Visions of Japan with Hiroshima & Seoul

Find your zen in Seoul, where you’ll explore grand palaces, traditional Hanok houses, and serene temples that offer a perfect moment of meditation on an adventure like no other in South Korea. Then, forget everything your mother taught you about table manners as you head to Japan, where 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. 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 local flavors 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. A 2-night stay in the serene city of Hiroshima is a peaceful ending to your journey. Hop on the bullet train from Kyoto to this historic destination to be further moved by dramatic gardens, sacred shrines, and the many touching memorials to the lives lost in the World War II atomic bombing. A highlight of your stay is an excursion to the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, where the famed “floating” torii gate rises gracefully from the sea. Prepare to be floored in more ways than one!