China
Images courtesy A&K
What We Love
- Immersing ourselves in the world’s most ancient yet modern culture.
- Exploring Beijing with an expert guide, gaining insider access to the great imperial city turned Maoist capital
- Beholding mysterious feats of human endeavor, such as the Great Wall
- Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the terra cotta Warriors of Xian
- Traveling south to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and the cobblestone streets of Lijang, a medieval city that inspired the architecture of Disney's Mulan
Things To See & Do
- Ride through the Gobi Desert on camelback.
- Follow Marco Polo’s footsteps along the Silk Road.
- Engage in the exquisite comforts of Shanghai, the “Paris of the East.”
- Sail past traditional fishing villages on the Yangtze River as it winds through the Three Gorges.
- Spend time in Hong Kong, which many consider the bridge between modern life and the traditional folkways of old China. Like the rest of China, it is a place of tantalizing contrasts, ranging from booming nightclubs to “Tea at High Noon” at the Peninsula.
Combine With:
To really get out into the wilds of the East, we suggest adding Tibet or Mongolia, which both have fascinating landscapes and cultures.
As home to the Potala Palace, the traditional residence of the Dalai Lama, Lhasa is the spiritual heart of Tibet. Return home from the Roof of the World with a deeper understanding of an ancient spirituality.
The long-isolated Mongolia is a treasure for those interested in epic landscapes and human history. The ancestral homeland of Genghis Khan, Mongolia features some of the world's oldest spectacles of skill, strength, and horsemanship during the Naadam Festival.
Japan
What We Love
- Diana Vreeland, the editor of Vogue in the 1960s, once said of Japan, “God was fair to the Japanese. He gave them no oil, no diamonds, but he did give them style.” And that, they certainly have in spades. The panache, color, and culture packed into this tiny island nation is most impressive. For those who admire beautiful, thoughtful design and incredible scenery, Japan will not disappoint.
- Modern life is full steam ahead in Tokyo as it pops up among the ancient shrines and castles.
- Kyoto was the imperial capital, and it remains the traditional heart of Japan.
- The cherry blossoms are overwhelming in the best possible way.
- We love staying at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn), where one can find the true meaning of Zen.
Things To See & Do
- Visit a natural hot spring.
- Learn about and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at the Happo-en Garden.
- Pace yourself in the kaleidoscope of colors and sensory stimulation in the Harajuku neighborhood of Tokyo.
- Take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and enjoy a multi-course kaiseki banquet complete with geishas or maikos.
- Hit the slopes in the north during the winter.