With summers in full swing, can holidays be far behind? Of course not! So, why not beat the sultry summers in style by venturing out of your domestic boundaries and travelling to the international destination of Malaysia? Situated in Southeast Asia, the multicultural country is halved by the South China Sea into the twin regions of Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. The unique offerings of both the regions make Malaysia a compelling holiday destination to reckon with. State-of-the-art modernity and an abundance of natural flora and fauna describe the astounding extremity of Malaysia. The country boasts a large number of animal, bird, insect, reptile, coral and fish species with quite a few of them endemic to the exotic locale and the dense forests of the mountains of Borneo. However, Malaysia has more to it apart from its scenic beauty, its biodiversity and its breathtaking tropical islands, wild jungles, lush plantations, mountains, plants and trees! The rapidly developing Asian country is also known for its skyscrapers, highly developed technology-enabled infrastructure, world-class health facilities, modern amenities, vibrant cities and colonial architecture.
Why not make your holidays a tad bit more pleasurable and adventurous by ditching your run-of-the-mill travel modes and opting for a larger-than-life cruise journey to explore Malaysia? The dynamic country shares maritime borders with many others such as Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Brunei. With seven international ports to its credit including Port Klang, Kuantan Port and the Penang Port, a cruise voyage is what befits the magnificence of this wondrous place. If you thought that a cruise liner is synonymous to breaking the bank, then its tine for a reality check! A comprehensive cruise package is all-inclusive of your travel, stay and dining expenses with a plethora of tailor-made entertainment options, neatly assimilated to ensure that your experience is truly memorable, albeit at a pocket-friendly price. You can discern between a cost-effective cruise liner and a state-of-the-art luxury cruise. Either way, impeccable service, opulent interiors, lavish food, shopping options, pampering massages and spa treatment and enjoyable company are all at your arm’s length for sure! Wondering what all is on the cards for you to delight yourself with when you travel to this magical land? Here’s a sneak peek into few of the unmistakable destinations that will captivate you with their unique offerings.
Kuala Lumpur
Served by Port Klang, the capital city of Kuala Lumpur or KL is the largest city of Malaysia and the abode of the 452-metre high Petronas Twin Towers, famed as the world’s tallest twin buildings. The hi-tech city has witnessed rapid development in the last few decades and has been the chosen venue for many events of international repute. A popular tourist destination, KL is the sixth most frequented destination in the world with 8.9 million tourists thronging the city every year to revel in the splendour of its historic monuments, towering high-rises, mouth-watering street food, mind-boggling shopping malls, trendy nightlife and awe-inspiring scenic beauty.
Home to many multi-ethnic races, Kuala Lumpur is dotted with colonial-era buildings with Islamic architectural style gaining prominence post KL’s independence and its economic growth. The city depicts architectural masterpieces such as the National Planetarium and the Islamic Arts Museum– buildings which function as science and knowledge centres as well as places of worship. Top sight-seeing attractions include a visit to the Merdeka Square, the House of Parliament, Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, Jamek Mosque and the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Apart from the spectacular architecture and the historical and cultural hot spots, KL also features in the visitor’s travel bucket list owing to its ample lush parks, eye-catching gardens and impressive forest reserves, notable being the 230-acre Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, Bukit Kiara Botanical Gardens and Bukit Nanas. Fish spa, helicopter tour, bungee jumping, kayaking, canoeing and rafting are few of the popular unconventional activities that will delight you to the fullest and are a ‘must try’ before you leave this charming city.
Malacca City
The capital of the Malaysian state of Malacca, Malacca City enjoys distinction as the oldest city to grace the Straits of Malacca. An important trade route in the past, the city has a long history to boast of as it has been under the rule of several external powers such as the Portuguese, the British and the Japanese in the past. The rich heritage of Malacca has earned the city the eminent tag of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism is a thriving industry here and contributes to the city’s economy significantly. Malacca City exhibits a harmonious blend of many cultures which is evident from its interesting mix of varied architectural styles. The Malacca Sultanate Palace, Chinatown and its well-known Jonker Walk, Little India and the Portuguese Settlement are prominent landmarks that highlight this attribute of the city.
Trishaws and travel by foot are the best options to unveil the magnificence of Malacca City. If you wish to know more about the history of this amazing destination, you must visit the A’Famosa Fort, Stadthuys, Christ Church, Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower and Kuomintang Cenotaph amongst others. With children around, Malacca Zoo is a great option with its exhaustive range of 215 species of birds, mammals, reptiles etc. Maritime Museum, Taming Sari Tower and the Malacca Literature Museum are other renowned tourist attractions that score high on the ‘to-do’ list of many tourists when they come to Malacca City.
Penang Island
The Malacca Strait divides the Malaysian state of Penang into two regions - Penang Island and Seberang Perai. The populous island city of Penang Island is a thriving metropolis with its capital George Town dubbed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its antiquity. Famously referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East’, Penang is an important financial hub of Malaysia with the presence of many international banks in capital George Town. 171 years of British rule, a rich cultural mix, modern architecture and lip-smacking cuisine make the island city an excellent destination for those craving for a relaxing, entertaining and an enlightening holiday. The port of Penang is well-connected to more than 200 ports worldwide which makes Penang Island easily accessible by a cruise.
The attractive island owes its name to the areca nut palm, locally known as ‘Pinang’. A halt at this panoramic island will provide you with an opportunity to take a tour of its heritage buildings, scenic beaches and its jaw-dropping natural environs. George Town has slowly carved a niche for itself as a top-notch locale for holidaymakers and has been continuously ranked as a must-see destination by many celebrated travel guide book publishers, television channels, newspapers and business magazines. Kapitan Keling Mosque, Sun Yat-sen Museum, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Pinang Peranakan Mansion and Little India are illustrious evidences of different architectural styles while Monkey Beach, Kerachut Beach, Penang National Park, Teluk Bahang and Penang Botanic Gardens are much sought after by the visitors for their recreational and sight-seeing facets.