14 Nights Asia

This small, roughly diamond-shaped island at the end of peninsular Malaysia may be coated in modernity, but underneath lies conservative Confucian values. Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian influences make Singapore a highly tolerant city with a wealth of fascinatingly sundry cultures.

Ko Samui, Thailand's second largest island, lies in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. It's known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest, plus luxury resorts and posh spas. The landmark 12m-tall golden Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple is located on a tiny island connected to Ko Samui by a causeway.

Thailand's largest, most modern and busiest deep-sea shipping port is the nation's pride and its main transportation and export gateway. The famed beach resort of Pattaya is nine miles to the south, while Bangkok is 68 miles north of the port.

Vietnam's first privately-owned deep water port, occupied by the Japanese during World War II, now serves primarily as a portal to Ho Chi Minh City?the "Pearl of the Orient". Nearby, the Cu Chi tunnels offer grim reminders of the Vietnam War.

The easy-going city of Nha Trang is known for its six-mile palm-lined sandy beach with clear turquoise water. Spend some time relaxing by the bay at Nha Trang Beach or the more secluded but arguably even more beautiful Bai Duong Beach, shaded by lushly forested mountains

Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines is gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and voted as a New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012. St. Paul?s Underground River Cave is more than 24 kilometers long, featuring a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river.

More than 7,000 islands make up the Philippines, and Boracay is the most popular spot among them for tropical beachside getaways. Sink your toes into the sugar-white sand at aptly named White Beach, and slurp cold coconut water straight from the fruit under the shade of a palm tree. Cruise to Boracay and hike up Mount Luho, the islands highest point, and spot Philippine eagles above the tree tops. Or spend your day island-hopping and check out the equally stunning beaches just off the shore from Boracay ? see abundant marine life off Crocodile Island, snorkel the clear blue waters off Crystal Cove, or turn up the thrill with cliff-diving off Magic Island.

Recently the feature of a major National Geographic expedition, Coron is one of the world's true undiscovered paradises. Steep cliffs descend down into incredibly blue water, and the local indigenous people guard this area with pride, hanging onto their culture and winning a national court case in the Philippines to gain native title of the area. The local people have strict guidelines for all access and development in the area and access to all sites can only be gained through cooperation with the indigenous owners, the Tagbanua people.

The "Wall Street of Asia" is one of the world's truly great cities. Reunited with China in 1997, it is a fast-paced, scintillating city brimming with Chinese medicine shops, British pubs, dazzling high rises, wooden boats, ancient villages, fish eateries and rugby lawns

Before embarking in Keelung, the third-largest port in Taiwan,take a little time to do some sightseeing. This pleasant port city is home to such historical sites like the Sea Gate Barrier Fort and places of worship dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.