Asia

Central Asia

The romance of riding horseback across a desert, haggling for carpets in a bazaar, and dining Central Asia is made up of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Here you can travel in the footsteps of Marco Polo as you make your way along the Silk Road, once the connection between Asia and Europe. This Mysterious land was home to emperors, Sufi saints and Conquering armies.

In this region you will find the world’s greatest collection of Islamic architecture. There are medieval fortresses and colorful intricate tiled mosques with towering minarets rising above the cities. The area is teeming with historic landmarks, museums, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Samarkand and Bukhara, two of the historic Silk Road caravan stops you can shop in a medieval bazaar check and out the silk carpets, sit down for tea in a nomad’s yurt or stargaze to your heart’s content from a distant desert oasis.

Visitors must show their respect by dressing modestly and covering arms and legs while touring religious sites.

There are many natural wonders to be found in Central Asia. In Son Kul, is an Alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan. There is a gas crater also known as the Gate of Hell in Turkmenistan. The second largest mountain lake in the world is in Kyrgyzstan.

You can find world class hiking in the Fann Mountains of Tajikistan and Emel National Park and the Tian Shan Moutains in Kazakhstan.

Here are a couple of place worth seeing:

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

This is an ancient trading town. The city skyline is lined with mosques, madrasahs and minarets. The winding streets, filled with the sights and smells of a market place are sure to intrigue your senses. The fortress of the former Emir and the tall minaret that impressed Genghis Khan eight centuries ago can be found here.

Khiva, Uzbekistan

One of the great caravan cities. Located deep in the desert, this ancient walled city was home to the slave trade. Surrounded by the ruins of dozens of medieval fortresses.

East and Southeast Asia

Cruises to East Asia sail to China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Cruises to Southeast Asia will take you to Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In addition to large ship cruising, there are many smaller ships that will take you inland over rivers. You’ll pass by bamboo groves, grazing water buffalos, majestic mountains, floating markets, quaint villages and centuries-old temples as you travel down the Yangtze, the Mekong or the Irrawaddy rivers.

On an East Asia cruise, you will have the opportunity to explore hundreds of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sacred temples, shrines, grand palaces, castles and world class museums. Step back in time as you learn more about the ancient cultures, visit breathtaking landscapes and enjoy this once in a lifetime trip.

You can visit the Great Wall, the Forbidden city, see a Terracotta Army, browse the colorful street markets in Tokyo, tantalize the taste buds in Thailand, visit the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, tour the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial in Taipei and cruise through the stunning Three Gorges along the Yangtze River. While you are there you can experience the local culture and customs by taking cooking classes, watch sumo wrestling, practice Tai Chi and more.

East Asia is home to some of the world’s largest cities, neon-lit streets and architectural wonders. From Shanghai to Seoul South Korea to Japans high-tech cityscapes, there’s so much to see and do! In Southeast Asia you will find ancient temples, colonial buildings and white sand beaches. A melting pot of diverse cultures, there is a lot to see here too! You can explore temples, ruins and the breathtaking landscapes. Witness the architectural wonder of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, or the ancient Taman Ayun Royal Temple in Bali. In Penang visit the Butterfly farms and Botanical Gardens, hit the night markets of Bangkok or escape to the sandy beaches of Vietnam. Discover mysterious ruins, towering temples, serene gardens and unforgettable cuisine when you cruise through Southeast Asia.

Here are some places you may visit on your cruise:

Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia

There are hundreds of temples built around this historic site. Built by generations of Khmer rulers, witnessing the shear mass of this architectural feet will take your breath away! These temples were constructed in the 12th century and are surrounded by a protective moat.

Bali, Indonesia

A tropical paradise where you’ll find sandy beaches, exotic plants, white water rivers, ancient royal temples and sacred monkeys. There are many terraced rice paddies here as well as banana, coffee and cocoa plantations. The lush landscape hosts colorful wildlife.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand You’ll find ancient temples, giant Buddhas, alongside modern skyscrapers. Take a ride on one of tuk-tuk, three-wheeled motorized taxi, to Wat Po, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha the oldest temple in Bangkok. It’s Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha measuring 150 feet long, 49 feet tall.

Beijing, China

From here you can visit the Forbidden City which was China’s seat of power during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Inside the wall you’ll find treasures like 340,000 porcelain and ceramic objects, 50,000 paintings and 10,000 bronze objects. While in Beijing you can take a ride to the Great Wall of China, which is an hour away by train.

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, Indonesia

You will find unearthly landscapes here in the volcanic belt. Mount Bromo, is one of the most stunning places on the entire planet to watch a sunrise. Visitors travel for miles to witness the impressive caldera of Mt Bromo.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

There are 2,000 limestone islands located in Holong Bay. These islands have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While there hope on a Junk boat for a cruise around the islands.

Hanoi, Vietnam

You will find hundreds of motorbikes zipping over the roads, women in traditional conical straw hats, and a bustling shopping district filled with colorful embroidery.

The Vietnam War- related Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Ho Chi Minh Museum are popular sites. At the heart of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, an open-air museum of historic Asian and French colonial architecture. Ancient temples and art museums share the attractions list with museums devoted to the Vietnamese revolution and military history.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, is a vibrant, chaotic and culturally diverse city and the gateway to the Mekong Delta region. Tourist stops generally focus on the country’s tumultuous history including the Vietnam War. Among the most popular are the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, the Presidential Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. The huge Ben Thanh Market is packed with tourists and inspired hawkers with row after row of stalls that sell familiar and exotic foods, and tourist items like lacquer ware, paintings, porcelain, jewelry and wood carvings, as well as clothing and knock-off designer bags and watches.

Hoi An, Vietnam

This quaint village has cobblestone streets with historic buildings alongside. You will find souvenirs and authentic Vietnamese cuisine here with many of the restaurants offer cooking classes.

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong is a former British colony and became a free nation in 1997. Most visit for the shopping, fine beaches and the sleepy villages off shore. Hong Kong is famous for banking, custom made suits, and shopping! There are Gucci, Prada and Chanel boutiques around every corner.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, a melting pot of multicultural influences from European colonization and Chinese and Indian immigrants. You will find ancient temples and mosques sit next to the soaring Petronas Towers, the world’s second-tallest buildings. The town hosts the world’s largest indoor amusement park, Cosmo’s World, and the 230-acre Lake Gardens. Adventure seekers can canoe, kayak or go white water rafting here. Don’t forget to stop by the Central Market, built in 1888, for your souvenirs. You can find everything from designer labels and home furnishings to authentic Malaysian arts and crafts are for sale.

Luang Prabang, Laos

This UNESCO World Heritage site comprises the entire city. You will find colonial Loa architecture and temples here. Luang Prabang is known for its alms procession, a daily morning ritual in which monks wearing saffron robes take donations of food. Just outside of town you can find waterfalls, bathing pools and caves to explore.

Mount Fuji, Japan

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain, this perfectly shaped volcano is worshipped as something sacred.

Penang, Malaysia

Penang, with its unique blend of Indian, Chinese and Malay influences. You will find spicy curries, delicious laksas and savory soups take will more than tempt your taste buds! Penang’s capital, Georgetown, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to 200-year-old temples, mosques and colonial buildings.

Shaanxi, China

This is the grave site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It is guarded by an army of life-sized soldiers that were made from clay. Each of the warriors has its own distinct features, and it’s estimated this took over 70,000 workers to create back in 247 BC. The soldiers are in trenchlike, underground corridors. In some of the corridors, clay horses are found behind wooden chariots.

The terra-cotta army, as it is known, is part of an elaborate mausoleum created to accompany the first emperor of China into the afterlife, according to archaeologists.

Yangon, Burma/Myanmar. You will find British colonial architecture, impressive Buddhist pagodas as well as handicrafts and local foods in the cities covered market.