San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California. San Francisco is the 16th most populous city in the United States, and the fourth most populous in California, with 881,549 residents as of 2019.

Hilo is a town on Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, in the state of Hawaii. It’s known for Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waianuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colorful mist effects. The bubbling basalt-lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots are nearby. To the south is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to rainforests and the active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.

Honolulu, on the island of Oahu’s south shore, is capital of Hawaii and gateway to the U.S. island chain. The Waikiki neighborhood is its center for dining, nightlife and shopping, famed for its iconic crescent beach backed by palms and high-rise hotels, with volcanic Diamond Head crater looming in the distance. Sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor include the USS Arizona Memorial.

Suva is the capital of the South Pacific island nation of Fiji. It's a city of broad avenues, lush parks and grand British colonial buildings, such as the Suva City Library. Suva's colorful, lively Municipal Market offers a range of local fruit and vegetables. Fiji Museum, set within the Victorian-era Thurston Gardens, contains examples of traditional canoes, war clubs and tattooing tools.

Nukuʻalofa is the capital of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the country's southernmost island group.

Tauranga is a harbourside city in the Bay of Plenty region on New Zealand's North Island. It hosts historic buildings like the Elms Mission Station, an 1847 Georgian-style home. A bridge over the harbour connects Tauranga to Mount Maunganui, a beach town with hot saltwater pools and an extinct namesake volcano with winding walking paths. Offshore is the active volcano White Island, accessible by helicopter or boat.

Auckland, based around 2 large harbours, is a major city in the north of New Zealand’s North Island. In the centre, the iconic Sky Tower has views of Viaduct Harbour, which is full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes. Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, is based around an extinct volcano and home to the formal Wintergardens.

The Bay of Islands is a New Zealand enclave encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands next to the country's North Island. It’s known for its undeveloped beaches, big-game fishing and Maori cultural artefacts. It's also home to the 19th-century whaling port of Russell, whose waterfront promenade is lined with remnants from its days as the country’s first colonial capital.

The port of Melbourne, with Port Phillip Bay, is one of the most beautiful in the world. The Great Ocean Road lies ahead with its 12 Apostles, an unrivalled spectacle. During a visit to the port of Melbourne, you can discover the many attractions of this modern metropolis, capital of the Australian State of Victoria. After enjoying the breathtaking view atop the Eureka Skydeck, the most spectacular viewing platform in the southern hemisphere, you can fly in a helicopter over the magnificent rock stacks of the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road and, around sunset, watch thousands of blue penguins return home to Phillip Island.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

In Cairns, breathtaking dives along the reef await us, while, for the more adventurous, you can try out the cage to see great white sharks up close. Enjoy a stop at the port of Cairns to discover the magic atmosphere of one of the sunniest beaches in the Northern State of Queensland, Australia. During this stop you can admire the great barrier reef, one of the world's most fascinating coral agglomerates, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. You can also visit the Cairns botanical garden where you can enjoy truly idyllic scenery.

Rabaul is an important City of Papua New Guinea, the last of a string of islands, extending from Southeast Asia to the Pacific. During the cruise, you'll discover a wild land, unspoilt, varied and almost unknown. Papua New Guinea is located south of the Equator and North of Australia. A land beloved especially by naturalists and explorers who can have fun with almost 9,000 plant species of rainforests and over 250 species of mammals. Rabaul was the capital of the Province of West New Britain until 1994, when it was destroyed by an eruption of Tavurvur volcano. It previously served as the headquarters of the German New Guinea until its conquest by the Commonwealth of countries during World War I, when it became the capital of the Australian protectorate territory of New Guinea. On 23 January 1942 the city was conquered by Japan and became the most important base for Japanese military operations in Oceania.

Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods. The Imperial Palace sits amid large public gardens. The city's many museums offer exhibits ranging from classical art (in the Tokyo National Museum) to a reconstructed kabuki theater (in the Edo-Tokyo Museum).

Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods. The Imperial Palace sits amid large public gardens. The city's many museums offer exhibits ranging from classical art (in the Tokyo National Museum) to a reconstructed kabuki theater (in the Edo-Tokyo Museum).

Kobe is a city on Osaka Bay in central Japan. It is known for its signature marbled beef and scenic setting of mountains framing the harbor. The Ikuta Shrine, dating to the 3rd century, is among Japan's oldest Shinto shrines. Antique cable cars connect Kobe to Mt. Rokko, which offers panoramic views over the port. Beyond the Mount Rokko hills are the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen.

Sasebo is a city on Japan’s Kyushu Island. It's known for Huis Ten Bosch, an amusement park modeled after a Dutch town, with canals, replica buildings, windmills and flower gardens. Kujukushima Aquarium has dolphins, coral reefs and many jellyfish. Off the coast, boats cruise among the forested Kujukushima Islands, part of Saikai National Park. To the south, Saikai Bridge is a popular spot to view cherry blossoms.

The port of Busan, also known as Pusan, is the largest in the country, as well as our dock in South Korea. Seomyeon is the hub of Busan, with a large shopping area. Here there are also local offices of major Korean and international banks, but it is also the entertainment district with cafes, bars and restaurants. Nearby, there is also the market of Bujeon, the largest in the city with things never before seen in the West. Mt. Geumjeongsan offers the ability to scale its heights and visit the Beomeosa temple, associated with Korean Buddhism. Busan attracts tourists with its beautiful beaches, such as Haeundae Beach, its many luxury hotels, and Gwangalli Beach, famous for its bars and restaurants. Finally Taejongdae, located on the Island of Yeongdo, is a natural park with a cliff overlooking the sea.

Keelung (sometimes called Jilong) is a major port city in the north-eastern part of Taiwan. It borders Taipei County and forms the Taipei-Keelung metropolitan area together with the City and County of Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and its important maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest seaport (after Kaohsiung). Keelung is currently administered as a provincial city of Taiwan Province in the Republic of China. It has been suggested that the name Keelung was derived from the local mountain whose shape resembles a rooster cage. However, it is more probable that the name was derived from the first inhabitants of the region, like the names of many other Taiwanese cities. Indeed, the area's earliest inhabitants were the Ketagalan people, and Ke-lâng was thus probably derived from Ketagalan.

Hong Kong is a "Special Administrative Region of China”. It comprises the island of the same name, 259 other islands in the South China Sea, as well as areas of the mainland around the Kowloon Peninsula and in the so-called “New Territories”. Although it was occupied by Chinese settlers as early as the 2nd millennium B.C., the region remained untouched by Chinese imperialism up until the 17th century when it was the setting for a conflict between the Ming and the Manchu dynasties. However it only acquired international interest in the 19th century with the Portuguese being the first Europeans to develop colonies and trade here, silk and tea being the most sought-after goods in Europe

From the port of Phu My, where our Costa ship will dock, we can easily reach Ho Chi Minh City, an important city of Vietnam. The port of Phu My is one of the busiest trading ports of Vietnam. Located between two major cities in the country, it is also the place where numerous cruise ships anchor. During this stop you will visit Ho Chi Minh City, the great economic and cultural centre, or Vung Tau, a seaside town is much appreciated by tourists.

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 of the British Empire and to halt the Dutch expansionist policy.

Sandokan, Yanez, James Brook: we are in Malaysia, land of the fearsome Pirates of Mompracem, the protagonists of the popular literary saga born from the imagination of Emilio Salgari. Port Klang, Malaysia's main port, and one of the most important in the world for the amount of goods handled, is 38 km from the capital Kuala Lumpur. Just 6 kilometres away rises the ancient royal capital of Selangor: the City of Klang, which is well worth a visit. An opportunity to breathe the authentic Malaysian atmosphere and taste its fusion cuisine, a meeting of China, India and Malaysia with surprising results.

The port of Penang is a good starting point to discover Buddhist spirituality, the exoticism of nature and the history of the Malaysian city. Take advantage of this stop at the port of Penang to discover the enchanting exoticism of one of the most beautiful islands of Malaysia. You can admire the fascinating nature reserves and appreciate the diversity of the flora and fauna of the island, so you can visit the majestic Kek Lok Si Buddhist temple, explore the historical wonders of the city of George Town and discover the tasty local cuisine.

It’s worth taking the funicular to Langkawi to see from above the panorama of this amazing natural UNESCO geopark. Take advantage of this stop in the port of Langkawi to discover the magnificent archipelago famous for its natural beauty and its amazing geological heritage. After visiting the extraordinary geological formations of the region and the endless verdant plains planted with rice, dedicate yourself to the many other attractions of this destination declared a natural geopark by UNESCO in 1997.

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.

Colombo is a chaotic, bustling and very busy city, a melting pot of the different ethnic groups and religions that make it such a multicultural city. The largest group is the Buddhist Sinhalese, and this explains the presence of numerous Buddhist temples such as the Gangarama with its myriad of statues and the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, destroyed and rebuilt on numerous occasions. The Tamils have influenced the architecture of the city with their numerous Hindu temples known as Kovils. The Kathiresan temple is dedicated to Skanda, the god of war, whilst the Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devasthanam temple located near Fort railway station is one of the oldest Hindu temples and is dedicated to the goddess Shiva and the god Ganesh. However there is also plenty of western influence in evidence: the Dutch Governor’s banqueting hall was transformed into St. Peter’s Church in 1804 whilst the Dutch Period Museum, which contains historical documents and exhibits relating to the Dutch colonial perio…

Malé is the densely populated capital of the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It's known for its mosques and colorful buildings. The Islamic Centre (Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam) features a mosque, a library and a distinctive gold dome. Near the harbor, a popular fish market offers the day's catch, and a produce market is stocked with local fruit.

Port Louis is the capital city of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. It's known for its French colonial architecture and the 19th-century Champ de Mars horse-racing track. The Caudan Waterfront is a lively dining and shopping precinct. Nearby, vendors sell local produce and handicrafts at the huge Central Market. The Blue Penny Museum focuses on the island’s colonial and maritime history, along with its culture.

Durban, a coastal city in eastern South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, is known for its African, Indian and colonial influences. Refurbished for soccer’s 2010 World Cup, the seafront promenade runs from uShaka Marine World, a huge theme park with an aquarium, to the futuristic Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Durban Botanical Gardens showcases African plant species

Port Elizabeth is a city on Algoa Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. A major port, it's also known for its numerous beaches. The Donkin Heritage Trail takes in the Old Hill neighbourhood's Victorian landmarks. Coastal boat tours spot whales and rare seabirds, while wildlife reserves outside the metropolitan area are home to elephants, rhinos and other big game.

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbor and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum.

Walvis Bay is a port town on the coast of Namibia. Sheltered by the Pelican Point sand spit, its tidal lagoon is home to abundant birdlife including flamingos, pelicans and Damara terns. The harbor is busy with fishing boats and ships. Dolphins, whales and Cape fur seals inhabit the Atlantic waters around the Pelican Point Lighthouse. East of the bay, coastal sand dunes like Dune 7 mark the start of the Namib Desert.

São Vicente is an island of Cape Verde, an archipelago off West Africa. The northern port of Mindelo is a cultural hub, known for traditional music and colonial architecture like the 1900s Palácio do Povo. Inland, Parque Natural Monte Verde has trails up the volcanic peak. Beaches include Mindelo’s Laginha Beach, the shallow lagoon of Baía das Gatas and São Pedro, with strong wind and surf.

Las Palmas is a capital of Gran Canaria, one of Spain's Canary Islands off northwestern Africa. A major cruise-ship port, the city is known for duty-free shopping and for its sandy beaches. At Playa de Las Canteras, a coral barrier lines the beach and shelters swimmers. The annual Las Palmas de Gran Canaria carnival brings together flamboyantly costumed performers, music and dancing

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with three million inhabitants, a dominating port in northern Mediterranean with one of the most renowned and important universities in the world. The city is a very rich commercial centre, where industrial operations crucial to the Spanish economy take place. In fact, Catalans have always considered their region unique compared with the other Spanish regions and we can find its roots in the power exercised by Barcelona for four hundred years at least on Spanish monarchy and on European commercial events.

A pleasant thing to do is simply sit down at one of the cafes overlooking the port of Marseilles and, sipping a Pastis, observe the landscape and the people who inhabit it. Also called the Porpoise City, Marseille is France’s sunniest town, charming with its gullies where you can swim, its history and culture and restaurants with cosmopolitan cuisine. You cannot leave without having first toured on the “Cours Julien”, the street for shopping. The port of Marseille is perhaps a typical tourist destination, but it deserves to be visited for the ferry that leaves from the Town Hall and the old church, which replaced a Templar building.

Above the port of Savona, the Priamar Fortress greets every departure and arrival of the Costa ships sailing in the Mediterranean. Genoa and its aquarium are nearby. The port of Savona, which you can explore during your cruise in Italy, is one of the prettiest of the Italian Riviera. The lovely climate, summers that are never to hot, mild winters and the exceptional beauty of the sea near the town makes Savona an excellent base to set out to explore Liguria. Savona is notable for the Priamar Fortress, which has dominated the town since the 16th century, and also for its historic centre where you can visit Savona Cathedral. A stop in Savona can also be an opportunity to visit the nearby city of Genoa and its narrow, picturesque streets, known as “caruggi”.