Your Itinerary
Days 1-2: Arrive in Seoul
Fly to South Korea's lively, fast-paced capital city, Seoul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel where the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring.
Spend the day seeing the sights of Seoul, starting at the Gwanghwamun Square where you can start to discover the city's long history before passing through the magnificent gate of the Gyeongbok Palace complex to watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony. You will then change into traditional Korean clothes to explore Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighbourhood of restored traditional houses, for a fascinating step back in time. After lunch at a local restaurant, take part in a kimchi making demonstration, then take a guided stroll along the picturesque Cheonggyecheon Stream. The day ends in Myeongdong, an area renowned for its fashion boutiques and street food stalls, where you will be able to get a feel for contemporary Seoul.
Day 4: Board the Celebrity Millennium
After breakfast you will be transferred to Incheon cruise terminal to board your cruise. The rest of the day is free to explore the ship's facilities and settle in. Throughout your cruise, when your ship comes into port, there will be a range of excursions available to help you explore each destination. These excursions are at your own expense and are bookable on your cruise reservation.
Spend the day getting to know the Celebrity Millennium and all the plentiful ways you can be active or relax onboard as you cruise across along South Korea's coastline.
Day 6: Cruise – Explore Jeju Island
Port at Jeju Island, South Korea's favourite holiday and honeymoon spot. A volcanic island of rugged peaks, lush forest and white sand beaches, it is an excellent place to not only enjoy a bit of all out relaxation, but to explore a wealth of unique ancient traditions.
Day 7: Cruise – Explore Kumamoto
Welcome to Japan! Today you'll have the option to explore the lovely Kumamoto on the Japanese island of Kyushu. Home to the samurai fortress of Kumamoto and the traditional Suizenji Garden, in the area around the city you’ll find beautiful countryside, centred around the mighty Mount Aso, Japan's largest active volcano.
Day 8: Cruise – Explore Kagoshima
Today's port of call is the sunny city of Kagoshima, nestled at the foot of Sakurajima Volcano. While the city itself has historic castles and traditional gardens to explore, there are also volcanic hot springs to soak in and delicious local food to try.
Day 9: Cruise – Explore Hiroshima
Arrive at Hiroshima. Best known as the first city in the world to feel the power of the atomic bomb in 1945, Hiroshima has emerged for the ashes as a cosmopolitan and peaceful place. Consider visiting the tranquil Peace Park to learn about and reflect on the past.
Day 10: Cruise – At Sea
Make the most of your cruise ship facilities today – you could relax by the pool, try out the restaurants and bars, and enjoy the range of activities and shows.
Day 11: Cruise – Explore Kyoto
Arrive in Osaka, the closest port to the timeless city of Kyoto, Japan's capital for over 1,000 years and a treasure trove of history and culture. Spend the day exploring among ancient architecture, soaking up a rich, age-old culture or sampling some of the city's culinary delights.
Spend a second day at port in Osaka, making the most of the excellent range of facilities onboard your cruise ship or continuing your explorations of Kyoto.
Day 13: Cruise – At Sea
Relax onboard your way – sitting by the pool, enjoying the bars and restaurants, or taking part in a sport of activity.
Day 14: Cruise – Explore Shimizu
Port at Shimizu, a city of medieval castle ruins, ancient pine groves and traditional gardens. Here, you are ideally located for viewing Mount Fuji (weather dependent) or exploring the series of fascinating cultural sights around its base.
Arrive at Yokohama cruise port, the gateway to the greater Tokyo area. Japan's cutting-edge capital city, Tokyo is a fascinating city of contrasts, where neon-lit cityscape meets peaceful shrines and manicured gardens. Begin exploring the city today or use the time to make the most of the ship's facilities.
Day 16: Disembark the Celebrity Millenium
Bid farewell to the Celebrity Millenium. Met by a guide, you will be transferred to your hotel in Tokyo for the rest of the day at leisure.
Embark on a full day exploration of Tokyo, start at vibrant Sensoji, the city's oldest temple before taking a stroll down Nakamise Shopping Street to browse the souvenirs and locals snack foods. Then, ascend the Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views over the city. Enjoy a sushi making masterclass and dine on your creations for lunch. Later, wander through the Imperial Palace Gardens then explore Meiji Jingu Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.
Day 18: See the Snow Monkeys
Take the famous bullet train to the city of Nagano. Enjoy a local lunch then visit the lovely 7th-century Zenkoji Temple. Transfer to Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to the famous hot spring bathing Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys. After a walk through a forest, you'll come across the monkey's pool where you can watch them relax and play. This evening you'll stay in traditional ryokan accommodation complete dinner.
Day 19: Travel to Takayama
This morning, get hands-on with a soba noodle making experience. Then admire the grandeur of Matsumoto Castle before travelling into the countryside to discover the delights of rural Takayama. End the day enjoying the exhibits of the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall.
Walk through Takayama market to admire the piles of fresh, local produce followed by a visit to Takayama Jinya, an Edo period, earthen walled rice granary and a stroll through the streets of the old town, which are lined with traditional dwellings. Explore the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum that showcases traditional houses of the region. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawago, famous for its charming gassho-zukuri architecture. Travel to Kanazawa.
Savour the beauty of Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and admire the artworks at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Stroll through the traditional Higashi Chaya district to see the historic architecture then learn the art of making gold leaf. Finally, learn about samurai life at the Nomura Samurai Residence.
Day 22: Bullet train to Kyoto
Hop on a super-speedy bullet train to Kyoto, a city that is the very essence of old Japan. Embark on a guided tour that includes visits to Kinkakuji, the 'Golden Pavilion', a walk through Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district and the enchanting Fushimi Inari shrine, with its hundreds of vermilion torii gates.
Day 23: Explore more Kyoto
This morning will be spend exploring Nijo Castle, a 17th-century imperial villa, and its renowned Japanese garden. Later, enjoy the rituals of a traditional tea ceremony before an immersive wander through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
Days 24-25: Fly Osaka to Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or the following day.
