Japan

Join Joe and Karla for an incredible trip to Japan. One for the ages, this is your opportunity to check several items off of your bucket list. Sightseeing will be unmatched, but don’t forget, we’re gonna throw some skiing in there too. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to see Tokyo, Niseko/Hokkaido, Kyoto and Hong Kong. Space is limited, so don’t delay – sign up today.

Voted Best Japan Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards each year since 2013, Niseko United is comprised of four resorts on one mountain. Our lift ticket will be good for all four resorts. Seasonal winds from the Eurasian continent pick up moisture over the warm currents of the Sea of Japan to form snow clouds and in turn some of the driest, lightest powder in the world. Think Steamboat in January with its Champagne powder and you will almost come close to imagining the fluffiness of Niseko-United’s powder. With its rich variety of terrain, Niseko offers an unforgettable experience for all levels of skier and snowboarder. A solid plus – there is first track cat skiing available before the mountain opens! Also available for those who don’t get enough skiing in daylight hours – night skiing is available!

Says, World Ski Awards: Set against the backdrop of Mt. Yotei, Niseko has become one the must ski destinations of the world. Niseko has built its reputation on the consistent quantity of famous powder and continues to develop into a world class resort with a unique blend of Japanese culture and international influence. Niseko offers an experience like nowhere else in Japan or the world. Simply put, Niseko offers something for the powder hound, first timer and everything in between. With a mix of Japanese and western restaurants and bars, the après scene provides a potpourri of options. If it’s relaxation you’re after, the famous Hot springs in Niseko will leave you revitalized and ready for another day on or off piste.

Off mountain winter activities abound. There is reindeer sledding, horseback riding, snow rafting (picture a whitewater style raft tied to the back of a snowmobile), snowmobiling, guided snowshoe tours, as well as cross country skiing, to name a few.

We are staying in hotel rooms at the Hilton – Niseko Village. Voted Best Japan Ski Hotel by World Ski Awards also since 2013, and a World Ski Hotel nominee, Hilton Niseko Village is located steps away from the gondola and we mean steps!!! The hotel offers incredible views of Mt. Yotei, a full service spa, fitness center, and an incredible onsen experience – both indoor and outdoor. Relax in naturally heated thermal waters, said to be beneficial to one’s health and well being. Just imagine for a moment, soaking in the outdoor onsen, surrounded by pine trees and white snow on the ground with stars twinkling overhead, your aches, pains and fatigue of a day on the slopes just drifting away . . . wishing you were there right now aren’t you? The Wakka Spa was voted as one of the top 10 spas in Japan and is a recipient of the coveted Crystal Award.

We will spend 5 nights in Niseko. Included in the trip price is a daily breakfast buffet as well as a dinner buffet. In addition, the hotel has several dining options and just adjacent to the hotel is the village center, home to several shops and restaurants. Located slope side, it is ski in ski out. As guests, we also receive complimentary ski/boot storage during our stay.

That’s not all…. The base trip includes two nights in Tokyo, where we will have time to explore Japan’s capital. Tokyo is simply huge and wonderful. Despite its vast size, Tokyo is incredibly safe and unbelievably clean; an amazing sight in and of itself. Modern skyscrapers surround ancient temples and shrines. Restaurants and shopping districts are countless. The hustle and bustle of this vast city is quite evident at rush hour. Yet step into a shrine and tranquility awaits.

See incredible views of the vastness of Tokyo atop the Tokyo Tower (close proximity to our hotel) or the Tokyo Skytree. Better yet, visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building and see the views from their observation floors for free. See the busiest street crossing in the world at the Shibuya Station. Take it a step further and watch the spectacle from the world’s busiest Starbucks. Come see it at night and get your Times Square-esque pictures as the neon signs light up.

We will get an orientation tour on our way from the airport. Additionally, breakfast is included at our hotel. We are staying at the Grand Prince New Takanawa Hotel in the Minato area of Tokyo. The Grand Prince New Takanawa is a 4 star hotel located a very short walk to the Shinagawa Station, one of the main stations in Tokyo. There, you can (and will) learn how to use the subway – the best way to get around the vastness of Tokyo. The hotel has a variety of restaurants and is in walking distance to hundreds of restaurants, bars and fast food eateries.

For those that choose the pre-trip option, we will start our trip in Kyoto, once Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years. Home to countless temples and shrines, Kyoto is simply teeming with Japanese history and culture. In fact, our hotel is within walking distance to several temples and shrines, countless restaurants and shopping districts where one can find everything. It’s said that the most impressive and breathtaking temples are in the Higashiyama district, near our hotel. Quite frankly, we are at ground zero for a bucket list experience that won’t be forgotten. Visit the Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), or take in Gion, said to be the most famous place in the world to see geisha. While there, take in a tea ceremony and later splurge for a Kyo-Ryori experience. Kyo-ryori, or Kyoto cuisine, is a refined cuisine, characterized by its use of seasonal ingredients, delicately presented dishes and meals that are served over several courses. Catch words: Shrines, temples, tea ceremonies, geisha, architecture, landscape, shopping, people, UNESCO World Heritage sites, history, culture, exquisite cuisine, zen, cafes, art, foodies.

We are staying in hotel rooms at the Kyoto-Royal Hotel. As indicated above, our hotel is in a fantastic location for our three night stay in Kyoto. It’s located on Kawaramachi Street, Kyoto’s main restaurant and entertainment avenue. The hotel’s central location provides easy access to the city’s sights including Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, Kinkakuji Temple and Ginkakuji Temple, to name a few. The option price includes daily breakfast.

The option includes:

• Air between Tampa and Osaka, Japan
• Transfers by private motor coach between Osaka Airport and Kyoto
• 3 night’s accommodations at the 4 star Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa
• Breakfast daily at the hotel
• ½ day city tour of Kyoto

Photos seen here courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization

Don’t miss this bucket list option to see one of the most famous and beautiful harbors in the world when we spend three nights in Hong Kong. Perhaps described most eloquently by travel writer extraordinaire Jan Morris as follows:

Hong Kong is our era exemplified—historically, ethnically, architecturally, socially, economically, aesthetically and, above all, sensually. It is a place you feel. Founded by Europeans, developed by Asians, governed by Chinese, designed and run by entrepreneurs, architects, economists, and adventurers from the four corners of the world, in its streets and waterways you may sense the turning of the Earth itself.

Take in the view from Victoria Peak and see Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. If you fancy a trip on the world’s steepest funicular, hop on the Peak Tram for a seven minute ride to the top. Maybe do it twice, day time and night time for incredible views. Foodies delight!! Hong Kong is simply full of a countless variety of restaurants. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy Dim Sum in Hong Kong, the best place in the world to experience it!

Kowloon is a fantastic area to explore, eat and shop. Wander along the Kowloon waterfront and take in the incredible sights provided by the Hong Kong shore and skyline. At night don’t miss the Symphony of Lights, a nightly multi-media spectacle involving more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbor. Multi-colored lights, laser beams and searchlights make for an incredible performance synchronized to music and narration celebrating the spirit and energy of Hong Kong.

After you’ve enjoyed the Symphony, head over to the Temple Street Night Market, a popular street bazaar where the traders lay out their wares and the opera singers and fortune tellers spin their yarns. Haggle over trinkets, tea ware, electronics, watches, antiques, clothing, etc. and enjoy claypot rice, seafood, noodles and other treats.

There is so much to see and do in Hong Kong. We could go on and on. Join us and take it all in. Catch words: shopping, landmarks, skyline, street markets, dim sum, ferries, boat rides, Victoria Harbor, Victoria Peak, Peak Tram, junk boats, big Buddha, temples, tea, symphony of lights, Temple Street night market, Kowloon’s Jordan District, Tsing Ma Bridge, Po Lin Monastery, afternoon tea at the Peninsula.

We are staying in hotel rooms during our three night stay at the Kowloon Harbour Grand Hotel, a 5 star hotel in an incredible location. The views from the hotel are incredible and the hotel is located near the main transportation hubs. From here, you can take a nice stroll around the harbor. Head upstairs to the pool at night and take in the awesome views of the harbor. Within a five minute walk from the hotel, numerous restaurants and shopping districts abound.

The option includes:

• Air between Tokyo and Hong Kong on JAL
• Transfers between Hong Kong Airport and hotel in private motor-coach with guide
• 3 night’s accommodations at the 5 star Grand Kowloon Hotel
• American breakfast daily at the hotel
• ½ day guided city tour of Hong Kong
• Return flight to the USA on JAL via Tokyo. Please note that our current return trip itinerary will require an extra night stay in Tokyo.

Photos seen here courtesy of Grand Kowloon Hotel

Resort Only (No Air) DEDUCT $1412 for those signed up for all three options, DEDUCT $1100 for those on the base trip.

Prices are per person. Accommodations are assigned in order deposits are received. No space is held without a $350.00 per person deposit. Early commitments get first choice! All prices reflect a cash discount. There is a 3.5% convenience charge for credit card transactions.