28-day Japan The Philippines & Far East Collector
Sun Oct 27th 2024
Onboard Noordam
Itinerary Summary
Tokyo/JAPAN, Osaka/JAPAN (Overnight), Naha/JAPAN, Ishigaki Isl./JAPAN, Taipei/TAIWAN, Kaohsiung/TAIWAN, Manila/PHILIPPINES, Puerto Princesa/PHILIPPINES, Hong Kong/CHINA, Hanoi/VIETNAM, Da Nang/VIETNAM, Nha Trang/VIETNAM, Ho Chi Minh/VIETNAM, Sihanoukville/CAMBODIA, Laem Chabang/THAILAND (Overnight), Ko Samui/THAILAND , Singapore
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Itinerary

Day 1 : Tokyo/JAPAN

-- - 4:00 pm

Huge department stores brim with shoppers, neon flashes from dusk to dawn, and the entire world pays heed to the slightest fluctuation on the Nikkei Index. From the Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine to the fabled Ginza district, 20th-century Tokyo is an intriguing composite of East and West. Yuppies sporting Walkmen bow formally in greeting. Women in kimonos and Dior suits stroll side-by-side. Geishas play samisens while disc jockeys play the Top Forty. Japanese houses of wood and paper stand in the shadow of towering steel and mortar. Not far away, one of the world's most impressive sights soars 12,388 feet to its snow-clad peak: Mount Fuji, the majestic symbol of Japan.

Day 2 : Osaka/JAPAN

4:00 pm - --

This large, bustling port is the starting point for tours to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of classical Japan. Kyoto's Old Imperial Palace and the shogunal Nijo Castle remain glorious symbols of the power the city held for over 1,000 years. Until 1868, Kyoto was the capital of Japan, filled with elegant timber buildings and, perhaps more than any other Japanese city, imbued with Kami, the divine spirit. You'll sense it everywhere, for there are hundreds of Shinto shrines and over a thousand Buddhist temples, as well as sacred treasure-houses of religious sculpture, painting and exquisite gardens. Nara, City of the Seven Great Temples, lies in an idyllic setting.

Day 3 : Osaka/JAPAN

-- - 4:00 pm

This large, bustling port is the starting point for tours to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of classical Japan. Kyoto's Old Imperial Palace and the shogunal Nijo Castle remain glorious symbols of the power the city held for over 1,000 years. Until 1868, Kyoto was the capital of Japan, filled with elegant timber buildings and, perhaps more than any other Japanese city, imbued with Kami, the divine spirit. You'll sense it everywhere, for there are hundreds of Shinto shrines and over a thousand Buddhist temples, as well as sacred treasure-houses of religious sculpture, painting and exquisite gardens. Nara, City of the Seven Great Temples, lies in an idyllic setting.

Day 4 : At Sea

Day 5 : Naha/JAPAN

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Day 6 : Ishigaki Isl./JAPAN

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Day 7 : At Sea

Day 8 : At Sea

Day 9 : At Sea

Day 10 : Manila/PHILIPPINES

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Bustling Manila is the second largest city in Southeast Asia, with its towering skyscrapers and remarkable joie de vivre. Yet amid the big-city turmoil are oases of calm: lush tropical parks, magnificent cathedrals, dramatic Spanish forts. Choose from the cultural riches of the Metropolitan Museum and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Intramuros, Manila's famous walled city, was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. A "must see" is the Malacanang Palace with its opulent displays of Ferdinand and Imelda's decadent indulgences.

Day 11 : At Sea

Day 12 : Puerto Princesa/PHILIPPINES

7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Day 13 : At Sea

Day 14 : At Sea

Day 15 : Hong Kong/CHINA

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Hong Kong is the cosmopolitan hub of the Far East. This former British colony reverted to Chinese control in 1997, yet the culture-rich atmosphere remains. See the Wong Tai Sin Temple, tour local markets and the floating village of Aberdeen. Take the Tram to the top of Victoria Peak for one of the world''s most exciting views, or cross the harbor aboard one of the famous Star Ferries. After shopping and exploring, enjoy high tea at the favored retreat of many world travelers-the Peninsula Hotel.

Day 16 : At Sea

Day 17 : Hanoi/VIETNAM

8:00 am - 11:00 pm

Halong Bay rest right above the Red River Delta and is covered by beautiful green seas. Halong Bay is the most beautiful sight to see, it''s also covered with over 3,000 one of a kind mountainous islands. These mountainous islands are known for their dolomite and limestone rock symmetry. Legend tells it that this very bay was formed when a large dragon hurtled to earth before history was recorded. By the carvings and formation of the lime stones, the legend doesn''t seem too unbelievable.

Besides the legend that Halong Bay holds, this bay also possesses a couple tourist attractions. One of the sights to see would be the large caves that can be found in some of the larger islands. The caves add a little spunk to a extensive, laid back boat ride. Even though you''ll need to take a couple safety precautions while inside of the caves, it doesn''t take any excitement from the things to be seen.

Day 18 : At Sea

Day 19 : Da Nang/VIETNAM

8:00 am - 11:00 pm

Today this lovely town on the South China Sea reflects the peaceful era of pre-war Indochina. And up the coast, the grand Thien Mu Pagoda and stately Tu Duc Tomb welcome you to Hue, Vietnam's ancient royal capital, on the banks of the Perfume River.

Day 20 : At Sea

Day 21 : Nha Trang/VIETNAM

7:00 am - 2:00 pm

If you were traveling by plane to Nha Trang, this city would give the illusion that it is engulfed by beautiful elevated mountains glazed of green grass with this ideal relaxing city in between. Most of the Vietnamese come to Nha Trang to escape the hectic ways of Ho Chi Minh City. This ideal paradise island is known for its beautiful beaches with the atmosphere of warm temperature all year round. A couple of Nha Trang's famous islands include Hon Tre, Hon Yen, Hon Rua, and Spratly islands.

The city of Nha Trang contains the most beautiful beaches. Once of which is Cana beach which is a stretch of what sands and a couple restaurants that allure travelers. The Natives and visitors make a habit of indulging in the beach atmosphere mainly during the times of 5am - 8am when weather is cool instead of steaming hot. One of its extraordinary features would be the Thanh Long (Green Dragon fruit) orchards. These orchards only grow along the highway to Nha Trang and have grown quite popular.

Day 22 : Ho Chi Minh/VIETNAM

6:00 am - 6:00 pm

Day 23 : At Sea

Day 24 : Sihanoukville/CAMBODIA

7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Day 25 : Laem Chabang/THAILAND

10:00 am - --

Day 26 : Laem Chabang/THAILAND

-- - 4:00 pm

Day 27 : Ko Samui/THAILAND

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

The quiet beaches of Lamai, on the island's southeastern coast, are sure to afford you the perfect opportunity to relax. If you would prefer to be a little more active while on Ko Samui, there are plenty of beautiful underwater sights at Coral Cove or Angthong Marine National Park. Dive shops are a dime a dozen on Ko Samui, so you will have plenty of opportunities to explore some of the world's prettiest coral reefs.

Day 28 : At Sea

Day 29 : Singapore

7:00 am - --

One of Asia's great success stories, this island republic has merged diverse cultures into a dynamic and thriving nation. Clean, modern and full of green gardens, its neighborhoods reflect the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arab and European backgrounds of its past. After sampling the legendary shopping, retire to Raffles Hotel's famous bar and toast Maugham, Kipling and Noel Coward with a Singapore Sling.