This island nation at the end of the Malaysian peninsula offers rich culture, history, and cuisine. Explore Chinatown, the Arab Quarter, and Little India; take in harbor views at Boat Quay; shop along Orchard Road; enjoy a night safari at Singapore Zoo; relax in Bukit Timah Nature Preserve; wander futuristic Gardens by the Bay; and unwind with a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel.

Spend the day discovering this cosmopolitan city and its many cultural layers, from the Petronas Towers and Royal Palace to Gothic churches, Colonial remnants, and a restored Malay timber house in a heritage center. Browse markets and shops for crafts, pewter, jewelry, and batik. Enjoy the fusion of Malay, Chinese, and continental cuisine-try curry, spicy broiled duck, satay, or broiled fish.

Explore Langkawi's relaxed charm: farms, fishing villages, rice paddies, myths, dramatic mountains, and pristine beaches. Start at Eagle Square, then ride the Langkawi cable car for sweeping views from Kereta Kabel. See handcrafted plates made from cinnamon wood and learn about rice farming at Laman Padi Langkawi. End with seafood sizzlers, coconut-chile dishes, and tea or chocolate treats in this romantic paradise.

Pulau Pinang, as it is known locally, is the northern gateway to Malaysia and also the country's oldest British settlement. The word "Pinang" in Malay refers to the areca nut palm, which provides the betel nut, an essential ingredient in a delicacy chewed by millions in the Far East. Today Georgetown is noted for the largest collection of pre-war houses in all of Southeast Asia and the Penang Heritage Trust has been established to maintain its unique heritage.

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. It is sprawling with shopping malls and traditional markets, and is known for its inexpensive, but fair quality textile and fashion products. Don't miss the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, and the National Monument in Merdeka Square. Visit the National Museum to learn more about the cultural heritage of Indonesia.

Semarang is a city on the north coast of the island of Java, Indonesia. A major port during the Dutch colonial era, the city is known in Indonesia for its large ethnically Chinese population. Today, Semarang is a commercial port and administrative capital of Central Java. More a business center than a city for tourists, it is, however, an excellent gateway to the mountainous interior of Central Java and only some 60 miles away from world-famous Borobudur.

Surabaya, East Java's capital, is a gateway city with diverse neighborhoods, from Buddhist temples to an historic Arab Quarter. Highlights include the 19th-century Dutch colonial House of Sampoerna museum, café and gallery, and the turquoise-domed Al Akbar Mosque, opened in 2000, with city views from its minaret. Try East Javanese seafood dishes.

Benoa's charms are most evident in Nusa Dua, one of the most beautiful beaches in already-legendary Bali. In this land of rice terraces, spectacular volcanoes and over 20,000 temples, the main destination is the stunning 17th-century royal temple complex of Pura Taman Ayun in nearby Mengwi, surrounded by a lotus-filled moat, giving it the feel of a garden sanctuary. Another favorite is the Sunset Temple, Tanah Lot, and don't miss the batik factories for that perfect gift or souvenir.

Benoa's charms are most evident in Nusa Dua, one of the most beautiful beaches in already-legendary Bali. In this land of rice terraces, spectacular volcanoes and over 20,000 temples, the main destination is the stunning 17th-century royal temple complex of Pura Taman Ayun in nearby Mengwi, surrounded by a lotus-filled moat, giving it the feel of a garden sanctuary. Another favorite is the Sunset Temple, Tanah Lot, and don't miss the batik factories for that perfect gift or souvenir.

Discover a hidden-gem island where tranquility meets natural wonders. Dive into the azure waters of Lembar Strait, explore coral reefs, relax on Selong Belanak Beach, and trek Mount Rinjani for breathtaking sunrise views. Experience Sasak culture in Sade and Ende, where artisans craft textiles and pottery by hand, and savor authentic cuisine from spicy sambal to grilled seafood.

Indonesia's isolated Komodo Island is a natural wonder of tropical savanna and scrubland, home to the famed pre-historic Komodo dragon. Komodo National Park is the only place on earth that they can be found in the wild. The island of Komodo itself is about 60 squares miles in area with dramatic landscapes of 2,000 foot craggy mountains, canyons, Savannas and monsoon rain forests in the valleys. Human habitation is therefore limited to only one settlement in Slawi Bay.

Along the coast of the Northern Territory lies Darwin, a city isolated by the vast Australian desert. The area was sought by the French, Dutch and British, and was established as the town of Darwin in 1869. In 1942, the city was under the threat of a Japanese attack, so a major Australian military base was established. Today Darwin is the largest city of the Northern Territory, offering sights from its colonial past and excellent shopping and dining opportunities.

Cooktown, a quaint frontier town on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, was the site of Australia's first European settlement. Named for Captain Cook, it's marked by Cook's Pillar, where the Endeavour landed in 1770. Grassy Hill offers 360° views over countryside and pristine beaches. Nearby, a near-wilderness of mountains, eucalypts, mangroves, rainforests, heathlands, grasslands, and rivers awaits adventurous travelers.

Cairns, a laid-back Far North Queensland city, is the gateway to two World Heritage treasures: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Cruise by luxury catamaran to a pontoon on the Outer Reef, or ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over lush jungle and explore the world's oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. In Cairns ("cans"), stroll the Esplanade, swim in the saltwater lagoon, and visit the Botanic Gardens, Cairns Aquarium, shops, and cafes.

Soak up Airlie Beach's laid-back tropical vibe, with palm-fringed beaches, waterfront parks, and alfresco dining. Stroll Shute Harbour Road, the town's main street, lined with restaurants, cafes, and bars. Airlie Beach is also the gateway to the Whitsundays-74 pristine islands in Queensland's Great Barrier Reef-where you can enjoy luxury resorts, poolside cocktails, sunbathing, and spa relaxation.

Make the most of Sydney: stroll Circular Quay and the waterfront, admire the Opera House, explore the historic Rocks under the Harbour Bridge, head to the Blue Mountains for the world's steepest railway, meet Australian wildlife at Koala Park Sanctuary, and finish with a drink at a traditional Aussie pub.