Ancient Empires of Asia - Tokyo to Bali Cruise

Day 1 - Tokyo

Arrive: Thu 22 May 2025 / Depart: Thu 22 May 2025 at 18:00

Dazzling cityscapes await your exploration; visit Asakusa for the bright lights, street fairs and Senso-ji Temple; the Tsukiji Market, the largest open-air fish market in the world with on-the-spot sushi; and the Imperial Palace's East Garden for some calm. Spend the evening in the bright, active Ginza District, where the night comes alive.

Day 2 - Nagoya

Arrive: Fri 23 May 2025 at 09:00 / Depart: Fri 23 May 2025 at 18:00

A center of modern commerce, yet steeped in ancient history; visit the castle in the center of town, its golden orca statues are a symbol of the city. Explore Toyota's Museum of Technology and tour the Noritake factory, where bargains on the fine china can be found.

Day 3 - Osaka

Arrive: Sat 24 May 2025 at 11:00

Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It's known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It's surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.

Day 4 - Osaka

Depart: Sun 25 May 2025 at 18:00

Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It's known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It's surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.

Day 5 - Hiroshima

Arrive: Mon 26 May 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 26 May 2025 at 16:00

Visit the skeletal A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and the statue dedicated to the children who died after the atomic bomb was dropped on this city in 1945. Stroll through beautifully landscaped Hiroshima Gardens, visit the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle or journey to the exquisite sacred island of Miyajima and see the extraordinary Itsukushima Shrine.

Day 6 - Sasebo, Japan

Arrive: Tue 27 May 2025 at 11:00 / Depart: Tue 27 May 2025 at 20:00

Located on the western edge of Japan, Sasebo is renowned for its natural beauty with relics of traditional, centuries-old culture existing alongside contemporary architecture and resorts. The nearby verdant Kujuku Islands make for a perfect afternoon of exploration by boat or kayak, and the Zoological and Tropical Botanical Garden offers an up-close look at the area’s flora and fauna. The morning market, Asaichi, is a celebrated cultural experience filled with locals selling fresh produce, fish and handmade clothing and pottery.

Day 7 - East China Sea Cruising

Day 8 - Shanghai

Arrive: Thu 29 May 2025 at 08:00

See the amazing contrasts of this burgeoning city, from the broad European-style Bund to the soaring ultra-modern buildings. Visit the magnificent art museum and the renowned 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens. Enjoy the city by night, see an acrobatic show, browse in local markets or take a trip to one of the famed garden cities of Suzhou or Wuxi.

Day 9 - Shanghai

Depart: Fri 30 May 2025 at 16:00

See the amazing contrasts of this burgeoning city, from the broad European-style Bund to the soaring ultra-modern buildings. Visit the magnificent art museum and the renowned 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens. Enjoy the city by night, see an acrobatic show, browse in local markets or take a trip to one of the famed garden cities of Suzhou or Wuxi.

Day 10 - East China Sea Cruising

Day 11 - Xiamen

Arrive: Sun 01 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 01 June 2025 at 18:00

Xiamen has been a major seaport since ancient times and is known today as one of China’s most livable and most romantic cities. The natural beauty of the island and the clean environment have attracted thousands of egrets to the area. Visit South Putuo Temple, a beautiful complex built in the 17th century, and Gulangyu Island, a lovely and serene community that only allows electric-powered vehicles.

Day 12 - Hong Kong

Arrive: Mon 02 June 2025 at 14:00

Experience old and new Hong Kong with its ultra-modern high-rise buildings beside street markets and lovely temples. Visit the boat people in Aberdeen and shop in Stanley Market or stroll through the bustling Temple Street night market. Visit Hollywood Road with its temple and antique shops or take a junk cruise and explore the magnificent bay. Travel to the New Territories to see family shrines, the wishing tree and the preserved wetlands. Or visit Lantau Island and the Po Lin Monastery with its giant Buddha statue.

Day 13 - Hong Kong

Depart: Tue 03 June 2025 at 19:00

Experience old and new Hong Kong with its ultra-modern high-rise buildings beside street markets and lovely temples. Visit the boat people in Aberdeen and shop in Stanley Market or stroll through the bustling Temple Street night market. Visit Hollywood Road with its temple and antique shops or take a junk cruise and explore the magnificent bay. Travel to the New Territories to see family shrines, the wishing tree and the preserved wetlands. Or visit Lantau Island and the Po Lin Monastery with its giant Buddha statue.

Day 14 - South China Sea Cruising

Day 15 - Hanoi

Arrive: Thu 05 June 2025 at 07:00

Drink in the exquisite beauty of Ha Long Bay with its breathtaking monolithic limestone islands and famous morning mists before traveling along the Red River to Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi. Enjoy the broad boulevards, French colonial architecture and wonderful Old Quarter. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Vuon Bach Thao park where locals practice Tai Chi.

Day 16 - Hanoi

Depart: Fri 06 June 2025 at 16:00

Drink in the exquisite beauty of Ha Long Bay with its breathtaking monolithic limestone islands and famous morning mists before traveling along the Red River to Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi. Enjoy the broad boulevards, French colonial architecture and wonderful Old Quarter. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Vuon Bach Thao park where locals practice Tai Chi.

Day 17 - Chan May

Arrive: Sat 07 June 2025 at 10:00 / Depart: Sat 07 June 2025 at 20:00

Hue, the former imperial capital on the Perfume River, beckons with its lovely temples, pagodas and imposing citadel protected by a moat. Explore its many attractions, including tombs of Nguyen dynasty emperors, by boat. Visit the iconic Trang Tien Bridge, which connects the ancient citadel area with Hue across the river, and stroll among the town’s colonial-style buildings and outdoor cafés. In nearby Da Nang, visit famed China Beach and the intriguing Cham Museum, filled with fascinating artifacts of the Cham culture.

Day 18 - South China Sea Cruising

Day 19 - Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive: Mon 09 June 2025 at 09:00

Discover the rich heritage of Saigon and the rural Mekong Delta. See the city's lovely pagodas, colonial architecture and broad boulevards. Ride a local pedicab through the bustling streets; visit the vibrant markets, Chinatown and the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels. Explore the lush countryside of farms, rice paddies and villages with a cruise on the Mekong.

Day 20 - Ho Chi Minh City

Depart: Tue 10 June 2025 at 16:00

Discover the rich heritage of Saigon and the rural Mekong Delta. See the city's lovely pagodas, colonial architecture and broad boulevards. Ride a local pedicab through the bustling streets; visit the vibrant markets, Chinatown and the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels. Explore the lush countryside of farms, rice paddies and villages with a cruise on the Mekong.

Day 21 - South China Sea Cruising

Day 22 - Sihanoukville

Arrive: Thu 12 June 2025 at 06:00 / Depart: Thu 12 June 2025 at 17:00

Think beaches and snorkeling, as Sihanoukville sits on the beautiful island-studded Bay of Thailand. Wats, or Buddhist temples, are abundant and often modest architecturally, as seen at Wat Otres behind Otres Beach. There are even two wats in Ream National Park, a birdwatcher's paradise.

Day 23 - Bangkok

Arrive: Fri 13 June 2025 at 13:00

Indulge your senses in the city's fabulous golden temples and palaces, the royal barges and the Emerald Buddha. Explore the hidden city of teak mansions and lovely gardens or learn about Thai culture. The Royal Palace, familiar to many as the scene of the true story of Anna and the King of Siam, is a massive complex of carved and gilded buildings still used by the Thai royal family. Or visit the home of Jim Thompson, former spy and promoter of the local silk industry who disappeared mysteriously.

Day 24 - Bangkok

Depart: Sat 14 June 2025 at 16:00

Indulge your senses in the city's fabulous golden temples and palaces, the royal barges and the Emerald Buddha. Explore the hidden city of teak mansions and lovely gardens or learn about Thai culture. The Royal Palace, familiar to many as the scene of the true story of Anna and the King of Siam, is a massive complex of carved and gilded buildings still used by the Thai royal family. Or visit the home of Jim Thompson, former spy and promoter of the local silk industry who disappeared mysteriously.

Day 25 - Ko Samui

Arrive: Sun 15 June 2025 at 10:00 / Depart: Sun 15 June 2025 at 19:00

Explore this idyllic, forested island and its pristine beaches. Visit the giant Buddha at Wat Phra Yai, the elephant camp where these intelligent animals display their work skills and a plantation where monkeys harvest coconuts. Head to the interior and see majestic cascading waterfalls and how rubber trees are tapped. Enjoy the gorgeous beaches.

Day 26 - Gulf of Thailand Cruising

Day 27 - Singapore

Arrive: Tue 17 June 2025 at 10:00

Discover a delightful city of contrasts, from its old Chinese quarter and colorful Hindu temples to its modern skyscrapers, famous Tiger Balm Gardens and magnificent National Orchid Garden. Stroll along the Esplanade. Take a short cruise along the Singapore River and a tri-shaw ride through town. Visit the Kranji Memorial and Changi Chapel and Memorial, dedicated to those who lost their lives here during World War II.

Day 28 - Singapore

Depart: Wed 18 June 2025 at 16:00

Discover a delightful city of contrasts, from its old Chinese quarter and colorful Hindu temples to its modern skyscrapers, famous Tiger Balm Gardens and magnificent National Orchid Garden. Stroll along the Esplanade. Take a short cruise along the Singapore River and a tri-shaw ride through town. Visit the Kranji Memorial and Changi Chapel and Memorial, dedicated to those who lost their lives here during World War II.

Day 29 - Timor Sea Cruising

Day 30 - Semarang

Arrive: Fri 20 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 20 June 2025 at 17:00

Semarang is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It was a major port during the Dutch colonial era, and is still an important regional center and port today.

Day 31 - Surabaya, Java

Arrive: Sat 21 June 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 21 June 2025 at 17:00

Showcasing a dizzying array of cultural influences, this second-largest city in Indonesia was once the most important port of the Dutch East Indies. A prime example is the stately 19th-century House of Sampoerna, a colonial-style cigarette factory that houses a fascinating museum. Discover a vast selection of wares at Pasar Pabean, a lively market that links Chinatown and the Arab Quarter. At the Grand Mosque of Surabaya, one of Indonesia’s largest, climb the soaring minaret for better views of the gleaming blue and green tiles adorning the sanctuary’s domes. As a tranquil respite, settle in for high tea at the elegant Majapahit Hotel, a highlight of Surabaya’s complex and absorbing historical legacy.

Day 32 - Bali

Arrive: Sun 22 June 2025 at 13:00

Experience this exquisite island and its gentle people as you explore the lush countryside of terraced rice fields and mountains dotted with temples. Visit a royal palace, watch an entrancing dance performance, or see carvers at work. Enjoy villages filled with beautiful arts and crafts and the daily festivals with villagers parading in their finery to local temples.

Day 33 - Bali

Depart: Mon 23 June 2025

Experience this exquisite island and its gentle people as you explore the lush countryside of terraced rice fields and mountains dotted with temples. Visit a royal palace, watch an entrancing dance performance, or see carvers at work. Enjoy villages filled with beautiful arts and crafts and the daily festivals with villagers parading in their finery to local temples.