24 days in Japan, Palawan Island & Maldives Itinerary

Part of a volcanic archipelago that encompasses over 6,800 islands, Japan remains one of Asia's most fascinating tourist destinations, where a blend of modernity and tradition creates a look and feel completely different from any other place in the world. A tour of Japan lets you discover big cities filled with ancient temples and innovative skyscrapers, as well as quiet country landscapes dotted with castles, perfectly manicured gardens, cherry orchards, and primeval forests seemingly untouched by the hand of mass tourism. Many tourists on vacation in Japan devote lots of time to the country's unique cuisine, prepared with painstaking attention to detail and a genius for simple yet effective presentation.

Maldives has come to be seen as a quintessential island holiday destination, with entire sand-circled islands owned by resorts, who manage each part of the island's environment to give it the look and feel of paradise. The clear waters surrounding the islands offer plentiful dive sites, rich in tropical fish and coral formations, with the smaller, less-populated islands surrounded by the richest marine environments, largely undisturbed by industry and tourism. Larger islands here offer an array of bars, restaurants, and clubs--their higher population means they also feature religious sites and markets selling local produce.