26-night Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia Cruise

HALF DAY EXPLORING OLD KOCHI

Leave from pier for a panoramic drive along Mahatma Gandhi Road ending with a stop at the local market, known as the Broadway. A walk through, this local market in the new town of Ernakulum, is an enriching experience. A surprise lurks at every corner and whether you like it or not, you are propelled forward in a sea of people, brightly coloured baubles and warm, comforting smells.
 
Photo stop at Shiva Temple.
 
St. George's Forane Church, locally known as Edapally Church is a Catholic pilgrimage church in Edapally Kochi, India. Asia's largest shrine to Saint George, about five million people visit it every year.
The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Kerala, after the seven churches founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century AD. The church was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Marth Mariam). In 1080, a new church was built adjacent to the old church. A nine-day festival is celebrated annually as part of the Feast of Saint George. The church, also a destination for non-Christians, attracts offerings of gold, chicken, and eggs.
Gaze at the ancient Chinese fishing nets that line the shores of Fort Cochin.
 
You’ll be fascinated by the Dhobi Khana, your next stop. Each morning washing from all over Kochi is brought here to be soaped, soaked, boiled, beaten, and thrashed. Stop here for photos that you’ll never be able to duplicate anywhere else.
 
 

HALF DAY HERITAGE TRAIL - A WALK THROUGH KOCHI

The best way to discover a new place is on foot; explore the streets of historic Fort Cochin and learn more about this town that is brimming with tales of maritime traders, who made Cochin the first European township in India.
 
A brief stop will be made at the Chinese fishing nets & St. Francis Church one of the area’s famous landmarks. These nets are set up on bamboo poles and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. This is a unique symbol of the centuries-old influence on this coastline.
 
Princess Street is one of the oldest streets in Fort Kochi. The bungalows built in the European style and the other buildings of colonial architecture lining both sides of the street make it pretty as a picture.
    
The buildings here, with bronze stucco walls and peeling plaster, house antique stores, cigar shops, provisional stores, curio shops, kiosks, cafes, restaurants, art galleries and so on.  Some are being used as homestays for tourists.

For the best view of the street, head for the Loafer’s Corner, a popular meeting place at the confluence of Princess Street, Peter Celli Street and Bastion Street.
 
The plain, squat walls that surround the two-storey Mattancherry or “Dutch Palace”, do not offer a particularly appealing invitation, but you will be delighted once inside. Its wooden interior is decorated with a remarkable series of murals. In the royal bedroom alone are 45 paintings illustrating the Ramayana every inch of space covered with rich colour, and painstaking detail. There is also an interesting collection of Dutch maps of old Kochi, coronation robes belonging to the maharajas, royal palanquins, weapons and furniture.
 
Next. The Jew Town surrounding area called Jew Town is a fascinating mix of antique shops, warehouses, and spice auction rooms. Signs for N.X. Jacob’s tailor shop, and the offices of J.E. Cohen serve as reminders of a once thriving community now consisting of about seven families. You’ll have a chance to stroll here before returning to your ship.
 
Return back to pier
 

Kochi, Shore Excursion - 4 hours

You will be met at the pier. (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure)
Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will head to the historic town of Mattancherry. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights. The palace is two stories high and is built in the traditional Kerala style of “nalukattu” (four buildings around a central courtyard). Made of richly-carved wood, there are beautiful murals on display here depicting scenes from the Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata and some of the Hindu legends. The Palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal Palanquins, coronation robes of former Maharajas of Kochi as well as period furniture.

You will next visit the Jewish Synagogue. One of the oldest in India, it is set in the Jewish Quarter, commonly known as “Jew Town”.  The area is famous for its aromatic spice market and its antique shops.  The interior of the Synagogue is decorated with 18^th century blue ceramic Cantonese tiles, hand painted and each one different!
 
You will end your tour at the Chinese Fishing Nets, which were first erected between 1350 and 1450 AD indicating trading ties with China.
 
You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the port to board your ship.

Inclusions:
Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, Private guide, Complimentary Soft beverages and Bottled water in the car, Monument entrance and still camera fee, Meet and Assist at all airports and hotels, Porterage at airports, All currently applicable taxes

Exclusions:
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry,telephone calls etc, unless specified) Tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), Meals (unless specified), Any insurance or Visa, Any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, Air fare is quoted separately.

* Terms and conditions apply

Kochi, Shore Excursion - 8 hours

Hong Kong Heritage Tour - 4.5 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Start with a visit to Tsang Tai Uk also known as Shan Ha Wai "Walled Village at the Mountain's Foot", is a Hakka walled village and one of the best-preserved. Shan Ha Wai gained its current name Tsang Tai Uk from locals when it housed displaced families after the Second World War.
• A photo stop will be made at the Lo Wai Walled Village, the first walled village built by the Tang clan. The site was also declared a monument in 1997. Nearby is the Tang's Ancestral Hall, built in the 16th century, for clan rituals & ancestor worship.
• Make a wish at Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, a big banyan tree that is popular among local villagers who come to burn joss sticks and make wishes under it.
• Next is a visit to a spectacular Tang dynasty-style Buddhist temple the Chi Lin Nunnery. This Buddhist nunnery is stunning with its monastery complex having been renovated as a piece of Tang dynasty architecture. The grand and elegant complex will surely become one of China's great cultural attractions in the years to come. 

• Donation to Tsang Tai Uk
• Bottled Water
• English-speaking guide
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Lamma Island Tour - 8.5 hours

Hong Kong Highlights Tour with Lunch – 6 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Cross Victoria Harbour, one of Hong Kong’s greatest assets, a jewel that people marvel at no matter how many times they visit the city using the famous Star Ferry
• Enjoy a ride on the World's steepest funicular railway, the Peak Tram!
• Take a sampan ride into the typhoon shelter for a close-up view of waterborne life.
• Feast on a traditional Dim Sum Lunch
• Visit Stanley, a popular market town on the sunny south side of Hong Kong Island

• One way Star ferry ticket
• One way peak tram ticket
• 15-minute Sampan ride
• Chinese Dim Sum lunch with Chinese Tea
• Bottled Water
• English-speaking guide
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Treasures of Kowloon (private tour) - 4 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Visit a Qing Dynasty fort – The Kowloon Walled City Park
• Visit one of Hong Kong’s most popular temples, Wong Tai Sin, which specializes in fortune-telling.
• Explore the Tang dynasty-style Buddhist temple, the Chi Lin Nunnery. This Buddhist nunnery is stunning with its monastery complex

• Private vehicle on hire
• English speaking guide
• 1 x bottled water per person
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal
• Minimum 2 persons required for the tour

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc.
• Personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Macau Excursion – 8 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Visit the famous A-Ma Temple. It is located on the south-western tip of the Macao peninsula overlooking Barra Square and the seashore. 
• Explore the historic heart of Macau including St. Paul's Ruins and Senado Square.
• Summit the Macau Tower, where you can gaze out over Taipa and Coloane, look for Macau's landmarks and historical sites or try to spot Hong Kong's outlying islands.

• Round trip TurboJet Economy ferry ticket from Macau to Hong Kong and Macau to Hong Kong
• Entrance to Macau Tower
• Bottled Water
• English speaking guide
• Round trip private transfers in Macau
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Hong Kong Island Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Hong Kong Island

Highlights

• Sheung Wan Dried Food & Herbal Market
• Man Mo Temple
• Peak Tram ride (share-basis)
• Sampan ride at Aberdeen Fishing Village

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Kowloon Market Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Markets in Kowloon

Highlights

• Flower Market
• Fish Market (where can try some local food, e.g. signature milk tea, egg tart, pineapple bun on client's own account)
• Jade Market

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: New Territories Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to the New Territories in Hong Kong
(Not operated on Tuesdays)

Highlights

• Sam Tung Uk Hakka Walled Village Museum
• Tai Fu Tai Ancestral Family Clan House

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Lantau Island Tour (5 hours)

Half day tour to Lantau Island in Hong Kong

Highlights

• Ngong Ping Cable Car ride (share-basis)
• Ngong Ping Village - "Walking with Buddha"
• Po Lin Monastery
• Giant Buddha

 Tour Duration: 5 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Disposal Tour (4 hours)

Commerce a vehicle/driver/guide at disposal for 4 consecutive hours
 

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals and entrance fee
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong Island Tour (8 hours)

Full day tour on Hong Kong Island

Highlights

• Sheung Wan Dried Food & Herbal Market
• Man Mo Temple
• Peak Tram ride (share-basis)
• Sampan ride at Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter
• Dim Sum lunch reservation (on client's own account)
• Repulse Bay
• Stanley Market

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Disposal Tour (8 hours)

Commence a vehicle / driver / guide at disposal for 8 consecutive hours

 

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals and entrance fee
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong - Full Day Macau Tour by jetfoil (10 Hours)

Highlights:

• Visit Statue of Kum Iam, dedicated to Kum Iam, the Goddess of Mercy. It is 20 meters tall and made of bronze. The construction cost was MOP 30 million.
• Visit Macau Tower, 338 meters high and ranked the 11th highest in the world.
• Continue to Temple of A-Ma, was built 400 years ago in homage to a girl who saved seamen's lives. Macau was later named by the Portuguese settlers in mid-16th Century.
• Ruins of Sao Paulo - An imposing facade is all that is left of a church built by Italian and Japanese Jesuit priests in 1602.
• A short visit in one of the famous casinos

• Local English Speaking Guide
• Ground transportation Seat-In-Coach
• Lunch
• 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person
• Sightseeing including admission fees according to itinerary. 

• Personal Expenses, Tipping

Hong Kong Heritage Tour - 4.5 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Start with a visit to Tsang Tai Uk also known as Shan Ha Wai "Walled Village at the Mountain's Foot", is a Hakka walled village and one of the best-preserved. Shan Ha Wai gained its current name Tsang Tai Uk from locals when it housed displaced families after the Second World War.
• A photo stop will be made at the Lo Wai Walled Village, the first walled village built by the Tang clan. The site was also declared a monument in 1997. Nearby is the Tang's Ancestral Hall, built in the 16th century, for clan rituals & ancestor worship.
• Make a wish at Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, a big banyan tree that is popular among local villagers who come to burn joss sticks and make wishes under it.
• Next is a visit to a spectacular Tang dynasty-style Buddhist temple the Chi Lin Nunnery. This Buddhist nunnery is stunning with its monastery complex having been renovated as a piece of Tang dynasty architecture. The grand and elegant complex will surely become one of China's great cultural attractions in the years to come. 

• Donation to Tsang Tai Uk
• Bottled Water
• English-speaking guide
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Lamma Island Tour - 8.5 hours

Hong Kong Highlights Tour with Lunch – 6 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Cross Victoria Harbour, one of Hong Kong’s greatest assets, a jewel that people marvel at no matter how many times they visit the city using the famous Star Ferry
• Enjoy a ride on the World's steepest funicular railway, the Peak Tram!
• Take a sampan ride into the typhoon shelter for a close-up view of waterborne life.
• Feast on a traditional Dim Sum Lunch
• Visit Stanley, a popular market town on the sunny south side of Hong Kong Island

• One way Star ferry ticket
• One way peak tram ticket
• 15-minute Sampan ride
• Chinese Dim Sum lunch with Chinese Tea
• Bottled Water
• English-speaking guide
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Treasures of Kowloon (private tour) - 4 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Visit a Qing Dynasty fort – The Kowloon Walled City Park
• Visit one of Hong Kong’s most popular temples, Wong Tai Sin, which specializes in fortune-telling.
• Explore the Tang dynasty-style Buddhist temple, the Chi Lin Nunnery. This Buddhist nunnery is stunning with its monastery complex

• Private vehicle on hire
• English speaking guide
• 1 x bottled water per person
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal
• Minimum 2 persons required for the tour

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc.
• Personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Macau Excursion – 8 hours - Hong Kong

Highlights:

• Visit the famous A-Ma Temple. It is located on the south-western tip of the Macao peninsula overlooking Barra Square and the seashore. 
• Explore the historic heart of Macau including St. Paul's Ruins and Senado Square.
• Summit the Macau Tower, where you can gaze out over Taipa and Coloane, look for Macau's landmarks and historical sites or try to spot Hong Kong's outlying islands.

• Round trip TurboJet Economy ferry ticket from Macau to Hong Kong and Macau to Hong Kong
• Entrance to Macau Tower
• Bottled Water
• English speaking guide
• Round trip private transfers in Macau
• Round-trip private transfers from Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong

• Meals other than specified as included
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities

Hong Kong Island Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Hong Kong Island

Highlights

• Sheung Wan Dried Food & Herbal Market
• Man Mo Temple
• Peak Tram ride (share-basis)
• Sampan ride at Aberdeen Fishing Village

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Kowloon Market Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Markets in Kowloon

Highlights

• Flower Market
• Fish Market (where can try some local food, e.g. signature milk tea, egg tart, pineapple bun on client's own account)
• Jade Market

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: New Territories Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to the New Territories in Hong Kong
(Not operated on Tuesdays)

Highlights

• Sam Tung Uk Hakka Walled Village Museum
• Tai Fu Tai Ancestral Family Clan House

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Lantau Island Tour (5 hours)

Half day tour to Lantau Island in Hong Kong

Highlights

• Ngong Ping Cable Car ride (share-basis)
• Ngong Ping Village - "Walking with Buddha"
• Po Lin Monastery
• Giant Buddha

 Tour Duration: 5 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Disposal Tour (4 hours)

Commerce a vehicle/driver/guide at disposal for 4 consecutive hours
 

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals and entrance fee
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong Island Tour (8 hours)

Full day tour on Hong Kong Island

Highlights

• Sheung Wan Dried Food & Herbal Market
• Man Mo Temple
• Peak Tram ride (share-basis)
• Sampan ride at Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter
• Dim Sum lunch reservation (on client's own account)
• Repulse Bay
• Stanley Market

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong: Disposal Tour (8 hours)

Commence a vehicle / driver / guide at disposal for 8 consecutive hours

 

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz S-350) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals and entrance fee
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Hong Kong - Full Day Macau Tour by jetfoil (10 Hours)

Highlights:

• Visit Statue of Kum Iam, dedicated to Kum Iam, the Goddess of Mercy. It is 20 meters tall and made of bronze. The construction cost was MOP 30 million.
• Visit Macau Tower, 338 meters high and ranked the 11th highest in the world.
• Continue to Temple of A-Ma, was built 400 years ago in homage to a girl who saved seamen's lives. Macau was later named by the Portuguese settlers in mid-16th Century.
• Ruins of Sao Paulo - An imposing facade is all that is left of a church built by Italian and Japanese Jesuit priests in 1602.
• A short visit in one of the famous casinos

• Local English Speaking Guide
• Ground transportation Seat-In-Coach
• Lunch
• 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person
• Sightseeing including admission fees according to itinerary. 

• Personal Expenses, Tipping

Danang/Hue - Chan May Port

Meet with guide at the ship docking and transfer to town. Car and guide is at disposal.
 
Limited area: Danang / Hoi An / Hue
Duration:        Within 8 hours (From 08:00-16:00)
 
Meals:       None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
 

Full Day Hoi An Town with Lantern Making

 
On arrival in Danang (Tien Sa port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive for 1 approximately  hour to the ancient town of Hoi An. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An known then as ‘Faifo’, was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient town is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including: the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.
 
Lunch is on your own.
 
After lunch, meet with Mr. Huynh Van Trung who was born in a traditional lantern making family and learn about the silk lanterns. Silk lanterns, the simple yet colorful handicraft is now an essential part of Hoi An culture. The lantern is inspired and hand-made by local artisans and is meant to bring good fortune. It has really made a comeback thanks to an experienced man - Trung inherits valuable skills in making lanterns from his father - the well-known artisan Huynh Van Ba. Chat with him for a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of the lanterns as well as the stages of production. Try creating your own lantern and take it home as a souvenir.
Later, transfer by road back to the port to embark the ship.
 
NOTES                                                                                                 

• There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
• Tour duration: 08 hours    

Cu Chi Tunnels & Sai Gon Highlights Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Highlights:

• Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
• Visit Reunification Palace
• Stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
• Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Shopping at the Central Ben Thanh Market

• Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
• Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
• Service of English Speaking Local Guides.
• Ports permit arranged
• Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
• One 0.5 litre of bottled water and cold towel in vehicle during sightseeing
• Vietnam Government tax and services charge

• All international and domestic air tickets
• Accommodation
• Vietnamese visa arrival
• Other meals than those specified
• Travel insurance
• Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Highlights:

• Visit Reunification Palace
• Photo stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
• Visit History Museum & Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Visit China Town & Cao Dai Temple en-route
• Shopping at the Central Ben Thanh Market

• Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
• Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
• Service of English-speaking local guides
• Ports permit arranged
• Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
• One 0.5 litre bottled water and cold towel in the vehicle during sightseeing
• Vietnam Government tax and services charge

• All international and domestic air tickets
• Accommodation
• Vietnamese visa on arrival
• Other meals than those specified.
• Travel Insurance.
• Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants, etc.

Mekong Delta Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Highlights:

• Get on a motorized sampan to experience the life of local people, visit local brickwork, local fruit farms, family workshops Photo stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
• Take rowing-boat along water palm creek and cruise back to the Pier
• If time permits, have a quick visit of Sai Gon or shopping at Ben Thanh Market

• Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
• Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
• Service of English-speaking local guides
• Private boat cruise on Mekong River
• Ports permit arranged
• Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
• One 0.5 litre of bottled water and cold towel in the vehicle during sightseeing
• Vietnam Government tax and services charge

• All international and domestic air tickets
• Accommodation
• Vietnamese visa on arrival
• Other meals than those specified.
• Travel insurance
• Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants, etc.

Saigon Port

Meet with guide at the ship docking and transfer to town. Car and guide is at disposal.
 
Limited area: Ho Chi Minh City
Duration:        Within 4 hours OR within 8 hours
 
Meals:       None

TOUR INCLUSIONS
 

Full Day Saigon City Tour (8 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city centre for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Appreciate the restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the elegant City Hall (the former Hotel de Ville), two of Saigon’s most stunning colonial monuments. If time permits, we will visit the iconic Ben Thanh Market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular wholesale market for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and street food.
 
Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge Jr., who supported the overthrowing of the South Vietnamese Government. Enjoy a cold drink while watching a 10min documentary film about Saigon during that time.
 
After lunch on your own, we then drive to Saigon’s Chinatown to visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils according to local custom. Continue your visit to FITO, the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering insight into the history and application of traditional medicine in everyday life before taking the scenic route through the city back to the ship.

NOTES:
·        There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Outside visit only due  the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until further notice
·       Tour duration: 08 hours    
 
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
 

Half-Day Saigon: History of Architecture with History Researcher (4 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city center for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Meet with a local cultural and history researcher at your hotel lobby and take a short trip to local coffee shop for an overview of the impressive history of the city once known as “The Pearl of the Orient”. Then take a step back in time to visit several of the very best examples of “storytelling” architecture. Start at Jade pagoda established in the early 1900s to get a glimpse of ancient history when a group of Chinese fled the new regime to Saigon around the end of 17th century under the reign of Lord Nguyen.
 
Then wind your way to Archbishop's Palace – with a prayer house more than two hundred-years old (outside visit) as the home for the first French Catholic missionary. Gain an overview about the first approach of the French during the Cochinchina period in the early 18th century. Stroll around the University of Social Sciences & Humanities which used to be the 11th infantry regiment colonial military barracks for an insight into French campaigns against Viet Minh at the time. Your stop will be at the former residence of the US Ambassador, Henry C. Lodge in the 1960s for a drink and watch 10-min movie about Saigon back in the day.
 
NOTES:
·        There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Total duration: 04 hours
 
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
 

Half-Day Saigon: Retracing the Past (5 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Commence with a visit of the shrine outside of the US Consulate then continue to the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975. Head to the rooftop café of the Rex hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Sit down for a drink, enjoy the view and this piece of history which your guide will help to explain. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and residence of the presidents. Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge, who conducted a mission to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government. Watch a 10 minutes documentary film about Saigon during that time while enjoying a cold drink. Then drive to a secret weapon chamber which VC used as a place to hide and store weapons during Vietnam War. Then weave through tiny back alleys and meet and chat with the locals who are living in tiny houses. Head to a historic venue for a late lunch of “pho” (noodle soup). The house number 07 on Ly Chinh Thang Street (former Yen Do street) is now known as Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong Commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. Take a walk upstairs to learn more about the history through the family’s photo collection.  Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.
 
NOTES:
·        There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Total duration: 05 hours
 
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Half-Day Saigon: Culinary Experience at Former Ambassador's Residence (4 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to Ben Thanh market to buy all the fresh ingredients before continuing an historic Ambassador's home for a private hands-on cooking demonstration. The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between1960-1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. The guide will provide an orientation tour of the house while the chef prepares the ingredients. Learn typical Southern style dishes throughout the morning. The chef will show you how to serve each dish before the meal, and you will need to master the chopsticks before you can savor your own culinary creations in the old world ambiance of the villa.
 
After lunch, transfer back to your ship.
 
Note: There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
 
Meal: Lunch
 
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Half Day Singapore City Tour – 4 hours - Singapore

Highlights:

• Bumboat Ride
• Merlion Park
• Drive around the Civic District
• National Orchid Garden Admission

• Pick up/ Drop off services to/from cruise port
• Licensed, professional English-speaking guide
• Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned vehicle
• A Bottled Water

• Meals that are not mentioned in the above itinerary
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurants, etc. 

Good Morning, Ni Hao (Walking Tour)

Full Day Singapore Tour – 8 hours - Singapore

Highlights:

• Bumboat Ride
• Merlion Park
• Drive around the Civic District
• National Orchid Garden Admission
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Kampong Glam
• Arab Street
• Chinatown
• Little India
• Tekka Centre

• Pick up/ Drop off services to/from cruise port
• Licensed, professional English-speaking guide
• Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled Water

• Meals that are not mentioned in the above itinerary
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities.
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurants, etc.

Singapore City Tour (4 hours)

Half-day tour to Singapore City

Highlights

• Botanical Gardens
• Chinatown
• Bum Boat ride - 30-minute ride (share-basis)
• Merlion Park & Little India

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel Insurance
• Any Visa

Singapore Sentosa Tour (4 hours)

Half-day tour to Singapore - Sentosa

Highlights

• Sentosa Resort
• Sentosa Merlion Tower
• SEA Aquarium

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Night Safari Tour (4 hours)

Evening Singapore Safari Tour

Highlights

• 1815 hrs   Singapore Night Safari
• 2215 hrs  Return to hotel

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Ethnic Neighbourhood Tour (4 hours)

Half Day Tour to Singapore Ethnic Neighbourhood

Highlights

• Kampong Glam
• Bugis Village
• Trishaw ride (2 persons to 1 Trishaw)

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Foodie Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Singapore Foodie

Highlights

• Maxwell Hawker Centre or Lau Pat Sat (either one of the above venue depending availability)
• Tea Chapter

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Flyer & Gardens By The Bay (4 hours)

Half day tour to Singapore Flyer & Gardens By The Bay

Highlights

• Singapore Flyer - a 35 minutes ride (share-basis)
• Gardens by the Bay (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest)

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Toa Payoh Hub Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Singapore Toa Payoh Hub

Highlights

• Toa Payoh (a first generation New Town built in the late 1960s)
• Coffee break in a local coffee shop
• Take a subway for a 5 minutes drive to Bishan (a second generation New Town, designed and built in the early 1990's)

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Crazy Rich Asians Movie Locations Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Crazy Rich Asians Movie Locations in Singapore

Highlights

• Bukit Pasoh
• Newton Food Centre
• Chijmes
• Raffles Hotel

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore - Gardens By The Bay (3.5 Hours)

Highlights:

• Enter one of the "Top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World" - a futuristic area of garden artistry and horticulture spread over 101 hectares.
• In the Flower Dome we can marvel at the world's largest glass greenhouse, and wander amongst baobabs, thousand-year-old olive trees, a changing flower field display and more.
• In the Cloud Forest we will enter a mysterious world veiled in mist, as we come face to face with the 35-metre tall indoor waterfall and explore seven discovery zones.

• English-speaking guide.
• Ground transportation in private A/C vehicle.
• 1 complimentary bottle of drinking water and 1 cold towel per person per half day tour/ 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person per full day tour.
• Sightseeing including admission fees according to itinerary.

• Visa fees
• Lunch
• Drinks
• Personal expenses

Singapore - Heartlands Tour (3.5 Hours)

Highlights:

• Visit Toa Payoh New Town. This is the first town to be built by the Housing Development Board, the government arm in charge of public housing in Singapore.
• Explore a typical self-sufficient town complete with public vs private housing, public transport, public amenities as well as industrial and commercial areas.
• Visit the public recreation areas and view a typical show flat for a public housing building. Visits to a wet market and hawker centre will give us an even deeper glimpse into local life. (Showflat is not open on Sundays and public holidays)

• Local English Speaking Guide
• Ground transportation in private A/C vehicle.
• 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person
• Sightseeing including admission fees according to itinerary. 

• Personal Expenses, Tipping