11 Day Visions of Japan
september & October departures / Small groups May - October
Forget everything your mother taught you about table manners. In Japan, it’s perfectly acceptable to slurp! Get ready to joyously drink in traditional hot sake, green tea, big brothy noodle bowls and the delicious views from neon-lit Tokyo to historic Kyoto. Peaks, palaces, pavilions, and pagodas provide picture-perfect backdrops for your photos, but don’t expect to stand still for very long on this enthralling tour of Japan. A hands-on calligraphy class, a special kimono fitting, an interactive cooking demonstration, and a gold-leaf design class—where you’ll make your own keepsake bento box—are all part of the fun. Browse the produce at a Takayama farmer’s market, stroll through Kanazawa’s famous Kenroku-en gardens and experience the thrill of a ride on the famous bullet train. Prepare to be floored in more ways than one!
12 Day Great Sights of Australia
departures january - june & september - november
Laugh and the kookaburras laugh with you. Cry and the kookaburras still laugh. That’s the beauty of a journey to happy-go-lucky Australia where sunny days are accentuated by its even sunnier inhabitants. Koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats are among the many locals eager to greet you on this breezy tour of Australia. With visits to four wondrous waterfront cities, you’ll easily see why the world gushes about the land Down Under. Go behind the scenes at Brisbane’s Australia Zoo, snorkel above the dazzling coral at the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns and devour the panoramic scenery and a delicious lunch at the iconic Sydney Opera House. In Melbourne, take in the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island or chill with a nice chardonnay at a Yarra Valley winery.