A huge cruise operator is launching routes to four new destinations this year. StarCruises is jumping on the trend of school holiday cruises, with new trips in southeast Asia. 

The cruise line will operate two, three, and five-night cruises from Singpore and Kuala Lumpur between May 22 and June 26. They will be going to new island destinations Con Son, Tioman, Benoa, and Lombok using the Star Voyager ship, which was previously the Pacific Explorer for P&O Cruises. Con Son is the largest island in the Con Dao archipelago off of Vietnam, Tioman is off the east coast of Malaysia, Benoa is a 4km peninsula in southern Bali, and Lombok is an Indonesian island east of Bali. Bookings for the school holiday sailings open on February 23. StarCruises already goes to destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. 

The operator relaunched last year after collapsing in bankruptcy in 2022. It had been in operation for over 30 years and is credited with pioneering modern cruising in Asia. 

A regrowth plan saw the company rebrand away from Resorts World Cruises back to its original names and acquire three ships. One of these ships had a refitting that cost £37 million.

Michael Goh, president of StarCruises and Dream Cruises, said: “We are thrilled and honored to return to our roots with the launch of the revitalized StarCruises and Dream Cruises brands, offering an enhanced cruising experience.

“To celebrate this milestone, we are also excited to introduce the Star Voyager, as she embarks on her maiden voyage from Singapore, exploring the wonders of Southeast Asia.

“Our itineraries are colourful, diverse and appealing, and go beyond the beaten track. What makes Star Cruises and Dream Cruises different is that we localise our operations while maintaining an international atmosphere.”

The company is reportedly looking to promote its Asian cruises in the Middle East, as they are of growing interest to Gulf travellers seeking short-haul fly-cruise options.

The world’s “most welcoming city” has been revealed – and it’s merely three hours from the UK. Data from Booking.com revealed which cities worldwide are the most hospitable to tourists seeking a holiday. Britain has secured several positions in the rankings, with Harrogate ranking as the UK’s most welcoming city. Nevertheless, claiming top spot for the “world’s most welcoming city” is the town of Montepulciano in Italy. Situated amongst the Tuscan hills, the town boasts far more heritage than its modest size might suggest.

Montepulciano is a compact town with a population of barely 14,000 residents, perched atop a hill overlooking verdant countryside bathed in Italian sunshine. Tourism has been a fundamental component of the local economy since World War 2, with its heritage dating back to the Renaissance.

The town’s fascinating past even influences its architecture, which was moulded by the Renaissance itself, bestowing upon it the prestigious title the “Pearl of the Cinquecento”. The structures were carefully designed by the architects of the period, so wandering through the town’s narrow lanes feels like travelling back through the centuries.

Among the most spectacular buildings Montepulciano has to offer is the magnificent Duomo, constructed between the 16th and 17th centuries. The town’s celebrated city hall was also created by renowned Renaissance architects from neighbouring Florence.

Montepulciano is also an exceptionally pedestrian-friendly destination, with the majority of its streets designated as car-free zones. If you’re keen to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the town, stroll along the main thoroughfare, which extends for just under a mile and brims with charming local independent shops and eateries aplenty.

Beyond the small-town appeal that Montepulciano already possesses, its culinary and beverage scene also attracts visitors from across the globe. A thriving wine heritage surrounds the town, with its esteemed noble wine awarded protected status within Italian gastronomy.

And if that weren’t sufficient, the town retains some concealed treasures and age-old customs that have endured throughout the centuries. Known as the ‘Bravio delle botti’, participants roll an enormous wine barrel through the town’s streets in a tradition dating back to the 14th century.

To reach Montepulciano, Britons can fly to neighbouring Perugia, with Ryanair providing direct flights. UK passengers can fly directly to Perugia from London Stansted Airport, with flights taking approximately 3 hours to reach the sun-drenched region, before continuing on to Montepulciano.

But Ryanair isn’t the only airline connecting British travellers to Perugia, as British Airways also operates a service from London Heathrow Airport to Perugia. However, it’s worth noting that the Heathrow service only runs seasonally, whilst the Stansted service operates year-round.

The complete list of Booking.com’s Most Welcoming Cities on Earth is as follows: