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.

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.

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.

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.

See the innovative solar and wind installations on Tilos that made it the first island in the Mediterranean to be fully powered by green energy. A ferry will bring you to the island, where you will see the hybrid power station that stores the renewable energy in batteries. Although Tilos is small with only about 500 residents, it has made a huge impact in encouraging other places to follow its lead in sustainable energy. You will meet the mayor and other officials that supported the project from the beginning and learn how they ensured its success. Tilos once bought its oil-based electricity from the nearby island of Kos; it now plans to sell its excess green energy back to Kos. Being completely powered by renewable energy has allowed Tilos to become more self-sufficient, have greater stability and make a smaller ecological footprint.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See how Tilos became the first island in the Mediterranean fully powered by green energy.
• Visit the solar and wind power station that supplies the island’s renewable energy.
• Talk to the mayor and other officials that helped Tilos develop its sustainable energy plan.

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.

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.

Visit Nagoya’s iconic namesake castle and an ornate temple dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of the Edo Period, ordered the castle’s construction in 1612 to secure the strategically important Tokaido Road. One of the largest castles in Japan, most of its buildings were destroyed during World War II. It was later meticulously reconstructed to resemble the original building, and as you will see it is magnificent. Tokugawa was also instrumental in the placement of Osu Kannon Temple, as he had it moved to its present location in the early 17th century.

As beautiful as the building is, the temple is more well known for its library of 15,000 Japanese and Chinese texts, the most valuable being the oldest handwritten copy of Japan’s early history. You will also have the chance to shop in a nearby arcade, where you will find merchandise ranging from exquisite kimonos to the latest electronics.

OVERVIEW

Settle into an outrigger canoe and follow an underground river deep into a cave, where you will behold a spectacular display of rock formations and cathedral-like chambers. Although you will only travel about two miles into the cave, the river is much longer and its water rises and falls with the tides as it empties into the ocean. UNESCO has declared the surrounding Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park a World Heritage site for its magnificent biodiversity. The park is located within the St. Paul Mountain Range and features a karst landscape that you will undoubtedly find extraordinary. As you cruise through the cave, you will behold seemingly endless stalactites and stalagmites, all illuminated for added effect. There are also a number of small waterfalls within the cave and all sorts of marine creatures that have adapted to living in darkness most of their lives.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise along one of the world’s lengthiest underground rivers in an outrigger canoe.
• Behold miles of bizarrely shaped, eerily illuminated rock formations within the cave.
• Marvel at the biodiversity in the surrounding national park, which is a World Heritage site.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Wear a swimsuit under your clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Renowned for its trendy cosmopolitan ambience and maritime activities, Busan is a great place to immerse yourself in the culture of South Korea. Enjoy a glimpse of this with visits to the local Culture Center for a beautiful performance. Drive to the Cultural Center to experience the art and beauty of the Korean traditional dance. This unique performance is one of the main attractions of Korea. Traditional Korean music and dance are sophisticated forms that embrace the interplay of hung and mot-form and spirit. The performance includes a selection of regional dances featuring dancers in traditional costume. Visit Yongdusan Park, a favorite relaxation place for the citizens of Busan and a wonderful back-drop for many photo opportunities. Here, you can find 70 different species of trees and view the Busan Tower. The tower was built in 1973 and stands close to 400 feet above the Busan landscape. Travel to the Jagalchi Fish Market which is famous throughout the country and is a great representation of Busan. The Jagalchi Fish Market is Korea's largest seafood market and is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives. After the Korean War, the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are Jagalchi Ajumma; 'ajumma' meaning middle-aged or married women. At the conclusion of your tour, if time permits you will have the option of exploring the downtown area on your own or returning straight to the pier.

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.