World Voyage – Tokyo to Dubai

Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities.

From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji.

Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo’s historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.

Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities.

From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji.

Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo’s historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.

This cosmopolitan port city is known for more than just its world-famous Kobe beef. Discover the boutiques and markets of the Motomashi and Kokashita districts, explore the Fashion Museum or venture out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the Kitano district, tour stately injikan, western-style Victorian and Gothic homes, or enjoy a glass of sake from one of Kobe’s famed wineries.

This cosmopolitan port city is known for more than just its world-famous Kobe beef. Discover the boutiques and markets of the Motomashi and Kokashita districts, explore the Fashion Museum or venture out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the Kitano district, tour stately injikan, western-style Victorian and Gothic homes, or enjoy a glass of sake from one of Kobe’s famed wineries.

When it comes to culture and history, few cities compete with China’s capital, Beijing, roughly two hours north of the port of Tianjin. Its Forbidden City is unparalleled: This massive former imperial complex is home to the Palace Museum and its collection of nearly 1 million Chinese antiquities. At the Summer Palace, you can stroll the same covered walkways that emperors and their courts did. The Temple of Heaven is a handsome Taoist place of worship surrounded by a large public park where you will see locals making offerings, practicing tai chi and flying kites. And, of course, there is the Great Wall, at a staggering length of 21,000 kilometers (13,000 miles) a true wonder of the world. Though Tianjin often plays second fiddle to Beijing, this city has a number of important cultural sights of its own. At the Confucius Temple, learn about the great philosopher’s teachings and do as the locals do by writing prayers or wishes on small plaques. You can learn about the city’s history at the excellent Tianjin Museum and at the Shi Family Mansion, the stately former home of one of Tianjin’s leading families.

When it comes to culture and history, few cities compete with China’s capital, Beijing, roughly two hours north of the port of Tianjin. Its Forbidden City is unparalleled: This massive former imperial complex is home to the Palace Museum and its collection of nearly 1 million Chinese antiquities. At the Summer Palace, you can stroll the same covered walkways that emperors and their courts did. The Temple of Heaven is a handsome Taoist place of worship surrounded by a large public park where you will see locals making offerings, practicing tai chi and flying kites. And, of course, there is the Great Wall, at a staggering length of 21,000 kilometers (13,000 miles) a true wonder of the world. Though Tianjin often plays second fiddle to Beijing, this city has a number of important cultural sights of its own. At the Confucius Temple, learn about the great philosopher’s teachings and do as the locals do by writing prayers or wishes on small plaques. You can learn about the city’s history at the excellent Tianjin Museum and at the Shi Family Mansion, the stately former home of one of Tianjin’s leading families.

The Dalian you see today, an important Asian trading port on China’s northeast coast, not far from North Korea, grew from a small fishing village and was shaped enormously by three powers that ruled the city over the course of the 20th century: Russia from 1898 to 1905, Japan from 1905 until the end of World War II and, after the city was liberated by Soviet troops, China. At first glance, Dalian looks like many other Chinese cities—sprawling and industrialized. But look a bit closer and you’ll notice its pleasant seaside promenades, lush green spaces like Labor Park (particularly lovely during cherry-blossom season) and grand historic buildings, including those on Russian Street and the Art Nouveau Yamato Hotel. Beyond its historic and cultural sites, Dalian’s seaside location makes it one of the best places in China to enjoy fresh seafood. When you are ready for a break from exploring the city, head to one of Dalian’s many restaurants and you’ll see families, couples hand in hand and groups of friends tucking into seafood feasts and sipping Tsingtao beer, a legacy of German rule in Qingdao, some 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the south.

Shanghai is one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, and one of juxtapositions. It’s divided in two by the Huangpu River—to the west is Puxi and to the east Pudong. Puxi is the city’s downtown and its historic center; on this side of the river, much of the city was historically divided into the famous foreign concessions, and it’s here that much of the shopping, dining and nightlife is concentrated today. Shanghai has more than 30,000 restaurants, from humble soup dumpling spots to formal affairs helmed by Michelin-starred chefs. Its museums, particularly the Shanghai Museum with its 120,000-strong collection of antiquities, are equally impressive. Pudong is where the city’s major skyscrapers stand, among them the Jin Mao and Oriental Pearl towers.

Nowhere is Shanghai’s rich history and bright future more evident than along the Huangpu River. Stand on the Puxi side and, with the Bund—along which curve Shanghai’s stately early-20th-century heritage buildings—behind you, you can gaze across the river at some of the world’s tallest buildings, soaring skyscrapers that glow nightly, their lights reflected in the river.

Shanghai is one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, and one of juxtapositions. It’s divided in two by the Huangpu River—to the west is Puxi and to the east Pudong. Puxi is the city’s downtown and its historic center; on this side of the river, much of the city was historically divided into the famous foreign concessions, and it’s here that much of the shopping, dining and nightlife is concentrated today. Shanghai has more than 30,000 restaurants, from humble soup dumpling spots to formal affairs helmed by Michelin-starred chefs. Its museums, particularly the Shanghai Museum with its 120,000-strong collection of antiquities, are equally impressive. Pudong is where the city’s major skyscrapers stand, among them the Jin Mao and Oriental Pearl towers.

Nowhere is Shanghai’s rich history and bright future more evident than along the Huangpu River. Stand on the Puxi side and, with the Bund—along which curve Shanghai’s stately early-20th-century heritage buildings—behind you, you can gaze across the river at some of the world’s tallest buildings, soaring skyscrapers that glow nightly, their lights reflected in the river.

Can any city in the world top Hong Kong’s phenomenal energy? Judge for yourself as you ride the tram to the top of Victoria Peak, join the surge into countless markets and watch the hardworking world of Aberdeen’s fishing junks. Sample shore excursions: Morning Tai Chi & Cooking Tour; Hong Kong Island City Sightseeing; Explore Lantau Island & Monastery.

Can any city in the world top Hong Kong’s phenomenal energy? Judge for yourself as you ride the tram to the top of Victoria Peak, join the surge into countless markets and watch the hardworking world of Aberdeen’s fishing junks. Sample shore excursions: Morning Tai Chi & Cooking Tour; Hong Kong Island City Sightseeing; Explore Lantau Island & Monastery.

Located halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the port city of Da Nang has a small-town charm despite its lack of big-ticket attractions. It is home to a stunning 30-kilometer (18-mile) coastline that is popular for water sports such as waterskiing, paddleboarding and surfing. It’s also known for its great street food—and an extremely quirky bridge that you can’t miss. The place was previously occupied by both the French and the Americans (this was the first place U.S. Marines landed in March 1965), and vestiges of both can be seen in the city, from the remnants of the vast U.S. air base and hospital to the city’s wide boulevards and old villas.

Da Nang is a great launchpad for day trips, whether to the picturesque city of Hoi An to the south, the old imperial capital of Hue to the north, or the majestic Marble Mountains to the southwest. The UNESCO-protected Champa temple complex, My Son, which lies 69 kilometers (43 miles) southeast, is definitely worth the trip—but for those who don’t want to leave the urban environs, many of the ruins have ended up at Da Nang’s excellent Museum of Cham Sculpture, where you can learn all about the history and architecture of this fascinating culture.

Whether you are on a wide boulevard admiring the French Colonial architectural influence, or in a bustling market haggling with a street vendor, you cannot escape the culture and history of this bustling city. Ho Chi Minh City is home to many colorful pagodas, cathedrals and palaces-including one of the city’s oldest, Giac Lam Pagoda, dating from 1744. Sample shore excursions: Cambodia & Angkor Overland Adventure or Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City.

City-states are rare in the present day—and none are quite like Singapore. In the 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation hurtled itself into the modern world, and it continues to expand its state-of-the-art transportation system and build its edgy skyline. Yet Singapore’s urban plan wisely maintained its intimate neighborhoods, many with streets lined with colorful shophouses (a type of building unique to parts of Asia, with businesses located on their ground floors and residences above). Add the city’s mix of ethnic groups—mainly Malays, Chinese and Indians—and you get a vibrant cultural scene that attracts a cosmopolitan, international community.

Singapore’s food scene—which is arguably the world’s most dynamic and runs the gamut from beloved street hawkers to Michelin-starred venues—would merit a trip alone, as would its never-ending shopping options. But the city is also packed with world-class museums, many designed by celebrated architects, and it hosts many major international events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. Yet only about half of the 720-square-kilometer (278-square-mile) island is developed, which leaves plenty of room for parks and open spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where an old-growth forest still thrives.

City-states are rare in the present day—and none are quite like Singapore. In the 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation hurtled itself into the modern world, and it continues to expand its state-of-the-art transportation system and build its edgy skyline. Yet Singapore’s urban plan wisely maintained its intimate neighborhoods, many with streets lined with colorful shophouses (a type of building unique to parts of Asia, with businesses located on their ground floors and residences above). Add the city’s mix of ethnic groups—mainly Malays, Chinese and Indians—and you get a vibrant cultural scene that attracts a cosmopolitan, international community.

Singapore’s food scene—which is arguably the world’s most dynamic and runs the gamut from beloved street hawkers to Michelin-starred venues—would merit a trip alone, as would its never-ending shopping options. But the city is also packed with world-class museums, many designed by celebrated architects, and it hosts many major international events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. Yet only about half of the 720-square-kilometer (278-square-mile) island is developed, which leaves plenty of room for parks and open spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where an old-growth forest still thrives.

Scarred by decades of civil war, Sri Lanka and its commercial capital, Colombo, are relatively new to modern-day tourism. But Colombo has been a crucial trading post for more than 2,000 years. The city rose to prominence as Sri Lanka’s most important port town in the 16th century with the arrival of Portuguese fleets. After a period under Dutch rule, Ceylon—as Sri Lanka was then called—became part of the British Empire in 1802. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, but the country experienced intense unrest from 1983 until 2009, when Sri Lanka’s civil war finally came to an end.

Many visitors head for the pristine beaches or up to the mist-draped mountains of Sri Lanka’s tea country, and find that Colombo merits more than just a quick stop. Development continues at breakneck speed here, with skyscrapers jostling for space alongside the elegant architecture of its colonial past. Bustling markets and newfangled shops rub shoulders with ancient temples and rich layers of history in this fascinating place.

The ever-growing megacity of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) juts out into the Arabian Sea, seemingly emerging like magic from the water. Mostly built on reclaimed land, the metropolis boasts more than 21 million people crammed into its maze of streets, giving rise to the chaotic roads, bumper-to-bumper traffic and overflowing slums that it’s famous, or infamous, for. But the city also has Bollywood bling along with multimillion-dollar homes and hotels. There’s a national park smack-dab in Mumbai, and exquisite restaurants and hipster bars. It’s both India’s financial heart and the home of astounding colonial-era architecture. It’s diverse, vibrant and multicultural—packed with people and filled with a contagious energy.

With so much going on, there’s something for everyone. Dive into the action at one of the many outdoor bazaars; wander the famous streets of South Mumbai; be wowed by ancient rock art at Elephanta Island; or learn about more-recent history at the Gandhi Museum. Then, end your day watching the sun sink into the Arabian Sea over dinner and drinks.

The ever-growing megacity of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) juts out into the Arabian Sea, seemingly emerging like magic from the water. Mostly built on reclaimed land, the metropolis boasts more than 21 million people crammed into its maze of streets, giving rise to the chaotic roads, bumper-to-bumper traffic and overflowing slums that it’s famous, or infamous, for. But the city also has Bollywood bling along with multimillion-dollar homes and hotels. There’s a national park smack-dab in Mumbai, and exquisite restaurants and hipster bars. It’s both India’s financial heart and the home of astounding colonial-era architecture. It’s diverse, vibrant and multicultural—packed with people and filled with a contagious energy.

With so much going on, there’s something for everyone. Dive into the action at one of the many outdoor bazaars; wander the famous streets of South Mumbai; be wowed by ancient rock art at Elephanta Island; or learn about more-recent history at the Gandhi Museum. Then, end your day watching the sun sink into the Arabian Sea over dinner and drinks.

Port description coming soon.Located on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah has been a site of human habitation and trade for more than 4,000 years. In this ancient place, you’ll find Al Badiyah, the Emirates’ oldest mosque still in use.

There’s surely no place on Earth that has mushroomed as quickly as Dubai has over the last two decades. Not long ago, the economy of Dubai, the second largest of the seven United Arab Emirates, was based on fishing and diving for pearls in the Persian Gulf, and the business enacted by traders and nomads inland. The former British protectorate is now on the list of every serious world traveler for the many spectacular architectural projects in its capital, also called Dubai. Many of these have been built entirely on manmade islands in the gulf; others are soaring towers so high they literally pierce the clouds. In the late 2000s, a dip in the economy slowed the city’s construction boom. But now Dubai is back on track as a mover and shaker of global proportions. Shoppers from around the world are once again descending on its high-end boutiques and massive upscale malls. For all the city’s glitz, however, the surrounding desert is little changed. A short drive from the capital brings visitors to a landscape that is still the emirates’ spiritual home, where falconry is practiced and herds of gazelles and oryx roam.