Gain an overall understanding of Saigon through landmark architecture that reflects the changing face of the metropolis known as Ho Chi Minh City since 1976. In the lively district of Cholon, you will browse the bustling Binh Tay Market and a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. For a more contemporary perspective, you will view Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a modernistic white building that was home to the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon presents a glimpse into colonial life, as the French constructed it in the mid-1800s. The ornate Central Post Office is another French-built colonial gem. If not for the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh inside, you might think you were in Paris. Saigon is also known for its artisans, especially those that make lacquerware, a traditional skill that you will observe in a workshop.

OVERVIEW

Discover the magic of the Seychelles during this captivating visit to its mesmerizing underwater realm. After embarking on your catamaran, depart the pier for a delightful cruise over coral reefs to lush Moyenne Island. Upon arrival, you’ll receive safety instructions and snorkeling equipment, then begin exploring the island’s fascinating aquatic ecosystem, glimpsing tropical species that include scorpion, parrot and butterfly fish, as well as red gorgonian coral fans. After your snorkeling adventure, transfer from your catamaran to a semi-submarine viewer featuring a window through which you can behold the abundant marine life and, with the assistance of a helpful guide, thrill to hand-feeding the fish who call these warm waters home. You’ll surely cherish your immersion into the undersea world of the idyllic Seychelles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Board a catamaran for a relaxing cruise to verdant Moyenne Island.
• Receive snorkeling gear and safety information from a knowledgeable guide.
• Swim past living corals and myriad species of colorful fish such as parrot and butterfly fish.
• Observe the glorious underwater panorama from the comfort of a semi-submersible viewer.
• Hand-feed the fish with assistance from a helpful expert.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

An eye-opening study in contrasts, this tour presents the extravagant world of Brunei's sultan, followed by a look at life in a village built on stilts in the river. Starting off from the pier, you will first travel inland toward the majestic Jame Mosque, Brunei's largest, and the Prime Minister Office where you will pause briefly for photos. Continuing on, you will arrive at the white-domed Royal Regalia where you can wander through exhibits of luxurious items from the Sultan's lavish coronation and other celebrations. Some of the items you may have the opportunity to see here are His Majesty's royal chariot, ceremonial swords, a model of the palace and various gifts from foreign dignitaries. But as you will soon see, there's more to Brunei than the extravagances afforded by its abundant oil and natural gas. Making your way to a nearby jetty, you will board a boat and cruise to Water Village where you will witness firsthand a much different side of life. More than 30,000 people live here in thousands of structures built on stilts in the Brunei River. The village is an amazing assortment of homes, restaurants, mosques, shops and hospitals, all connected by wooden boardwalks. Surprisingly, some of the homes are quite elaborate, and you will have the unique opportunity of stopping by one for a cup of tea. Amazingly, people have lived in the Water Village for more than 1,300 years, making it one of the most historic areas in Brunei. Following your time at the Water Village, you will retrace your route as you make your way back to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Experience the Old World beauty and charm of the Seychelles during an orientation tour of picturesque La Digue. Enjoy a scenic drive to L’Union Estate, where you’ll gain insight into La Digue’s history at the estate’s old Creole house and coconut factory, and delight in daily life characterized by a decidedly relaxed pace punctuated by bicycles. Continue to La Digue’s beaches, considered to be among the world’s finest, including nearby Anse Source D’Argent, which has been called a bather’s and photographer’s dream. You’ll thrill to the soft white sands and dramatic granite boulders that have long enchanted visitors to the island. Keep a sharp lookout for the resident avian wonders, as you might catch sight of a Seychelles paradise flycatcher, a rare bird endemic to these islands that sports glossy black plumage with elongated tail feathers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit intriguing L’Union Estate and see a coconut factory, a traditional Creole house and oxcarts that evoke the island’s colonial past.
• Appreciate La Digue’s white-sand beaches, recognized as some of the world’s most stunning.
• Search for one of the island’s splendid endemic birds, the exotic Seychelles paradise flycatcher.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Renowned for its trendy cosmopolitan ambience and maritime activities, Busan is a great place to immerse yourself in the culture of South Korea. Enjoy a glimpse of this with visits to the local Culture Center for a beautiful performance. Drive to the Cultural Center to experience the art and beauty of the Korean traditional dance. This unique performance is one of the main attractions of Korea. Traditional Korean music and dance are sophisticated forms that embrace the interplay of hung and mot-form and spirit. The performance includes a selection of regional dances featuring dancers in traditional costume. Visit Yongdusan Park, a favorite relaxation place for the citizens of Busan and a wonderful back-drop for many photo opportunities. Here, you can find 70 different species of trees and view the Busan Tower. The tower was built in 1973 and stands close to 400 feet above the Busan landscape. Travel to the Jagalchi Fish Market which is famous throughout the country and is a great representation of Busan. The Jagalchi Fish Market is Korea's largest seafood market and is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives. After the Korean War, the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are Jagalchi Ajumma; 'ajumma' meaning middle-aged or married women. At the conclusion of your tour, if time permits you will have the option of exploring the downtown area on your own or returning straight to the pier.

Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia, located on the northern tip of Borneo Island and one of Southeast Asia's greatest surprises.

This half-day tour will introduce you to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's modern state capital with its alluring blend of Malay and Chinese culture. Largely destroyed during World War II, Kota Kinabalu has since developed into one of Malaysia's most exciting cities. Go past the serene City Mosque, followed by a photo stop at the Tun Mustapha Building. A 30-storey circular glass edifice supported by high tensile steel rods, this amazing structure is an architectural and engineering feat, one of only four such buildings in the world.

Continuing on, you will stop at the Sabah State Museum to see the extensive exhibits of Sabah's diverse culture, beliefs and traditions at the Heritage Village. Situated within the Ethno Botanical Gardens, you’ll find replicas of traditional long houses representing the different ethnic communities of Sabah. Enter the houses and discover the way of life of the different groups. Take a walk on the hanging bridge across the lotus pond and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful scenery.

From here, it's on to the magnificent Masjid Negeri Sabah or State Mosque, with its golden inlay motifs and impressive minaret. After a photo stop here, you will then make your way to your final stop, a brief visit to a local handicraft market where you can mingle with the locals and perhaps pick up a few souvenirs to take home.

Explore a vast underground network of tunnels that hid and protected thousands of Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War. The section that you will tour lies beneath the Cu Chi district in the countryside north of Ho Chi Minh City. Communist forces began digging the tunnels in the late 1948, when they were fighting the French for independence. As you will discover, the tunnels span thousands of miles and once hid an underground city of sorts with living quarters, smokeless kitchens, hospitals and schools. The tunnels were typically five feet high and not even three feet wide, with air passages to the surface camouflaged to look like natural holes from tree roots or animals. The tunnels that you will traverse have been expanded somewhat for safety and convenience. Digging the tunnels was an incredibly arduous and time-consuming endeavor, as they were often dug by hand. Before abandoning them, the Viet Cong left booby traps for the invading troops.

OVERVIEW

Explore vibrant Bandar Seri Bagawan independently and come away with a genuine feel for the culture of Brunei’s capital city. You will be dropped off at the modern Yayasan shopping complex and provided with a map of the nearby attractions. Feel free to shop for hours on end and take advantage of the restaurants there, if you wish. The day is yours to do as you please with no schedule to follow other than your own. The mall overlooks a bend in the Brunei River and you could easily walk down to the waterfront jetty. Nearby, you will find the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, whose golden dome and minarets dominate the skyline, and the Royal Regalia Museum, which holds an outstanding collection of items from the sultan’s lavish coronation and other royal celebrations. The ornate, red-and-green Teng Yun Temple also deserves a look, as it is the oldest Chinese temple in Brunei.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Brunei’s capital of Bandar Seri Bagawan on your own at your own pace.
• Start your exploration at the centrally located Yayasan shopping complex.
• Use the provided map to easily find the attractions that sound most appealing.
• Browse museums, a grand mosque, a Chinese temple and plenty more, all nearby.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• No low-cut tops, shorts, short skirts or short dresses.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a tour that showcases Busan's main attractions and includes a fascinating look at Korea's tea culture. From the pier, you'll first drive to a near by Temple for a tea ceramony. Here, you will experience and practice the traditional way the Tea Culture is practiced in noble society. It is believed that the Korean tea ceremony was a form of meditation with its aim of purifying the soul and becoming one with nature. Several Confucian scholars shared this belief and as one said, "A cup of tea is the beginning of Zen. Continuing on, you will visit Yongdusan Park. This popular park, which harmoniously blends the Busan Tower and 70 different species of trees, is a favorite relaxation place for the citizens of Busan. Also at Yongdusan is the statue of General Lee Sunsin who was a great commander in Joseon Dynasty period (1392-1910). Marvelous photo opportunities exist at the top of the Busan Tower which soars to just under 400 ft. Afterwards, you'll travel to the Jagalchi Fish Market. The Jagalchi Market is Korea's largest seafood market and is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives. After the Korean War, the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the women who sell here are called 'Jagalchi Ajumma', 'ajumma' meaning middle-aged or married women. This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country. At the conclusion of your tour, If time permits, you will have the option of exploring the downtown area on your own or returning directly to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Relax on a lovely drive through Victoria, one the world’s smallest capital cities yet possessed of a great deal of history and charm. You’ll pass captivating sites such as the National Library, the Creole-style old courthouse now converted into a restaurant/cafe, the National Museum and numerous other colonial-era buildings. Discover a silver clock tower erected in 1903 to celebrate the Seychelles becoming an English colony and find it’s a replica of the Vauxhall Clock Tower, located outside London’s VictoExult in Victoria’s enthralling landmarks during this enjoyable tour of the city, botanical gardens and Mission Lodge. ria Station. You’ll appreciate Victoria’s wooden houses, which feature colorful corrugated tin roofs and wrought-iron balconies. Visit the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens and spot giant Aldabra land tortoises, fruit bats and more than 200 species of indigenous flora, including elephant apple trees, octopus trees and double coconut palms, or coco de mer. Enjoy a photo stop at an ideally placed lookout offering wonderful panoramic vistas of Victoria, its port and yacht basin. Conclude your excursion at Mission Lodge, the ruins of a school for children of freed slaves, where you’ll walk among the endemic trees and revel in splendid views of Mahé’s marvelous coast.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in enchanting Victoria’s colonial-era buildings, such as the Creole-style old courthouse and the National Museum.
• Gaze at a silver clock tower modelled after the Vauxhall Clock Tower at London’s Victoria Station.
• Admire wooden houses with multi-hued tin roofs and sculptural wrought-iron balconies.
• Roam the National Botanical Gardens to survey giant tortoises and indigenous flora, including the unique double coconut palm.
• Capture stunning photos at a well-placed viewpoint and at Mission Lodge, once a school for children of emancipated slaves.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover an abundance of diverse and colorful marine life during this superb snorkeling adventure in the teeming waters off diminutive Coco Island. Transfer to a jetty in La Digue and embark your awaiting catamaran for a cruise to idyllic Coco Island, a small granite outcrop boasting a few palm trees but hiding a magnificent treasure in its surrounding depths. You’ll find you need not worry if you have no snorkeling experience, as your professional crew will be on hand to provide assistance throughout your outing. After receiving instruction and your snorkeling gear, plunge into the translucent waters of this natural aquarium. You’ll swim above a wealth of coral amid turtles and hundreds of vividly multi-hued fish, rejoicing as blue tangs, Moorish idols and scissortail sergeants dart to and fro. You’re certain to cherish your immersion into this magical underwater world.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise on a catamaran to beguiling Coco Island and snorkel its crystalline waters.
• Receive guidance and equipment from experts, so no snorkeling experience is necessary.
• Relish time in the gin-clear waters, sighting turtles, colorful fish and striking corals.
• Spot vibrant blue tangs, eye-catching Moorish idols and striped scissortail sergeants.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the historic and religious sites of Muscat, Oman's political, economic and commercial hub, during this half-day tour. A scenic drive takes you through the exclusive Omani residential district of Shati Al Qurum. You’ll visit the Grand Mosque, the largest and most exclusive mosque in Oman, before stopping at the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Continue to Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items, books, photographs, paintings, and maps. Take a drive along Muscat's scenic coastal road, through the charming fishing village of Sidab and on to Muscat's Old Town for a great photo opportunity at the impressive Al Alam Palace, the official residence of Sultan Qaboos. The palace, adorned with Oriental-styled architecture, and strategically positioned between, two Medieval fortresses offers picturesque vistas overlooking Muscat Bay.