Experience A fascinating journey into the heart of two towering ancient cultures, with private pre and post tours, transfers and premium accommodations. An itinerary of natural wonders, island beach recreation and time to understand Asia’s turbulent history. Share the memories of one of the few remaining Hiroshima Atom bomb survivors, hike through the forest to the shrine at Miyajima and meditate on the vision of the holy mountain of Misen San. Contemplate some of the most beautiful Chinese landscapse from the deck of your cruise vessel as you sail 200 nautical miles of the Yangzte to Shanghai, one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Available Cruise Departure Dates:
June 30, 2012

Kobe is the sixth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshu, approximately 500 km west of Tokyo.  Wedged in between the coast and the mountains, the city of Kobe is long and narrow.  It is warm in winter, and is coolish in the summer.

Meet your driver for an airport transfer.

The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel stands on its southern tip of the land jutting out into the sea. The hotel is designed in a picture-perfect harmony with Port Tower and Maritime Museum and looks just like a luxury cruise ship dropping anchor there. The hotel's unique location, surrounded 270 degrees by sea, gives you stunning and unobstructive views of the ocean, harbor and city from your room balcony. Night view of Kobe is even more appealing and romantic with a dazzling display of light, colors and silhouettes. Whether you stay with us for leisure or business, you will be assured of a refined yet refreshing and relaxing time at this urban retreat as if you were having a great time aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Overnight at The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel.

This morning at 9:00am, transfer with your private guide in a chartered vehicle. First take a visit to the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, built as a symbol of a reconstruction from the 1995 earthquake in Kobe. Apart from the striking exhibition about the earthquake, one of the highlight is the building itself, designed by the world famous architect Tadao Ando.  Resume the tour to Nada district, a famous place for sake production due to the availability of high quality rice and water and its proximity to Kobe Port. As a matter of fact, Nada district is still the world's top producing region of sake. Stroll around this Sake district and stop by one of the Brewery to enjoy tasting various kinds of Sake.  Pay a visit to the Ikutajinja Shrine, where the god of Victory is enshrined. Since ancient times, it has come through various kinds of calamities and each time, is born again. This is one of the reasons why people in Kobe visit it often, praying here for happiness. Finally, terminate your visit in the Kitano area. In 1868, when Japan was opening to the world, Kobe was established as a concession to western powers.  Kitano was the foreigner’s district and each house bears the influence of the country of his first owner. Today, the European architecture, a synagogue and Chinatown, mark Kobe as a place where foreign culture first arrived in Japan.

Overnight at The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel.

Cruise the seas of Southeast Asia, transitioning from highly cultural and historic port cities within China, Japan, the Philippeans or Malaysia. Your luxurious onboard experience will be enhanced with shore excursions out to explore both the modern and traditional city and island highlights of this vibrant region.

Sleep in this morning and relax at your hotel.

Meet your driver for a private port transfer.

Welcome aboard your cruise vessel!
After embarkation, meet some of your fellow cruise passengers and get settled in.

Orion II is a private yacht-like expedition cruise ship built by Cantieri Navale Ferrari of Italy. After a number of years as a private yacht, Orion II was relaunched in 2009 following an extensive technical refit. Little expense was spared with this stylish, Italian built, all-suite Mega Yacht. Orion II now offers the finest standards in small-ship cruise travel. She also has an ice-strengthened hull for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic and is fitted with stabilisers. The expedition equipment includes Zodiacs and fast tender to deliver the Orion expedition experience. Combining luxury and service will require staffing by 68 offices and crew to serve Orion II’s capacity of 100 guests. Excellence of design, craftsmanship and quality materials combined with Orion II’s spaciousness and intimate ambience make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

Your visit to Hiroshima revolves around the Peace Park, Peace Museum and the A-Bomb Dome. The Peace Park, and the A-Bomb dome (being one of the only buildings to survive the horrific blast), stand in peaceful contrast to the images displayed inside the museum.

No visit to Japan is truly complete without visiting the Peace Museum, which is quite an emotional experience for most. The Atomic detonation at Hiroshima forever changed the psyche of the Japanese people and the history of the entire world. One of the few remaining survivors of the actual bombing will talk to you about their personal experiences that day and their life since the bombing in Hiroshima (the lecture will be translated into English).

The Itsukushima shrine, its grand Torii gate and the general town area are accessed on foot after a short walk from the Zodiac landing beach. It is in the Itsukushima shrine, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage area, where your local guides will explain to the group the significance of this location.

After your time in the main shrine, you can take a guided hike through the forested area of Miyajima, explore more of the temples and shrines, or wander through the main street with its shopping and eating establishments.

Please note, the order in which we visit Hiroshima and Miyajima today is tide dependant.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

Your included expedition today will begin a short distance from your berth at the Shimonoseki Fish Markets. Whilst many varieties of seafood are traded at the markets, it’s Fugu that is the most famous. From the market you will progress to one of the major Fugu traders where you will learn more about the process of preparing the fish for consumption, and where you will learn the basic skills of the fine art of preparing Fugu sashimi. Fugu sashimi is traditionally ultra thin and whilst you will have the opportunity to try your skills, you will all no doubt appreciate the years of training that goes into producing a true Fugu master chef.

Guests will then explore the dramatic Shuhodo cave system, the largest limestone cave system in Japan. The caves complete with flowing underground rivers are easy to explore with wide, structured paths and guiding handrails and stairways, making this experience accessible to most.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

Today you will use the local street cars for transport to the Nagasaki Peace Park and Ground Zero, and also to Dejima, a designated Japanese history site. Today you'll also visit Glover Garden, the one-time home of Thomas Glover, a Scottish business man who helped to establish ship building and other industries in Nagasaki, and to the Ouru Catholic Church of the 26 Martyrs.

A complimentary shuttle into the city area will also be available today. Please note, cruise guests will be split into different groups to participate in the included activities at different times throughout the day.

Optional:
You'll drive inland from Nagasaki through the mountains to Unzen National Park, stopping along the way at a roadside "station" famous for Castella Portuguese sponge cakes, introduced by the first European contact. The Unzen National Park has numerous walking trails through the hot spring areas. Further on you will reach Shimabara and its castle dating back to the 1600's. The Samurai residences of Shimabara, which will also be visited, have waterways filled with colourful Koi Carp.

This tour includes a Japanese lunch at a local hotel. English speaking guides will accompany the tour. Please note this tour will preclude you from undertaking the inclusive experiences today.

To participate in an optional activity, please contact your travel consultant.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

A shuttle bus from the port to the central shopping area and fish markets will be available all day in Busan as well as an included expedition visiting several local attractions. The inclusive tour will visit Tongdosa Temple, a colourful Korean Buddhist temple where you can participate in a Korean tea ceremony with the Monks. You will briefly stop at Haeundae beach to witness the spectacle of colour and sound as thousands of Koreans pack themselves onto the beach strip. You'll then progress to the UN Memorial Cemetery to pay respect to those who served and lost their lives during the Korean War. As no visit to Busan is complete without a visit to the Jalgachi Fish Market, arguably the best of its kind in the world, where every kind of edible sea creature is on sale, the inclusive tour will also visit here. (Guests will be split into different groups to participate in the included activities at different time throughout the day)

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

The lucky island of Jejudo enjoys warm weather for much of the year so visitors flock to the beaches. It is a magnet for hikers and scuba divers and those who want to explore Korean culture in one of the many museums. You'll join the Zodiac fleet for an excursion out to Jejudo today.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

Days at sea aboard Orion are less structured than a typical cruise ship. Rise at your leisure and select from a variety of breakfast options. Late morning consider joining a presentation in the Lecture Theatre by one of the Expedition Staff or a Guest Speaker. Luncheon is served both indoors and out and the timeless tradition of afternoon tea is observed at 4:00pm.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

The Yangtze River winds 6,300 kilometres from Quinghai Province to Shanghai - a wonderful way to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes and memorable scenes of Chinese life as you cruise 200 nautical miles up the Yangtze to Nanjing for 3 full days and two night stop overs.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

Nanjing is a rich repository of Chinese history as the capital city of six ancient dynasties. There is much to see here including some of China’s most stunning pagodas and palaces. You will have two days of exploration in Nanjing, as your cruise vessel docks here overnight.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

Highlights of the ancient city of Nanjing include the 600 year old Nanjing City Wall, the remains of the 14th century Ming Palace, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (the tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty), and the Jiming Temple, whose origins date back to 557 AD. There is certainly much to see in this city.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

The Shanghai skyline is full of extraordinary architecture and the streets a multicultural mix where Western customs and Chinese traditions create an energetic, colourful culture. Your cruise vessel will anchor overnight at Shanghai port, allowing you a full day of discovery before disembarking in the morning.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (11N).

Today you'll arrive at the port of Shanghai, where you will disembark from your ship, and say farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

Meet your private driver at the port for your tour of Shanghai today. With an English-speaking guide, you'll make visits to contrasting old and modern sites of Shanghai, including the Shanghai Old Living Quarter, the French Concession, the Pudong New Development Zone and SWFC Tower. An included deluxe lunch will be served at the XianQiangFang Restaurant (Shanghai style) mid-day. The city's old quarter is a nice remnant from the original 11th century walled city, and is one of the few small areas to have avoided the rapid redevelopment that characterizes Shanghai. The French Concession covers much of the premier retail and residential areas of Shanghai, and because of it's unique character, is a popular destination for tourists. The Pudong area is the city's modern commercial and financial hub, defined by many of Shanghai's most well-known buildings and skyscrapers, including the Shanghai World Financial Center, an immense multi-use skyscraper of 492 meters. At the end of your tour, you'll be returned to the port.

The Le Royal Meridien is stylish and sophisticated with an ultra-modern design and is one of the city’s tallest landmarks. It is centrally located at the center of Shanghai, on the historic Nanjing Road East, opposite the People's Square and overlooking the Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Grand Theater. Surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops, and museums, the hotel provides easy access to all areas of Shanghai via the Nanjing Pedestrian Walkway or Shanghai's subway. The hotel’s 761 guestrooms and suites feature the latest technologies and floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows that afford views of Shanghai’s famed skyline. Beyond the rooms, the hotel features ten exciting restaurants and bars that offer a variety of cuisines.

Overnight at Le Royal Meridien .

Full day private guided tour of Xitang or Tongli with deluxe lunch. This famous town with thousands of years of history dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC). The city has well-preserved groups of buildings of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is famous for its large number of covered corridors, lanes and bridges. Its flat terrain is marked by a quiet, natural environment with rivers running through it. The quiet water, handsome bridges, and the reflections in the early morning and the rosy sunset, fishing boats and the glistening lights in the evening, form an amazing poetic picture of the Yangtze River.

Overnight at Le Royal Meridien .

Transfer to/from airport with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .