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.

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

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.

OVERVIEW

Visit two Buddhist temples that lie along a circular pilgrimage route that loops through the Shikoku Mountains. In all, the 750-mile route connects 88 temples, each one representing a stage on the path to enlightenment. Chances are, you will see pilgrims that come to follow in the footsteps of the 9th-century monk and poet Kōbō-Daishi, who was born on the island and founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. You will reach Tairyu-ji, the 21st temple on the loop, by ascending the forested mountain slopes on western Japan’s longest ropeway gondola. The views on the 10-minute ride will be absolutely spectacular as will the experience of exploring the temple. It is said that Kōbō-Daishi practiced asceticism on the rocks nearby when formulating his thoughts. You will also tour Byodo-ji Temble, the 22nd temple on the loop, which was originally built 1,200 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the gorgeous views while riding a ropeway gondola up into the Shikoku Mountains.
• Explore two of the 88 Buddhist temples on a pilgrimage route that loops through the mountains.
• Learn how the 9th-century founder of Shingdon Buddhism is connected to the pilgrimage route.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.

The dynamic city of Hong Kong is boisterous, bustling, modern, exciting, vibrant, mysterious, entertaining, tempting and above all, enigmatic. This tour introduces you to the secrets of Hong Kong, where ancient traditions flourish side-by-side with an ultramodern city.

Drive to Hong Kong Island where you’ll take the Peak Tram for an exciting ascent to the top. Enjoy magnificent views of the city and harbor from this vantage point.

Your scenic drive heads towards the south end of Hong Kong Island. Pause for photos at, Repulse Bay, one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful and popular beaches. Visit the renowned floating village of Aberdeen for a memorable experience. Even though commercial towers and factories have engulfed this district in recent years, Aberdeen still maintains the characteristics of a traditional fishing village. Here, you’ll take the sampan - a wooden small boat, to zigzag along the small alleys of the village to have a close-look of the boat community.

Stop to visit HK's largest jewelry factory, where artists are at work to create some of the best winning designs using precious & semi-precious stones. Pass chic Wan Chai and the impressive financial district before returning to Kowloon and the ship.

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.

OVERVIEW

Travel to a rural wildlife sanctuary for up-close looks at Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and some of Tasmania’s remarkable native wildlife. Have a leisurely drive inland through the rolling countryside of northern Tasmania, where quiet villages, farmland and native bushland create a scenic introduction to the region. At Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary, set within natural bushland at Mole Creek, you will have the opportunity to discover some of Tasmania’s most unique native wildlife. The sanctuary is known for its important conservation, breeding and rehabilitation work, particularly with Tasmanian devils, and is home to a range of native species including wombats, quolls, kangaroos, wallabies, birds and reptiles. During your visit, enjoy time to explore the sanctuary and learn more about the behaviours, habitats and conservation challenges of these remarkable animals. Back in Burnie, you’ll enjoy a downtown drive before returning to the pier. Founded in 1827 around an excellent natural harbor on Emu Bay and surrounded by vast eucalyptus forests, the timber industry dominated the town for the next 100 years. Today, the creative arts and culinary endeavors are what Burnie is most known for.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel by coach to Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary, recognized for its conservation work and long-standing commitment to the care, rehabilitation and protection of Tasmania’s unique species.
• Spend about two hours meandering the sanctuary’s paths and encountering its residents.
• See Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, bettongs, quolls, potoroos and others in this curiosity-shop of indigenous fauna.
• Settle in for a scenic return drive across an unspoiled landscape, followed by an informative orientation spin around Burnie itself.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended; no heels.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed

Discover the gracious spirit of Old Japan on this full-day tour to three of Kyoto's most alluring sites. The imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, Kyoto is the cultural and artistic heart of the nation, best known for its Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, beautiful gardens and historically priceless buildings.

Following an approximately 90-minute scenic drive to Kyoto, you arrive at the magnificent Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto's world-renowned and most photographed temple and garden. Built in 1394, the original Kinkakuji was a retirement villa for a former Shogun. The three-story Chinese-influenced Golden Pavilion has delicately curving roofs, with the walls and eaves of the second and third stories covered in shimmering gold leaf.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll visit Nijo Castle, with its immense walls and moat. Completed in 1603, the castle is famous for its nightingale floors, designed to detect the footsteps of ninja assassins and warn the residents of invaders. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle is one of the world's great historical buildings.

Another stop in your tour is Sanjusangendo, famous for its 1,001 12th-century statues of the Buddhist deity Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Sanjusangendo translates to hall with 33 bays and the 33 alcoves display 1,000 awe-inspiring statues and a single gigantic sitting image of Kannon. Carved from Japanese cypress and painted with gold leaf, each of the multi-armed figures stands five and a half feet tall, and has subtle differences in expression and accoutrements, testimony to the skill and originality of the Momoyama wood carvers.

OVERVIEW

Spend a carefree day doing at White Beach, a spectacular stretch of sand around four miles long and half a mile wide island in the Southern Philippines. Instead of driving to the beach, you will cruise along the coast in a local boat that will present the tropical beauty of Boracay from a unique water perspective. As White Beach comes into view, you will instantly understand its popularity. The contrast of the brilliant blue sea gently lapping the sugar-white sand with stands of coconut palms in the background is truly breathtaking. You will be dropped off at White Beach, leaving you free to do whatever you please with no schedule to follow other than your own. You might take a refreshing swim, stretch out on a towel in the radiant sun, stroll along the idyllic shoreline or simply relax in the shade. Other options include shopping and dining, all within easy walking distance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax however you wish on White Beach on Boracay’s western shore.
• Swim in the sea, stretch out in the sun and enjoy the setting however else you please.
• Shop and dine in the nearby stores and restaurants if you please.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Cruise the pristine waters off Sitka in search of marine life such as sea otters while listening to a naturalist elaborate on the most intriguing characteristics of the species. You may settle into a comfortable seat in the boat’s main cabin or remain topside on the observation deck. Either way, you will enjoy an uninterrupted view of the sea. As you scan the waters for marine life, the naturalist will describe how humpback whales feed here in the summer and how animals such as sea otters now thrive. The animals were nearly extinct due to aggressive fur hunting in the early 1800s, and their comeback is a wonderful success story. Other creatures commonly spotted include sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals and a huge variety of seabirds. Puffins are particularly easy to identify because of their bright orange beaks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Scan the waters off Sitka for marine life such as whales and sea otters.
• Look along the shore for brown bears and skyward for bald eagles.
• Listen to the naturalist describe the animals’ unusual habits and habitats.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes with non-skid soles.

Explore the Kujukushima Islands by land and sea, an enlightening experience that will highlight their extraordinary natural beauty. As you will see, the best view of Kujukushima’s islands is from the Kujyukushima Park, which offers a 180-degree perspective of dozens of the more than 200 islands that make up the archipelago. For a closer look at the islands, you will board a boat at the Kujukushsima Pearl Sea Resort and cruise through the archipelago, which is a national park. Only four of the islands are inhabited, which has kept the area pristine and environmentally sound. The islands are so undeveloped and photogenic that they were shown in the opening scenes of the movie “The Last Samurai,” which was set in 1876.Back on land, you will stop to observe the sea from Saikai Bridge, which connects Sasebo to Nagasaki. It is a magnificent setting as more than 1,000 cherry trees surround the bridge.