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.

The city of Jakarta has gone through several different names through its history, which dates back to the 4th century CE. Today, you’ll discover the highlights of Old Batavia, as it was known between the years 1619-1949 while ruled by the Dutch, and some of its historical aspects.

A scenic drive takes you to the heart of Jakarta, stopping at Sunda Kelapa Old Harbor, better known as Pasar Ikan (meaning fish market) which is located at the mouth of the Ciliwung River. The streets leading to the port used to be lined with shops selling all sorts of seafood and everything a seafarer and their vessels might need. The catch of the day was auctioned in the early morning at the old fish market. During the 15th century, it was also a very important trading port between the kingdom of Pajajaran and Portugal. Although there is not much left of the old port, the port itself is still very active with sailing vessels from all over the country, bringing in timber, coal and spices. It is definitely a must see sight for visitors to Jakarta and a great photo opportunity.

Your tour continues to Fatahillah Square, the administrative center of old Batavia; close to, but far enough from the bustling atmosphere of the old port. See the splendid city hall, from where the immense Asian trading empire was controlled as well as other historic buildings. Most buildings around the square have been restored in an effort to preserve Jakarta’s historic sites, and many of the buildings have been converted into museums. Today you’ll visit either the Puppet Museum or the Bank of Indonesia Museum, depending on availability.

The Wayang, or Puppet Museum resides in a beautiful Neo-Renaissance style building. Puppetry is an integral part of Indonesian culture and the museum preserves the puppet culture from all over the world, not just Indonesia. It houses one of the best collections of wayang in all of Java, as well as all over Asia and Europe.

The elegant building of The Bank of Indonesia Museum dates back to 1828 and its neo-classical architecture mixed with Indonesian features gives it a distinct and elegant look. One of the most modern museums in Indonesia, it provides information on the role of the central bank in the nation’s long history; all presented with the latest technology and multi-media.

After exploring the square and one of its interesting museums, you’ll rejoin your coach for the return to the harbor, enjoying more of the highlights of the city.

Manila's tumultuous past comes alive on this exploration of its most historic sites, many of them contained within Intramuros, the city's original 16th-century district.

Depart from the pier by coach and begin driving along Roxas Boulevard, the wide wonderfully scenic thoroughfare that hugs the shore of Manila Bay. Before long, you'll arrive in Intramuros, the city's oldest district, which is enclosed within a thick wall that the Spanish built for defense in the 1500s. Here, you'll tour notorious Fort Santiago, where prisoners were held and tortured throughout the history of Manila. You may even see the symbolic bronzed footsteps of Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero who was imprisoned in the fortress before walking to his execution, the penalty for his inflammatory, anti-colonial writings.

Then, after some free time to shop for souvenirs, you'll travel to serene Rizal Park, whose focal point is the Rizal Monument which was built in honor of the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. After a photo stop you'll continue on to view the Manila Hotel, a luxurious Philippine landmark that opened in 1912. General Douglas MacArthur used the hotel as his command post during much of World War II. After viewing these most notable landmarks of old Manila, you'll return to the pier where your tour concludes.

The old port of Mandraki, where this tour begins, is believed to be the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Historic sites abound in Rhodes, as you will soon discover after enjoying a panoramic view of the city and Rhodes Bay from atop Monte Smith.

Visit the fully restored 14th-century Grand Masters Palace, which contains beautiful alabaster windows, French and Venetian furniture, and floor mosaics with scenes from Greek mythology. It served as a fortress in times of war, and a residence for the Grand Master and a meeting place for senior knights during times of peace. As you continue down the Avenue of the Knights, where the knights lived, the cobblestoned street seems to exude a noble and somewhat forbidden aura, as its lofty buildings stretch in an unbroken wall of honey-colored stone, punctuated by huge doorways and arched windows. At the conclusion of this tour, you can either return to ship, or remain in the old town to explore further on your own.

Gain an appreciation for some of Cyprus’ crafts and foods by visiting a traditional baker, beekeeper and basket weaver. Your first stop will be the village of Larnaca, where you will stop at the Byzantine church Agios Lazaros and at a bakery for a snack of koupes, a traditional street food stuffed with minced meat and spices. Cyprus is known for its extraordinary honey, which you will hear about from a beekeeper in the rustic village Valva. You will also taste the honey, which may reflect a bouquet of flora such as thyme, eucalyptus and orange blossom. Once you arrive in the village of Choirokotia, artisan Petros Nicolaou will demonstrate the art of basket-weaving, a trade he learned from his grandparents. It takes about three hours to make a single basket from water reeds, and it is a fascinating process. While observing Nicolaou’s artistry, you will sample local delicacies that include halloumi cheese made in a basket.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Stop in a historical village to snack on a traditional street food known as koupes.
• Sample honey that reflects the flavors of the local flora in another village.
• Watch a basket weaver demonstrate his prodigious talents as you snack on local cheese.

Discover how the natural resources on Amami are maximized to create products that are revered far beyond the island. The silk produced there is particularly valued and has been for more than 1,300 years. As you will see at Oshima Tsumugi Village, the silk manufacturing involves dozens of processes that take up to six months to complete, resulting in distinct textiles with remarkably detailed patterns. You will notice while driving around the island that Amami is almost completely covered with trees, including sago palms. These iron-rich plants are used for dying silk and often eaten despite being toxic if not properly prepared. You will learn about the multi-step process to remove the toxins at Ankiyaba. Bananas are also grown there for their natural fibers, which are used in textiles. The brown sugar from the island’s abundant sugar cane is a key ingredient in making shochu, a unique distilled liquor that you will sample after touring a brewery.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Watch a remarkably complex silk manufacturing process that produces distinct textiles.
• Discover how sago palms and bananas trees are harvested for various industries.
• Tour a brewery that makes the distilled liquor shochu and sample the product.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Santorini! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site as many of the stops will include wi-fi in real time. Selfie experts will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour will start with a scenic drive from the ship to the Aroma Avlis. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Aroma Avlis
• The Blue Domes Churches of Oia
• Church Bells in Fira

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 Chinatown district of Cholon, you will find Giac Lam, the city’s oldest pagoda. A haven of tranquility where Taoism and Confucianism merge with Buddhism, the pagoda compound includes ornate tombs, a rare bodhi tree and an elegant statue of the Goddess of Mercy. 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.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Naples & Sorrento! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site Our selfie experts will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour will start with a scenic drive from the ship to Sorrento which is a balcony over the sea with amazing views of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Villa Communale
• Piazza Tasso
• Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola
• Castle Nuovo

To make this experience even more fun, you will be provided with a selfie stick and utilize our Selfie Station in order to help catch the perfect picture. During the tour, you will get to taste traditional Neapolitan slice of pizza and local beer.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Istanbul! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site Selfie experts will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour will start with a scenic drive from the ship to your first selfie stop with astonishing views on the way. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at:

• Sultanahmet Square
• Grand Baazar
• Galata Bridge
• The Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia

You will have some free time to go shopping in the Grand Bazaar, and to end your picture-perfect day, you will experience a traditional Turkish Drinks tasting.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Istanbul’s most epic spots to snap your selfies while enjoying local Raki tasting and learning about its history and architecture!
• Learn from Selfie Experts tips & tricks on how to take the perfect selfie.
• Enjoy a deep dive into Turkish culture discovering unique local treats.

Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites honoring the apostle Saint John, including the cave where he spent years in exile, and the Monastery of Saint John, dedicated to his illustrious life. Experience the Cave of the Apocalypse, where Saint John dictated his Gospel and The Book of Revelations. Arriving in Chora, you’ll view the arresting Monastery of Saint John, the wealthiest in the Dodecanese due to the patronage of Byzantine emperors and countless private contributors. Learn that great wealth enabled the monks to establish the Theological School of Patmos in 1713, which still attracts students from around the world.

Tour the chapel that contains Saint John’s relics, which is adorned with magnificent frescoes depicting his voyages and miracles. You’ll marvel at the enthralling museum’s rare icons, chalices and vestments, as well as ancient manuscripts and 33 pages of an invaluable copy of Saint Mark’s Gospel written in the 6th century. As you contemplate the life of the revered saint, relish free time in town to explore and appreciate the sweeping views of the azure Bay of Patmos and the scattered islands beyond.

Experience country life in a village near Kusadasi, where you will mingle with the residents and help them harvest crops. You might discover how the villagers spend most days, earn livings and view the rest of the world. This frank, face-to-face conversation will offer great insight into country life, and you can expect the villagers to reciprocate and ask about your life. A meandering walk through the village will bring you to fields of fruits or vegetables, depending on the season. There, you will have the opportunity to join the villagers as they harvest the farm’s crops. What better way to experience rural life than to be a genuine part of it, sharing each moment as if you were a local? Chances are, you will work up an appetite, which will easily be appeased with a hearty Turkish breakfast, known as “kahvalti.” It typically includes cheeses, black and green olives, spicy sausages, fruit preserves and fresh-baked bread.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Mingle with the locals in a small village on the outskirts of Kusadasi.
• Learn about the farmers’ rural lifestyle and join them in a harvest, if you wish.
• Enjoy a hearty Turkish breakfast with country favorites such as sausage, cheeses and olives.