Shore Excursions - Asia & South Pacific

Experience the history and charm of this vibrant, multi-cultural city,  including the Botanic Gardens and Captain Cook’s Cottage.

See all the highlights from Bondi Beach to Sydney Harbor with a guided inside tour of the Opera House.

This privately guided excursion explores along the scenic Gulf of Thailand. Start in Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s premier beach resort, with a visit to Intra Ngean Pagoda. Continue along the coast past hidden coves to spectacular Ochheuteal Beach, a long sweep of powdery sand washed by the clear Gulf waters.  Take a stroll along the shore and then browse a colorful local market to experience the daily rhythms of life. Visit the charming fishing village of Tumnuk Rolok before returning to your ship.

Traveling with your personal guide, your chauffeured private car will transport you into the timeless landscapes of rural Cambodia through rice and sugar palm plantations to the capital. Your first visit is the National Museum, filled art and treasures from the 6^th to 13^th centuries. Then visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 and now home to King Sihamoni. Before returning to ship, tour the resplendent Silver Pagoda, so named for its magnificent floor of 5,000 silver tiles.

Strategically set on the Yellow Sea, the historic port city of Dalian is also a popular summertime beach resort. Your in-depth privately guided excursion begins along scenic Binhai Road, a winding ribbon that meanders along the city’s beaches and across forested headlands overlooked by elegant villas. Then stop in picturesque Xinghai Square, shaped like a star and graced with elegant marble pillars by the sea. Then tour the Polar Aquarium with your personal guide; it’s the world’s largest and features a unique habitat for polar bears.

Traveling comfortably with your personal guide in a chauffeured car, your tour of Hong Kong Island begins with a trip through the Cross Harbor Tunnel, emerging in the lively district of Wanchai. Ascend to the top of Victoria Peak for breathtaking views of the city skyline and harbor. Then drive to scenic Repulse Bay, popular with city residents in the summertime, and continue on to historic Aberdeen, where traditional fishing junks are moored in the shadow of Hong Kong’s famed floating restaurants.

Strategically set on the Yellow Sea, the historic port city of Dalian is also a popular summertime beach resort. Your in-depth privately guided excursion begins along scenic Binhai Road, a winding ribbon that meanders along the city’s beaches and across forested headlands overlooked by elegant villas. Then stop in picturesque Xinghai Square, shaped like a star and graced with elegant marble pillars by the sea. Then tour the Polar Aquarium with your personal guide; it’s the world’s largest and features a unique habitat for polar bears.

This private car excursion explores two of Shanghai's most significant sites. Your tour begins along the Bund, the city's elegant waterfront boulevard. It was here in the mid 1800's where European banks and trading companies built the grand office towers which still grace the avenue. Continue on to lively People's Square and then tour with your personal guide through the respected collection of the Shanghai Museum. Eleven galleries and three exhibit halls showcase Chinese art and culture over the past several thousand years, from ancient bronzes and celadon pottery to Buddhist sculptures, precious jade and exquisite Ming Dynasty furniture. In the company of your own private guide, you can tailor your exploration to your personal interests.

Ancient Suzhou is revered for its traditional architecture, charming waterways and exquisite gardens. Traveling comfortably with your own car and driver, your privately guided tour reveals all three. Begin with a visit to the Garden of the Master of the Nets, first designed a thousand years ago. Here, a beautiful central pond is graced with pathways, pavilions and a delicate stone bridge less than a foot wide. Peaked roofs, delicately carved lattice panels, and graceful ornamentation complement the garden's landscape. See the historic Panmen City Gate and then cruise along the Grand Canal, with sections dating back more than 2,000 years. It's a delightful way to enjoy the traditional Qing Dynasty homes and arching stone bridges that grace this peaceful waterway. The Suzhou region is famed also for silk production, and your tour includes a visit to a local silk factory.

This ancient water town is graced with winding canals, delicate stone bridges and beautifully preserved Ming Dynasty architecture; it is considered to be the finest of the four ancient water towns near Shanghai. Exploring at a leisurely pace with your own private car, driver and guide, you'll marvel at centuries-old homes and walk along tranquil waterways to cross ancient bridges with fanciful names like Setting Fish-Free Bridge.

With your own personal guide leading the way, and traveling at a comfortable pace with your own car and driver, this comprehensive sightseeing tour showcases the best of the capital, old and new. Stand in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public plazas in the world. Then follow in the footsteps of Ming Dynasty Emperors as you tour the resplendent Forbidden City. Filled with pavilions, palaces and courtyards, legend holds that the Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms! Enjoy a fine lunch of Chinese cuisine and then see the amazing architecture of modern China as you drive by the Olympic Green.

Traveling comfortably in a chauffeured private car, you and your personal guide will journey into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the city. Experience the thrill of walking atop the Great Wall, a massive defensive fortification which extends for thousands of miles across the north of China! Then return to the city and marvel at the amazing architecture of the Olympic Green.

Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, was the capital of the 19th century British Raj and today it's India's 2nd largest city by area. Your privately guided sightseeing includes the Victoria Memorial, a legacy of the Colonial era, and Kali Temple, an important pilgrimage site. You'll also visit some of the Jain temples in the city and tour the Indian Museum. Established in 1814, it is the oldest, largest and most highly-regarded museum in the country.

Set on the southeast coast, the capital of Tamil Nadu is the 4th largest city in India. This was the site of the earliest British settlement and your privately guided tour includes the legacies of this early history. See Fort St. George, built in the 17th century and now home to the Legislative Assembly. On the grounds of the Fort, St. Mary's Church is the oldest Anglican Church in Asia. Visit St. Georges Cathedral and continue on to the inviting seafront promenade of Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world!

Historic Cochin was the capital of Portuguese India until 1530. Today it's a charming city with a bustling port, picturesque islands, and serene backwater lagoons. Your privately guided tour begins at the Jewish Synagogue. Constructed in 1568, it's the oldest in India. Then visit the 16th century St. Francis Church and tour Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557 and renovated extensively by the Dutch when they arrived in the 17th century. Your specially arranged lunch at Nimmy Paul Palace includes a lively cooking demonstration of South Indian cuisine!

Your privately guided sightseeing begins in Panaji, the capital of Goa. Stand in lovely Church Square and admire the handsome Baroque façade of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1541 when this was the capital of Portugal's eastern Empire. Continue through town, filled with other lovely buildings and villas of the era. Then proceed to Old Goa, famed in the 16th century as the "Rome of the Orient." See the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Convent of St. Francis, and the Cathedral of St. Catherine. Completed in 1619, it is the largest Christian church in south Asia and a marvelous example of Renaissance architecture.

Your privately guided tour showcases the city's best highlights, starting with the Gateway of India, an elaborately carved and turreted triumphal arch built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. Nearby, the Prince of Wales Museum is a unique blend of Gothic and Moorish architectural motifs. Join your personal guide to peruse its fine exhibits of exquisite Indian miniature paintings, Tibetan and Nepalese art and ancient artifacts from the Indus Valley. Continue along lively Chowpatty Beach and ascend Malabar Hill to admire the beautiful terraced landscaping of the Hanging Gardens. This is a delightful place to relax for a bit, enjoy a stroll and lovely views over the Arabian Sea.

The skyline of Mumbai and the silhouette of the Gateway of India are an Inspiring spectacle as they recede into the distance. Your one-hour boat ride brings you to an off-shore island, home to the marvelous Elephanta Caves, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In the company of your own personal guide, you'll enjoy a leisurely paced exploration of this celebrated cave complex, carved and decorated more than 1,000 years ago. You'll be amazed as you explore the vast pillared halls, courtyards and shrines hewn from solid rock. Enormous sculptures and bas-relief carvings of Hindu Deities bring to life the power and mystery of Indian mythology.

Although Fukuoka is a modern city, extensively rebuilt after World War II, it's also home to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, one of the most revered in Japan. Built upon the grave site of a famed 10th century scholar, it honors the God of Literature. As you explore this enchanting shrine, surrounded by landscaped grounds, your personal guide will offer rich insight into Japanese culture and tradition. Then go underground to the amazing Tenjin Shopping Complex, comprising 12 subterranean avenues filled with 150 stores and boutiques. 19th century European style flagstone floors and an elaborately designed ceiling belie the unusual location of this popular destination.

Founded in 1589, Hiroshima grew into a major city and port during the Meiji Period. In the 20th century, of course, it was most well-known as the first city to be hit with an atomic bomb. Nearly 70% of the city was completely destroyed, but one of the remaining structures, partially damaged, was a domed building close to the site of detonation. Today, this architectural shell stands in Peace Memorial Park. Explore this sobering and fascinating area with your guide and then visit the unusual Shukkei-en Garden. Established in the 17th century, you'll be enchanted by the garden's extraordinary design, with valleys, mountains and forests represented in miniature in the garden's landscaping.

This wonderful privately guided excursion begins with a ferry boat ride into the picturesque island-dotted Inland Sea to Miyajima, celebrated as one of the most scenic spots in all of Japan. With your personal guide leading the way, you'll be delighted by the refined architecture of the 12th century Itsukushima Shrine, built on piers over the bay. In the distance, the oft-photographed red Torii Gate appears to rise magically from the sea. Return to Hiroshima, tour Peace Memorial Park and see the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Join your personal guide aboard the Kagoshima Ferry and journey across the placid waters of Kinko Bay to Sakura-jima, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The Arimura Lava Observation Point offers an unforgettable opportunity to witness up-close the geo-thermal power of the Earth. Sakura-jima was at one time an isolated island, but an extraordinarily powerful 1914 eruption shifted the terrain and additional lava flows and connected the volcano to the mainland! Return to Kagoshima city and tour Sengan-en, a classic Japanese landscape garden, before returning to your ship.

Exploring at a leisurely pace with your own chauffeured vehicle and guide, this enriching full day tour of the city begins at the historic Chiran Samurai Residences. Laid out nearly 300 years ago, this street of seven Samurai residences features traditional Edo-period homes, each with a beautifully landscaped garden. Then visit the Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots and stroll in Sengan-en Garden, set against a wooded hillside with Sakura-jima Volcano in the distance. Explore the fascinating history of this port city at the Shoko Shuseikan Museum before returning to your ship.

Set between mountain and sea, the vibrant port city of Kobe is one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse in all of Japan. Your privately guided sightseeing begins with a scenic cable car ascent up the forested slopes of Mt. Rokko. From the summit, you'll have sweeping views of the city skyline and harbor. Then tour the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum to learn about the traditional sake brewing process. You'll enjoy a tasting of their carefully crafted sake before returning to your ship by chauffeured private car.

Enchanting Kyoto is revered as the artistic, spiritual and cultural heart of the nation. Your in-depth, privately guided exploration reveals the myriad delights of this ancient city. Start your touring at Kinkaku-ji Temple, the celebrated 3-tiered Golden Pavilion. Dominating central Kyoto are the towering walls and moat of Nijo Castle, built in 1603 for the powerful Tokugawa Shogunate. Your personal guide will offer rich and fascinating insight into feudal Japan as you explore the impressive residences and grounds of the Castle, including the unusual 'Nightingale Floor' which chirps as you walk upon it, an ingenious device to warn against intruders. Then visit the magnificent, vermilion-hued Heian Shrine and Kyoto Handicraft Center before returning to your ship by chauffeured private vehicle.

Sightseeing with your own private car, driver and guide ensures a comfortable, flexible pace as you explore the highlights of this dynamic city. Begin your tour with historic Glover Garden, where 19th century European merchants built gracious homes on a picturesque hillside overlooking the port. Then visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and Nagasaki Peace Park, located just a few minutes from the epicenter of the August 9, 1945 atomic bomb blast.

This full-day, privately guided excursion explores the Shimabara Peninsula. See powerful geo-thermal forces firsthand at the boiling mineral hot springs of Unzen. If you're hungry, you can try a popular snack sold here - onsen tamago are eggs boiled in these steaming natural hot springs. The destructive side of the region's geology is revealed when you visit the remains of the small village of Mizunashi Honjin, buried by ashes during the 1991 eruption of Mt. Fugen. Preserved as a memorial to residents who lost their lives, just a few roofs remain visible above the ash and debris. Then visit the impressive 17th century castle town of Shimabara before returning to your ship.

Behind the vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere of this bustling city lies a rich wealth of history and tradition. In the company of your own personal expert, and touring comfortably by chauffeured private car, you'll explore two of Osaka's most important treasures. Shitteno-ji, founded in 593, is the oldest temple in Japan. Devastated by fire on numerous occasions over the centuries, it has been faithfully rebuilt each time, always maintaining its original design and mathematically-based alignment. The stone torii gate, erected in 1294, is the oldest structure. Your sightseeing also includes the magnificent Osaka Castle, originally built in the late 16th century. Its imposing 5-tiered silhouette, thick fortress walls and wide moat are truly impressive.

With your own private car, driver and guide, your exploration of Tokyo's highlights will be comfortably paced and more rewarding. Your sightseeing begins at the Imperial Palace Plaza, overlooking the formidable walls and moat of the palace. Continue through the Ginza, Tokyo's most celebrated shopping district, and visit Asakusa Kannon Temple, the oldest in the city and surrounded by the busy merchants of the colorful Nakamise Shopping Arcade.

Venture with your personal guide beyond the imposing walls of the Imperial Palace to explore within the exclusive inner compound. Enter into the tranquil East Garden via Ote-mon, the historic main gate that was once the private castle entrance used by Ieyasu Tokugawa. Then continue by private car through the central and western districts of Tokyo to Meiji Jingu, the magnificent shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Pass through the soaring Torii gates, crafted from 1,700 year-old cypress trees, and explore this vast complex as your guide offers fascinating insight into Japan's dramatic history. Drive through the Ginza, stroll in the bustling Nakamise Arcade and visit Asakusa Kannon Temple before returning to your ship.

Delight in the City of Sails, including Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter.

Explore aboard the historic Christchurch Tram, ride the Gondola for stunning views and visit the International Antarctic Center

Discover architectural highlights, visit the Te Papa National Museum and ascend Mt. Victoria by cable car.

Singapore is a vibrant, multi-cultural tropical city filled with 21st century exuberance and the ancient traditions of Asia. Your private car sightseeing tour begins in colorful Little India and continues past some of the city's most important Colonial-era landmarks including Parliament House and the Supreme Court. Traditional shop houses and temples characterize bustling Chinatown. Then proceed up Mt. Faber for wonderful views over the city and port, one of the world's busiest. Your final stop before returning to ship is the Botanic Garden, home to a breathtaking exhibit of orchids.

Buddhist traditions are strong here in Bangkok, and your leisurely exploration by private car explores three of the city's most significant temples. The Temple of the Golden Buddha is home to the largest solid gold Buddha in the world, standing 15 feet tall and weighing more than 5 tons. At Wat Po, built in the 16th century, your personal guide will reveal the history behind this enormous reclining Buddha - stretching nearly 150 feet from head to toe. Then visit the distinctive Marble Temple, a blend of Thai architecture and European Neoclassical influences.

Your privately guided sightseeing begins at the Grand Palace, its halls and pavilions glittering with intricate mosaics and gold leaf. See the Reception Hall, Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall and, of course, Wat Phra Keo, the beautiful Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Then immerse in the unique rhythms and charms of Bangkok as you cruise along the klongs (canals), a delightful perspective on the lives and traditions of city residents. Sample Thai cuisine at lunch, explore Chinatown, and ride a tuk-tuk (3-wheeled taxi) before returning to your ship.

The architectural charms of Phuket town are often overshadowed by the spectacular palm-fringed beaches of the island. But the lovely historic district offers a fascinating and rewarding look into the multi-cultural history of the island. With great wealth from tin mining on the island, merchant families built handsome shop houses in the Sino-Portuguese style, with a shaded arcade and retail or office space on the ground floor and spacious residential quarters above. Colonial-era mansions likewise were built with influences of both Chinese and European architectural elements. Together with your private guide, you'll delve the history of Phuket as you admire these historic buildings.

Phuket Island is fringed with spectacular white sand beaches shaded by picture-perfect palm trees. But the rugged, forested interior of the island offers great opportunities for thrills and adventure. With your personal guide at your side, this thrilling full-day excursion includes spectacular white water rafting and elephant trekking through the lush tropical forests.

Hue has long been revered as the Imperial City of the Nguyen Emperors. In the company of your own personal guide, you'll explore the historic treasures of this delightful city. Admire the 7-tiered Thien Mu Pagoda, built on a hill overlooking the tranquil Perfume River. Continue on to the Imperial Citadel, built in the early 1800's and modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. In the countryside outside of town, there are numerous Imperial tombs, and you'll visit the most spectacular one before returning to ship; Tu Doc Tomb was designed to evoke a miniature royal palace with a graceful lakeside pavilion, ornate building and fragrant gardens.

Experience the rhythms and colors of Danang as you venture through the city streets as the locals do, aboard a traditional pedi-cab. Exploring through town at this leisurely pace allows you to truly appreciate its charming landmarks including the bustling Han Market and Da Nang Cathedral. Then join your personal guide to tour the Cham Museum and its outstanding collection of sandstone carvings and temple decorations, many of them from the ancient Hindu culture which flourished in central Vietnam from the 4th to 14th centuries. Return to your ship via chauffeured private car, stopping at world-famous China Beach to enjoy the panorama.

A comfortable journey by private car through the countryside brings you to the captivating city of Hanoi. As your personal guide offers fascinating insight, your comprehensive touring begins at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a monumental edifice of marble granite and exotic woods. Just behind is the simple house where the leader lived and worked. Admire the graceful One Pillar Pagoda and then visit the Temple of Literature, founded nearly 1,000 years ago. Enjoy a fine lunch of Vietnamese cuisine and then explore through Old Town, where charming streets still bear the names of merchants of old… Tin Street, Silk Street and Grilled Fish Street!

This enriching, privately-guided tour showcases the highlights of bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly called Saigon. You'll see Unification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was toward this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet performance and see the Notre Dame Cathedral, an impressive Colonial-era landmark. At the Cu Chi Tunnels, a special military guide will reveal the secrets of this vast underground network built by guerilla fighters beginning in 1940 and enlarged throughout the Vietnam War. Marvel at secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living quarters, and even subterranean conference rooms!

This uniquely-designed tour delves in to the daily lives of residents along Vietnam's tranquil southern coast. Just a short drive from the lively resorts of Nha Trang finds you in the tranquil countryside, dotted with palm trees and family-run fruit orchards. Stop by a local kindergarten and walk along village paths to visit with a family engaged in one of the area's cottage industries. Watch as they hand-weave mats from rushes that grow abundantly in the area. Then pause at a riverside café to sample some of the tropical fruits you've seen growing and watch as water buffalo are washed in the river at the end of a day in the rice paddies. You'll have time to relax along the Nha Trang beachfront before returning to your ship.