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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Witness the breathtaking scenery from the decks of an iron boat. Gliding through the gin-clear waters of the bay, absorb one of the most magnificent natural splendors of the Far East. Arriving to the pier in Ha long city, begin your fascinating cruise through Ha Long Bay, one of the world's outstanding natural wonders, resembling a geographic work of art with thousands of limestone islets soaring dramatically from the clear emerald waters. This densely concentrated zone of kharst islands, world famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See tiny islands dotted with rock arches, sheer cliffs, innumerable white sand beaches and peaceful coves. Like sculpted cartoon characters, these limestone islands have fanciful names: Heavenly Gate, Tortoise Rock, Man Head Rock, The Isle of Wonders, Tea Pot Rock and Devil's Face. A stop is made at impressive Thien Cung Cave, with a chance to climb up. Continue to enjoy this relaxing cruise through the stunning landscape.

OVERVIEW

Explore the main attractions in and around Coron beginning with an enlightening drive through the heart of downtown. There, you will see Coron’s only Catholic church, waterfront Lualhati Park and the Wet Market, where you will observe a genuine slice of daily life as the residents go about their shopping. A stop at a family-owned cashew store will reveal how these prized nuts are processed. In essence, once the acidic shells are removed, the cashews are toasted, sun-dried, sugar-coated or flavored with garlic powder. Maquinit Hot Spring, the only saltwater hot spring in the Philippines, lies just outside the city limits. You will have the chance to ease into the therapeutic spring and enjoy its soothing mineral-rich water. The mangrove forest that serves as a scenic backdrop will make the experience all the more delightful. Later, while visiting a fishing village, you might strike up a conversation with the residents and learn about their livelihoods.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View Coron’s landmark attractions on a panoramic drive through the downtown.
• See how cashews are processed and flavored at a family-owned store.
• Ease into a mineral-rich saltwater hot spring and enjoy its therapeutic benefits.
• Interact with the residents of a fishing village on the outskirts of Coron.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring sunscreen and a towel and wear comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the scenic beauty and maritime heritage of Maizuru on a well-balanced journey through its most iconic sights. Begin at Maizuru Red Brick Park, where historic naval warehouses have been thoughtfully preserved and transformed into a vibrant waterfront district of shops and cafés. Continue to Gorogatake Park, one of the region’s premier viewpoints, and ascend the Goro Sky Tower for sweeping panoramic views over Maizuru Bay and the surrounding coastline. Enjoy ample opportunities for photography while taking in the changing seasonal landscapes. The experience concludes with free time at Maizuru Port Toretore Center, a lively seafood market showcasing the flavors of the Sea of Japan. Here, you can browse fresh local products and regional specialties while soaking in the atmosphere of a working port town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover historic red-brick warehouses at Maizuru Red Brick Park.
• Take in panoramic coastal views from Goro Sky Tower.
• Capture scenic vistas of Maizuru Bay and surrounding landscapes.
• Browse fresh seafood and regional specialties at Toretore Center.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

This tour highlights what Balinese are so proud of – their beautiful rice field, which are mostly found in the mid-western part of the island. For the majority of Balinese, agriculture is their livelihood. Villages are mainly found centered around or near the rice fields and every farmer who owns one or more rice plots or sawahs, is compelled to join a subak, an agricultural association that controls the distribution of irrigation water to its members. As you travel through these farming communities, you'll no doubt agree that theses cascading terraces are the most striking features of the landscape. Starting off from the pier, a leisurely drive takes you into the countryside to Baha Village, which is a traditional farming community, with rice fields. The uniformity of the typical entrance gates of the family compounds combined with the traditional housing structure present a charming appearance. This Balinese house compound is often viewed as a living organism. Much like a human being, it has a head (the ancestral shrine), arms (the sleeping quarters and living room) and legs and feet (the kitchen and rice granaries.) This up-close gives you a glimpse into conventional Balinese life. You’ll proceed to Bedugul, which enjoys mild mountain weather due to its location at an altitude of about 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) above the sea level. Major sites here include the Ulun Danu Temple, a major Shivaite and water temple in Bali. Water temples serve the entire region in the outflow area - downstream there are many smaller water temples that are specific to each irrigation association. Lake Bratan is known as the Lake of Holy Mountain due to the fertility of this area. Last stop before driving back to the pier a coffee break will be served at the Secret Garden Village.

Explore a vast underground network of tunnels that hid and protected thousands of Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War. The section that you will tour lies beneath the Cu Chi district in the countryside north of Ho Chi Minh City. Communist forces began digging the tunnels in the late 1948, when they were fighting the French for independence. As you will discover, the tunnels span thousands of miles and once hid an underground city of sorts with living quarters, smokeless kitchens, hospitals and schools. The tunnels were typically five feet high and not even three feet wide, with air passages to the surface camouflaged to look like natural holes from tree roots or animals. The tunnels that you will traverse have been expanded somewhat for safety and convenience. Digging the tunnels was an incredibly arduous and time-consuming endeavor, as they were often dug by hand. Before abandoning them, the Viet Cong left booby traps for the invading troops.