Explore the cultural tapestry of south east Asia on a cruise
Destination of the week: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
The ultimate arrival: Viking's Southeast Asia & Hong Kong voyage explores the cultural tapestry and heart of Indochina.
Destination highlights: Formed over 500 million years, more than 1600 islands of towering limestone dot the seascape of Ha Long Bay, one of the world's most magnificent landscapes. For centuries, fishermen and merchants have navigated this archipelago. Embark on an authentic junk, iconic vessels that have plied these waters for 1800 years, for a scenic cruise of vertical cliffs draped in brush and forest, surrounded by labyrinthine emerald-green waterways.
Do not miss: Soar 300 feet above this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site in a Cessna Grand Caravan. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the lush valleys, bays and hidden villages of the hundreds of towering islands that emerge from its emerald waters.
Why go: The dense rainforest supports rare species of birdlife and mammals, and the bay houses 163 species of coral and over a thousand species of fish, creating a colourful undersea home for its aquatic inhabitants. viking.com
My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.
Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.
My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
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