Day 1 – Hong Kong

From an iconic skyline overlooking a glorious harbor to lush green mountains and sprawling parks, Hong Kong has all you could want (and more) in a world-class city. Gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s culture and history at Man Mo Temple, ride the world’s steepest funicular to Victoria Peak and cruise through a fishing village by sampan. Escape the urban bustle with a walk along the soft, golden sands of Repulse Bay. Dive into classic favorites like dai pai dong (street-food stalls) and yum cha (tea and dim sum) after conquering a dizzying assortment of shopping venues in this commercial hub of Asia.

Day 2 – Cruising the Taiwan Strait

Day 3 – Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan

From the booming seaport town of Keelung, head west to one of East Asia’s most intriguing cities. Mixing Chinese, Japanese and Western influences, Taipai features architectural landmarks like the nearly 1,700-foot-tall Taipei 101 – built to resemble a gigantic bamboo stalk – and cultural wonders like the 18th-century Longshan Temple and prestigious National Palace Museum. Among Taipei’s culinary delights are Taiwanese ‘small eats’ called xiaochi and the city’s famed beef noodle soup, best enjoyed with a cold Taiwan beer. Travel north from Keelung to Yeliu Geopark, a popular promontory full of eroded rock formations with names like Queen’s Head and Elephant Rock.

Day 4 – Ishigaki (Sakishima Islands), Japan

Packed with picture-perfect beaches that offer world-class diving, snorkeling and surfside bliss, Ishigaki is the gateway to the Yaeyama archipelago, the southernmost and westernmost inhabited islands of Japan. Admire the colorful fish and flourishing coral reefs of Kabira Bay aboard a glass-bottom boat before enjoying panoramic island views from the Tamatorizaki observatory or Hirakubozaki Lighthouse. The islands of Taketomi, Kuroshima and Kohama make for fantastic day-trip destinations, all of which can be explored by bicycle within a few hours. Listen to folk songs accompanied by the sanshin, a banjo-like instrument made of snakeskin, and see artisans crafting styles of pottery that are unique to each island.

Day 5  – Cruising the East China Sea

Day 6 & 7 – Shanghai, China

Shining brightly on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta in East China, this historic and glamorous city beckons with dazzling architecture, a universe of dining options and buzzing streetscapes. Stroll Shanghai legendary waterfront – known locally as ‘The Bund’ – for skyline views and colonial-era buildings. Pay homage to the famed pair of Buddhas at the Jade Buddha Temple in bustling downtown, learn the city’s fascinating story at the Shanghai History Museum in the Pudong district and head to the Old City to explore the 400-year-old Yuyuan Garden. You’ll be tempted by Shanghai’s fabled street food wherever you go, from crab shell pies to paper-thin soup dumplings.

Day 8 – Cruising the East China Sea

Day 9 – Busan, South Korea

Located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula just two-and-a-half hours from Seoul, Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city. With its deep harbor, it’s also one of the largest commercial ports in the world. Often referred to as “the summer capital of South Korea,” Busan is known for its exceptional beaches, scenic cliffs and ancient temples high in the mountains.

Day 10 – Nagasaki, Japan

Japan’s early gateway to trade with the West, Nagasaki boasts stately European-style homes, a bustling harbor and fusion cuisine (be sure to try Nagasaki’s version of Castella sponge cake, introduced by Portuguese missionaries). The vibrant city is also synonymous with the dropping of the second atomic bomb, making a visit to Nagasaki’s Peace Park a necessary, and deeply moving, experience. Admire the city’s natural beauty atop Mount Inasayama. Drive through splendid countryside to browse the galleries of Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Back in Nagasaki, wander Japan’s oldest Chinatown, trying Chinese food reinterpreted for Japanese tastes.

Day 11 – Cruising the Pacific Ocean

Day 12 & 13 – Osaka, Japan

This charming city serves up amazing cuisine, superb shopping and a friendly spirit, with the restored Osaka Castle offering a spectacular lesson in Japanese history and culture. Osaka’s nickname – Tenka no Daidokoro (The Nation’s Kitchen) – originally referred to its Edo Period status as Japan’s rice-trade hub; today it refers to the city’s reputation as a gourmand’s paradise. Take in a 360-degree view from Abeno Harukas – Japan’s tallest skyscraper – before visiting the city’s spectacular aquarium and through Dotonbori, Osaka’s glittering heart. The immensely historical city of Kyoto is within reach, beckoning with spectacular architecture that includes thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Day 14 – Nagoya, Japan

It may lack the name recognition of Tokyo and Osaka, but cosmopolitan Nagoya impresses with an array of museums, temples and green spaces. In this birthplace of Toyota absorb the ancient spirituality of Atsuta Shrine, one of Japan’s three most important Shinto shrines and a perfect spot to enjoy a lunch of kishimen (flat noodles), a local specialty. Immerse yourself in over 10,000 pieces of Japanese art, theater, fashion, samurai culture and more at Tokugawa Art Museum. Gain an instant appreciation for Japanese postwar history at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, a fully hands-on museum featuring actual trains and simulators. Your inner train-loving-child will approve.

Day 15 – Tokyo, Japan

From Yokohama, travel to the world’s most dazzling city. Once the modest fishing village of Edo, modern Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis of unique neighborhoods. Choose from museums covering every aspect of Japanese history and culture. Visit the glorious Imperial Palace and Senso-ji temple in the ancient district of Asakusa. Dive into an urban food scene that rewards the intrepid. And, of course, snap a selfie in Shibuya Crossing. In Yokohama, bask in the city’s hospitality before visiting Japan’s largest Chinatown or the vast Sankeien Garden, where seventeen historical structures relocated from Kyoto, Kamakura and elsewhere enhance the magnificent landscapes.