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Far East Asia Discovery: Philippines, Amami Islands & Japan

Experience the fascinating islands of the Philippines and Japan, including the Amami Islands on our 10-night Far East Discovery cruise. Enjoy the beauty of the Philippines, an island nation where palm-lined beaches meet magnificent dive sites. From laid-back beach vibes to spirited urban centres, the Philippines is a southeast Asian archipelago made up of 7,641 tropical islands and inhabited by some of the world’s friendliest people. In Japan’s Amami islands, we discover an archipelago that was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom for nearly 200 years, with a period of US control after World War II. The culture here is closer to the other Ryukyuan islands than that of the mainland, but really visiting here is all about the great outdoors. Japan is a captivating country where ultra-modern seamlessly blends with the ancient. Come aboard our boutique expedition ship, and enjoy unique onshore excursions in these astonishing countries that are rooted in centuries of tradition.


 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Stroll the streets of Vigan, the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia
  • Meet the indigenous Ivatan people on the Batan Islands, who have developed their unique weather-resistant homes and headgear
  • Sail through what was once the Ryukyu Kingdom – the Okinawa and Amami Islands
  • Stand before the poignant international symbol of peace in Hiroshima, and admire the shrines of Miyajima
  • Explore some of Japan’s most beautiful and whimsical garden- and castle-filled cities

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD

ITINERARY

MANILA
DAY 1
In this teeming, sprawling metropolis, Manila, the capital of the Philippines buzzes with a creative, exciting energy, which infuses everything from art to food. Spend time in the city with so much to see and do: museums, the world’s oldest Chinatown and the Chinese Cemetery are a few highlights. And make time to explore Intramuros – the old Spanish walled town at the heart of the city with Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church.


HUNDRED ISLANDS (SUAL)
DAY 2
Despite their relative popularity, the beguiling Hundred Islands still feel like a place on the cusp of discovery. Part of a reserve that covers almost twenty square kilometers in the Lingayen Gulf, northwest of Manila, the Hundred Islands National Park is actually comprised of 124 islands at low tide and 123 at high tide (this doesn’t have quite the same ring though). This area was once an ancient seabed, and the lowering of the sea level and erosion have caused them to have a peculiar mushroom-like shape. Most of the activities here involve the sea: lounging on the beach, swimming, and snorkeling, but only in approved areas. Some of the coral here has been damaged by a combination of human activity as well as weather phenomenon. Still, the government is pulling out all the stops to protect what’s left and help it regenerate. Marine biologists from the University of Philippines are also active here, replanting hundreds of giant clams.


VIGAN
DAY 3
After docking at Salomague, the main port of Ilocos Sur province,travel about an hour south to historic Vigan City to admire itsbeautiful Spanish architecture. Three hundred years of Spanish ruleleft its mark on the built landscape as well as on the way people live– the Philippines is one of only two Christian countries inSoutheast Asia. Established in the 16th century, UNESCO-listed Vigan isthe best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.As UNESCO puts it, Vigan’s “architecture reflectsthe coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in thePhilippines, from China and Europe, resulting in a culture andtownscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-eastAsia”.


SABTANG ISALND & BATAN ISLAND
DAY 4
The Batan (or Batanes) Islands is a chain of 14 isolated islands whosenative inhabitants, the Ivatans, are famed for their distinctivetyphoon-resistant houses and wearing the vakul, headgear designed toprotect against the weather. A small island with a rustic vibe, Sabtangis one of four main inhabited islands of Batanes and features peacefulsandy beaches backed by verdant cliffs. Browse traditional productslike woven baskets and the local berry wine. For a moderate hike, windyour way up occasionally steep, grassy ridges to breathtaking seascapesat the Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint. On Morong Beach, photogenic MahayaoArch is a massive natural rock formation. Rugged and windswept, BatanIsland’s welcome is warm, even by the legendarily friendlyFilipino standard. The island’s must-sees include its verdantpasturelands, technically still active volcano, an abandoned weatherstation, some World War II-era tunnels, the pretty village of Mahatao,and Ivana with a picturesque yellow church and Batan’s oldeststone house.


AT SEA
DAY 5
You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available.Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym orrelax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way.If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen toan informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeableon-board experts.


NAHA
DAY 6
Part of an archipelago nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the EastChina Sea, subtropical Okinawa is a group of more than 160 islands thatwas once part of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom. Ruled by monarchs fromthe 1400s, Okinawa became part of Japan in the late 1800s. The capitalof the prefecture is breezy Naha, home to more than 60 per cent of themain island’s residents. This seaside city offers visitorsthe chance to explore the recently restored Shuri Castle, once home toRyukyu royalty, to see the Naminouegu shrine, and to experience theKokusai-dori, Naha’s lively shopping district. There are alsonumerous gardens to enjoy and one of the best museum’s in allof Japan, the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum.


AMAMI OSHIMA
DAY 7
With their undulating coastlines, dreamy beaches, and mangrove forests,it’s easy to become inflated with the Amami Islands. Thisarchipelago comprises Kagoshima prefecture’s southernmostislands and today’s excursion is to the group’slargest landmass, Amami Oshima. Ringed by cerulean seas, this area waspart of the Ryukyu Kingdom for nearly 200 years. There was also a briefperiod of American control after World War II. The culture here iscloser to the other Ryukyuan islands than that of the mainland, butreally visiting here is all about the great outdoors. Swaths ofpristine sand and colourful marine life make Amami Oshima’smany breath-taking beaches ideal for whiling away the day above orbelow the glass-like surf.


AT SEA
DAY 8
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the worldgo by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views ofthe passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to minglewith other passengers and share your experiences of this incredibletrip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books.Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures orperhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from ouronboard professional photographers.


MIYAJIMA & HIROSHIMA
DAY 9
Disembark for a poignant day of memorials and shrines. Your first portof call is the tranquil Miyajima Island, site of the iconic redfloating Torii Gate of the Itsukushima Shinto shrine, and the Daisho-inBuddhist shrine. Ascend sacred Mount Misen by cable car for theisland’s most beautiful walk, amidst a primaeval forest. Takea moment to admire the views of the Torii Gate and the Shinto shrinefrom above. Then it’s off to Hiroshima when you might like tovisit Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Sitewhich was designed by Kenzo Tange and inaugurated in 1955. The museumis now a national and international symbol for peace. Reflect on thebombing as you gaze at the sombre cenotaph containing the names of thevictims. See the iconic Genbaku Dome, the only structure left standingat the blast site, and the Flame of Peace lit in 1964. Or you might optto discover Japan’s breath-taking architecture at thereconstruction of feudal Hiroshima Castle, also known as Carp Castle.


TAKAMATSU
DAY 10
Arrive this morning in Takamatsu, the capital of Kagawa Prefecture, onthe island of Shikoku. The city offers a refreshing small-cityperspective on Japanese urban life. A day in Takamatsuwouldn’t be complete without a trip to Ritsurin Park, one ofJapan’s most exquisite gardens. An expansive space, Ritsurinwas begun by a feudal lord in the 17th century and took 100 years toestablish. Dedicate several hours to these immaculately maintainedgardens where shaded clearings give way to sun-dappled paths, whichwind around pretty ponds and lead to bright red bridges over gentlestreams. Enclosed within the garden are the Sanuki Folkcraft Museum andseveral lovely teahouses in which visitors can sip matcha. Anotherpark, Tamamo-koen, contains the ruins of the city’s16th-century castle Takamatsu-jo. Like many of Japan’scastles, it was decommissioned in 1869 following the Meiji Restoration,and nowadays only several original turrets, some walls and a moatsurvive.


KOBE
DAY 11
Last day of your luxury expedition cruise from the Philippines to theAmami Islands and Japan. Disembark your ship after breakfast andtransfer to the airport. Or if time allows before you begin yourjourney home, explore this buoyant port city. There’s more toKobe than just beef, including a vibrant music scene, memorablemuseums, a laid-back atmosphere and, of course, an urban waterfall. TheTakenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, which narrates the story of Japanesearchitecture and woodworking, is excellent. For an art fix, visit theTadao Ando-designed Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and the YokooTadanori Museum of Contemporary Art. The Great Hanshin-Awaji EarthquakeMemorial Museum is moving. And for views of, firstly, the NunobikiFalls, and then the urban sprawl and even the Seto Inland Sea (on agood day), ride the Shin-Kobe Ropeway to the mountain-top observationdeck, then wander downhill through the Nunobiki Herb Gardens.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • All meals onboard
  • Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
  • Standard WiFi
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes

 
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