Star Collector: Japan & Vietnam In-Depth

Known for its beautiful ornate shrines and temples and vibrant street life, Bangkok is one of the top cities in the world to visit. Your ship is docked as close to Bangkok as any ship can get. Highlights include the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and the Floating Market. Extend your stay to include the overland Angkor Wat/Cambodia tour.

Ko Kood, Thailand's tranquil paradise island, is renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush jungles, and serene atmosphere, making it the perfect location for Windstar’s Signature Beach Barbeque.

Sihanoukville serves as a gateway to Phnom Penh, offering a convenient starting point to explore Cambodia's vibrant capital, rich in history, culture, and iconic landmarks such as the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the poignant Killing Fields. Sihanoukville is also a launching point to Kampot, known for its pepper plantations.

Spend the day exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels where the Viet Cong based their insurgency. Delve into Vietnamese traditions in the villages of the Mekong Delta. Or stay close to your elegant ship enjoying the city&rsquo;s French colonial flare, maybe bartering for conical hats and form-fitting <em>ao dai </em>(traditional Vietnamese tunic) at the market.

Spend the day exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels where the Viet Cong based their insurgency. Delve into Vietnamese traditions in the villages of the Mekong Delta. Or stay close to your elegant ship enjoying the city&rsquo;s French colonial flare, maybe bartering for conical hats and form-fitting <em>ao dai </em>(traditional Vietnamese tunic) at the market.

We&rsquo;ll stay here overnight to explore three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. My Son Sanctuary is Vietnam&rsquo;s most important Champa ruin dating back to the 4th century. The imperial city of Hue is the spiritual heart of Vietnam and home to Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Admire the beauty of Hue&rsquo;s bridges, canals, and lakes. And Hoi An is a tranquil 16th century trading town that has changed little over the centuries. Walk over the 400-year-old covered bridge, pausing to ponder the dog and monkey statues guarding either end.

Hue, located near the port of Chan May, is a city rich in history and culture, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Known for its ancient citadel, royal tombs, and stunning pagodas, Hue offers a glimpse into the country&rsquo;s royal past. Visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Imperial City, the serene Thien Mu Pagoda, and the elaborate tombs of past emperors, making it a fascinating destination for history and culture enthusiasts.

Cruising through Halong Bay offers a mesmerizing experience, as you glide past its emerald waters, towering limestone karsts, and lush islands, immersing yourself in the serene beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site. For a closer view of the limestone formations and to visit some of the islands, take a shore excursion on a junk boat during your stay in Halong Bay.

Halong Bay is our gateway to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam about 3.5 hours away but well worth the visit. Hanoi boasts a fascinating blend of East and West with lots of Chinese influences and French design. Highlights include the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Thirty-Six Streets District in Old Town Hanoi, and Hoa Lo Prison, known widely as the &ldquo;Hanoi Hilton.&rdquo; Explore the mystical landscape of Halong Bay by charming traditional fishing junk.

Our ship docks right in the heart of Hong Kong&rsquo;s harbor, putting you at the center of all manner of attractions. Watch sampans and junks glide through the waters of Aberdeen. Soak in the towering skyscrapers, peaceful green hillsides and world-famous Harbour from the top of Victoria Peak. Pursue bargains at Stanley Market. Have your fortune told at the Temple Street Night Market. Visit Lantau Island where a giant bronze Buddha holds court.

Our ship docks right in the heart of Hong Kong&rsquo;s harbor, putting you at the center of all manner of attractions. Watch sampans and junks glide through the waters of Aberdeen. Soak in the towering skyscrapers, peaceful green hillsides and world-famous Harbour from the top of Victoria Peak. Pursue bargains at Stanley Market. Have your fortune told at the Temple Street Night Market. Visit Lantau Island where a giant bronze Buddha holds court.

The modern metropolis and capital city of Taiwan is an interesting mix of Japanese, Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures. The skyline is dominated by the 1,671-foot, 101-storied, bamboo-shaped skyscraper, Taipei 101. Other highlights of Taipei include the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park, Martyrs&rsquo; Shrine which is an excellent example of classical Ming Dynasty architecture, and the Confucius Temple.

Ishigaki City is the southernmost Japanese city located closer to Taiwan than the main islands of Japan. Well known by Japanese tourists for the clear waters and coral reefs, the island is ringed by beaches offering excellent snorkeling, swimming and diving. The emerald-green water of Kabira Bay, a top sightseeing spot famous for the cultivation of black pearls is here, which you can view on a glass bottom boat trip as swimming is not allowed.

Renowned for its scenic beauty, rich history and unique Chinese, Japanese and Korean culture, Okinawa is famous for its ceramic wares. Tsuboya Potter Museum is the place to visit to learn about this beautiful artform. You&rsquo;ll also want to see Shuri Castle &amp; Shureimon Gate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Kokusai Street, the main shopping area.

The tropical small port of Amami Island is well-known in Japan for the top-quality silk and dyes produce the highest-end kimonos. The white-sand beaches and warm, crystal-clear waters of Amami are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Amami is also known for Keihan, its unique chicken rice dish.

Osaka is the gateway to Kyoto with great street food, bright lights and delightful night life. Its main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle surrounded by a moat and many flowering trees. Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for formal traditions like kaiseki dining (multiple courses of precise dishes) and geisha entertainers.

The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island&rsquo;s rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan&rsquo;s scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes.

The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island&rsquo;s rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan&rsquo;s scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes.

Fold a paper crane to leave at the Atomic Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Hiroshima Castle to see three trees that survived the bombing that destroyed the castle itself. Or head to Miyajima, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, for a look at the vermillion Itsukushima Shrine floating in the sea &mdash; yet another World Heritage Site.

Located on the island of Kyushu, Karatsu is one of the closest Japanese cities to the Korean Peninsula. Karatsu Castle is the main attraction here. Built in 1608, it houses a museum of the castle&rsquo;s history and Karatsu ceramics. Karatsu is also known for its pottery which can be viewed at the Karatsu-yaki Pottery Gallery. Also worth visiting is the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall which displays the 14 floats used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi Festival in November.

The second largest city in South Korea is a popular leisure destination due to the nearby hot springs. It is home to many famous beaches that lure visitors from around the world and the UNESCO site of Gyeongju an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Silla Kingdom and holds many architectural points of interest including ornate temples.&nbsp;&nbsp; Also of interest is South Korea&rsquo;s largest temple, Tongdosa Temple, renowned for having no outdoor statues.

Cruise around the island of Hashima, abandoned over 50 years ago when the coal mining that flourished there suddenly ran out. The mining company shut the mine down and the island has been a ghost town ever since.

The seaside city of Kagoshima is best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano facing Kinko Bay. Take a tour to the Shiroyama Observatory or to the peaceful Edo-period Sengamen Japanese Garden. Visit the Ishibashi Park and the three Edo-period stone bridges or travel to the nearby village of Chiran to see the well-preserved Samurai Houses and the Chiran Peace Museum, exploring the background of kamikaze pilots.

Most notably known as the city you can see&nbsp; the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji from.&nbsp; This small port city considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan has many historical building like Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji looks like it could be silk. Enjoy tuna from Japan&rsquo;s largest fishery here or a cup of maccha, a Japanese green tea.

There are as many Tokyos to discover as there are interests. Cuisine? It has more Michelin stars than any other city. Culture? Kabuki theater and sumo wrestling are just the beginning. Shopping? The posh boutiques of Ginza lie on one end of the spectrum, workshops that hand-craft samurai swords at the other