EXCURSÕES EM TERRA

Gain an overall understanding of Saigon through landmark architecture that reflects the changing face of the metropolis known as Ho Chi Minh City since 1976. In the lively district of Cholon, you will browse the bustling Binh Tay Market and a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. For a more contemporary perspective, you will view Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a modernistic white building that was home to the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon presents a glimpse into colonial life, as the French constructed it in the mid-1800s. The ornate Central Post Office is another French-built colonial gem. If not for the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh inside, you might think you were in Paris. Saigon is also known for its artisans, especially those that make lacquerware, a traditional skill that you will observe in a workshop.

OVERVIEW

Behold the architecture in two isolated villages that UNESCO found so unusual that it deemed them World Heritage sites. The villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama are in the remote Shogawa River Valley surrounded by high rugged mountains, a location that made them difficult to access for centuries. To cope with the abundance of snow that falls there, the residents constructed farmhouses with steeply pitched thatched roofs to reduce the amount of snow that accumulates on them. The roof design also allows for large attics, in which the residents rear silkworms, which they feed leaves from the surrounding mulberry trees. Only one other nearby village boasts this type of architecture known as gassho-zukuri, a style that means “constructed like hands in prayer.” Following free time in both villages, you will watch a demonstration of paper-making in Gokayama. The specialized washi paper is exceptionally colorful and patterned. The fiber for it comes from mulberry trees.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit two villages that UNESCO declared World Heritage sites for their architecture.
• Gain an understanding of why the buildings have such steep roofs.
• Explore the areas of most interest to you during free time in both villages.
• See how durable washi paper used for arts, crafts and writing is made from mulberry bark.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore magnificent Petra, the ancient Nabataean caravan-city ideally situated between the Red and Dead Seas. Inhabited since prehistoric times, this area was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. The Nabataeans transformed the forbidding desert into a bustling metropolis with magnificent buildings carved directly into the rose-hued sandstone hills and a complex system of water channels and reservoirs.

Camel caravans passed through, loaded with spices, textiles and incense from distant regions and the city of Petra flourished, until a massive earthquake left the freestanding structures in ruins. Travel deep within the deserts of Jordan for approximately two hours, to Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra. Upon arrival, walk to the impressive entrance of Petra, a stunning narrow gorge formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks.

Your first view of this amazing city is its most elaborate ruin and fabled achievement, the Treasury, hewn directly out of the red sandstone cliff. Used as a backdrop in the movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, enjoy time to explore the Treasury and the Outer Siq, leading to immense tombs, facades and doorways cut in the steep passage walls. Enjoy a late buffet style lunch at a local hotel before returning to Aqaba and your ship.

Delve into the artistic and cultural sides of Sakata by visiting three museums, each with its own special emphasis. One of the first privately owned art museums Japan, the Honma changes its exhibits every few months, but the real draws are the garden and early 19th-century villa of the prominent Honma family, where the museum was originally housed. Both are wonderfully serene. Almost the entire focus of the Domon Ken Museum is the photography of its namesake, a prolific Sakata-born photojournalist revered for the way he documented the rise of postwar Japan. Don’t miss the outdoor sculptures by Isamu Noguchi, a creative genius that also worked in media ranging from lighting to furniture. The Shonai Rice Museum is more cultural, as it is housed in several 19th-century warehouses. It collection includes farm tools and exhibits detailing the history of rice cultivation. The zelkova trees surrounding the museum have become a symbol of Sakata.

OVERVIEW

Discover the historical importance of Jeddah while walking through its Old Town on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. That strategic location fueled Jeddah’s growth beginning in the 7th century, as it became the primary port for goods sent inland to Mecca. Countless pilgrims also passed through Jeddah and over time the city reflected the Red Sea architecture of the time. Because hundreds of those buildings, particularly tower houses constructed for wealthy merchants, have been preserved, UNESCO declared the Old Town a World Heritage site. You will not only see block after block of these historical houses and others made from coral stone, but also browse the interior of one of them. To enhance the experience, you will be served a cup of traditional Arabic coffee and fresh dates. Afterwards, you will browse a bustling souq in Old Town and enjoy time to explore further independently.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the well-preserved architecture that earned Jeddah a UNESCO World Heritage site designation.
• Meander through the interior of one of the historically important tower houses in Old Town.
• Gain an understanding of Jeddah’s significance as a major trading port starting in the 7th century.
• Browse a souq in the heart of Old Town and spend free time exploring the area nearby.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress conservatively when going ashore.
• Wear sun protection and bring bottled water.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience Oman's unique blend of historic and contemporary sites when you visit Nakhl Fort and Springs, the Bait Al Zubair Museum, as well as other city highlights.

A drive along the Batinah Coast takes you to the centuries-old Nakhl Fort, perched on a 200-foot high hilltop with spectacular views of the surrounding oasis. This impressive pre-Islamic fortress was the stronghold of the well-known Bani Kharous tribe during Medieval times, and offers a unique look into Oman's past. You'll then visit Nakhl Springs, a tranquil and picturesque area framed by majestic mountains and a dense green oasis.

Stop for photos at the Zawawi Mosque, Oman's most exquisite mosque and at the splendid Al Alam Palace, which offers scenic vistas overlooking Muscat Bay. Visit Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items and more. You’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel during the day.

A day in Muscat is not complete, until you visit the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Travel through the fertile foothills where most of the country's vineyards and the orchards of the Phassouri citrus groves are found and past Kolossi Castle, a well-preserved stronghold standing three stories tall. You’ll arrive at the ancient ruins of the city of Kourion, an impressive Greco-Roman site where you can view remaining pavement mosaics.

Nearby is the Greco-Roman theater built in the 2nd century BC. Still used today for many performances, including ancient dramas, perched high on a cliff, this beautiful and unspoiled location offers spectacular views of the ruins and the sapphire sea below. A short distance away, you’ll find the Temple of Apollo with its stunning Cypro-Corinthian columns. The sanctuary is the largest and one of the most important religious centers on the island.

Leaving the Kourion area, you'll proceed to what is considered by many to be the most beautiful and picturesque of the old villages in Cyprus, Omodos Village, which is still preserved in its original state. Here explore the monastery of the Holy Cross with its wood carvings and old icons and see the restored wine press Lino. Visit some of the local homes, experiencing the history associated with them. Enjoy some free time to wander down the narrow streets and visit the quaint local shops, famous for their vitraux and hand-made pieces of traditional stained glass.

OVERVIEW

Walk through the castle city of Kakunodate and browse residences that wealthy samurai families once owned. About 80 families lived in the samurai district in the 17th and 18th centuries and several of their homes are still largely intact. The descendants of the Ishiguro family continue to reside in their family house so only part of it is open. Still, it is impressive architecturally and for its furnishings, which include a collection of samurai armor. The larger Aoyagi house next door contains a complex of buildings with displays that explain samurai traditions, lifestyles and why Kakunodate rose to prominence as samurai city. A leisurely walk down the district’s wide, tree-lined streets will bring you to the Kakunodate Cherry Bark Craft Center. The artisans there craft items such as jewelry boxes and furniture using the highly durable bark from cherry trees, which have the ability to regenerate their bark so no harm is done.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the well-preserved samurai district in the 17th-century castle town Kakunodate.
• Visit two samurai residences, one still occupied by the samurai’s descendants.
• See original artifacts that shed light on the traditions and lifestyles of the samurai.
• Browse a craft center with pieces made with cherry bark, a skill that samurai developed.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Gain a greater understanding of life in Hakodate by visiting a thriving marketplace, riding the tram to the city’s highest point, and strolling through a historic neighborhood. Travel through the picturesque streets of Hakodate, one of the first ports that opened to foreign trade following Japan’s period of self-isolation. Stop at the Morning Market, which spans nearly four city blocks. The marketplace is a wonderful place to observe daily life, as the locals bustle among hundreds of stalls, most featuring fresh seafood. You can expect to see familiar items such as squid, salmon roe and Atka mackerel, as well as more unusual ingredients like jellyfish, fermented carp and barnacles. Locals also come here for fruit, spices and domburi rice bowls. Board an aerial tram that will carry you nearly a half mile to the summit of forested Mount Hakodate, an extinct volcano. The views along the way and from the top of the mountain, weather permitting, will be spectacular. As you approach, be sure to notice the mountain’s shape, which resembles a “cow lying down,” the mountain’s odd nickname. You will also have the opportunity to stroll the streets of Motomachi, a district at the foot of the mountains where most foreigners lived after Hakodate was opened to the west in 1854. Architectural highlights include a Russian Orthodox church and the former British consulate

Visit two of the must see spots in Nagasaki with vivid reminders of the continuous threat of nuclear destruction.

Shaped like an amphitheater, with crooked streets and tiered houses clinging to the hillsides, Nagasaki is one of Japans most charming cities. Nagasaki natural beauty includes tempting hot spring resorts and the astounding presence of active volcanoes. At first glance, the city appears to be very modern, having been rebuilt since 1945. However, your drive through the city will reveal a number of areas where old buildings, secluded gardens and temples remain.

Visit Nagasaki’s Peace Park, commemorating the city’s destruction by the plutonium bomb dropped on August 9, 1945. Although Fat Man, the name given to the second bomb dropped on Japan, missed its target by over a mile and a half, it leveled nearly half the city. The park’s main attraction is its collection of statues and sculptures donated by countries and groups all over the world. This includes the massive Peace Memorial Statue depicting a man with his right arm pointing to the sky to indicate the continued threat of nuclear destruction.

You’ll also visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, with over 900 artifacts indicative of the city’s devastation, as well as displays on modern nuclear technology and concerns. As you browse the displays, you will learn about the city’s culture before the bomb struck and the aftermath of the atomic blast. You can expect to see photographs of the widespread destruction to buildings such as the Urakami Cathedral and neighborhoods that were reduced to ruins. The museum’s goal is to candidly show the devastation from the atomic bomb in hopes that nuclear weapons will eventually be abolished.

Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia, located on the northern tip of Borneo Island and one of Southeast Asia's greatest surprises.

This half-day tour will introduce you to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's modern state capital with its alluring blend of Malay and Chinese culture. Largely destroyed during World War II, Kota Kinabalu has since developed into one of Malaysia's most exciting cities. Go past the serene City Mosque, followed by a photo stop at the Tun Mustapha Building. A 30-storey circular glass edifice supported by high tensile steel rods, this amazing structure is an architectural and engineering feat, one of only four such buildings in the world.

Continuing on, you will visit the Skull House - Heritage Village, located within the compound of the Sabah State Museum. Situated within the Ethno Botanical Gardens, you’ll find replicas of traditional long houses representing the different ethnic communities of Sabah. Enter the houses and discover the way of life of the different groups.

From here, it's on to the magnificent Masjid Negeri Sabah or State Mosque, with its golden inlay motifs and impressive minaret. After a photo stop here, you will then make your way to your final stop, a brief visit to a local handicraft market where you can mingle with the locals and perhaps pick up a few souvenirs to take home.

View the landmarks of Hiroshima, some commemorating the atomic bomb blast here in 1945 and others reflecting the city’s celebration of peace. At the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will behold the ruins of some of the few concrete buildings left after the atomic bomb was dropped. One of them, the Atomic Bomb Dome, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a symbol of Hiroshima. You will also browse the Peace Memorial Museum whose exhibits show Hiroshima before and after the bombing and personal artifacts from the victims that humanize the devastating event. The museum encourages visitors to make a vow for universal peace. While the mood there is somber, serenity is the overarching theme at Shukkei-en Garden. Besides being a wonderful respite from the hubbub of the city, the garden is a visual delight, as plants are always in bloom. Although the atomic bomb destroyed the garden, it has been fully restored.