Grand Distant Horizons Hong Kong & Japan October 29 Special (Departing October 24)

1st Day Istanbul – Hong Kong Meeting at Istanbul Airport, international departures terminal, in front of the Turkish Airlines counter 3 hours before the flight. After baggage, ticket, and passport procedures, depart for Hong Kong on Turkish Airlines flight TK170 at 15:50. 2nd Day Hong Kong After our arrival at 07:25 local time, our city tour begins with our vehicle waiting for us at the airport. Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, fascinates visitors with both its modern skyscrapers and traditional culture. During our city tour, Aberdeen, the Fishing Village, Victoria Peak, and Repulse Bay will be among the places to be seen. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Guests who wish may join the optional Grand Hong Kong Boat Tour with Dinner (120 USD). Departing from the harbor by boat, we will enjoy dinner with music and unforgettable views while seeing Hong Kong from a different perspective. After the boat tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 3rd Day Hong Kong After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Grand Macau Island Tour (270 USD). We depart from the hotel by private vehicle to the port where we will take the ferry. After an enjoyable journey of about 1 hour, upon arrival in Macau, our island tour begins. Macau is a special administrative region on China’s southern coast and is known as the “Las Vegas of Asia.” Having been ruled as a Portuguese colony for centuries, Macau, although now part of China, offers a unique synthesis of Western and Eastern cultures. During our tour, the Guia Circuit (the venue of the Macau Grand Prix), the Statue of the Goddess Kum Lam, A-Ma Temple, the world’s largest casino, identical to the one in Las Vegas, and Macau’s city center and cathedral, which are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, will be among the places to be seen. After the tour, guests may try their luck at the casino. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 4th Day Hong Kong – Tokyo After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport. After baggage and ticket procedures, depart for Tokyo on a local airline. Upon arrival at local time, our Tokyo city tour begins with our vehicle waiting for us at the airport. Tokyo, the capital of Japan and one of the world’s most populous metropolises, offers visitors an impressive blend of modern life and traditional Japanese culture. Known for its advanced technology, dazzling skyscrapers, and busy streets, Tokyo is also famous for its temples, parks, and historic districts. Our city tour in Tokyo begins with Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest temples and one of the city’s most mystical areas, namely Asakusa (Sensoji) Temple. This temple, completed in 628, is dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. We will enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) and then proceed to Nakamise Street, a shopping street over 200 meters long. During the break on the shopping street, you can buy typical Japanese souvenirs such as various kimonos and folding fans, or taste traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area. After the tour, we visit another mystical temple, Meiji Shrine. During this visit, we will first be greeted by its magnificent torii gates. Built in 1920 in memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, after visiting this shrine we continue to one of the city’s most iconic places, Shibuya “Scramble Crossing.” Located amid business and shopping centers, this pedestrian crossing is one of the busiest areas in the city and is known as the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 5th Day Tokyo After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Grand Ashi Boat Tour & Mount Fuji & Hakone & Gotemba Premium Outlet Tour (190 USD). During our tour, we take a pleasant boat trip on the enchanting Lake Ashi, which is under UNESCO protection. Gliding over the lake with the impressive silhouette of Mount Fuji, you will have wonderful opportunities to photograph these magnificent natural views. Lake Ashi, one of the places that best reflects Japan’s mystical atmosphere, offers a postcard-like beauty with its calm waters and the many shades of green surrounding it. After the boat tour, we stop for shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlet, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centers. Located at the foot of Mount Fuji and offering visitors a spacious open-air shopping experience, this huge complex has more than 250 stores. Gotemba Outlet offers a wide range of brands, from popular lifestyle brands such as Nike and Lacoste to world-famous luxury brands such as Armani and Burberry. Thanks to seasonal discounts, special campaigns, and holiday offers, products may be available at discounts of up to 70% compared to retail prices. Therefore, it is an exceptional stop for both those looking for affordable shopping and guests seeking special designer products. While enjoying shopping with a view of Mount Fuji, guests may relax at cafes or try local flavors in the restaurants inside the outlet. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 6th Day Tokyo – Osaka After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Osaka by high-speed train. Upon arrival, our Osaka city tour begins with our vehicle waiting for us at the airport. Osaka, located in Japan’s Kansai region and the country’s third-largest city, is an important tourist destination that stands out with both its historical richness and modern city life. Known for its lively atmosphere, friendly people, and delicious street food, Osaka is also called Japan’s “kitchen capital.” During our city tour, the historical Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century and playing a key role in the unification of Japan, the Umeda Sky Building consisting of two buildings 173 meters long, and the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi districts will be among the places to be seen. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 7th Day Osaka After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Grand Kyoto Tour (Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Kinkakuji – Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Temples) (190 USD). We head to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and one of the best-preserved centers of traditional culture, famous for its temples, gardens, and traditional neighborhoods. After a journey of about 1 hour, we begin our city tour. Kyoto, which was the only place in Japan not bombed during World War II, is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. We start our city tour with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Kyoto, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of nature. Located in the Arashiyama district, this bamboo grove enchants visitors with its peaceful atmosphere, especially when visited early in the morning or at sunset. The narrow walking paths stretching among the tall, slender, lush green bamboo offer a nature-filled experience and create unique scenery for photography lovers. The bamboo forest will welcome us with a 500-meter walking trail. During this walk, we will enjoy pleasant moments accompanied by the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo. Our next stop is Kinkakuji Temple. Also known as the “Golden Pavilion,” this structure was built in the 14th century as the villa of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and was later converted into a Zen temple after his death. The most striking feature of the temple is that its upper two floors are completely covered in gold leaf; this splendid view becomes almost magical when reflected in the Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond) in front of the temple. Kinkakuji impresses visitors not only with its architecture but also with its carefully designed Japanese garden and peaceful natural surroundings. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this temple is one of Kyoto’s most visited and photographed historical structures. Both culturally and visually captivating, Kinkakuji is among the must-see places for anyone visiting Japan. After the tour, we head to Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a famous Buddhist temple of great historical and architectural importance. Founded in 780, the temple is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and takes its name from the pure water source nearby; “Kiyomizu” means “pure water” in Japanese. Beneath the main hall is the Otowa Waterfall, and the water flows into a pond through three channels. According to belief, these channels symbolize knowledge, health, and longevity respectively. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 8th Day Osaka After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Grand Nara Deer Park & Todaiji Temple, Kobe Mosaic and Chinatown Tour (190 USD). Todaiji Temple is a historic structure located in Nara, Japan, and is considered one of the country’s most important Buddhist temples. Built in the 8th century, in 752, the temple is located in the heart of Nara, one of Japan’s former capitals. Todaiji is especially famous for Daibutsu (the Great Buddha), the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. This enormous statue is displayed inside Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), located at the center of the temple. At the same time, this hall is considered one of the largest wooden structures in the world. The temple is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and offers deep insights into Japanese culture and Buddhism. After the tour, we visit Nara Deer Park, a large park in the center of Nara. Nara Deer Park (Nara Park) is a large park in Nara, Japan, famous for hundreds of freely roaming deer. Founded in 1880, this park attracts millions of tourists every year with both its natural beauty and cultural richness. About 1,000 Japanese deer of the “sika” species live in the park, and these deer are considered sacred by the local people. According to legend, in ancient times a deity came to Nara in the form of a deer, which is why the deer are protected. Visitors can buy special “shika senbei” deer crackers from stalls in the park to feed these cute animals. The deer are quite accustomed to tourists and are famous for sometimes bowing slightly as if greeting them. Afterwards, we explore Kobe, Japan’s sixth-largest city with a population of about 1.5 million. This port city, where modern urban life blends with traditional Japanese culture, offers visitors an enjoyable sightseeing experience with its elegant atmosphere and orderly city layout. Our first stop is Kobe Mosaic, one of the most popular spots in the harbor area. This dining and shopping complex by the sea, with its colorful shops, restaurants, and panoramic harbor views, is one of the city’s liveliest districts. During our free time here, guests who wish may have the opportunity to taste Kobe beef, the world-famous gourmet delicacy of Kobe. Kobe beef, one of Japan’s most select meats, offers an unforgettable experience for gastronomy lovers with its tender texture and rich aroma. Later in the day, we visit Nankinmachi (Chinatown), established in 1868 and known as Japan’s first and largest Chinatown. With its red lantern-decorated streets, decorative gates, enticing aromas of street food, and lively atmosphere, Nankinmachi lets visitors experience different colors of Asian culture all at once. During our pleasant walk here, we will have plenty of time for both shopping and photography. After this unforgettable exploration through colorful streets, we complete our tour and transfer to our hotel in Osaka, where we settle into our rooms. 9th Day Osaka – Istanbul After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Later, at the time determined by the guide, transfer to the airport. After baggage and ticket procedures, depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK87 at 22:50. Arrival at 05:40 local time and end of the tour.