Itinerary
All participants will meet for introductions and to attend an extensive briefing covering the general procedures of our journey.
Afterwards, we will enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner.
We will fly over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Labrador on our way to Kuujjuaq for a technical stop. Then continue over southern Greenland's beautiful scenery before landing at Kangerlussuaq. Because we will be approaching the Arctic Circle and the “land of the midnight sun”, we will have an astonishing 20 hours of daylight!
Fly over ice-covered Greenland and then do our second water crossing. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to the Hotel Borg where we will enjoy luxury accommodations in the very center of Reykjavik. The Hotel Borg overlooks the beautiful square of Austurvollur, and is situated across from Althingi, the Icelandic parliament and the cathedral.
After dinner at the hotel, you may want to venture on your own to experience the local nightlife.
Enjoy a full day private sightseeing tour with a visit to the famous Geysir hot spring area with numerous hot springs and geysers - one of them erupts every few minutes; take a look at the magnificent waterfall Gullfoss; visit the volcanic crater Kerid and the greenhouse village Hveragerdi; drive across Gjabakkavegur Pass to the Thingvellir National Park, a unique place of beauty, with its interesting geology and history; then cross Mosfellsheidi Heath to Reykjavik; visit the Blue Lagoon. It is certainly a great experience that is not to be missed.
We will see volcanic craters, geysers, waterfalls and the national park Thingvellir, which is Iceland’s national treasure and one of its most beautiful spots.
Fly to Shannon where we will transfer to the picturesque village of Adare. Situated in the lush heartlands of County Limerick, Adare Manor and Golf Resort is one of Ireland's most evocative and spellbinding hotels. Steepedd in exotic history and surrounded by medieval ruins, its 840-acre demesne is home to beautiful parklands, superb trout fishing on the river Maigue, and a renowned 18-hole championship golf course.
With our local guide we will explore the mighty Cliffs of Moher - one of Ireland's most famous natural wonders. Hike along the 700' high cliffs and admire spectacular views over the Atlantic Coast, Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.
There will be a stop in Doolin, a lovely village where we will enjoy a traditional Irish pub lunch.
In the afternoon we will visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The park is a living history museum depicting 17th - 19th century rural Irish life through a series of cottages and street scenes.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Visit Adare village - considered Ireland's prettiest village. An architectural wealth of scenic beauty, Adare's main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries, ruins and a picturesque village park.
Our flight continues to Pontoise, a small airport 30mn from downtown Paris. This selected airport is out of the heavy air traffic with inexpensive landing fees. Upon arrival, transfer to our deluxe hotel located in the 8th District near the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees.
An introduction to Paris for first time visitors with a half-day city tour of the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, St. Germain de Pres, Notre Dame, Le Marais is on schedule in the morning. In addition, outside the hotel you have the prestigious Avenue Montaigne as well as the Champs Elysees for great shopping.
Tonight we will enjoy a dinner river cruise and discover Paris by night.
Today is at leisure to enjoy the city on your own. Tours of the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, a cooking class, and wine tasting are some optional activities we can arrange for you in advance.
Fly to Catania on the island of Sicily. Upon arrival, we will transfer to Taormina's seaside district on the Mediterranean Sea. Set on its own exclusive beach, beside one of the most beautiful coastlines in all of Italy, Villa Sant'Andrea overlooks the tranquil aquamarine sea.
Built by an aristocratic family in 1830 among lush, subtropical gardens, this secluded retreat retains all the charm of a private residence. Relax in a sun-dappled seat or enjoy a short cable car rideto the center of Taormina with its many cultural attractions and sophisticated shopping scene.
We will journey along Sicily's eastern coast, past varied landscapes, gardens and traidtional villages including Fiumfreddo de Sicilia before heading inland for a visit to a local winery. Rising in elevation, enjoy views of Mt. Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site that dominates the Sicilian landscape.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Fly to Malta, part of the European Union since May 2004. This peaceful island is an ideal location to relax.
Our half-day city tour includes a visit to Valletta, the capital city, built in 1565 by the Knights of St. John. Our tour starts with a visit to the Upper Barakka Gardens where you can admire views overlooking the stunning fortified Grand Harbour. It also features the magnificent St. John's Co. Cathedral where you can view Caravaggio's 'Beheading of St. John'.
The final stop in Valletta is the Grand Masters Palace, the old seat of the order of St. John and today used as home to the parliament. We will also enjoy a tour of a private palace: Casa Rocca Picolla.
The afternoon is free to enjoy on your own the city or just relax at the hotel. You may be interested to tour the Aviation Museum or the delightful fortified city Mdina located 20 minutes from the hotel.
Fly to Athens where we will transfer to the Amanzoe in Porto Heli. The scenic town of Porto Heli is situated on the east coast of the Peloponnese and across from the cosmopolitan islands of Spetses and Hydra. Encircled by a dazzling blue sea, this area is the birthplace of legends and civilization, blessed by a history that embraces the beauty, wealth and strategic location.
The Amanzoe is situated on a hilltop close to the town of Porto Heli and offers panoramic views of the Peloponnese countryside and coastline.
With a wealthe of archaeological sites to explore, we will set out today to discover some of the area's ancient history.
Today is at leisure to explore and relax on your own.
Fly to Luxor where we will transfer to the Winter Palace hotel.
Perched on the Nile River amid luxuriant tropical gardens and ancient temples, this opulent hotel was built in 1886 by British explorers and was once a winter retreat for the Egyptian royal family that Agatha Christie wrote about in her famed 1937 novel Death on the Nile.
After an early dinner we will transfer by horse and carriage to the Luxor temple with the illumination, a beautiful experience.
Early morning (due to the hot June weather) we’ll depart the hotel as we begin our exploration of Luxor. We’ll cross the Nile by motor boat for a visit to the West Bank to see the Valley of the Kings and Queens and Tombs of the Nobles.
We’ll cross back over to the East Bank for a visit to the Luxor Museum. This elegant modern museum boasts a fabulous collection of artifacts from ancient Thebes. The collection includes pottery, jewelry, furniture and other artifacts from the ancient city, as well as a group of magnificent New Kingdom statues found in 1989 buried beneath Luxor Temple. There will be a stop for lunch in the village of Karnak.
Weather permitting, in the late afternoon we’ll experience a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery at Luxor with a view from the Nile as we ride a felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt, drifting towards Banana Island and Crocodile Island a few miles upriver. After dinner we’ll attend the Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple, a fascinating walking tour through the history of the world's largest-ever temple complex.
Fly to Dubai. There will be a technical stop in Bahrain to refuel and have
lunch.
The Hotel:
Designed to resemble a billowing sail, the hotel soars to a height of 321 meters, dominating the Dubai coastline. At night, it offers an unforgettable sight, surrounded by choreographed color sculptures of water and fire. This all-suite hotel reflects the finest that the world has to offer.
Originally a small fishing village, Dubai created the busiest souks on the Persian Gulf coast. Explore its magnificent mosque and old wind-tower houses, then choose from an array of options: glimpse daily Arab life as a guest in a Dubai home; learn to cook classic Arabian delicacies; visit a wharf to see traditional dhow construction; or visit a race track for a hands-on experience with magnificent Arabian horses.
Relax at the hotel or enjoy the fabulous shopping.
4x4 Dune Bashing Drive
Later this afternoon we will board our 4-wheel drive vehicles and drive the mysterious desert. We’ll roll dunes through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. After exploring the desert in our 4X4s we’ll make a stop to visit a desert safari camp to see the camels. There’ll be time to experience a short camel ride before enjoying cocktails as we watch a spectacular desert sunset.
Note: You have the alternate option of experiencing the Aston Martin Driving Experience at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Fly to Agra - our first stop in India – where we will clear customs and transfer to our hotel, the Oberoi Amarvilas. Sixty-four fountains, filagreed stone bridges, and pillars greet guests as they cross the torch-lit courtyard of the grand entrance pavilion of the hotel. Once situated in your room, enjoy the opulence of your own private view of the greatest monument to love, the Taj Mahal.
Wake up to the magnificent sight of the Taj Mahal, bathed by the first rays of dawn.
Located just five minutes from the hotel, we will visit the Taj Mahal - probably the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this striking mausoleum has become the de facto tourist emblem of India.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. The majestic Amarvilas pool is both under cover and in the open air with lounge chairs equally placed for guests to soak up the sun or take some shade under a parasol. Optional activities include a visit to the Oberoi Spa featuring therapy rooms with view of the Taj Mahal.
Fly to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a great city to visit but it doesn't mean we have to stay in the heart of it - especially when the Four Seasons sits on 20 breathtaking acres of tropical gardens and rice paddies in the Mae Rim Valley. It can be hard to drag yourself away from your polished teak floors, double vanity, oversized bathtub and spacious veranda for a visit to the fully equipped fitness club and tennis courts or the ultimate spa for indulging every one of your senses.
The rest of your day is free to relax and enjoy this beautiful setting.
Today is at leisure. You may be interested by an optional cooking class, orchids plantation, shopping or experience your first Thai Massage.
Depart your hotel for our 1 1/2 hour trek through Chiang Mai's lush forest, 35 miles from Chiang Mai. Encounter elephants taking their morning bath in the running stream as we discover the flourishing landscapes of Chiang Mai.
Our picnic lunch will be catered by the Four Seasons.
A relaxing bamboo raft ride on the Mae Ping River will allow us to discover the scenery in a relaxing atmosphere before returning to the hotel.
Today is at leisure to relax and explore on your own.
Fly to Luang Prabang, the formal royal capital of Laos and an enchanting city that is small enough to explore on foot. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the town is surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty including spectacular waterfalls, sheer amber-colored cliffs and ancient cave complexes.
According to legend, the Buddha smiled when he rested here for a day during his travels, prophesying that it would one day be the site of a rich and powerful capital city.
Today is at leisure to relax and explore on your own. You will be provided with a menu of activities to select from today. In addition, complimentary bicycles are available at the hotel to explore the local area.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore the surrounding area on your own. An additional activity is included today.
Fly to Siem Reap - geteway to Angkor (the UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the magnificent remains of the Khmer civilization). There will be a technical stop in Pontianak to refuel.
You will board your Tuk Tuk as our tour begins with a visit to the Hindu temple complex, Angkor Wat, to explore its spectacular monuments. It is the best-preserved temple at the site and it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation - first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist.
We will also visit Angkor Thom and Tha Phrom, a charming temple embedded in a forest and partly overgrown by huge jungle trees.
Return to the hotel for lunch with time to relax.
We will then proceed to a delightful sunset cruise outside of town and discover the life on the floating villages along Tonle Sap Lake. An optional quad adventure is also offered today to discover the countryside.
Fly to Singapore, a tiny island nation, for our stay at the Ritz Carlton hotel. A dynamic city rich in contrast, color and culture, Singapore sits at one of the crossroads of the world, embodying the finest of both the East and West. Be mesmerized by the unbridled energy, world-class cuisine, spectacular architecture and impressive arts scene.
Enjoy a half-day city tour as we discover the highlights of one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Afterwards, there will be free time to explore Orchard Road Street - a shopping paradise!
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Fly to our next destination, Borobudur. Upon arrival in Borobudur, we will transfer to the perfect romantic setting of the Amanjiwo hotel - a volcano-surrounded wonder in the heart of Java, The Amanjiwo faces the 9th century Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary, as well as the mystical Tidar Hill which is believed to house the spiritual and geographical center of Java.
Behold the beautifully decorated grounds and views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The resort provides an insight of the Javanese culture of this rural heartland.
We’ll explore the spectacular Borobudur Temple Compounds. Both a shrine to Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage, it is the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex was built in the 8th and 9th centuries, abandoned around the 14th century, and was rediscovered in 1814. The monument occupies a modest plateau and from the top level, beautiful views of an emerald green landscape of Central Java can be seen.
There will be free time today to experience an optional Jamu Massage (an ancient healing art form) in the privacy of your room.
Today is at leisure to relax and explore on your own.
Fly to Bali where we will transfer to the Amankila. Mount Agung provides a dramatic backdrop for Amankila (peaceful hill), a secluded seaside resort overlooking the Lombok Strait. Enjoy exceptional views from their hillside locations amongst frangipani and bougainvillea, Amankila offers easy access to untouched rural countryside, local crafts and the region’s royal past.
The Amankila offers complimentary non-motorized water sports including wind surfing, boogie boarding, hobie cat and stand up paddle boards.
Today is at leisure to enjoy this beautiful island.
You will be provided with a menu of activities to select from today.
Today is at leisure to enjoy this beautiful island.
Fly to Wakatobi in South East Sulawesi where we will take a short boat ride to Wakatobi Resort. In a tranquil island setting far from crowds and cities, Wakatobi offers world-class diving and snorkeling at your doorstep. From shore or by boat, you have exclusive access to miles of pristine reefs, where diverse and dramatic undersea landscapes harbor the highest level of marine biodiversity on the planet.
Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel activities.
Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel activities.
Fly to Kota Kinabalu.
Transfer to the Shangri La’s Rasa Ria Resort – a premier luxury resort situated in a lush, 400-acre tropical setting beside exquisite Pantai Dalit Beach and including a unique nature reserve.
View the fascinating Orang Utan, hornbills that glide right overhead, peacocks walking by during breakfast, a friendly bear cat greeting you from a tree or the occasional wild rabbit, iguana or squirrel crossing your path.
Early risers can view the new sun as it rises over Mount Kinabalu in the distance. Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Optional activities include horseback riding, an all-terrain vehicle safari and deep-sea fishing.
Today we will fly to Hanoi, Vietnam, and enjoy the Sofitel Metropole located in the city. Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries.
Our morning departure to Halong Bay will take you on a journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. You will have the opportunity to observe everyday life of Vietnam/s villages as you see villagers work the local rice fields. We will arrive in Halong Bay and board the Au Co luxurious ship boasting 32 spacious cabins with fully equipped bathrooms and panoramic balconies.
A truly memorable experience awaits us as we cruise this delightful Bay, reveling in its tranquility as you escape the bustling tourist sights.
The first day of our cruise provides an introduction to the amazing scenery of Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long.
We will overnight on board Au Co.
After breakfast on board, visit the Vung Vieng by rowing traditional bamboo boats. Savor a delicious lunch in the Halong Restaurant while the ship cruises towards Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.
In the afternoon, w ewill take a guided bike or hiking excursion in the national park of Cat Ba Island and visit the Au Co Organic Farm. Afterwards, there will be time to kayak and swim in Viet Hai Lagoon.
We will overnight on board.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the bay while the Au Co cruises leisurely in Halong Bay. There will be time for breakfast and a visit to Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave before disembarking. Transfer back to Hanoi and the Sofitel Metropole hotel.
Fly to Macau where we will transfer to Hong Kong by ferry. We’ll celebrate our landing with a Rolls Royce transfer to the Peninsula Hotel! The prestigious Peninsula Hotel is the “Grande Dame of the Far East” and Hong Kong’s oldest hotel. It has long been hailed as one of the finest hotels in the world! The hotel is perfectly situated overlooking Victoria Harbor in Kowloon on Nathan Road, the shopping mecca in the heart of the business and entertainment district.
Our stay allows you to experience the glamour of travel of a by-gone era and explore the many antiques and historical artifacts on display around the hotel. The
Peninsula is a beautiful way to discover this fascinating city.
A half-day tour this morning is planned to discover the heritage highlights of Hong Kong. Visit the busy Sheung Wan Market and then take a tram ride to Victoria Peak for magnificent views of the city skyline.
The afternoon is free for you to shop on your own.
Today is at leisure.
Enjoy optional activities such as a cooking class at the Peninsula or go to Macau by ferry or helicopter.
We’ll transfer back to the Macau airport by private helicopter!
Fly to Taipei in the “Republic of China”. Taiwanis one of the most culturally diverse countries and we’ll experience a traveler’s bird’s eye view of modern Taiwanese life.
This morning we’ll visit the National Palace Museum, Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall for the changing of the guards, Long Shan Temple, and a ride in the world’s fastest elevator to the top of the world’s former tallest building for a spectacular view of Taipei.
The rest of the day will be at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Today is at leisure to relax and explore on your own.
Fly to Nagoya, Japan. Upon arrival at the international airport, we will transfer by bullet train to our hotel in Kyoto (90mn). The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto sits serenely on the banks of the Kamogawa River offering expansive views of the famous Higashiyama Sanju-Roppo (36 mountain range).
A full-day sightseeing tour is on the schedule offering the major highlights of the city. We will select the most “must see” sights for our tour.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
We will take the bullet train back to Nagoya for our flight tomorrow. Our hotel, the Marriott Associa, is located above Nagoya Station and 11 floors of JR Takashimaya Department Store. This afternoon we will attend a sumo wrestling tournament. Sumo is Japan’s national sport and the game boasts of a legacy that extends up to 1,000 years.
As we begin our journey back to the US, we will fly today to Sapporo, Japan.
Fly to Petropavlovsk. Situated on high hills and surrounded by volcanoes, the surrounding terrain of Petropavlovsk is mountainous enough that the horizon can’t be clearly seen from any point in town. Across Avacha Bay is Russia's largest submarine base, the Rybachiy Nuclear Submarine Base, established during the Soviet regime and still used by the Russian Navy.
Fly to Anchorage, Alaska. There will be a technical stop in Anadyr, Russia.
Situated on the shore of Lake Spenard next to Lake Hood, The Lakefront Anchorage has daily flightseeing and fishing pickups from its own dock. Enjoy watching the floatplanes with the majestic Chugach Mountains in the background.
Today is at leisure to relax.
Fly to Seattle. There will be a technical stop in Ketchikan to refuel.
Our visit to Seattle includes a tour of the Boeing factory and Chateau Ste. Michelle - Washington State's oldest winery.
Tonight we’ll celebrate with a farewell dinner.
We will go our separate ways as we head home today.