Where I will be and what I'll be doing

HON03 Pearl Harbor's Arizona Memorial & City Tour – Group A

This deeply moving experience begins with a visit to Pearl Harbor’s Arizona Memorial and Visitor’s Center. The Arizona Memorial commemorates the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and sits atop the sunken hull of the USS Arizona. Before taking the Navy launch to the memorial, view a short video on the attack. After your visit to Pearl Harbor, continue with a drive through historic downtown Honolulu where you will see the Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue, the State Capitol, Kawaiahao Church, Mission Houses and the Punchbowl National Cemetery, where more than 25,000 soldiers are buried.

YOK06 Yokohama & Tokyo Overnight

See the historical and cultural highlights of Japan’s two largest cities – Yokohama and Tokyo. This trip provides a great overview of both cities while also including some free time in Tokyo, the nation’s metropolis.

Day 1: Depart by motorcoach for your city orientation of Yokohama. Visit the Yokohama Foreign Cemeteries, the former site of the Zotokuin Temple and the official cemetery for foreign residents, many of whom significantly contributed to Japanese culture. Continue to Harbor View Park to view the expansive bay area. Then visit Landmark Tower, which is the tallest building in Japan and enjoy a panoramic view from its observation deck, referred to as the “Sky Garden.” Stop at the Sankeien Garden before proceeding to Tokyo. After checking into your hotel, dinner and the rest of the evening are at leisure.

Day 2: After breakfast, explore the highlights of Japan’s capital. Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. View the Imperial Palace Plaza, located on the former site of Edo Castle. Then visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple in the center of the Tokyo’s shitamachi (low town). The temple is within walking distance of Nakamise Street. Over 200 meters in length, this street provides temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks as well as a variety of souvenirs. There will be time to explore the temple and its immediate surroundings before returning to the ship.

KOB02 Kyoto

Kyoto was an imperial capital for nearly 1,000 years and some of Japan’s finest temples, palaces, villas and gardens are found here. Culture and lifestyle are refined in this city that is dotted with oases of tranquility and beauty, exemplifying the best of Japan. You will first visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), which was constructed in the 1390s as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and features a three-story pavilion covered in gold leaf, topped with a bronze phoenix. Next, you will visit Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, this castle was the residence of the Tokugawa Shogun and is known for its contrast of solemn appearance and gorgeous interiors, as well as its perfectly-manicured garden. After lunch at Maruyama Park (box lunches from the ship), you will view Heian Shrine, a shrine that honors the peaceful period from 794-1192. Your last stop will be Kiyomizu Temple, where you will enjoy a sweeping view of the entire city from its terrace. (This trip includes round-trip transportation by motorcoach, admission fees to sites and an English-speaking guide.)

This trip will give students a glimpse of Japanese traditional culture, ritual, and arts in a rare and memorable setting. The journey should give depth to our understanding of the cultural histories involved in the shrine pilgrimage in the Yukio Mishima story, “Act of Worship.”

SHA13 Beijing/Xi'an

Xi’an, the eternal city, records the great changes of China just like a living history book. Called Chang’an in ancient times, Xi’an is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of the country. During Xi’an’s 3,100-year development, 13 dynasties such as Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang placed their capitals here. So far, Xi’an enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals. One of the principal cities of northwest China, Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi Province, located in the southern part of the GuanZhong Plain. Xi’an was once the largest city in the world and the capital of the Chinese Empire for 1,000 years. Today it attracts visitors because of the important archaeological finds in the area. The famous Silk Road began here, promoting economic and cultural interchanges between Han and post-Han China with countries in West Asia and Europe. Among the important attractions in Xi’an are the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, the Terra Cotta Army of 5,000 figures, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the excavations of the Banpo Neolithic village.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Enjoy a dim sum dinner at De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant, known for its own dumpling banquet. The dumplings may be steamed, boiled, pan-fried, deep-fried or roasted. The fillings for the dumplings include various meats, vegetables and seasonings. The evening is at your leisure.

Day 2: Today, the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum awaits! Uncovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well, the terra cotta warriors are Xian’s greatest and most important attraction. The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huangdi, ordered the making of the warriors. During his reign, he undertook military programs to the far corners of the known world. The estimated 8,000 terra cotta soldiers are a testament to his power and reign. After lunch at a local restaurant visit the Small Goose Pagoda and learn about Chinese calligraphy. Chinese calligraphy is very expressive; it uses Chinese characters to communicate the spiritual world of the artist. The handling of the brush, presentation and style convey the moral integrity, character, emotions, aesthetic feelings and culture of the artist to its readers. Afterwards, visit the Xi’an City Wall, the Great Mosque and the Old Bazaar before enjoying the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show.

Day 3: The morning is at leisure. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. After checking into the hotel, dinner and the rest of the evening are at your leisure.

Day 4: Enjoy a visit to Tiananmen Square and then the Forbidden City. Next, travel to a family-owned restaurant and learn how to make Chinese dumplings (jiaozi) before enjoying the dumpling meal. Enjoy an orientation to the Hutong area by trishaw (three-wheeled pedi-cab) before visiting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Village and the Silk Factory. Enjoy a roast duck dinner before retiring to your hotel for the evening.

Day 5: Today is the day for your long-awaited visit to the Great Wall! Enjoy dinner followed by an acrobatic show.

Day 6: After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong.

HCM18 Mekong Delta Explorer

Until the 16th century, the Mekong Delta was an area of marshlands and forest. Gradually, marshlands were reclaimed and a canal network was built for the cultivation of rice, fish, soybeans, maize, peanuts, tobacco and melons. The Cai Be area is famous for its coconut palms and fruit orchards (mangoes, longans, bananas and citrus fruits). The drive out of Ho Chi Minh City (about four hours) takes you through miles of flat rice fields, along a road that is always busy with bicycles and people heading to or from the market. A highlight of this trip is a boat ride on the Mekong River to observe the active river life. The Mekong Delta was annexed from the Khmers in the late 18th century and continues to be influenced by Cambodia. Your boat trip takes you to one of the islands in the Mekong

Delta to see a traditional farmer’s home and fruit orchards where you will have the opportunity to sample exotic tropical fruits. Then travel overland from Vinh Long to Can Tho. Can Tho is the capital of Hau Giang province, the economic hub of the Mekong Delta and its most modern city. Can Tho University, founded in 1966, conducts valuable agricultural research that has contributed substantially to improving production and pest control. Visit the Cai Rang Floating Market at the junction of seven canals, where all types of boats and sampans gather, their occupants busily engaged in buying or selling a wide variety of fruit, fish and vegetables.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Travel by motor coach (about four hours) to Vinh Long for a boat trip along the Mekong River. Visit a local farm and enjoy fresh fruits. Time to eat your ship box lunch is provided before continuing overland (about two hours) to Can Tho, the most modern and commercial town in the Delta. Dinner is at the Pacific Restaurant.

Day 2: After breakfast, depart to observe boat-building along the river. Continue to the Cai Rang Floating Market and board a small boat for a river cruise on which you can observe the local people as they bargain over fresh fruit, fish and vegetables. Upon returning to Can Tho, visit the Khmer Pagoda and have some free time at Can Tho market. Enjoy lunch at the hotel before returning overland to Ho Chi Minh City.

CHE20 Taj Mahal (3 nights) -- Group B

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Transfer to the airport for your two-and-a-half-hour flight to New Delhi where you will be transferred by motorcoach to your hotel for lunch before proceeding on a city orientation of Old and New Delhi. Drive along Rajpath, the ceremonial avenue, past the Raj Ghat (Gandhi Memorial), the War Memorial, Parliament House, and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace). Drive to the Baha’i House of Worship. Completed in 1986, this Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent has won numerous architectural awards. Then visit a Sikh Temple. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: After an early wake-up call, depart for the two-hour train ride on the Taj Express for Agra. After check-in at the hotel, the remainder of the morning is at your leisure. An optional shopping tour, with your guide, is available at that time. Following lunch at the hotel, drive to Agra Fort to view the halls and palaces of the Mughals. Then visit the fabled Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for dinner. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Day 3: Following breakfast at the hotel, visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri with its well-preserved red sandstone palaces. Return to the hotel for lunch before an afternoon visit to Mother Teresa’s Ashram to interact with the orphanage children. In the evening, board the Taj Express for New Delhi (a packed dinner will be provided).

Day 4: After breakfast, depart for the airport and your flight to Cochin.

CAP13 Three-Day Safari to Kapama (River Lodge)

Named after Kapama, a Swazi king whose tribe inhabited the area in the 1880s, the Kapama Game Reserve supports a wide variety of game including elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and a large population of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest and kudu. Predators include the lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena. The Northern Drakensberg mountain range provides a majestic backdrop to the largest private game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park region. Accompanied by highly skilled game rangers, discover the wonder of the African bush with its majestic inhabitants.

The Kapama River Lodge (five-star graded) is situated within the park. Each of the spacious spa suite rooms features a full en-suite bathroom and enjoys uninterrupted views of this game-rich reserve. The central guest entertainment areas include a tiered swimming pool, which overlooks the Kapama River—an area that various animals use as a watering hole—a lounge, a curio shop and a boma. Meals are buffet style and offer a variety of Pan African dishes. The lodge also offers a variety of other activities, at your own expense, including bush walks, elephant-back safaris, bird watching, hot-air balloon rides and visits to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Transfer from the ship to Cape Town International Airport for your two-hour flight to Johannesburg and connecting flight to Hoedspruit. Upon arrival in Hoedspruit, travel to the Kapama River Lodge. After your arrival at the lodge, tea is served prior to departing on your afternoon game drive. Depart in open 4x4 vehicles in search of the “Big Five” and other animals. Return to the lodge to freshen up before dinner. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Day 2 & 3: Awaken early for a snack of tea, coffee and biscuits before heading out on an early morning game drive. Return to the lodge for a full breakfast. The rest of the morning is at your leisure. After lunch, embark on a late afternoon game drive.

Day 4: After an early-morning wake up, say goodbye to the African bush on a morning game drive. After breakfast at the lodge, travel to the airport for your return flight to Cape Town.

SAL10 Rio De Janeiro Express

Similar to SAL Rio de Janeiro Extended, this trip allows you to explore the highlights of this marvelous city in three days (versus the extended trip’s four). If you wish to maximize your time in Rio as well as in Salvador, then this trip is for you.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Transfer to the Salvador airport for your short flight to Rio de Janeiro (about two hours). Upon arrival, you are met by your local guide and immediately commence on a full-day tour of Rio’s varied attractions. Visit Corcovado Mountain to view the imposing Christ the Redeemer statue and witness its awe-inspiring view over this majestic city. Travel by open-jeep transport through the switchbacks of the soaring peaks of the Tijuca Rainforest, part of the imposing Atlantic Coastal Rainforest, and stop for a short hike into this unique ecosystem. During this trip, visit the charming and bohemian Santa Teresa District, one of Rio’s oldest neighborhoods. Pause for a while to stroll the streets and check out the lively cafés and galleries. Enjoy lunch along the way. In the afternoon, transfer to the hotel and check-in for your two-night stay. Tonight is a real “Rio like a native” experience. You’re off to the “Fair of the Northeast” in São Cristovão. This is a one-of-a-kind, mind-boggling experience featuring the sights, sounds and smells of Brazil’s Northeast region. The sprawling fair is full of immigrants from the economically impoverished, but culturally rich, northeastern states who faced great hardships to start a new life in Rio. Imagine the sharecroppers and rural poor who emigrated northward in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century and you will have a sense of the epic story and cultural diversity this fair represents. Music, dance, food and art are all on display here as we explore the fairground. Forro and Frevo music explodes around us as you sample the delicious fare of the northeastern states. It is really an adventure for the senses and the people are welcoming. Before midnight, the bus takes you to the heart of “Old Rio”– the Lapa District in downtown. The area is filled with outdoor cafés and many musical venues, from samba to jazz, all featuring the best in Brazilian rhythms. Your guide will orient you on the best place to find the experience you wish. After experiencing the local sounds, the bus returns you to the hotel later that evening.

Day 2: After breakfast, the day is yours to explore on your own. Your hotel is located in Copacabana, a central location to start your independent travel. Many Brazilians will find their way to a beach on Sunday. Others may participate in a religious service. The day is yours; make the most out of your experience. Optional tours will also be offered to Maraketu, a percussion workshop studio, where you can get in some drumming and learn the varied techniques of the Brazilian beats with some of Rio’s great musicians in a laid back, friendly and funky local atmosphere. Explore Grumari and the more distant beaches on Rio’s fringes without the crowds, where surfers, celebrities and others gather to relax under palm trees and eat grilled shrimp.

Day 3: After breakfast, proceed to a memorable visit to Mangueira, a favela community that—aside from being a Carnival “samba school” powerhouse—is a model of community action and self empowerment. Learn about the various social issues facing these unique communities. Then enjoy an all-you-can-eat lunch at Marius Restaurant for one of Rio’s fabled gaucho-styled churrascarias. Later in the afternoon, embark on a dramatic cable-car ascent of Rio’s famous icon Sugar Loaf, while enjoying the breathtaking view of the cidade maravilhosa. Transfer directly to the airport in time for your short two-hour flight to Salvador, then return to the ship.