Start your round-the-world exploration with three nights

in Hong Kong, where the mix of Chinese junks and

Western vessels crowding its colourful harbour seem

almost to mirror the reputation of the city itself – this is the

place where the traditions of ancient China collide with the

modern day. We’ve included a city sightseeing tour taking

in the views from Victoria Peak, the floating village of

Aberdeen and famous Stanley Market. You’ll also enjoy an

evening cocktail cruise on the harbour, plus airport

transfers as per the ‘Essential Hong Kong’ itinerary (see

page 13 for details).

 

Spend three nights in Perth, the vibrant capital of Western

Australia and one of the most remote cities on the planet.

It’s an awful long way from here to anywhere else of a

similar size! To help you make the most of the city, we’ve

included a sightseeing tour taking in all the highlights,

including the historic seaport of Fremantle, and a cruise on

the Swan River complete with a chance to sample some

locally-produced Western Australian wine.

 

Collect your rental car, and head north from Perth

following our six-day ‘Coral Coast & Dolphins’ itinerary of

Western Australia, as detailed on page 130. Highlights

include visits to the ancient stromatolites, the oldest living

creatures on Earth, and to the unusual limestone

formations known as the Pinnacles. You’ll also spend two

nights in the low-key resort of Monkey Mia, where visitors

have a chance to interact with the resident bottlenose

dolphins, three generations of whom have been coming

here for feeding sessions on an almost-daily basis for

almost 50 years.

 

No visit to Australia is really complete without taking in the

sights of Sydney, with its beautiful harbour setting and

unrivalled urban lifestyle. The flight from Perth crosses the

entire Australian continent, and on arrival you’ll check in to

your hotel for a three-night stay. Your time here can be

totally at your leisure, or you can opt to pre-book one or

more of the sightseeing tours shown on pages 50/51.

From climbing the Harbour Bridge to taking in a

performance at the Sydney Opera House, we are here to

help you to get the best out of your stay. Either way, the

city offers so much to explore, from the lively attractions of

Darling Harbour to the more refined charms of the Royal

Botanical Gardens and the chilled-out surf beaches, many

of which can be reached by ferry from the bustle of

Circular Quay.

 

The Blue Mountains National Park is just 90 minutes’ drive

outside of Sydney, and yet is the ideal place to escape the

city’s hustle and bustle. You can enjoy our two-night

‘Essential Blue Mountains’ itinerary, as detailed on page 57,

which includes a 4WD tour to discover the region’s

wildlife and backcountry during which you’ll see the

stunning ‘Three Sisters’ rock formations towering over the

forested valley below. There’s a full day at leisure for you

to enjoy some of the bush walking trails, or to browse the

shops, art galleries and other local attractions. Return to

Sydney for one last night before your flight to Auckland.

 

You’ll have six nights in total here in New Zealand, starting

with a night in the cosmopolitan harbour city of Auckland,

affectionately known as the ‘City of Sails’. Travel by coach

north for a two-night stay in the beautiful Bay of Islands,

where you’ll enjoy a cruise to the famous ‘Hole in the

Rock’ which often affords the opportunity to spot whales

and dolphins. You’ll also visit the historic Waitangi Treaty

Grounds, where New Zealand’s founding document was

signed by the Maori and British in 1840. Head south for

two nights in the geo-thermal resort of Rotorua, located

on the North Island’s central volcanic plateau. Here, we’ve

included a packed day of sightseeing, rounded off with an

entertaining Maori cultural show and hangi-style dinner,

where the delicious food is cooked in the traditional way,

underground using hot rocks. Return to Auckland for an

overnight stay prior to your onward flight arrangements.

 

Fly from Auckland to the idyllic South Pacific islands of Fiji.

You’ll have three nights of relaxation on the popular main

island of Viti Levu, following the ‘Essential Coral Coast’

itinerary, as detailed on page 17. It’s all about winding

down to ‘island time’ on Fiji, but we’ve also included a

sightseeing cruise to exclusive Tivua Island where you can

discover the coral gardens and snorkel in the warm,

tropical waters. Your flight leaves Fiji late in the evening of

Day 28, and you’ll arrive in Los Angeles the same day

(having crossed over the International Date Line). Unless

you wish to enjoy a stopover in L.A., you’ll connect

straight through to the UK, arriving back home in the

morning of Day 29.

 

• Locally-payable airport taxes, visa fees and

insurance

• Meals, and sightseeing other than those specified.

 

• 26 nights’ accommodation in either standard or

superior hotels throughout

• Sightseeing and transfers in Hong Kong, Blue

Mountains, New Zealand & Fiji

• Sightseeing and arrival transfer in Perth

• 6 days’ car rental from Perth

• Arrival & departure transfers in Sydney