|
|
Tour :
| Japan & Taiwan Cherry Blossoms Tour 15 Day Tour |
|
| Tour Cost :
| AUD$6,190.00 per person twin share. This price includes airport taxes and levies of $250.00. |
|
| Tour Departs:
| 23 March 2010 |
|
| What's Included: |
This is amazing value for a destination such as Japan, as the price covers all of the following:
Return air fares with China Airlines from Sydney and Brisbane into Hiroshima and out of Narita (Tokyo). Both flights go via Taipei.Accommodation in three to four star hotels with private facilities.Many meals.All transfers and transport.A 10 day tour of Japan by coach and train.A 3 day tour of Taiwan.Services of Japanese and Taiwanese tour guides and if there are 12 or more participants, an Australian tour leader.
This tour will visit Japan in Spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. This is an opportunity to visit this beautiful country when it is at its best.
The program in Taiwan has many intersting features and this is a great opportunity to visit this fascinating yet seldom visited country.
If you don't have anyone to share with, but wish to travel at twin share rates, we will do our best to match you up with someone else in the same situation, but this is not guaranteed. For a single room there is an extra cost of $1095. |
|
| Notes: |
| |
|
| Tour Itinerary: |
Note: Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner.
23.03.10
Depart Brisbane at 1.20pm on CI 54, arriving in Taipei at 8.05pm. Transfer to the Golden China Hotel in central Taipei.
24.03.10
Brisbane passengers have a morning tour of Taipei.
Take in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Martyr's Shrine, Chinese Temple, National Museum, handicraft centre, and Changing of the Guards.
Chiang Kai Shek played a large part in the relocation of the people from mainland China and memorials to him can be found throughout the island. We then visit a Chinese temple.
Because of the Japanese invasion, Taoists and Buddhists were forced to secretly meet in either domination's temples, and because of this temples found in Taiwan are somewhat different to those found in other countries. The National Museum displays the history of the Taiwanese people and gives the visitor an understanding of their culture.
Changing of the Guards is spell-binding as the young soldiers toss rifles with unsheathed bayonets to each other in exact precision as the old guards dismount their block and the new guard takes up that position.
In the afternoon, there will be a visit to a handicraft centre and visit to 101, the tallest building in the world with the chance to see Taipei's impressive skyline from the observation tower. (B,L) for Brisbane passengers.
Sydney passengers depart Sydney at 1.55pm on CI 52, arriving in Taipei at 8.10pm. Transfer to the Golden China Hotel.
25.03.10 (B,L,D)
Full day tour to the amazing Taroko Gorge. Travel by express train to Hualien City then travel by coach to the gorge. It is one of the largest canyons in the world, especially unique in that it is made of marble and is quite spectacular. Return to Taipei by express train.
26.03.10 (B,L)
This morning depart by coach to Yehliu, an area of sandstone formation created by wind and sea. Then on to the Junming Art Museum where you will view amazing sculptures from wood, stone and tin, all set in beautiful gardens. After lunch transfer to Taipei airport, departing at 5.05pm on CI 112, arriving in Hiroshima at 8.15pm. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel New Hiroden.
27.03.10 (B,L) Hiroshima & Miyajima Sightseeing
Visit Itsukushima Shrine. Miyajima Island is the popular name of Itsuku-shima Island situated in Miyajima Town in southwestern Hiroshima. It is a scenic site in which the mountain, sea and red shrine buildings blend in harmony, and the entire island is designated as a historic site. It is one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, along with Matsushima in Miyagi and Ama-no-hashidate in Kyoto. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit Peace Memorial Park. The Genbaku-dome (The Atomic Bomb Dome) is the symbol of Hiroshima, the city that advocates peace in the world. It is located in Hiroshima and faces Hiroshima Bay in the Seto Inland Sea. It was originally the Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Hall built in 1915. While all structures vanished in the atomic bomb explosion, only this building miraculously remained standing. It was August 6, 1945 when the first atomic bomb in history was dropped on Hiroshima.
Accommodation: Hotel New Hiroden.
28.03.10 (B,L) Hiroshima/Kyoto
After breakfast and baggage collection (your baggage will be transported separately to your hotel in Kyoto), leave the hotel and walk to Hiroshima Station with your guide. Depart Hiroshima by bullet train. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Sightseeing tour of Kyoto, visiting Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo Hall and Kiyomizu Temple. Check in at the hotel.
Accommodation: New Miyako Hotel.
29.03.10 (B,L) Kyoto and Nara Sightseeing
After breakfast you will leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Kyoto and Nara.
Visit Nijo Castle which was built in the early 17th century.
Ninomaru-goten, renovated in 1626, is renowned as a priceless example of the architectural style of that period. You then visit the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto's most popular temple. It is the home of perhaps the world's most authentic and exquisite Japanese Garden, as well as the celebrated Golden Pavilion.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
After lunch you will visit Todaiji Temple, the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world's largest wooden buildings. One of Japan's best known temples, it enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha.
Next you will visit a deer park where the deer roam freely, lending a pastoral atmosphere to the park. Visitors may feed or pet them (special food is sold in the park grounds). Then visit Kasuga Shrine before transferring back to your hotel.
Accommodation: New Miyako Hotel.
30.03.10 (B,L) Kobe Sightseeing
Following breakfast at the hotel, leave for your sightseeing tour of Kobe. Visit the Old Sake Breweries Museum. The Nada area has many breweries. There were three reasons for the development of Sake brewing in the 18th century that made the name of Nada known throughout Japan. One was the discovery of Miya-mizu, excellent quality water for making Sake; two, the production of rice of high quality, in ingredient in Sake; and three, a convenient location for transportation by sea.
Lunch today will be at a local restaurant.
Next, enjoy shopping in China Town. Moto-machi is a lively town perfect for shopping, gourmet food and night spots in the centre of Kobe.
Under Kobe Station is a maze of shopping streets and, above ground, a big shopping arcade.
A unique event is the Shunsetsu-matsuri Festival at Nankin-machi, that celebrates Chinese New Year at the end of January or in early February. Nankin-machi has many Asian shops and Asian restaurants. Transfer back to your hotel.
Accommodation: New Miyako Hotel.
31.03.10 (B) Kyoto
After breakfast in your hotel, you will visit a promenade called Path of Philosophers and take a short walking tour from Nanzenji Temple. The afternoon will be free for your own activities.
Accommodation: New Miyako Hotel.
01.04.10 (B,L) Kyoto/Tokyo
After breakfast at your hotel, your baggage will be collected and transported separately to your hotel in Tokyo.
Leave the hotel for Kyoto Station with your guide. Depart Kyoto by bullet train. A Box lunch will be provided on board. Afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
02.04.10 (B,L) Tokyo to Hakone
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and prepare for baggage collection. Your baggage will be left at the Bell Captain's desk, and you will take your overnight bag with you for your Hakone stay. Leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Hakone. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi aboard a sightseeing vessel. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Enjoy Hakone Ropeway and visit Owakundani Valley.
Accommodation: Hakone Hotel Kowakien.
03.04.10 (B) Hakone to Tokyo
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for your return trip to Tokyo. Afternoon will be at leisure in Tokyo.
Accommodation: Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
04.04.10 (B,L) Tokyo Sightseeing
This morning, after breakfast, you leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Tokyo. Visit Tokyo Tower, which is the world's tallest self supporting steel tower, opened in 1958. Then experience the Tea Ceremony and Imperial Palace Plaza. Have lunch at a local restaurant followed by a drive through the National Diet Building.
Next enjoy a Sumida River Cruise, a forty minute boat ride from Hinode Pier on Tokyo Bay to Asakusa. The river was the most important waterway for the development to Tokyo. Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. The legend has it that fishermen brothers discovered an image of Kan'non (the goddess of mercy) in the Sumida River around 1370 years ago and they were inspired to enshrine it. Its symbol is a large red paper lantern that bears the word 'Kaminari-mon', or a thunder gate. Drive through Ginza then transfer back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
05.04.10 (B) Narita Departure
After breakfast, enjoy a free morning in Tokyo. Depart hotel for Narita Airport. Depart Narita on CI 101 at 4.25pm, arriving in Taipei at 6.55pm.
Brisbane passengers depart Taipei at 10.20pm on CI 53, arriving in Brisbane at 8.55am the next morning (6/4)
Sydney passengers are transferred to their Taipei hotel for overnight stay.
06.04.10 (B,D)
Sydney passengers have a free morning. In the afternoon, take in National Museum, Martyr's Shrine, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Chinese Temple, Taipei 101 Building & Observatory. After dinner, transfer to Taipei airport departing at 10.55pm on CI 51, arriving in Sydney at 10.05am the next morning. (7/4) |
|
|
|
