Start Date: April 9, 2024
(Sailing April 13, 2024)

**Please note that this itinerary is subject to change at anytime, including port of call changes. Please call a Personal Vacation Manager with any questions.

Land Program

Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo

Upon arrival at the airport, meet your Enrichment Journey Guide, who will assist with transferring you to the hotel. After check-in, you’ll have time to get settled in and relax before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. (D)

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Tokyo, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about the optional hotel extension – which will add one or two nights to your Tokyo hotel stay.

Imperial Palace

Day 2 –  Tokyo

This morning we’ll have breakfast at the hotel, then you’ll have some free time to relax and adapt to the new time zone. In the afternoon, we will start our tour at the Imperial Palace, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of the city. This visit will take you back to the Edo period, when the palace was used as imperial residence, before the overthrow of Tokugawa shogun in 1868, 20 years before its construction was completed.

Roppongi Hills Observatory

Our next stop is the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Japan’s most famous Shinto shrine. Nestled within a lush forest in the middle of the city, this peaceful oasis will make you forget that you’re in bustling Tokyo. We will then visit the Roppongi Hills Observatory to take in a breathtaking view of the city skyline before we finish the night with a special dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 3 –  Tokyo

Owakudani Valley

Today we will make our way to Hakone, a famous day-trip destination for Tokyo’s city dwellers. As we pass through the urban landscape of Tokyo, you’ll witness the transition into Hakone’s scenic countryside. Upon arrival, we’ll take a cable car up the mountain to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding hills, forests, and lakes. We will then proceed to Owakudani Valley, a result of volcanic activity over thousands of years. Here you’ll observe the steam vents from the geothermal areas while enjoying scenic views of the surrounding mountains.

Torii Gate

After lunch, we will continue our visit to Hakone with a relaxing boat ride along the Ashi Lake. The lush greenery of the surrounding hillsides and the imposing image of Mt. Fuji in the distance (weather permitting), is a captivating scene. During the cruise you’ll view the famous Torii Gate from Hakone Shrine, which stands in the water, and take in the natural beauty of the area.

Okada Museum

Finish the day at the Okada Museum, known for its extensive collection of Japanese and East Asian art and its architectural design that harmoniously blends in with the natural surroundings. Immerse yourself in the beauty and creativity of the region at the museum, before we return to Tokyo. (B, L)

Day 4 – Tokyo

Traditional Japanese Drum

Begin your day in a special venue to learn about Taiko, a traditional Japanese drum which has been used in festivals for over 2,000 years. You will learn how to play Taiko from a professional performer while learning about its origin and influence on Japanese culture. Then, we head to Asakusa Sensoji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Travel back in time as you enter through the iconic gate at the entrance, stroll through the sacred grounds, explore the enormous temple and marvel at the intricately carved five-story pagoda. Our next stop is at Nakamise shopping arcade, lined with numerous small shops and stalls on both sides of the street. As we stroll along, you’ll have the opportunity to browse and shop for traditional Japanese crafts and souvenirs.

Tea Ceremony

After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our day of cultural immersion in a dedicated room with minimalist décor and tatami flooring for a serene tea ceremony that embodies the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. While observing the traditions, such as receiving the tea with both hands as a sign of respect, you’ll focus your attention on the present moment while inhaling the aroma and savoring the unique flavor of your tea. Then, board a river boat and enjoy an afternoon cruise along the Sumida River, providing you with a new perspective from which to appreciate the ancient and modern aspects of the city.

Hama Rikyu Garden

Our last stop for the day is at the Hama Rikyu Garden, located along Tokyo Bay and widely regarded as the most beautiful landscape garden in Tokyo. It was originally built during the Edo Period (1603-1867), when it served as a feudal lord’s Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds. Before being opened to the public in its current form, these gardens also served as an imperial detached palace, and you’ll recognize vestiges of these old roles throughout the garden, in an amazing contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shidome district. After your visit is complete, return to the hotel for dinner (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Tokyo Embarkation

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the port in Yokohama, where you will board the Oceania Riviera for a 15-night cruise to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. (B)

Day 6-19 – Cruising onboard the Oceania Riviera (see below for cruise highlights)

Marina Bay

Day 20 – Singapore Disembarkation

Enjoy breakfast onboard before disembarking the Oceania Riviera and starting your tour that showcases the history, culture and lifestyle of Singapore.

We will drive past Padang Field at the Cricket Club, one of the world’s most picturesque sports grounds, before continuing past the Parliament House, Supreme Court, City Hall and the National Gallery for a glimpse of Singapore’s colonial past and journey to independence. These buildings have borne witness to many pivotal events in the nation’s history. We will then stop at Merlion Park, where you will enjoy scenic views of Marina Bay and have some time to take pictures with the Merlion, a Mythological creature that is part lion and part fish. The tour continues with a visit to the Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples on the island, built with donations from the early Chinese immigrant workers, before driving past Chinatown. You will continue to the National Orchid Garden, located within the Singapore Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Botanic Gardens boast a sprawling display of 60,000 orchid plants comprising of 400 species and more than 2,000 hybrids. Next, we visit Little India, where you will be enthralled with the scent of spices, jasmine, orchid garlands and exotic fruits.

Skypark observation deck

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking in the breathtaking views from the Skypark observation deck, located 57 stories above the city, atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Our last stop will be at the historic Raffles Hotel for a taste of Singapore’s national drink that was invented here in 1915, ‘the Singapore Sling’. As the saying goes, “If you have not been to Raffles, you have not been to Singapore”. Conclude at your hotel for check-in and an evening at leisure. (L)

Day 21 – Singapore to Bali

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bali. Upon arrival at the airport, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Sanur, known for its beautiful beaches. After hotel check-in, you’ll have time to get settled in and relax before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (D)

Beach in Bali

Day 22 – Bali

Today you’ll enjoy free time to relax on the beach and take advantage of the hotel amenities. In the evening we will visit Uluwatu Temple, which was built at the edge of a 230-foot-high cliff projecting into the sea. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the temple set against the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. Afterward, you will witness a Kecak dance performance based on the Ramayana story. The dance is performed near the Uluwatu Temple every day at 6:00pm against the backdrop of the setting sun. We will then head to a special dinner venue where you will experience a traditional Balinese Rijsttafel menu. (B, D)

Traditional Baliese offering

Day 23 – Bali

Rise early for a morning meditation at the hotel and enjoy the fresh morning breeze. After breakfast, set off to learn about the culture and way of life of the Balinese people. First, we will visit a typical Balinese village where you will see how many families live within a traditional Balinese community. They build several homes around a communal patio and temple facing Mount Agung. While visiting a local family, you will also learn how to make a typical Balinese offering and will be given the opportunity to create your own.

Tanah Lot

Heading north, you will begin to see the rice terraces along the hillsides. After lunch in a beautiful setting, continue north where you will stop to see the colorful market at Candi Kuning. From here, it is a short drive to Lake Beratan to see the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, a water temple located along the lakeshore. Relax and admire the countryside as you ride to the southwestern coast to perhaps the most photographed temple in Bali, Tanah Lot. One of seven sea temples and infamous for its unique offshore setting and sunset backdrops, Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali’s most important landmarks. (B, L, D)

Ubud Monkey Forest

Day 24 – Bali

This morning we will drive to the village of Batubulan to witness the best-known dance in Bali, the Barong. Telling the tale of the fight between good and evil, the lion-like Barong battles the demon queen Rangda, while all the dancers wear beautifully decorated masks. After that we will visit the Ubud Monkey Forest, where 14th century temples have been taken over by the jungle and long-tailed macaques. We will then visit a local market before continuing to the Ubud Palace, still used by the Royal family. We will then stop for a well-deserved lunch at Cafe Wayan, known from the book Eat Pray Love.

Rice terraces

In the afternoon we will visit the Tirta Empul Temple, famous for its holy water, where Balinese worshippers have been drawn for more than a thousand years. We will then drive along small, scenic roads to view some of the most photographic rice terraces on the island. Along the way we will stop at a coffee plantation where you will not only learn about the traditional method of preparing coffee, but also enjoy a sample while looking out at the spectacular view to the valley below. Return to the hotel and spend the rest of your evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 25 – Bali

Mt. Batur

After breakfast at the hotel, set off on a day of discovery to see even more natural beauty. You will drive to Kintamani where you will have panoramic views of the mountains and the semi-active volcanoes from a distance. Clouds permitting, you will see Mt. Batur standing majestically over beautiful Batur Lake. Next, travel to Penglipuran, a traditional village where you’ll see Balinese architecture that has been passed down through the generations. We will then sit down to lunch in the village of Guliang with a view of the local rice fields. After lunch, return to your hotel where you will have some free time to stroll, relax, shop or maybe even indulge in a spa treatment before gathering for your farewell dinner at the resort. (B, L, D)

Day 26 – Bali

Check out of the hotel transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Bali, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about an optional hotel extension.

For meals not included in your land programs, all hotels chosen include a restaurant on property where you may relax and enjoy a meal. In addition, your guide is available to make suggestions on nearby dining, shopping or sightseeing.

Port Highlights

Shimizu, Japan

Shimizu, Japan: In the shadow of Mount Fuji, Shimizu is one of the most beautiful ports in Japan. Walk through the pine groves of Miho, home to a 650-year-old Japanese black pine, or enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the lush, forested hill of Nihondaira. Take in the seascapes on a bay cruise, or learn of undersea delights at Japan’s first sushi museum. For a historic angle, get a glimpse at feudal life in Japan in 200 BC at the archaeological site of Toro.

Osaka, Japan

Osaka, Japan: Prior to the 8th century Nara period, the capital of Japan moved with each new emperor, and Osaka was one of those earliest capitals, then known as Naniwa. During the Edo period, Osaka grew into a commercial center of the rice trade and became known as “the nation’s kitchen,” a moniker now applied because of the city’s reputation for cuisine so good that, as the saying goes, people go broke buying it. A vibrant arts culture also developed in the 17th century, including the famous kabuki and bunraku theaters that can still be seen today. Devastated during World War II, Osaka reemerged as a maze of bridges and skyscrapers flanking a moated castle that stands in the city center as a reminder of a regal past. The skyline gains further allure from the illumination of several Ferris wheels, unique status symbols of modern Japanese cities.

Kochi, Japan

Kochi, Japan: Not the typical Japanese city, small and compact Kochi has gained a well-deserved reputation for its exuberant, easy-going spirit and vibrant food scene. The city is the birthplace of the legendary samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, who created an alliance that eventually brought down the Tokugawa shogunate and is now commemorated in a memorial museum. In the city center, don’t miss the well-preserved hilltop Kochi Castle to explore the grounds where the city was established in 1601. You might continue your downtown explorations at one of the many pedestrian shopping arcades or at a restaurant to try Kochi’s most famous dish – katsuo-no-tataki, a savory dish of grilled, ponzu-marinated skipjack tuna or bonito fish.

Ishigaki, Japan

Ishigaki, Japan: Discover this remote and picturesque island’s lush mountains, beautiful beaches and magnificent coral reef from island viewpoints. See the native palm forest and the lavishly decorated Chinese tomb. Step back in time and travel to the tiny island of Taketomi-jima with its treasured red-tile- roofed town where rural island heritage, including ox carts, is vividly alive.

Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan

Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan: On this fascinating island visit the world’s tallest building, the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, the fabulous Palace Museum’s vast collection of Chinese art and the lovely Lungshan Temple. Explore lovely Keelung’s historic sites and Yeliu Park’s astonishing rock formations.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung, Taiwan: The canal-like Love River flows through the heart of this wonderfully modern city, and a boat ride along its shores reveals Kaohsiung’s beauty. The former British Consulate, built in 1865, is a historic landmark juxtaposed with more modern sites such as the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, known for its contemporary sculptures.

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong, China: 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.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Nha Trang, Vietnam: Discover this bustling resort town, renowned for its turquoise waters and yellow sand beaches. See its grand colonial buildings and stroll across a bridge to a fishing village alive with trawlers and junks. Visit the celebrated Cham Towers of Po Nagar, a spot revered by Buddhists. In the countryside, experience rural life in Vietnam today.

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam: 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.

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore: 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.