CENTRAL & WEST ASIA

CENTRAL ASIA

Once Silk Road epicenters, the capitals of ancient empires, coveted chess pieces of the colonial Great Game and Iron Curtain captives, the independent nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are some of the most mysterious and isolated, yet culturally rich and historically significant, places on Earth.

• VISIT THE ANCIENT CITY OF MERV • WALK AMONG BAZAARS AND MINARETS OF BUKHARA • ADMIRE VIBRANT BLUE TILE IN REGISTAN SQUARE • WANDER THROUGH ASHGABAT'S TOLKUCHKA SUNDAY BAZAAR • WATCH THE TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE SHYRDAK (ICONIC KYRGZ FELT CARPETS)

TURKEY

At the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Turkey’s fortuitous geography has made it the world’s greatest epicenter of exchange between East and West for the past 5,000 years. The culmination of the Silk Road and the capital of four distinct empires, Turkey is unrivaled for sheer cultural wealth and diversity.

• EXPLORE ISTANBUL • SAIL THE BOSPORUS STRAIT • VIEW CAPPADOCIA FROM A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE • SEE HUGE CARVED STONE FACES ON MT. NEMRUT • RELAX ON THE TURQUOISE COAST

Australia New Zealand Pacific Islands Papua New Guinea

THE PACIFIC

Geographically isolated for millions of years, Australia’s scenery and wildlife is like that of nowhere else on the planet. And its unique culture is no different—at once youthful and ancient, Australia simultaneously honors its deep Aboriginal roots while also embracing the best of contemporary sophistication. The vast nation invites you to both explore and relax, to wander pristine wild landscapes and revel in the urban buzz of some of the world’s most livable cities.

• SWIM UNDER WATERFALLS • SEE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF • SEARCH FOR WOMBATS AT BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK • EXPLORE KANGAROO ISLAND • FISH FOR YOUR OWN BARRAMUNDI

NEW ZEALAND

Isolated by vast southern seas, New Zealand is a land of spectacular scenic beauty—magnificent glacial mountains and fjords, dramatic geothermal regions, sweeping plains and intensely green subtropical forests. New Zealand’s remote location has shaped its self-sufficient people, whose independent spirit, natural inventiveness and genuine friendliness are contagious.

• TOUR AUCKLAND • LEARN MAORI CULTURE IN ROTORUA GEOTHERMAL AREA • SIP SAUVIGNON BLANC NEAR MARLBOROUGH SOUND • TAKE A HELICOPTER RIDE TO THE TOP OF FRANZ JOSEF AND FOX GLACIERS • WHALE WATCH IN KAIKOURA

PACIFIC ISLANDS

In the midst of the vast Pacific Ocean, the island chains of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia dot the waters and offer a remarkable chance to truly get away from it all—no easy feat these days. Perfect for snorkeling, these remote islands and atolls are home to some of the world’s most diverse and colorful marine life.

• SWIM AMONG STINGLESS JELLYFISH • EXPLORE NAN MADOL, "VENICE OF THE PACIFIC" • FIND BIRDLIFE AND UNUSUAL FLORA • KAYAK INTO THE CLEAR WATERS • DISCOVER FASCINATING WWII REMNANTS

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Home to many of the world’s most isolated tribes, each practicing their own cultural traditions amid rugged mountains, thundering waterfalls, dazzling reef systems and an abundance of colorful birds and beasts, Papua New Guinea is the Holy Grail of immersive cultural travel. To best experience this unique destination, we recommend traveling in a Small Group Trip led by an experienced, well-connected Tour Leader.

Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Hong Kong Oman Singapore Seoul Taipei

STOPOVERS

While Abu Dhabi is relatively laid back for the region, the city is confidently contemporary, cosmopolitan and forever evolving. Hotels are resplendent with luxury, dining is world-class and the skyline of the metropolis is futuristic and shiny. The combination of Abu Dhabi’s cultural-progressiveness and its role as modern, luxurious mega-metropolis provides visitors with an exciting and balanced stopover experience.

• VISIT SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE, LARGEST IN UAE • LOUVRE ABU DHABI, A GLOBALLY-RECOGNIZED MUSEUM • BIKE THE CORNICHE • SEE THE CENTURIES OLD, EMIRATI AASR AL HOSN FORT

DOHA

Just as Doha has firm footing in the culture and art scene, the city is equally as futuristic and extraordinarily swanky! From a constantly evolving ultra-modern skyline to opulence in shopping, dining and lodging, you’ll never doubt Doha’s rank as the world’s richest city.

• MARVEL AT THE EXCLUSIVE MAN-MADE ISLAND, THE PEARL • VISIT THE MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART • WALK DOHA'S OLDEST STANDING MARKET, SOUQ WAQIF

DUBAI

The city’s traditional role as a fishing and pearling town has all but given way to the most futuristic megametropolis in the world. In Dubai, bigger and better doesn’t cut it. Only the biggest and best will do. With the world’s tallest building, the most massive retail shopping malls, the largest man-made island and the most luxurious hotels, superlatives that grace just about every description you’ll read of Dubai are far from hyperbole.

• VISIT A TRADITIONAL ARABIC CAMP IN THE DESERT • RIDE AN ABRA, A TRADITIONAL WOODEN BOAT • EAT AT RESTAURANTS OPERATED BY PRESTIGIOUS CHEFS • VISIT BURJ KHALIFA, THE PINNACLE OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

HONG KONG

Hong Kong crackles with life. Crowds jostle, neon blings, horns honk, cargo moves, steam billows and aromas waft through its tightly packed, yet surprisingly organized spaces. Winding alleyways give way to open harbor views, which are encircled by soaring peaks and glass high-rises.

Expect warm welcomes and open arms. Combined with a rich heritage, stunning mountainous backdrop and seaside flare, you’ll quickly learn why Oman has earned its reputation as one of “best kept secrets of the Middle East.” Nestled between the Gulf of Oman and the soaring Al Hajar Mountains, Oman’s largest city and capital boasts historic souks, forts, museums and stunning parks.

• TOUR THE ANCIENT PATH FROM MUSCRAT TO MUTRAH • WATCH WILD DOLPHINS • MARVEL AT THE 17TH CENTURY JABRIN CASTLE • VISIT WADI BANI KHALID, HOUSING A CLEAR BLUE OASIS IN THE HEART OF OMAN’S DESERT

SINGAPORE

Singapore is a fascinating place. The multi-cultural city-state island on the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula is impeccably clean and well run, with commerce and finance as its focus. Originally an obscure fishing village, the British made it a major port during the colonial era, and it has seen a stunning rise to prominence in the last few decades.

• SEE CHINATOWN, LITTLE INDIA AND ARAB STREETS • VISIT THE WORLD-CLASS ZOO FOR A NIGHT SAFARI • CRUISE SINGAPORE RIVER TO SEE COLONIAL SINGAPORE • TOUR THE MASSIVE BOTANICAL GARDENS

SEOUL

The business-driven, no-nonsense high rises of the late 20th century are giving way to imaginative and eco-friendly urban spaces, and a movement is afoot to preserve the traditional hanok-style housing and courtyard architecture that defined the Kingdom in centuries past. Lively, surprising and ambitious, the city was named the World Design Capital in 2010.

• VISIT THE ANCIENT BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE • SEE THE 600 YEAR OLD GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE • STROLL THE QUAINT SAMCHEONG-DONG • BROWSE INSA-DONG'S TRADITIONAL KOREAN ARTS AND CRAFTS

TAIPEI

Taipei has undergone a renaissance since the 1980s, transforming itself from Asia’s ugly duckling into a modern, livable, walkable city full of parks, monuments, museums, marketplaces, malls and tempting cuisine. Sip a coffee or cold Taiwan Beer at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial square while watching locals fly kites and practice tai-chi or hip-hop moves, and you will have touched the soul of this great Asian capital.

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PHOTO CREDITS

NAME SANCTUARY RETREATS P. 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38 STEVE MORELLO P. 40 LEFT ATJ STAFF MEMBER P. 41 LEFT RON LEIDICH P. 42 TOP ATJ STAFF MEMBER P. 42 SECOND FROM TOP JON WHELAN P. 42 BOTTOM DIMITRA STASINOPOULOU P. 43 TOP STEPHANIE & SCOTT B P. 43 THIRD FROM TOP BRYAN ELLISON P. 44 LEFT, 45 TOP MICHAEL CHORN P. 46 THIRD FROM LEFT PAUL LUSCHER P. 46 TOP, 47 LEFT STEVE HALKOVIC P. 47 BOTTOM ED FINGER P. 48 LEFT STEVE HALKOVIC P. 49 TOP, 51 TOP DIMITRA STASINOPOULOU P. 50 RIGHT, 51 BOTTOM SUZANNE NOAKES P. 52 RIGHT, 53 BOTTOM BRYAN ELLISON P. 59

Unless noted above, all other photography credits: Getty Images, Unsplash, iStock and Shutterstock.

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