Hong Kong and Japan Tour

Departure for Hong Kong

We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK170, departing at 17.10 for Hong Kong.

Victoria Peak and Repulse Bay

We land in Hong Kong at 08.20 local time and our waiting vehicle takes us straight into the city tour. One of Asia's liveliest and most cosmopolitan cities, Hong Kong pairs modern skyscrapers with traditional culture. The tour includes Aberdeen, the fishing village, Victoria Peak and Repulse Bay. After the tour we transfer to our hotel.

Guests who wish can join the optional extra Hong Kong dinner cruise (120 USD). Setting off from the harbour, we see the city from the water and have dinner with live music. After the cruise we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Macau Island excursion

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra tour of Macau (270 USD). Our private vehicle takes us to the ferry port, and a crossing of about 1 hour brings us to Macau. A special administrative region on the southern coast of China, Macau is known as the Las Vegas of Asia. Ruled for centuries as a Portuguese colony and now part of China, it keeps Eastern and Western cultures alive side by side.

The tour includes the Guia Circuit, home of the Macau Grand Prix, the statue of the goddess Kun Iam, A-Ma Temple, the world's largest casino, an exact twin of its Las Vegas namesake, the historic centre of Macau on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the cathedral. Those who wish can try their luck at the casino. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Osaka Castle and Dotonbori

After breakfast we transfer to the airport and fly with a local airline to Osaka. On arrival our waiting vehicle takes us on a city tour. Osaka, in Japan's Kansai region, is the country's third largest city, known for its history, lively atmosphere, warm people and street food, which have earned it the name of Japan's kitchen. The tour includes Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century and central to the unification of Japan, the Umeda Sky Building, made up of two 173 metre towers, and the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi districts. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Kyoto's temples

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Kyoto tour (190 USD), covering the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera and Fushimi temples. A drive of about 1 hour brings us to Kyoto, Japan's former capital, famous for its temples, gardens and traditional neighbourhoods and one of the best-preserved centres of traditional culture. The only place in Japan not bombed in World War II, Kyoto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We begin in the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, following a 500 metre path between tall, slender stalks and listening to the wind move through them, a scene that is especially peaceful early in the morning or at sunset. Next is Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, built in the 14th century as the villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and turned into a Zen temple after his death. Its top two floors are covered in gold leaf, reflected in the Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond) in front. With its carefully tended Japanese garden, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited buildings in Kyoto.

We then move on to Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple founded in 780 and also on the UNESCO list. It takes its name from a nearby spring, as Kiyomizu means pure water in Japanese. Below the main hall, the Otowa waterfall flows through 3 channels into a pond; by tradition they stand for wisdom, health and long life. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Nara's deer park and Kobe

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra tour of Nara Deer Park, Todaiji Temple, Kobe Mosaic and Chinatown (190 USD).

Our first stop is Todaiji Temple in Nara, one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples, built in 752, in the 8th century, at the heart of one of the country's former capitals. It is famous for the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, which houses the Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then walk through Nara Deer Park, founded in 1880, where about 1,000 sika deer, held sacred by local people, roam freely. Legend has it that a god once came to Nara in the form of a deer, which is why the animals are protected. You can feed them shika senbei crackers sold at the stalls, and some even seem to bow in greeting.

We then continue to Kobe, a port city of about 1.5 million people and Japan's sixth largest. Our first stop is Kobe Mosaic, a waterfront complex of shops and restaurants with harbour views, where there is free time and those who wish can try the famous Kobe beef. We end the day in Nankinmachi, founded in 1868 as Japan's first and largest Chinatown, with plenty of time for shopping and photos in its lantern-lit streets. We then transfer to our hotel in Osaka.

Asakusa and Shibuya

After breakfast we take the high-speed train to Tokyo, where our city tour begins on arrival. Japan's capital and one of the world's most populous cities, Tokyo is known for its technology, skyscrapers and busy avenues as well as its temples, parks and historic neighbourhoods.

We start at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, the city's oldest temple, completed in 628 and dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy. We enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) and stop on Nakamise, a shopping street of more than 200 metres, where you can buy souvenirs such as kimonos and folding fans or try Asakusa's traditional snacks.

We then visit Meiji Shrine, where large torii gates greet us at the entrance. It was built in 1920 in memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The tour continues to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, set among offices and shops and often called the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra tour of Lake Ashi by boat, Mount Fuji, Hakone and the Gotemba outlets (190 USD). On Lake Ashi, under UNESCO protection, we take a boat trip with the silhouette of Mount Fuji in view, past calm water and every shade of green, a picture-postcard scene.

We then stop to shop at the open-air Gotemba outlet centre at the foot of Mount Fuji, one of the largest in Japan, with more than 250 stores ranging from casual wear to world-famous luxury labels, and seasonal discounts of up to 70% on retail prices. Those who wish can relax in the cafes or try local dishes in the restaurants.

Homeward from Tokyo

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. At the time set by our guide we transfer to the airport. After check-in we board Turkish Airlines flight TK 51, departing at 10.15 for Istanbul. We arrive at 17.50 local time, and our tour ends.