14-Day Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam & Taiwan

Osaka is Japan's exuberant culinary capital, a neon-drenched metropolis where Edo-period merchant culture lives on in vibrant street food markets and Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurants alike. No visit is complete without savouring *takoyaki* and *kushikatsu* along the Dōtonbori Canal, or venturing north to witness Hirosaki's legendary cherry blossoms. The ideal window is late March through May for spring blooms and mild weather, or October through November when autumn foliage transforms the surrounding Kansai region into a tapestry of amber and gold.

Miyakojima, Japan is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Costa Cruises. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is April through October, when warm weather and extended daylight create ideal conditions.

Hong Kong's port is a vibrant gateway to a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, characterized by its stunning skyline and bustling atmosphere. Must-do experiences include savoring local dim sum and exploring the lively markets. The best season to visit is during the autumn months, when the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor adventures.

Da Nang is a dynamic Vietnamese coastal city where pristine My Khe Beach, the cave-studded Marble Mountains, and bold central Vietnamese cuisine create one of Southeast Asia's most exciting destinations. Must-dos include climbing the Marble Mountains' Buddha-filled grottoes, savouring turmeric-tinted mi Quang noodles, and taking a day trip to UNESCO-listed Hoi An. February through August offers the driest, most pleasant weather.

Still whispered as Saigon by its ten million residents, Ho Chi Minh City pulses with an energy that outlasted every empire and every war. The French colonial grandeur of Notre-Dame Cathedral and Gustave Eiffel's Central Post Office stands in vivid counterpoint to the city's kinetic street life — an endless river of motorbikes, fragrant with pho broth and charcoal-grilled meats. Do not miss the Reunification Palace, a time capsule of Cold War modernism, or a dawn bowl of bánh mì from a sidewalk vendor. The dry season, November through April, offers the most comfortable conditions for exploration.

From Raffles's 1819 trading post to the world's second-busiest port, Singapore has always been where the world's trade routes converge — and its Supertree Groves, UNESCO-listed hawker culture, and the bowl of Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre confirm that its ambition has never dimmed. As Southeast Asia's definitive cruise hub, it serves as the ideal starting point for voyages across the Indian Ocean, the Indonesian archipelago, and beyond. February through April offers the most settled weather for exploring this extraordinary island city-state.