The Pioneering Spirit of The Kangaroo Route

Join your private transfer to Pullman Sydney Airport Hotel. This evening, meet your fellow guests and Tour Host Team, as we gather for our gala Welcome Dinner in a space exclusively reserved for us.

This morning marks the beginning of our momentous recreation of the historic Kangaroo Route. Enjoy the ease of private boarding, as we fly to our own schedule. On arrival in Darwin, we make the short trip to the nearby suburb of Parap to view one of the earliest Qantas hangars. Having survived the devastation of Cyclone Tracy, as well as World War II, this historic structure is now populated by several vintage cars, as well as the Northern Territory’s first locomotive.

Shape the remainder of your time in Darwin with a choice of Your World experiences: — Visit the Darwin Aviation Museum and hear about the city’s aviation history and its encounters during wartime. Home to the only B-52 bomber in the Southern Hemisphere, the museum also features a selection of other aircraft and fascinating exhibits.

— See the Cyclone Tracy exhibition, including personal artefacts donated by local residents, at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Housing cultural and scientific collections, the museum has a focus on northern and central Australia.

After taking a guided tour, we rejoin our aircraft and continue to Singapore. Touching down, we check into the Ritz-Carlton Millenia. Enjoy views of Singapore’s spectacular skyline and the amenities of our luxury hotel.

Uncover the many different aspects Singapore has to offer with a Your World experience:

— Discover some of Singapore’s fascinating landmarks. From the elegant to the extravagant, the city boasts a wealth of architectural styles. See the Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall and the National Gallery Singapore. And admire the floral offerings within Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden. 

— This cultural and culinary experience first takes you to Little India, where discoveries of colourful flower markets and ornate temples are punctuated by the sampling of local delicacies. Continue to Chinatown for further flavoursome dishes. In Kampong Glam, pass by the grand Sultan Mosque, explore the shopping street and try the local ginger tea. 

— This morning, enjoy exclusive trade-day access to the renowned Singapore Airshow, held once every two years. Wander among an extensive array of aircraft and exhibits, witness impressive aerial displays, and learn about the latest in aviation technology. 

Following lunch, uncover more of Singapore’s cultural diversity with an afternoon Your World experience: 

— Discover a world of botanical artistry at the celebrated Gardens by the Bay complex. Among the innovative architecture, entertaining and educational displays, more than a quarter of a million plants can be found here. The world’s largest glass greenhouse, the Flower Dome, as well as the Cloud Forest conservatory, are particular highlights. 

— Should you not have done so this morning, perhaps elect to explore Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam. See the colourful, intricate design of Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, explore Chinatown’s Pagoda Street, and behold the elaborate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. 

— Admire the wealth of modern and contemporary South-East Asian art on display at National Gallery Singapore. More than 8,000 works from the 19th century to the present day make this the world’s largest collection of its kind. 

— At Singapore’s Air Force Museum, you will learn about the history and hardware of this vital arm of the island country’s defence force. Get up close to its fighter jets, anti-aircraft systems and artefacts.  

A gala dinner awaits us at Gardens by the Bay this evening.

After breakfast at our hotel, we return to our aircraft for the flight to India. Lunch is served inflight before we reach Kolkata.

From here, we break up into smaller groups for visits to the Indian Museum and the Victoria Memorial respectively. The oldest museum in Asia, the Indian Museum features a broad collection of artefacts, including Mughal paintings, textiles, armour, masks, and fossils. The awe-inspiring Victoria Memorial, built in honour of Queen Victoria, also boasts many thousands of artefacts within its grand white marble edifice. Arrive at our accommodation, the ITC Royal Bengal, in time for dinner. A lavish Bengali affair is enjoyed alongside the palm-lined pool of our hotel.

This morning, a tour of Dalhousie Square presents us with a succession of historical buildings, including the Raj Bhavan, the General Post Office, and Kolkata High Court. While here, we also visit St John’s Church, whose impressive spire adorns what is one of the city’s oldest Anglican churches. Our time in Kolkata culminates with a visit to the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, the former residence of Mother Teresa.

At the conclusion of our tour, we meet back up with our aircraft for the flight to Colombo. Landing late-afternoon, we soon arrive at our residence for the next three nights, Shangri-La Colombo. Our hotel’s multiple restaurants host us for this evening’s dinner.

Our explorations of Sri Lanka are tailored to your interests, with a wealth of Your World experiences on offer:

— Take the road south to Galle, which UNESCO names as ‘the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia.’ While here, keep watch for the spectacle of stilt fishermen, perched high upon their wooden poles. A visit to the Handunugoda Tea Estate includes the chance to taste its Virgin White Tea, originally produced for China’s imperial emperor. This is a full-day experience. 

— During a morning tour, visit Colombo National Museum, whose cultural treasures are housed within its grand edifice. Continue to Gangaramaya Temple, one of the city’s oldest Buddhist temples, which serves as both a place of worship and a cultural centre. 

— Be welcomed into the home of renowned local cook, Mohara Dole. Absorb the secrets of Mohara’s blend of Malay, Sinhalese and Tamil traditions, as she offers a cooking demonstration. Then join Mohara and your fellow guests for lunch.

— Take the opportunity to meet a former Sri Lankan cricketer at the Sinhalese Sports Club. As a member of the country’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad, your host will be delighted to answer any questions you may have about the nation’s national pastime. A cricketers’ high tea and tour of the stadium rounds out this morning’s experience. 

After lunch, discover another side of Colombo with one of the following Your World experiences: 

— Sri Lanka’s tea culture is revealed in detail during a tasting and expert-led information session at the Dilmah T-lounge. 

— Join a guided walk of Old Colombo. Marvel at the ornate, red and white facade of the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, before proceeding to the Khan Clock Tower, which stands at the entrance to the Pettah Market. You will also see other popular landmarks, such as the Colombo Fort and the Old Dutch Hospital. 

— Visit Sri Lanka’s only dedicated national aviation museum, the Sri Lankan Air Force Museum. After browsing the aircraft on display, enjoy an interactive session from pilot and storyteller, Elmo Jayawardena.  

Our plane departs this morning for Cairo. A gourmet lunch is enjoyed on board before we arrive mid-afternoon. We acquaint ourselves with our hotel, The St Regis Cairo, and enjoy selecting from its wealth of dining options.

The full grandeur of ancient Egypt is on display this morning. Select from the following morning Your World experiences: — Pay homage to the Pyramids of Giza. Venture into the Pyramid of Khafre, traversing narrow passageways to the burial chamber. You will also be granted special access to the feet of the Sphinx.

— Visit Sakkara, home to an ancient royal burial site. It was here that the kings of the former capital, Memphis, had their tombs and pyramids erected, leading to the establishment of a vast necropolis. You will also see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, considered the world’s oldest monumental structure to be built from stone. Savour further close-up views of Giza’s pyramids during lunch at the renowned restaurant, Khufu’s.

This afternoon, Your World experiences enhance our appreciation for this ancient civilisation: — Enter the astonishing Grand Egyptian Museum. The vast collection here features some of Egypt’s most iconic artefacts, including the Mask of Tutankhamun and the statue of Ramses II. Enjoy a private tour, accompanied by an expert Egyptologist.

— Weave your way between the stalls of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where dried thyme and bowls of hazelnuts decorate brightly coloured shopfronts.

Afterwards, we adjourn to a privileged position overlooking the Pyramids of Giza. In this revered space, an exclusive dinner awaits.

A mid-morning flight sees us arriving in Rome shortly after lunch – which is enjoyed aboard our plane. Whether staying at Hotel de Russie or Hotel de la Ville, la dolce vita is assured.

Take your afternoon at leisure to soak up the charms of this inspiring capital.

Tonight, we enjoy an exclusive after-hours tour of the Vatican Museum.

Captivating sights are in no short supply today, and these Your World experiences are certain to delight:

— Board a high-speed train to Florence and visit the Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum. Witness recreations of the polymath’s works that celebrate his indisputable influence on today’s society. This is a full-day experience.

— Board a high-speed train to Florence and visit the Galileo Museum. Marvel at the exhibits detailing the works of this fundamental figure of scientific discovery. Then see the sights of Florence, including the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and the Duomo. This is a full-day experience. Observe the restoration processes keeping the city’s great works of art on display. With steady hands and painstaking precision, the restorers at Merlini Storti Art Restoration have worked on many pieces of note, including three of Caravaggio’s paintings. At the conclusion of your experience, enjoy a glass of wine with your hosts.

— The cultural titans of Rome are yours to explore. During this full-day experience, unearth the treasures of the city’s historic centre, with visits to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain.  See Rome through the eyes of a local, as you meander along its enchanting streets in a vintage car. Take part in a cooking class, during which you will learn to make authentic Italian pasta.

This afternoon, enjoy another Your World experience:

— Join an expert guide for a different look at Rome, from both above and below ground. Begin at Piazza Barberini, whose exquisite statue, Fontana del Tritone, was created by the celebrated sculptor and architect, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Then tour the provocative Capuchin Crypts. Led past Caravaggio’s masterpiece, Saint Francis in Meditation, you will soon be confronted with the grisly sight of the remains of 4,000 Capuchin monks.

— Should you prefer, this morning’s vintage car excursion is also once more available.

Choose between your hotel’s restaurants and a selection of local establishments for this evening’s dining.

This morning, our westerly route continues as we fly to France, where the spirited city of Toulouse invites us to tour its Airbus production facility. During our exclusive tour, we witness the finishing touches being applied to state-of-the-art A350 aircraft, prior to them undergoing strict testing protocols.

Our privately chartered plane equates to unmatched convenience, with our stop here enabling us to arrive in London this afternoon.

For two nights, we enjoy the exclusive use of Down Hall Estate, an historic mansion set on 110 acres within Hatfield Heath. This majestic residence hosts us for this evening’s dining.

Take in the estate’s resplendent grounds and amenities as you please this morning.

After lunch, we make the short trip by road to the International War Museum Duxford. This staggering assemblage of aircraft serves as a veritable aviation time capsule. From the early days of flight, through to World War II fighter planes and the advances made during the Cold War period. Board the iconic Concorde 101, designed to fly twice the speed of sound. And get up close to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest and highest-flying jet aircraft in history.

Tonight, we celebrate our epic journey as we dine beneath the Concorde’s wings.

Today marks the conclusion of our renewed Kangaroo Route.

Whether you choose to extend your journey here in London or transfer to the airport, we’re thrilled you could join us during this magnificent adventure.