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Worldwide Escorted Bus Tours & River Cruises
Visions Of Asia W/ Kyoto Ext
On this tour, discover some of Asia’s most exciting cities, including Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Tokyo, and Kyoto. You’ve seen photos of the Great Wall of China—now’s your chance to walk on it! You’ve seen photos of Beijing’s Tian’anmen Square—now’s your chance to stand in it! You’ve heard about Hong Kong’s amazing shops and street markets—now’s your chance to experience them! You’ve heard about Japan’s thrilling, high-speed bullet trains—now’s your chance to ride one! A tour highlight is Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, one of Bangkok’s best-known landmarks. This Buddhist temple glistens in the sunlight during the day. Also enjoy a boat ride through Bangkok’s canals and see family homes, temples, and the way of life in this exciting city. In Beijing, visit the Imperial Palace, once the home of China’s emperors, and see the Ming Tombs, hand-carved stone statues for 13 of the Ming Dynasty’s emperors. In Kyoto, see the extraordinary Temple of the Gold Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple literally covered in gold leaf. In each city, you’ll have a sightseeing tour plus free time to explore the cities’ shopping, restaurants, and optional activities. Try some sake in Tokyo, taste sushi in Kyoto, shop for Chinese artwork and jewelry in Hong Kong, and visit the temples in Bangkok. Whatever you decide to do, this vacation is sure to delight all of your senses.A good story starts with a good vacation. What story might you discover next?
Highlights:
Itinerary:
| Day #1 |
Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand. Welcome to Thailand’s capital city! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. |
| Day #2 |
Bangkok. Today’s sightseeing starts with a BOAT RIDE through the klongs, Bangkok’s canals, to see family homes, temples, and the way of life that give this city the nickname “Venice of the East.” Stop at Wat Arun, the TEMPLE OF THE DAWN, whose 260-foot-tall spire has become one of Bangkok’s best-known landmarks. Continue on to the GRAND PALACE, comprised of the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful EMERALD BUDDHA TEMPLE. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional tour to The Jim Thompson House and silk shop. This evening, enjoy a special THAI WELCOME DINNER featuring traditional cuisine and dancers performing stories from classical Thai literature. (B,D) |
| Day #3 |
Bangkok. A full day at leisure to explore this fascinating city. Join one of our optional excursions to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya or see the floating markets with a stop at the Rose Garden and a folklore performance. Your Tour Director will have plenty of ideas to help you plan your day. (B) |
| Day #4 |
Bangkok–Hong Kong, China. Today, fly to exciting Hong Kong. (B,D) |
| Day #5 |
Hong Kong. This morning’s sightseeing begins with a cable car ride up Victoria Peak for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Drive by Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, then to the Aberdeen fishing village for a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbor. Next stop is STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts, and crafts. Then, head for Hong Kong Island and learn a bit more about the history of this modern city. Stop at Nam Pak Hong to see traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and dried seafood, and visit MAN MO TEMPLE, the oldest in the city. On to the ANCIENT BIRD MARKET and KOWLOON’S WALLED CITY PARK to see its classical southern Chinese garden. The afternoon and evening are free for independent exploration. (B,L) |
| Day #6 |
Hong Kong. A free day to explore this exciting city. You may wish to sign up for an optional full-day outing to visit Macau or Lantau Island, where you will see the Giant Buddha. Shopping is always a highlight of Hong Kong. There are markets, malls, and shops to fit any budget and taste. For those who want to try out some of the local fare, head over to Lan Kwai Fong Street. (B) |
| Day #7 |
Hong Kong–Beijing. Today, fly to Beijing, China’s capital. (B) |
| Day #8 |
Beijing. Your full-day sightseeing includes a visit to the Forbidden City’s IMPERIAL PALACE, once the sacred home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world, where the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949. You’ll visit the BEIJING ZOO to see pandas, and will discover the former Imperial SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries situated around Kunming Lake. This evening, you’re hosted to a special PEKING DUCK DINNER. (B,L,D) |
| Day #9 |
Beijing. The GREAT WALL once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved, and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight you may decide on the optional tour of the Peking Opera with its various forms of drama and music tracing back to the 13th century. (B,L,D) |
| Day #10 |
Beijing–Tokyo, Japan. Today, fly to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. (B) |
| Day #11 |
Tokyo. Your morning sightseeing tour takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, followed by a drive to see the Imperial Palace Plaza. Next, visit an ARTIST’S STUDIO and enjoy demonstrations by a master calligrapher before trying it yourself. You will also have an opportunity to try on a traditional KIMONO and enjoy a TEA CEREMONY. Last stop is the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE with the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the famous Ginza area. (B,L) |
| Day #12 |
Tokyo. A free day for independent activities. You may wish to join a full-day optional excursion to Kamakura, home of the 750-year-old Great Buddha, followed by a scenic drive to Hakone and a cable car ride for panoramic views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Your optional tour concludes with a thrilling bullet train ride back to Tokyo. This evening, join your travelling companions for a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant opposite your hotel. As you take in the great city views from the 51st floor you will enjoy a sampling of local specialties, including yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), spring rolls, Japanese-style salad, and rice balls. (B,D) |
| Day #13 |
Tokyo–Kyoto. Today, enjoy a thrilling ride to Kyoto on a BULLET TRAIN. Established in 1964, Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet trains) were the world’s first high-speed trains and now travel at speeds exceeding 185 miles per hour. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
| Day #14 |
Kyoto. This morning’s city tour features the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE, built in 1603 as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Next, visit Kinkakuji, the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION, covered with shimmering gold leaf. Continue on to the IMPERIAL PALACE, home to the Imperial family until 1868. Last stop is a LOCAL HANDICRAFT shop, the perfect place to pick up a souvenir. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion to Nara, Japan’s oldest capital, where you will visit Todaiji Temple with its Great Buddha; Kasuga Shrine, famous for stone and bronze lanterns; and Nara Park. (B)Traditional Ryokan Stay - $350 per person for twin and $630 for singleImmerse yourself in the Japanese culture and hospitality in a ryokan (Japanese Inn) on Day 14 in Kyoto. Your ryokan features traditional touches—tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress on the floor, and the chance to experience a Japanese-style bath—as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Includes: Transfers to/from ryokan from/to hotel in Kyoto; traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast. Space is limited and should be requested at the time of booking. |
| Day #15 |
Kyoto–Osaka. This morning, travel to Osaka. In the afternoon, explore the city by foot, train, and boat. Walk to Osaka Station and take a train to visit OSAKA CASTLE, then enjoy a CRUISE around Nakanoshima, the business and cultural hub of Osaka. (B) |
| Day #16 |
Osaka. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Hotels:
Bangkok Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers (MD), Hong Kong Marco Polo Hongkong (SF), Beijing Traders Hotel (F), Tokyo Hilton Tokyo (D), Kyoto ANA Kyoto (F), Osaka Sheraton Miyako (SF)
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Pricing Options:
| Depart US | Land-Only |
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| 04/23/2011 | $4,359.00 | | 05/07/2011 | $4,189.00 | | 05/21/2011 | $4,189.00 | | 06/11/2011 | $4,189.00 | | 07/09/2011 | $4,189.00 | | 09/10/2011 | $4,269.00 | | 09/24/2011 | $4,269.00 | | 10/08/2011 | $4,359.00 |
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©2005 Flamingo Travel Group
All Rights Reserved
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