Embark on an aquatic odyssey to Asia’s most storied cities, where the pulse of diversity, culture and adventure resonates in harmony with the rhythm of urban life.
Embark on an aquatic odyssey to Asia’s most storied cities, where the pulse of diversity, culture and adventure resonates in harmony with the rhythm of urban life. There is nothing quite like approaching a destination by sea. In the historic ports of Southeast Asia, arrival is unforgettable as you make a grand entrance through a city’s front door, used by ships and sailors for thousands of years. It’s a thrilling juxtaposition as a dazzling skyline rises into view and an exhilarating urban destination is yours to explore alongside time-honored landmarks like Bangkok’s Wat Pho temple pictured above and world-class culture and cuisine. From aboard our newest superyacht, Luminara, we provide access to the most exciting destinations in Southeast Asia. Here are some of our favorites.
Bangkok, Thailand
Hyperactive Bangkok, located about 80 miles from where Luminara docks in Laem Chabang, consistently ranks among the most captivating world capitals. Its busy markets, historic temples and delicious street food are legendary, while a surge of investment and creativity have made neighborhoods like Thonglor and Song Wat into havens of cool. Check out Charoen Krung, the city’s oldest road, now home to swanky cocktail bars and restaurants, see cutting-edge exhibitions at Tang Contemporary Art and don’t miss the Chatuchak weekend market, the world’s largest with a head-spinning 15,000 stalls. Overwhelmed? Decamp to leafy Lumphini Park in the heart of the city, where you can stroll, birdwatch or rent a swan paddle boat on the man-made lake.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam’s largest city and financial hub, still commonly referred to as Saigon, oozes with remnants of its French colonial past. The traffic is notorious, but there are walkable routes: a stroll down Dong Khoi Street takes you past Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the Saigon Opera House; the Chinese quarter of Cho Lon has must-dos, including Binh Tay Market, one of the city’s best, and Thien Hau Pagoda, a beautifully atmospheric temple to the goddess of the sea. For a luxurious twist on street food, head to Michelin-starred Anan Saigon, whose name means “Eat, eat” in Vietnamese — and, trust us, you will.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia’s capital, just about an hour from the port of Port Klang, is full of surprises. On the approach into Kuala Lumpur from Port Klang, the skyline is dominated by the Petronas and Kuala Lumpur Towers, boasting showstopping views from on high. But there’s plenty to see on the ground, too, as Kuala Lumpur’s Muslim and British colonial heritage meets a wave of innovation and a stellar mashup of East and Southeast Asian cuisine, which many consider the world’s tastiest. Excellent transportation affords access to famed shopping, from lively markets to opulent malls, as well as must-dos such as the Perdana Botanical Garden, National Mosque and bustling Bukit Bintang. Don’t leave without sampling murtabak (stuffed flatbread) and frothy teh tarik (pulled tea) or paying a visit to the Batu Caves and their spectacular Hindu temples just north of the city.
Singapore
The world’s second-busiest port celebrated its bicentennial in 2019, but its harbor dates even further back to the late 13th century — a reminder of how the city honors its past by remaining in dazzling motion. Mixing gleaming skyscrapers with the botanical abundance of its Garden City namesake, Singapore is a vibrantly multicultural, metropolitan oasis. An essential stop is the surrealist playground of Gardens by the Bay, where you’ll marvel at the vertical gardens of Supertree Grove and the Cloud Forest biodome. Feast your eyes on elaborate Thian Hock Keng Temple, see more than 1,000 orchid species at Singapore Botanic Gardens and get lost in the vast collection of National Gallery Singapore. Savor any cuisine your heart desires, from hawker stalls to Michelin-starred fine dining, before setting sail for new adventures.