I remember telling my husband Ted about this trip when we first started planning it and when I said "April 2013", he nearly choked, spitting out his food and commented "That's 5 years from now!". Well, it wasn't quite 5 years...more like 2, but it certainly seemed like 5. And now it's almost here! Time is flying by faster and faster which is why it's so important to grab the most you can out of it.
The detailed itinerary of the pre and post cruise package that I put together is action packed, so be prepared. So many of us are still working and don't have the luxury of a 5 night pre cruise package...like some people that I won't mention! Oh well, we'll see just as much... just at a slightly faster pace to maximize our time.
I've arranged private tours for just our group so that we can do just that, maximize our time in both Bangkok and Beijing! We will see the highlights and it may entice you to come back at another time to see the rest of the country. Asia is a fast pacing, chaotic region, many people, lots of traffic, major sensory overload. It's a place that you want to be taken care of. With my air and pre/post cruise package, there's nothing left for you to worry about. Everything will be taken care of from the time you step foot on the aircraft, board the Diamond Princess to your return on USA soil. Your transfers to the hotel, breakfast, some lunches, tours, and transfers to the ship are all a part of my package for you!
If you have any questions about this package, please let me know. Also, it's never too soon to get your air reserved, so let me know if I can be of service.
Warmest regards,
Alex
Innovative Travel
SPECIALLY DESIGNED PRE & POST CRUISE LAND TOUR
FOR THE DAVIS GROUP
PRE-CRUISE ITINERARY IN BANGKOK, THAILAND:
DAY ONE, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013
Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
After immigration and customs clearance, you are met and transferred to your hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle with local English speaking guide.
Accommodation: SHANGRI -LA HOTEL for 2 nights
DAY TWO, TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013
Breakfast at the hotel
This FULL-DAY TOUR combines the highlights of Bangkok City, including a visit to three interesting temples including WAT TRIMIT, otherwise known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, which houses a 700-year-old, three-meter tall golden statue, cast from five-and-a-half tons of solid gold. Equally spectacular is WAT PO, home to a colossal reclining Buddha and a traditional massage school. The temple garden contains a bohjitree grown from a cutting of an original tree in India under which the Lord Buddha sat while awaiting enlightenment. The third temple we visit is WAT PHRA KAEW (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) within the Grand Palace compound, which houses the most sacred Buddhist image in Thailand.
After lunch at a local restaurant (food only included, drinks on your own), a cruise through the Thomburi canals is an experience that no other Asian capital can offer. The journey down the legendary Chao Phraya River, known as the “River of Kings”, and its tributary klongs (canals) gives a perspective on the critical importance this waterway played in the creation of Bangkok and the old capital of Thonburi, hence the title “Venice of the East”. A boat trip takes us to famous riverside landmarks, including stops at the flittering WAT ARUN (The temple of Dawn) and the magnificent Royal Barges Museum. We also proceed past other notable icons such as the Holy Rosary Church, which was built by the Portuguese who were the first Europeans to settle in Thailand in the 16th Century; and the Oriental Hotel, famous for hosting celebrated authors such as Joseph Conrad and Somerset Maugham.
Dinner is on your own.
DAY THREE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013
Breakfast at the hotel.
DAMNOEN DAUAK FLOATING MARKET (Operates: Daily 07:00a-12:30p, mornings only)
There are countless floating markets throughout Thailand, but the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the most famous. Situated 110 km from Bangkok in Ratchaburi province, this market is like a trip back in time to the Siam of old. You will see colorfully clad merchants paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit, vegetables and other foodstuff to sell to shoppers on the canal banks. There is lots of activity and bargaining is part of the fun of the sale. This buzzing market is at its best in the early morning before the crowds arrive and the heat of the day builds up. After visiting the market, we continue onto Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakorn Pathom, reportedly the largest pagoda in South East Asia. The golden-tiled dome of the Chedi towers almost 116 meters into the air.
Lunch is on your own.
Then transfer to Laem Chabang Port (approximately 2 hours drive) where you will board the Diamond Princess Cruise departing at 7:00pm.
POST CRUISE ITINERARY IN BEIJING,CHINA
DAY ONE, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013
Arrive Beijing, China
Upon arrival at Tianjin Dongjiang Port at 8:00am, please proceed to the exit. You are greeted by the tour representatives with specially designed welcome sign at the exit and drive about 2 hours to Beijing.
Upon arriving at Beijing, enjoy a late morning tour to TEMPLE OF HEAVEN.
The Temple of Heaven itself consists of a sequence of temples and altars set in a beautifully landscaped park. In Imperial China, twice a year the emperor and a magnificent precession of some 1,000 eunuchs, courtiers, and ministers would leave the Forbidden City for the temple where the emperor would entreat the gods to bless the coming harvest. The dominant feature of the complex is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which amazingly, was constructed without using a single nail or any cement; the walls and ceiling are supported by four huge timber pillars and a system of intricate timber brackets.
Lunch in a local restaurant with one glass of soft drink. Afternoon tour to Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City
TIANANMEN SQUARE
Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world. On the north side of the square is the Tiananmen Gate, which overlooks the Square. It was from the balcony of the Tiananmen gate, on October 1, 1949 that chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China. From a huge portrait on the south side of the gate, Mao gazes onto Tiananmen Square, and behind the Tiananmen Gate, inaccessible to commoners for over 500 years, is the iconic Forbidden City.
FORBIDDEN CITY
Commissioned by Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty, the Forbidden City was completed in 1420 and was home to 24 emperors until the last Qing emperor, Puyi, left in 1924. The entire imperial complex is reputed to have 9999 rooms, which at its peak, housed up to 10,000 people, including the imperial family, 3,000 eunuchs, as well as maids and concubines, all contained within 170 acres. Today, the gates of the Forbidden City lead to a fascinating display of Chinese history in what is probably the best-preserved site of Classical Chinese architecture.
EVENING SHOPPING AT SILK ALLEY MARKET (2HOURS)
Note: 2 hours free shopping time offered. Guests who prefer to stay longer will need to take a taxi back to the hotel.
Transfer to and check in at your Hotel
Accommodations: CROWN PLAZA U-TOWN HOTEL BEIJING for 2 Nights
DAY TWO, SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel
IN THE MORNING, DRIVE ABOUT 2 HOURS HEADING TO MUCH LESS VISITED MUTIANYU GREAT WALL
As one of the wonders of the world, the Great Wall is a must-see on any visit to Beijing. Stand atop one of the ancient watchtowers and cast your eye towards the horizon, taking in the vast scale and sheer beauty of the Wall as it snakes its way across the tops of impossibly steep mountain ridges. Originally a series of smaller walls built to repel northern invaders, it was not until the unification of the empire under Qin Shi Huang Di in 221 BC that the various sections of the Wall were linked up. It is said that more than 300,000 men worked for ten years to complete it. The wall has a pounded earth interior with stone facing walls and stone roadway along the top. It was built wide enough to allow a brace of five horses to gallop between the battlements and thus used to convey soldiers, arms, and food with great speed to various parts of the northern frontier.
LUNCH IN LOCAL RESTAURANT WITH ONE GLASS OF SOFT DRINK
IN THE AFTERNOON, CONTINUE YOUR TOUR TO THE LARGEST IMPERIAL GARDEN IN CHINA - SUMMER PALACE.
SUMMER PALACE
The Summer Palace is one of the finest landmarks in Beijing. It has long been a royal garden and was considerably enlarged and embellished by Emperor Qianlong in the 18th century then later abandoned. Empress Dowager Cixi began rebuilding in 1888 using money that was supposedly reserved for the construction of a modern navy.
Three quarters of the area is occupied by the lovely Kunming Lake. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake before walking the Long Corridor. This 728-meter corridor is decorated with 8,000 paintings including many from the emperor’s travels around the country. As cameras were not available, the emperor would have artists paint the scenes that caught his eye.
ON THE WAY BACK TO THE HOTEL, EN ROUTE FOR PICTURES OF 2008 OLYMPIC STADIUM (BIRD’S NEST AND WATER CUBE)
THE NATIONAL STADIUM (BIRD’S NEST)
The National Stadium, designed by Swiss architects Herzon and De Meuron is one of Beijing’s most iconic modern buildings. Affectionately nicknamed the “Bird’s Nest” due to the seemingly random, nest-like steel structure that forms its outer shell, the stadium also has impeccable green credentials, utilizing natural ventilation and geothermal heat/cooking exchange throughout the entire building, as well as a system which recycles and reuses all onsite water. The stadium can hold up to 80,000 spectators and post Olympics has been used as a snow theme park, a concert venue, hosted international football matches and will be the venue for the 2015 World Athletics Championships.
THE NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTER (WATER CUBE)
The National Aquatics Center, more commonly known as the Water Cube, is just opposite the Bird’s Nest on the other side of the central Olympic boulevard. Clad in a hi-tech polymer that is inflated from the inside, the building was designed to resemble a box of bubbles, symbolizing water and the aquatic activities taking place inside. After the games, the Water Cube underwent a yearlong renovation that has turned part of it into a very successful indoor water park. The Olympic pool is also open to the public and you can swim in the pool that saw 25 world records broken during the 2008 Olympic Games.
DINNER WITH EVENING FREE AT LEISURE ON YOUR OWN
OPTIONAL TOUR FOR PEKING ROAST DUCK DINNER AND ACROBATIC SHOW ($110 PER PERSON)
ACROBATIC SHOW AT CHAOYANG THEATER
Acrobatics is one of the oldest performing arts practiced in China and the spectacular skills honed over centuries are on display in the entertaining show. The young acrobats perform astonishing stunts and feats of dexterity that you will definitely have to see to believe. Often compared to the Cirque de Soleil, the Acrobatics show at Chaoyang Theater will have you enthralled as the highly skilled performers in spectacular costumes go through their highly original and breathtaking routines.
DAY THREE, SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2013
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel.
Transfer to Beijing airport for your flight leaving China.
Photo provided by Flickr: Oh Geez! Design
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