincang, then walk the Sky Bridge suspended high above the jungle canopy. Down by the waterfront, Eagle Square celebrates the island's spirit of freedom. Langkawi is a natural haven for adventure, photography and serene island living.

Singapore is a vision of green innovation and cultural diversity. Stroll beneath towering Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, then step into heritage districts like Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. Visit the serene Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO site rich with orchids, or marvel at Marina Bay Sands and its shimmering skyline. From hawker stalls serving Michelin-starred bites to elegant gourmet dining, Singapore is a city that embraces the future while cherishing its roots.

Singapore is a vision of green innovation and cultural diversity. Stroll beneath towering Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, then step into heritage districts like Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. Visit the serene Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO site rich with orchids, or marvel at Marina Bay Sands and its shimmering skyline. From hawker stalls serving Michelin-starred bites to elegant gourmet dining, Singapore is a city that embraces the future while cherishing its roots.

Surabaya blends modern energy with centuries of history. Explore the Dutch colonial House of Sampoerna or stroll through Kampung Arab, where lively markets and the Al-Akbar Mosque reflect cultural diversity. Beyond the city, UNESCO-listed Trowulan offers ancient Majapahit ruins and artefacts showcasing Indonesia's classical heritage. Surabaya is a dynamic port where history and innovation meet, making it a vibrant gateway to East Java's volcanic landscapes and rich traditions.

Benoa is the perfect entry to Bali's spiritual and natural wonders. Venture to UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, where emerald fields stretch beneath volcanic peaks, or cross to Nusa Penida Island for dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches. In Ubud, Bali's cultural heart, temples and artisan workshops reveal a deep spiritual soul. Whether snorkelling, temple-hopping or embracing the island's artistic energy, Benoa is your door to Bali's serenity and vibrant culture.

Benoa is the perfect entry to Bali's spiritual and natural wonders. Venture to UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, where emerald fields stretch beneath volcanic peaks, or cross to Nusa Penida Island for dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches. In Ubud, Bali's cultural heart, temples and artisan workshops reveal a deep spiritual soul. Whether snorkelling, temple-hopping or embracing the island's artistic energy, Benoa is your door to Bali's serenity and vibrant culture.

A lost world of prehistoric proportions, Komodo National Park is an epic landscape untouched by man. Visiting this trio of islands is to explore earth’s origins, from the three-metre Komodo Dragons that roam the lowlands to the crags and coves of a land shaped by volcanic forces. Hike Padar Hill for spectacular views of this earthly paradise: islands blanketed in emerald vegetation, framed by deserted coves and rainbow sands. Spot dolphins and dugongs while snorkelling its crystalline seas, where coral gardens carpet the seabed.  

Darwin is a window to Australian heritage, from ancestral traditions and WWII history to sun-kissed cocktails on the buzzing waterfront. Beyond the city is a timeless landscape of wild waterfalls, indigenous culture and untamed natural beauty. Delve into Northern Territory heritage in Kakadu National Park, where rock art narrates 40,000 years of Aboriginal history and waterfalls thunder down rocky escarpments. Traditional life unfolds on the Tiwi Islands, an off-grid escape with castaway beaches, indigenous art galleries and big-game fishing on the Timor Sea.

Port Moresby distils the wild and wonderful world of Papua New Guinea, a little-visited land steeped in tradition and ritual. Start in the National Museum & Art Gallery for a glimpse into PNG’s cultural identity and the thousands of distinct cultural groups that call it home. Escape the city in the hillside rainforests of Varirata National Park, home to the red-plumed Raggiana bird-of-paradise. Far below, divers can explore World War II wrecks and colourful reefs in the crystalline waters of the Timor Sea. 

Kundu drums pound a spirited welcome in Alotau, where folklore and WWII memories are woven into the fabric of daily life. Step through the battlefields of Milne Bay and dive for wrecks around wild capes framed by jungle-draped mountains, or snorkel through pristine reefs as seahorses glide through gin-clear shallows. Delve into Papua New Guinea's culture through kava ceremony and craftwork in traditional villages, where stories are shared through song and ritual. 

Tropical Cairns holds the keys to the natural wonders of Northern Queensland. Lose yourself above the peacock-plume of the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic flight or glide below the waves on a snorkelling safari to witness the kaleidoscopic colours of the underwater world. Time slows in Daintree Rainforest, where old-growth giants tower overhead. Drift down lazy rivers, paddle through hidden creeks and spot wildlife on the riverbank, or simply surrender to tranquillity on one of the sublime beaches that line the coast.

Tropical Cairns holds the keys to the natural wonders of Northern Queensland. Lose yourself above the peacock-plume of the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic flight or glide below the waves on a snorkelling safari to witness the kaleidoscopic colours of the underwater world. Time slows in Daintree Rainforest, where old-growth giants tower overhead. Drift down lazy rivers, paddle through hidden creeks and spot wildlife on the riverbank, or simply surrender to tranquillity on one of the sublime beaches that line the coast.

Sunrays and salt-spray fill the air around Airlie Beach, darling of the Queensland Coast and a portal to the Whitsunday Islands. Ringed by flour-soft sands and the brilliant blues of the Coral Sea, the archipelago invites unhurried exploration: sail between emerald isles, snorkel with parrot fish in coral gardens or spy rays and reefs on a dive safari. The Whitsundays reveal their true colours from above in the amorous outline of Heart Reef and the swirling turquoise seas around Whitehaven Beach: paradise found.