New Orleans - this Louisiana gem, its atmospheric French Quarter of narrow streets lined with classical buildings laced with distinctive cast-iron balconies, sways to its own unique rhythm of music and gastronomy underpinned by
a distinctive Cajun and Creole culture.
Memphis - inextricably linked to the King of Rock and Roll, thanks to Elvis's legendary home Graceland, but also Martin Luther King who led the birth of America's Civil Rights Movement, documented in the museum opened on the site where he was assassinated in 1968. Civil War sites - the battlefields from this bitter conflict are scattered throughout this region, with Vicksburg sitting at its heart, and sites at Baton Rouge and Port Hudson. Antebellum mansions - these grand, gracious estates hark back to an era of great wealth that flowed from vast cotton plantations build on slavery. Notable mansions include Rosedown Plantation, Oak Alley and Nottoway, while the working Frogmore Plantation is open for tours.
Oregon Trail - this 2,000-mile former wagon trail from Missouri to Oregon, followed by early American pioneers, cuts through the US Northwest, along the Columbia and Snake rivers bringing with it a wealth of history.
Astoria - as America's oldest settlement west of the Rockies, this city is big on heritage and history with its mix of fishing village and Victorian vibes, thanks to characterful architecture and rustic roots. Native American culture - trace
the Native American tribes that originally inhabited this region, as portrayed in interpretive centres at the Port of Kalama and Columbia River Gorge and Sacajawea Centre near Pendleton in Oregon.
Portland - Oregon's largest city is blessed with a glorious scenic setting, crowned by snow capped Mount Hood on the horizon, and brims with quirky communities full of culture and character where microbreweries and coffee houses add to the homely appeal.
Rain forest draws - delve into the jungle on walks and hikes to spy sloths, chattering monkeys and colourful toucans or ride the backwaters on small skiffs to spot pink dolphins, turtles and fearsome caiman.
Peru & Ecuador - river sailings concentrate on the smaller, quieter stretches of the Amazon in these two countries, with most sailings in Peru and the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, while in Ecuador they tend to concentrate on the Yasuni National Park Macchu Picchu - the spectacular location of this ancient Inca citadel, perched high up in the Andes Mountains, is Peru's most celebrated sight and a natural add-on to Amazon cruises.
Iquitos - this gateway to the northern Amazon is famed as the world's largest city that can only be reached by plane or boat and is a jumping-off point for cruises on the Peruvian Amazon. Don't miss the floating market of Belen.
Luxor - this is where Ancient Egypt comes to life, its breath-taking temples of Karnak and Luxor a constant reminder of the rule of the pharaohs. It is also the starting and finishing point for most Nile cruises.
Valley of the Kings - the dusty valley surrounded by craggy sandstone cliffs, a short drive from Luxor, is famously the burial place of the Boy King Tutankhamun, one of 63 tombs unearthed here so far.
Aswan - usually the most southerly point on Nile cruises, the city is where the vast Aswan Dam is located and the colonial Old Cataract Hotel, where the so-called Queen of Crime Agatha Christie wrote her famous thriller Death on the Nile.
Cairo - the frenetic Egyptian capital is often paired with Nile cruises, with passengers flown between here and Luxor. Visit the pyramids, the city's giant Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and new Grand Egyptian Museum holding more than 100,000 artefacts including Tutankhamun's priceless death mask.
Lower Mekong: Vietnam & Cambodia
Upper Mekong: Laos, Thailand & Myanmar (Burma)
Temples of Angkor - located near the city of Siem Reap, this collection of ancient Khmer temples dates from around the 9th to the 15th centuries with the centrepiece, Angkor Wat, famous as the world's largest religious complex.
Ho Chi Minh City - formerly known as Saigon, this Vietnamese metropolis buzzes with energy and an intriguing history with main attractions including the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dam Cathedral and French colonial-style Central Post Office.
Cu Chi Tunnels - the network of underground passageways close to Ho Chi Minh City, used by the Viet Cong against US forces during the Vietnam War stretch for around 150 miles and some are open to visitors.
Luang Prabang - enchanting and evocative, the French accented former Lao capital sits between the Upper Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, it's streets filled with beautiful villas and Buddhist temples that add to the dreamy atmosphere.
Beijing & The Great Wall - the Chinese capital blends ancient and ultra-modern with the walled Forbidden City reflecting its imperial past, while the vast and notorious Tiananmen Square stands as a testament to China's Communist rulers. Stride out to walk along a section of The Great Wall, a 45-mile drive away.
Three Gorges - dramatic misty mountains dominate this stretch of river, with Qutang Gorge regarded as the most spectacular, Wu (Witches) Gorge as the most beautiful for its lush terrain, and Xiling Gorge, the longest at around 45 miles.
Xian & Terracotta Warriors - the ancient walled city is renowned as the starting point of the Silk Road, but its most famous attraction is the collection of 8,000 or so clay soldiers that make up its subterranean life-size army of Terracotta Warriors.
Shang-hai - this pulsating metropolis is famous for its high-rise skyline, but behind the futuristic veneer is a cosmopolitan mix of colonial-era architecture, Buddhist temples, historic gardens, wonderful Art Deco haunts and the sweep of the atmospheric Bund waterfront.
Varanasi - here beats India's spiritual heart. This is where life and death meet in the most evocative way, while colours and rituals assault the senses as thousands of Hindu pilgrims descend to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River.
Kolkata - this Bengali metropolis was the former capital of the British Raj, which has left a legacy of grand colonial piles, including the stately white marble Victoria Memorial, in addition to a line-up of forts and palaces.
Taj Mahal - one of the world's most iconic buildings and regarded as the ultimate monument to love, this magnificent marble mausoleum at Agra is one of the key draws of India's Golden Triangle, along with Delhi and Jaipur.
Delhi - India's sprawling capital comprises the temples and narrow streets of historic Old Delhi, where the famous Red Fort is located. Conversely, expansive boulevards and high rises make up the modern face of New Delhi, which has a more European feel.
Kaziranga National Park - stretching to the banks of the Brahmaputra River, this 166-square mile tropical wilderness is famed as being home to the largest collection of Indian one-horned rhinos, but if you're very lucky, you may get a rare sighting of the park's resident tigers.
Golden Triangle - discover the essence of India on this classic route that combines Agra and the Taj Mahal with India's capital Delhi and Jaipur in Rajasthan, known as the Pink City with its collection of pale terracotta coloured forts and palaces.
Kolkata - known as Calcutta under British rule, the city's reputation as a cultural hub contrasts with the poverty of its street people living along busy roads where tuk tuks battle for space with lorries and taxis and pavement vendors market their wares.
Guwahati - sitting on the banks of the Brahmaputra, this city is seen as the gateway to north-east India and its Kamakhya Temple is one of the most revered Hindu centres of worship. If you're squeamish, beware the animal sacrifices carried out here.
Bagan - arguably the biggest draw of Irrawaddy cruises, the ancient capital is famous for around 3,000 temples and stupas, or shrines, spread across a vast plain - a spectacle best admired on early morning hot-air balloon rides.
Yangon - known as Rangoon under British rule, this is the biggest city in Myanmar (Burma) where the focal point is the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. Swathed in gold plate and studded with precious gems, it gleams unmistakably on the skyline.
Mandalay - Myanmar's second city sits on the Irrawaddy nearly 360 miles north of Yangon, surrounded by temple-covered hills and with markets, mosques and gold and silver workshops adding an atmospheric charm.
River life - golden-domed temples peeping out from the tropical terrain, dusty villages of stilted houses, fascinating markets of exotic fruits, spices and insects (for eating) and fishermen laying out their catch.
Halong Bay - famous for its collection of 1,500 jagged limestone karsts that have Unesco World Heritage status. They are best explored by kayak or fishing basket boats that sail into sparkling grottoes and tucked-away tiny islets which give this region a magical aura.
Hanoi - this French colonial city still carries a heady Gallic ambiance fueled by wide boulevards and peaceful lakes dotted with pagodas, as well as the imposing mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.
Hoa Binh - gateway to north western Vietnam and known as the cradle of the Muong ethnic culture, the mountainous landscape of forests, hot springs and caves makes it ideal for hiking.
