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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover Tokyo and two of its traditional sights that coexist in stark contrast with tall futuristic skyscrapers and bustling city streets.

A 1-hour drive takes you to the center of Tokyo, a modern city where the 21st century coexists with the spirit of ancient Japan. Along the way, you’ll see many of the city’s landmarks.

Enjoy a visit to Hama Rikyu Garden, an Edo Period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district’s futuristic skyscrapers; a great example of how Japan is the land of contrasts. The garden was originally built as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo Period, but later served as a strolling garden and as an imperial detached palace before eventually being opened to the public in its current form. Hama Rikyu Gardens offer something beautiful at any season, as you’ll find golden foliage during the fall, plum blossoms in late winter and cherry blossoms in spring.

A scenic drive through the city takes you to the Imperial Palace, surrounded by moats and massive stone walls, also in the center of Tokyo. The palace is built on the former site of Edo Castle. It is the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family and is surrounded by a large park area. Although the Palace is not open to the public, from Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, you can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is nicknamed the Eyeglass Bridge for its looks and is one of the most recognized bridges in Japan. You’ll have some free time in the square to explore a bit and take some memorable pictures.

After enjoying the sites in Tokyo, your coach will bring you to Narita International Airport for your flight back home.

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.