Featuring Arthur Gottschalk, Professor of Composition and Theory, The Shepherd School of Music

It’s a fascinating land of delicate art and bustling commerce, of rich traditions and dizzying modernity – all revealed on this well-crafted 13-day small group tour, limited to 24 travelers. See Tokyo and Kyoto’s highlights, engage in local life, and head off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa. The journey begins with three nights in amazing Tokyo, where, along with time to explore independently, touring includes tranquil Meiji Shrine, famed Ginza district, the imposing Imperial Palace, and the impressive Tokyo National Museum. Japan’s pastoral side is on tap next in stunning Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park with majestic Mt. Fuji and a scenic cruise on Ashi Lake. After overnighting at a traditional ryokan inn, board an express train to Takayama in the Japanese Alps to explore this ancient town during a two-night sojourn. A traditional tea ceremony and a cooking class offer opportunities to experience Japanese culture firsthand. Visit historic Shirakawago Gassho-zukuri Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Reaching culturally rich Kanazawa for a two-night stay, visit Omicho Market and tour Kenrokuen Garden. The journey ends with three nights in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural center. Among many highlights here: the extravagant 17th-century Nijo-jo Castle, Ryoan-ji temple with its acclaimed Zen garden, and the beloved Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Discover cosmopolitan Hiroshima, reborn from its atomic destruction, with an optional 3-day/2-night post-tour extension.

Please contact Odysseys Unlimited at 888-370-6765 to reserve today!

From the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to eternal Rome, through the gentle Umbrian and Tuscan countryside to timeless Venice, this wide-ranging 16-day tour showcases ancient sites, contemporary life, priceless art, and beautiful natural scenery. Staying in unique accommodations in the Tuscan countryside and in a medieval village, you’ll especially appreciate traveling in a small group limited to 24 people. Begin on the storied Amalfi Coast with a three-night stay featuring a cruise along this matchless coastline, a visit to Pompeii’s exquisite ruins, and a thrilling Amalfi Coast drive. Spending the next three nights in a well-located hotel in Rome, tour the heart of ancient Rome – the Colosseum and the Forum; the Vatican’s monumental St. Peter’s Square and Basilica; and the sublime Sistine Chapel; and enjoy independent exploration. A three-night stay in Orvieto, dramatically set in Italy’s “green heart” of Umbria, follows. Attend an Italian cooking demonstration and explore Parco delle Grotte’s labyrinth of underground caves. On an excursion to beloved Assisi, stroll through the fountain-splashed piazzas and visit the renowned Basilica di San Francesco. Journeying next to alluring Tuscany for a three-night stay, tour Siena, which boasts one of Europe’s greatest public squares. Discover splendid Florence, living monument to the Renaissance, and its famed Galleria dell’Accademia; and the classic Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano. Sample a local winery’s offerings. In wondrous Venice, the final destination, tour vast St. Mark’s Square and surroundings and explore the city independently. Savor more time discovering this treasured city with an optional 3-day/2-night post-tour extension.

Please contact Odysseys Unlimited at 888-370-6765 to reserve today!