cruise-collection-2016-2017

25 / 40

25 1-800-368-2794 • •
Timeless Japan
ABOARD THE CALEDONIAN SKY
With its 6,852 islands, the Land of the Rising Sun is the perfect place
to explore by sea. Aboard the Caledonian Sky, contour the stunning
coastline and explore offshore islands of the archipelago to discover
ancient castles, serenely beautiful gardens, and opulent temples and
shrines where tourists rarely set foot. You’ll also visit South Korea’s
Kyongju, the “Museum Without Walls,” where history comes to life
among its tombs, temples, shrines, and pleasure gardens.
DAYS 1-5 TOKYO / KANAZAWA / MATSUE / HAGI After
exploring Tokyo, head to Kanazawa, a thriving center of the arts
known for its hand-painted kimonos and Kenroku-en Garden,
ranked among the country’s top classic gardens. Embark and cruise
to Matsue, visit its fuedal castle and Adachi Museum, well known
for both superb Japanese gardens and a collection of contemporary
Japanese paintings, then explore Hagi’s old samurai residential
quarter and Daisho Temple.
DAYS 6-8 / KYONGJU / NAGASAKI / YAKUSHIMA Visit
South Korea’s magnificent Kyongju, a World Heritage Site with
hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas.
As the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, Kyongju’s cultural
heritage dates back to the first millennium. Tour Nagasaki’s Peace
Memorial Park and Dejima Island, built during the Edo Period to
accommodate Portuguese Christian missionaries, and enjoy a nature
walk on the island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DAYS 9-10 UWAJIMA / HIROSHIMA / MIYAJIMA Learn
the process of implanting, harvesting, extracting, and sorting pearls
on a visit to a pearl farm on Uwajima, then visit Hiroshima’s Peace
Memorial Park, a compelling site with its Memorial Cenotaph.
Miyajima is one of Japan’s top scenic wonders, providing a picture-
postcard vista of the scarlet torii gate at the entrance to the
Shinto shrine, a World Heritage Site. Step ashore to explore the
Itsukushima Jinja Shrine, founded in the 6th century and dedicated
to three sea goddesses.
DAYS 11-12 OKAYAMA / KURASHIKI / OSAKA One of
Japan’s most famed gardens is Koraku-en, with its walking trails,
ponds, plum and cherry trees, and a classic teahouse where you will
experience a traditional tea ceremony. In Kurashiki, explore the old
merchant quarter and its fine 17th century wooden warehouses with
traditional black tiles, set along a canal framed with weeping willows
and filled with koi. Depart on Day 12 via Osaka.
DATES
May 7-19, 2017
May 16-28, 2017
TRIP COST
From ₤6,695 (GBP)
Price is per person
and depends on
cabin type