Abercrombie & Kent
Malaysia & Singapore: Tapestry of Cultures
Malaysia & Singapore: Tapestry of Cultures
Immerse yourself in two sumptuous destinations, each
with diverse cultures, that have been at the crossroads
of international trade for centuries, getting to know their
many peoples on a unique journey that reveals the rich
contrast between the soaring architecture of major cities
and the tropical beauty of highland landscapes.
Booking Dates
05/16/2025 through 12/18/2025
Travel Dates
05/16/2025 through 01/01/2026
| Day 1 |
Kuala Lumpur may appear to be a modern Asian city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of its original character and local color. It has plenty of colonial buildings in its center, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India.
The real heart of Kuala Lumpur is Merdeka Square, the site of the city's parades and celebrations and home to a 95m (312ft) high flagpole. In colonial days, Malaysia's administrators used the square for cricket matches, but it was also here that Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957. On the eastern side of the square is the moorish Sultan Abdul Samed Building, topped by a 43m (141ft) high clocktower. Kuala Lumpur's magnificent railway station is built in a similar moorish style, with its full quota of minarets, cupolas, towers and arches, and may be construed as a delightful example of British colonial humor. The Petronas Towers building is less decorative but impossible to miss. It's almost half a km (1640ft) high and is one of the tallest structures in the world. The picturesque, striped onion-domed Masjid Jame (Friday mosque) is set in a grove of palm trees overlooking Merdeka Square and is neatly reflected in the new mirror-glass office building nearby. Just south of Jami Masjid are the teeming streets of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown - a crowded, colorful area with the usual mélange of signs, shops activity and noise. At night the central section is closed to traffic and becomes a brightly lit, frantic night market. Budget hotels and hostels can be found in Chinatown and Jalan Pudu Lama. Mid-range hotels are concentrated in Chinatown and on Jalan Bukit Bintang. The night market in Chinatown is the most interesting place to eat in the evening. |
| Day 2 |
Kuala Lumpur may appear to be a modern Asian city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of its original character and local color. It has plenty of colonial buildings in its center, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India.
The real heart of Kuala Lumpur is Merdeka Square, the site of the city's parades and celebrations and home to a 95m (312ft) high flagpole. In colonial days, Malaysia's administrators used the square for cricket matches, but it was also here that Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957. On the eastern side of the square is the moorish Sultan Abdul Samed Building, topped by a 43m (141ft) high clocktower. Kuala Lumpur's magnificent railway station is built in a similar moorish style, with its full quota of minarets, cupolas, towers and arches, and may be construed as a delightful example of British colonial humor. The Petronas Towers building is less decorative but impossible to miss. It's almost half a km (1640ft) high and is one of the tallest structures in the world. The picturesque, striped onion-domed Masjid Jame (Friday mosque) is set in a grove of palm trees overlooking Merdeka Square and is neatly reflected in the new mirror-glass office building nearby. Just south of Jami Masjid are the teeming streets of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown - a crowded, colorful area with the usual mélange of signs, shops activity and noise. At night the central section is closed to traffic and becomes a brightly lit, frantic night market. Budget hotels and hostels can be found in Chinatown and Jalan Pudu Lama. Mid-range hotels are concentrated in Chinatown and on Jalan Bukit Bintang. The night market in Chinatown is the most interesting place to eat in the evening. |
| Day 3 |
It's hard to imagine that the small, compact city of Malacca was once at the helm of the lucrative Asian spice trade. Its strategic location on the Straits of Malacca generated incalculable wealth for whoever controlled the city, and generations of Portuguese, Dutch and British fought for control. Today this sleepy backwater port still offers enough fine Dutch architecture, Chinese temples and old Malaccan terrace houses to make it one of Malaysia's prime attractions.
Malacca is an interesting blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences and is considered Malaysia's most historic city. It was once the most important trading port in the region but is now little more than a sleepy backwater. Ancient-looking junks still sail up the river, imbuing the waterfront with a timeless charm, and the city remains full of intriguing Chinese streets, antique shops, temples and nostalgic reminders of the now-departed European colonial powers. The most imposing relic of the Dutch period in Melaka is the massive pink town hall, Stadthuys, built between 1641 and 1660. It's believed to be the oldest Dutch building in Asia and displays all the characteristic features of Dutch colonial architecture (read incredibly weighty doors and pleasant louvred windows). The building houses government offices and an excellent Ethnographic Museum which highlights aspects of local history and culture. The imposing ruins of St Paul's Church, built by the Portuguese over 400 years ago, stand in a beautiful setting atop St Paul's Hill. It was regularly visited by St Francis Xavier, who was buried here for a short period before being transferred to Goa in India. The church fell into disuse when the Dutch arrived but is still surrounded by old Dutch tombstones. The Brits, with great sensitivity, used the church as a gunpowder store. For those who prefer their religious architecture to be a little more colourful, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in the old part of the city is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. It was founded in 1646 and all of the materials and all of the artisans who built it were imported from China. The old part of Melaka is a fascinating area to wander around, and this is where you'll find many of Melaka's famous antique shops; a stroll along Jalan Hang Jebat will pass the best of them. |
| Day 4 |
|
| Day 5 |
|
| Day 6 |
A dynamic island escape, Penang, Malaysia, is chock-full of exciting attractions, beautiful beaches, and stunning architecture. Head to the George Town neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the island's best colonial architecture and historical landmarks, including the Penang Town Hall, Fort Cornwallis, and Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower. Just off Beach Street you'll find some of Penang's famously vibrant street art and murals, the perfect place for photos. A visit to Penang won't be complete without stopping by one of the islands many temples, most notably the iconic Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple, whose bright yellow roofs and red lanterns beckon from the wooded hills west of George Town. The island's natural beauty is sure to impress: visit the Penang Botanic Gardens, Penang Butterfly Farm, or Tropical Spice Gardens to delight in vivid and exotic flora. The island's north coast offers spectacular and secluded beaches surrounded by lush tropical forests. Head to Monkey Beach, Batu Ferringhi, or Pantai Keracut to lounge on the warm sand, dip your toes in bright azure water, or watch local monkeys and wild turtles roam the beach. |
| Day 7 |
A dynamic island escape, Penang, Malaysia, is chock-full of exciting attractions, beautiful beaches, and stunning architecture. Head to the George Town neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the island's best colonial architecture and historical landmarks, including the Penang Town Hall, Fort Cornwallis, and Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower. Just off Beach Street you'll find some of Penang's famously vibrant street art and murals, the perfect place for photos. A visit to Penang won't be complete without stopping by one of the islands many temples, most notably the iconic Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple, whose bright yellow roofs and red lanterns beckon from the wooded hills west of George Town. The island's natural beauty is sure to impress: visit the Penang Botanic Gardens, Penang Butterfly Farm, or Tropical Spice Gardens to delight in vivid and exotic flora. The island's north coast offers spectacular and secluded beaches surrounded by lush tropical forests. Head to Monkey Beach, Batu Ferringhi, or Pantai Keracut to lounge on the warm sand, dip your toes in bright azure water, or watch local monkeys and wild turtles roam the beach. |
| Day 8 |
A dynamic island escape, Penang, Malaysia, is chock-full of exciting attractions, beautiful beaches, and stunning architecture. Head to the George Town neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the island's best colonial architecture and historical landmarks, including the Penang Town Hall, Fort Cornwallis, and Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower. Just off Beach Street you'll find some of Penang's famously vibrant street art and murals, the perfect place for photos. A visit to Penang won't be complete without stopping by one of the islands many temples, most notably the iconic Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple, whose bright yellow roofs and red lanterns beckon from the wooded hills west of George Town. The island's natural beauty is sure to impress: visit the Penang Botanic Gardens, Penang Butterfly Farm, or Tropical Spice Gardens to delight in vivid and exotic flora. The island's north coast offers spectacular and secluded beaches surrounded by lush tropical forests. Head to Monkey Beach, Batu Ferringhi, or Pantai Keracut to lounge on the warm sand, dip your toes in bright azure water, or watch local monkeys and wild turtles roam the beach. |
| Day 9 |
Singapore is the 5th most visited city in the world, and when you step foot in this modern, culturally rich city you'll see why! Foodies will delight in both the affordable hawker markets and Michelin star dining throughout the city, and shoppers will love ducking into one of the many shopping malls or independent markets for goods. Make sure that you take time to take in the green beauty of the city - Gardens by the Bay and UNESCO World Heritage Singapore Botanic Gardens aren't to be missed! |
| Day 10 |
Singapore is the 5th most visited city in the world, and when you step foot in this modern, culturally rich city you'll see why! Foodies will delight in both the affordable hawker markets and Michelin star dining throughout the city, and shoppers will love ducking into one of the many shopping malls or independent markets for goods. Make sure that you take time to take in the green beauty of the city - Gardens by the Bay and UNESCO World Heritage Singapore Botanic Gardens aren't to be missed! |
| Day 11 |
Singapore is the 5th most visited city in the world, and when you step foot in this modern, culturally rich city you'll see why! Foodies will delight in both the affordable hawker markets and Michelin star dining throughout the city, and shoppers will love ducking into one of the many shopping malls or independent markets for goods. Make sure that you take time to take in the green beauty of the city - Gardens by the Bay and UNESCO World Heritage Singapore Botanic Gardens aren't to be missed! |
Singapore
Singapore, officially Republic of Singapore, republic (1995 est. pop. 2,890,000), c.240 sq mi (620 sq km), SE Asia, S of the Malay Peninsula, comprising Singapore Island and about 60 islets. There is no administrative distinction between the country and Singapore city, where the government and port is located. Singapore Island is largely low-lying and has a tropical climate. It is almost entirely urbanized and densely populated; there is a remnant rain forest in the Bukit Timah reserve. Singapore is one of the world’s great commercial centers, and its citizens enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Asia. Its port, at Keppel Harbor, is one of the world’s largest and busiest. The economy is supported primarily by manufacturing, service industries, and trade; shipbuilding is also important. Agriculture plays a minor role, and the country imports most of its food. The population is mainly Chinese; Malays and Indians constitute large minorities. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity are the major religions. Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and English are the official languages.
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
06/09/25 - 06/19/25 |
Starting At $12,495 |
Get A Quote | |
|
12/01/25 - 12/11/25 |
Starting At $12,495 |
Get A Quote | |
|
12/22/25 - 01/01/26 |
Starting At $12,995 |
Get A Quote |
Prices are per person, double occupancy and include internal air where applicable. Holiday surcharge may apply. Departure dates, prices and availability may change at any time. Some restrictions may apply.
