The Hidden Treasures of the Philippines and Borneo

On first sight, the Philippines' capital shows its highly Americanised Asian megalopolis side, with ultramodern skyscrapers set all along the waterfront. But when you stroll through the cobbled streets of the Intramuros district, you'll discover a different side of Manila, one that's full of old-world charm. An enchanted pause in the middle of urban bustle, Rizal Park's 60 hectares of magnificent green parkland is perfect for recharging your batteries. To see the city from a different angle, take a walk along Roxas boulevard, a popular seaside promenade.

Located at the entrance to Manila Bay, Corregidor Island blends wild nature and historical remnants, offering an atmosphere that is at once peaceful and fascinating. Once the gateway to the transpacific trade facilitated by the Spanish, connecting Acapulco to Manila, it has become a strong symbol of the Second World War. Plunge into this historic sanctuary by discovering its fortifications, the ruins of its barracks and gun batteries, its tunnels and its impressive miliary memorial devoted to Filipino, American and Japanese soldiers.

Anchored off the extreme north of Palawan in the heart of the Philippines' Calamian Islands, the little island of Coron is an emerald gem adorned with lakes. Among the many activities here, you can explore the shores of Lake Kayangan in a bangka, a traditional outrigger cano dive in the ﾠfresh, warm waters of Lake Barracuda. Famous for its limestone cliffs pierced with caves, the island also has an extraordinary cultural heritage. A stopover in Coron offers an excellent opportunity for meeting the indigenous Tagbanua tribe, a fishing and hunting people who ensure their island remains unspoilt. And it has paid off. Coron has retained all its natural wonders.

Surrounded by 41 islets in the heart of the Calamian Archipelago, the island of Culion is a peaceful insular community located north of Palawan. It is renowned for its rich historical legacy and heritage sites, since it used to shelter a leper colony created in 1906 under American colonial rule. A very characterful place imbued with local atmosphere, Culion has many historical buildings that remain intact today. You will be able to discover its hospital, which houses a museum and archives of photos and historical objects. You will then visit the Church of Immaculate Conception, whose ceiling was painted by people with leprosy. It is part of an old Spanish fort affording views over the sea and surrounding villages. The visit will end with a local show on Rizal Square, where you will be able to observe the historic homes of former leprosy patients as well as the original theatre.

Nestling off the coast of Palawan, the island of Modessa is a veritable tropical and pristine refuge. This small isolated island, edged with beaches of white sand and shaded by coconut trees, invites you to enjoy a timeless interlude. Surrounded by coral reefs, it shelters teeming marine life (tropical fish, coral, starfish and turtles), offering ideal conditions for snorkelling, directly accessible from the shore. Between swimming in crystal-clear waters, moments of relaxation on the beach and immersion in intact nature, this insular setting is sure to be an unforgettable port of call.

Puerto Princesa, in the centre of Palawan island, is a great place for exploring many of the region's natural attractions. You won't have to go too far before donning your snorkelling kit and swimming with the abundant and richly diverse sealife: off Puerto Princesa, you'll enjoy the breathtaking coral islands of Honda Bay. If you'd like to experience nature in her most spectacular finery, make sure you see the karstic topography of the underground river in Puerto Princesaﾒs national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Located at the far south-west of the Philippines, opposite Sabah in Malaysia, the Balabac archipelago is composed of 32 islands forming the southernmost group of Palawan Province. There, you will discover idyllic white sand beaches edged with crystal clear water, a veritable invitation for swimming and relaxation.

Located on the north-east coast of the Malaysian State of Sabah on the island of Borneo, Kota Kinabalu is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the natural attractions of the region. It is close to Mt Kinabalu, but before you head off to climb the holy mountain check out the heart of the old city, nicknamed KK by locals. Although there isn't much left of its colonial h

A port town located in north-east Brunei, Muara is a privileged access route towards Bandar Seri Begawan, the country’s capital. Developed around the famous village on stilts, Kampong Ayer, the capital is distinguished by its majestic Islamic architecture, symbol of the Sultanate’s greatness through its imposing mosques and its impressive royal buildings. Here, tradition and modernity live together in harmony, offering a face of Brunei that is at once historic, spiritual and contemporary.

Located on the central coast of Sarawak, the old fishing village of Bintulu is now a nerve centre of the Malaysian oil and gas industry, but also a dynamic town with a remarkably well-preserved cultural and natural heritage. Fall under the spell of its lively traditional markets, its Chinese temples, and its longhouses, living witnesses of its ancestral heritage. Bintulu also offers privileged access to the Similajau National Park, a veritable tropical nature sanctuary in which idyllic beaches, lush mangroves and wildlife make up a fascinating landscape, its beauty intact.

On the island of Borneo, the state of Sarawak invites you to live out your dreams of adventure. The largest state in Malaysia is home to some of the oldest forest on the planet and we can easily understand why this little corner of paradise inspired Somerset Maugham, the British writer and traveller, to write one of his novels - The Casuarina Tree. We invite you to follow in the footsteps of the writer and set off to discover the colonial capital of the State: Kuching, which is known as ”Cat City” in Malay, where a feline languor does indeed permeate this tantalizingly elusive city. Lying nonchalantly on the banks of the Sungai Sarawak, this little city is proud of its romantic past and its quaint charm and beauty.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Nicknamed the Garden City, Singapore stretches across Malaysia's southern-most region. Experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of this city-state for yourself at the Marina Bay. No too far away is the historic centre, offering up a unique smorgasbord of neoclassical buildings and contemporary towers. Decked out in topiary, the pavements of Orchard Road are also home to countless shopping centres. The colourful markets in Chinatown and Little India are the perfect opportunity to quell hunger pangs in a hawker centre, one of the city's traditional snack bars. Between the two districts, get a slice of history with a trip to the Raffles dock. It was here that Englishman Sir Raffles, the founder of the city, is said to have arrived one fateful day in January 1819.