Romantica, Alluring East ex Singapore to Port Louis

22 Night Cruise sailing from Singapore to Port Louis aboard Costa Romantica.

The Costa Romantica cruise ship epitomizes Costa's devotion to Italian design. Richly embellished public rooms feature rare woods and Carrara marble, exquisitely detailed by the finest European artisans. Millions of dollars have been invested in original works of art including sculptures, paintings, murals, wall hangings and hand-crafted furnishings. Guests of the Costa Romantica cruise ship can refresh themselves in a fully contained spa which offers beauty treatments, therapies and personalized instruction or they relax in her generously proportioned and luxuriously appointed staterooms. The Costa Romantica is one of the most comfortable and elegant ships in the Costa fleet.

Highlights of this cruise include:

Singapore
Legend has it that a Sumatran prince ran into the path of a lion in Tamasek and founded the city of the lion "Singa Pura" literally from the Sanskrit "singa" meaning city and "pura" meaning lion. It was probably a tiger he saw given that in Asia there are no lions, but the fact that the prince got out of the encounter alive with the animal was seen as an omen so good as to meritthe foundation of a new city.
Singapore was a small commercial centre in the powerful Srivijaya empire of Sumatra and later, towards the middle of the 13th century, a puppet state of the Majapahit empire in Java, while in the 15th and 16th century it became part of the sultanate of Johor. Singapore's more recent history is inextricably linked to the figure of Sir Stamford Raffles, an official in the East India Company. With a treaty stipulated with the sultan of Johor in 1819, he established a British settlement in Singapore. He then made the city a resting point to restock the ships ofthe British Empire and to halt the Dutch expansionist policy.
This therefore required a greater English presence in the port, a move that not only met with British support but also led to the granting of free port status with the consequent exemptions from customs duties. From that moment onthe city grew at a dizzying pace and from its population of 150 in 1819 it grew to 10,000 in just five years. In 1832 it became the governing centre of British colonial possessions. Invaded in 1941 by the Japanese, who remained until September 1945, Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963and has been an independent republic since 1965.
The city-state extends over a main island surrounded by around fifty smaller islands and has almost four million inhabitants. Economic growth attracted thousands of people from nearby countries and today the population is a multiethnic mosaic:77% are Chinese, 14% Malaysians and Indonesians, 8% Indians and Pakistanis, while Eurasians make up just 1%.
Singapore is situated just 127 km from the equator in a strategic position on the trade routes between the east and west and has undergone unrivalled economic growth: its main businesses are trade, oil refinement and distribution, finance, high technology and biotechnology, tourism, manufacturing, and electronics, and all are managed by an advanced telecommunications system. There are around 300 multinationals and 130 banks (almost all foreign banks) here, whilst its port is the busiest in the world and base for around 600 shipping companies. Its economic wealth is matched by its historical and artistic wealth. And this can be seen in every part of the city: the immigrant populations have integrated into Singapore's community while at the same time preserving their traditions and cultures. The city is divided into quarters each with its own specific identity. Chinatown, partly rebuilt over the last 30 years, is the cultural centre of Singapore, and houses one of the most interesting of the city's temples: the Temple of Thian Hock Keng. In Little India the most beautiful temples are the Veerama Kali Ammam, the Sri Srinivasa Perumal and the sumptuous Temple of a Thousand Lights; in this quarter fabrics and spices can also be found.
Arab Street is on the other hand the Islamic district, centre of the textile manufacturing industry: batik, silks, sarongs and fabrics. Here naturally we find the mosques: the Sultan's Mosque is the largest, although the Malabar Jama-ath mosque is more appealing. But we mustn't forget the buildings from Western religions such as St Andrew's Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Jurong Town, east of the city centre, is a huge industrial area, but there are some places of interest to tourists, such as the Haw Par Villa (a park devoted to Chinese mythology), Jurong Bird Park, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens and the Singapore Science Center.
Singapore also has plenty of museums such as the Singapore History Museum and the Asian Civilisations Museum, one of the most important in South East Asia, with some very precious collections. The Singapore Art Museum exhibits locally produced contemporary works of art and others from South East Asia.

Port Klang
Port Klang, also known as Port Swettenham, is Malaysia's main port and, located in the Klang district in the State of Selangor on the Strait of Malacca, its serves the Klang Valley and therefore Kuala Lumpur and the administrative capital Putrajaya. Klang is still described as the "royal city" of the State of Selangor (indeed it was state capital before being replaced by Kuala Lumpur) and lies 32 km from Kuala Lumpur and 6 km from Port Klang.
For centuries the Klang district was an important tin mining area, leading to the arrival in the region of the Chinese and later the British. The management of the tin trade, at the time considered a semi-precious metal, lead to friction and serious tension between Raja Abdullah and Raja Mahadi and their respective followers culminating in the outbreak of civil war in 1867. The war lasted 7 years and was eventually settled following the intervention of the British, who made Klang the capital of the British colony.


Phuket
Located 867 km from Bangkok in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is Thailand's largest island. With an area of 534 km2 (slightly larger than Malta), it is generally a fairly flat island with a few isolated hills, although the western part has a chain of mountains that run from north to south reaching a peak of 529 m above sea level at Mai Tha Sip Song. 70% of the island is covered by forest.
The coastline is quite varied - in some parts it is rocky, at times with limestone cliffs, whilst other stretches are made up of long and inviting beaches. Also known as the "pearl of the Andaman", Phuket was a wealthy and glorious place as early as the 16th century when the island's economy was based on tin mining - at the time considered a semi-precious metal. In recent times mining activity has made way for agriculture and, of course, tourism.
The primary object of cultivation is the rubber tree (Thailand is the world's leading producer of latex, extracted from the Hevea Brasiliensis), although coconuts, pepper, peanuts, pineapples and cocoa are also important raw materials. European traders were active here back in the 16th century and knew the island as Junkceiylon - indeed lying on the route between China and India, Phuket was soon exploited by the Dutch and Portuguese.
Becoming part of Thailand in the 19th century, the population is a mix of Chinese and Thai origin with some European influences too, above all Portuguese.
At the beginning of the '80s Phuket made its entry on the international tourism scene, tempting visitors with its 30 or so glorious beaches. The most beautiful of these are found on the West coast. Patong, a half hour drive from Phuket, is the most well-known resort and offers the largest selection of bars, restaurants and shops on the island, as well as vibrant nightlife. Bang Tao Beach, meanwhile, was once a tin mining site but is now one of the most well-equipped tourist complexes on the island: the area to the north of the beach is generally less crowded.
Nai Harn Beach is one of the more beautiful beaches and its location means that is not inundated with hordes of tourists either: here, the Samnak Song Nai Harn monastery dominates the landscape. Cape Panwa beach is situated to the south of Phuket City and surrounded by a hilly area that affords a marvellous view of the Andaman Sea. Just 11 km from Phuket City, Chalong Bay benefits from its location in terms of tourism and has a tourist pier that is used for diving and fishing.
Phuket City is the capital of the province of the same name and was founded by Indian settlers in the 1st century B.C. Among the museums it has to offer is Thalang National Museum, the city's history museum that houses a large collection of historical and artistic finds from Phuket and the nearby provinces of Krabi and Phang Nga: of particular interest is the section dedicated to the culture of the "sea gypsies".
The Phuket Sea Shell Museum meanwhile exhibits a wide array of fossils and seashells with a particular emphasis on seashells from Thai waters. Along Montri Road, Phang Nga Road, Rassada Road and Yaowarat Road in Phuket Town there are numerous local craft, souvenir and antique shops. A trip to this district also means an opportunity to admire the Sino-Portuguese architecture with its characteristic buildings and shops.
Still in the centre, Ranong Road is home to the "Thai Fresh Market" which as well as selling fruit, vegetables and meat, also has clothes and other consumer goods. There are also a number of Chinese temples in the town centre such as Put Jaw and Jui Tui. As regards religious architecture, the Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong) is one of the main temples and is located just 8 km from the city centre. The importance of the Phra Nang Sang Temple (Wat Phra Nang Sang) is due in large part to its three ancient tin statues of the Buddha.
From the peak of Khao Rang, a hill to the extreme north-west of Phuket, you can enjoy the best view of the city with a panorama that extends as far as the forest and the sea. Finally, other places of interest include the Butterfly Garden - Insectarium in the Sam Kong district, and, not too far away, the Orchid Garden in Thai Village.

Cochin (Kochi), India
Kochi, known as Cochin until 1996, is a city of nearly 600,000 inhabitants in the state of Kerala, in southern India. It has a tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 27.2 °C. Situated on the Malabar Coast, it is now one of the country's major ports, with annual traffic of 4.8 million tons of goods, especially agricultural and forestry exports. Fishing, together with the food and petrochemical industries, is very important.
The city's development began in the middle of the 14th century, when the port of the nearby town of Muziris (modernday Kodungallur) was destroyed. An enormous flood swept away the old town and created the opportunity for the rise of Kochi as a hub on the trade route between Asia and the Middle East. It was visited by Ibn Battuta in 1347, and was the first Portuguese settlement in India. In 1500 Cabral landed there and in 1502 the Portuguese Vasco da Gama set up a trading station, fortified in 1503 by Albuquerque.


Mahe
The Seychelles archipelago consists of about 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, 1,600 kilometres from the East African coast.
Unlike other oceanic islands, the Seychelles are not volcanic, but instead appear to be the summits of a huge underwater plateau that broke away from India 65 million years ago. The three inner islands - Mahé, Praslin and La Digue - are granitic, while the outer ones are coral atolls. The Seychelles are considered among the most beautiful islands in the world, due to their picture-postcard white beaches and stunning underwater scenery, but also for the landscapes of their interiors, characterised by exotic flora and spectacular mountains. The archipelago's remoteness and its relatively recent colonisation mean that it is home to various bird species that are not found anywhere else in the world, and several of the islands are actually bird sanctuaries. The seasons are marked by the trade winds, which blow from southeast from May to October, creating a pleasant climate with temperatures never below 24° C. The Seychelles were uninhabited until a British East India Company ship landed on one of the islands in 1609. During the following years the islands became a base for pirates who had shifted their operations from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean. In 1742 the governor of Mauritius, Mahé de La Bourdonnais, sent a ship to inspect the archipelago. The ship's Captain Picault named the main island after the governor, paving the way for French colonisation. In 1770 France sent a ship of settlers and slaves, who started growing spices, cassava, sugarcane, coffee, sweet potatoes and maize.
Following Napoleon's defeat in 1814, the Seychelles came under British control. In 1976 the archipelago was granted independence and soon became one of the world's most exclusive tropical holiday destinations. However, it also marked the start of a long period of political instability that lasted up to the 1990s, during which time a gradual process of democratisation took place.
The Seychelles has no native population and consequently the influences of African, Malagasy, Indian and European culture are very strong. This particular blend has given rise to what is commonly referred to as a Creole culture.
The official languages of the islands are English and French, both of which are spoken by the majority of the population. However, the most widely spoken language is a French Creole, known as Kreol Seselwa, which was declared semi-official in 1981 and is increasingly widely used in both the local press and literature. The population is mainly Roman Catholic and keenly observant. However, many people also believe in ancient magic spirits (gris) and consult witchdoctors (bons-hommes or bonnes-femmes du bois) who cast spells and prepare potions, despite the fact that witchcraft was officially outlawed in 1958.
The Seychelles is one of the best island destinations in the Indian Ocean for sampling Creole cuisine, whose basic ingredients are fish and rice. Its dishes also make highly imaginative use of fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.
Mahé is the largest of the granitic islands. It is 27 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide, and is home to around 90% of the country's population. The island is covered with dense and lush tropical vegetation, including coconut palms, banana plants, mango and breadfruit trees. Mahé boasts many pure white sandy beaches with peculiar granite boulders, particularly in the south, while the interior is strikingly mountainous with the highest peak (Morne Seychellois) rising 903 metres.
Victoria, or Port Victoria, on the island of Mahé, is one of the world's smallest capitals and the archipelago's only port, characterised by the constant coming and going of ferries, boats, yachts and cruise ships from all over the world. Victoria is also the only real town on the islands, as the other settlements are little more than villages. It is a typical Creole town with a blend of races and cultures, and is home to a characteristic colourful market selling a variety of fish, vegetables and spices, which feature prominently in the local cuisine. Victoria is largely a new city, as the streets radiating out from its centre have been rebuilt over the past 20 years, giving it a clean and modern appearance. However, the law courts and post office date back to the colonial period, and - along with a handful of old houses and shops - constitute the sole architectural testimony of the past. The town centre boasts a natural history museum, housing examples of the islands' great variety of peculiar fauna, a shipwreck from 1570 and various handicrafts. The National History Museum traces the story of the islands, from their discovery until the present day, while the Botanical Gardens allow visitors to admire various indigenous and imported trees, an enclosure of giant tortoises and a precious orchid garden.


Port Louis
Mauritius has, somewhat grandiloquently but nevertheless appropriately, been defined as "God's model for Paradise". Indeed, the island boasts not only some of the finest beaches in the Indian Ocean, but also enchanting mountain landscapes and a rich and harmonious blend of cultures. This cultural variety has also given rise to interesting urban landscapes, dotted with splendid Hindu temples, mosques, churches and Buddhist pagodas. The capital, Port Louis, is a typical example and is considered the quintessential multicultural city with its five Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Chinese and Creole districts. Its bustling shop-lined streets are also the business and administrative centre of Mauritius.
However, beyond the business district with its towering high-rise buildings, the capital attracts tourists with its many shopping opportunities, which range from lively little street markets to a large shopping area on the seafront with fashionable boutiques. The city centre is still home to a surprising number of colonial buildings, which it was recently decided to preserve for their historical importance. Port Louis also has some remarkable religious buildings, which are well worth a visit. The Jummah Mosque dates from the mid-nineteenth century and is the largest on the island, boasting a charming combination of Indian, Creole and Islamic architectural features. Other interesting religious buildings include the cathedrals of Saint James and Saint Louis, and the monument of Marie Reine de la Paix, which attracts many pilgrims and offers fine views of the city.
Noordt Wester Haven was the original name of Port Louis, which was founded by the Dutch in the seventeenth century. However, it did not become an important town until the middle of the 1700s, partly due the efforts of the French governor Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, whose statue stands in the city's main square and has become a symbol of Port Louis.
From the late eighteenth century the city suffered an incredible series of fires, cyclones and epidemics that continued for just over 100 years and decimated its population, most of whom moved to the safer and healthier central plateau of the island. Today the capital has made a complete economic recovery, but its population is relatively small and most of those who work there commute from the plateau. The centre of Port Louis is characterised by a grid of streets that slopes gently towards the port and the main tourist attractions are concentrated on the seafront. The Central Market is very popular with tourists, due to its bustling activity and variety of wares, which range from fruit and vegetables to handicrafts, souvenir t-shirts and Ayurvedic medicines from India.
The modern Blue Penny Museum, named after one of the two most valuable stamps in the world, traces the history of Mauritius from the island's discovery to the present day. The exhibits of the Natural History Museum include a reproduction of a dodo, the famous mysterious bird that died out in the 17th century, whose appearance has been reconstructed from the sketches of the first sailors who landed on the island and from the chance discovery of the only known skeleton. Fort Adelaide, also known as the Citadel, was built by the British in the style of a Moorish Fortress on a hill offering splendid views of the city.

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