DAYS 1 & 2

Meet fellow travelers and the expedition staff at a cocktail reception and welcome dinner. Explore Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital, including its old town center, the Parliament Building, and the unique cathedral. See the fishing harbor, and, weather permitting, take a short whale safari. Venture outside the city through lava fields and fertile farmlands to discover Geysir and other natural wonders, including bubbling hot springs, steaming vents, mud pools, the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, and the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

Hotel Borg, Reykjavik

DAYS 3 & 4

Immerse yourself in the varied flavors of Budapest—savory paprika, rich Tokaj wine, and delectable strudel. Admire beautiful old world architecture along the city’s grand boulevards, including the State Opera House, Dohany Synagogue, and the Parliament House. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the beautiful Danube River, and visit an elegant winery in the countryside.

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest

DAYS 5 & 6

Punjab is India’s breadbasket and home to the spice markets of Amritsar, long famed as a crossroads of the great trading routes. Explore the exquisite Golden Temple, the holiest site of the Sikhs; venture into the countryside to visit a local farm and observe the autumn harvest; and enjoy Punjabi specialties and cooking demonstrations at a festive banquet.

Ista Hotel, Amritsar

DAYS 7 - 9

Hangzhou was capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and one of the largest cities in the world in the time of Marco Polo. Enjoy a cruise on serene West Lake and admire the surrounding landscape, whose romantic allure has long been an inspiration for artists and poets. This region is renowned for tea, and you can pick your own at a nearby plantation. Catch a glimpse of daily life at the old Qing He Fang Street market and browse centuries-old apothecaries, silk shops, and teahouses.

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake or Banyan Tree Hangzhou

DAYS 10 - 12

Arrive in Vietnam and spend a day and night aboard a luxury ship exploring the limestone outcroppings, verdant islands, and dramatic seascapes of Ha Long Bay. Then explore colonial Hanoi via cyclo, viewing the Ho Chi Minh complex and his house on stilts, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison, or “Hanoi Hilton.” Enjoy a special water puppet performance, and take a cooking class and sample your own creations.

Paradise Cruise Ships & Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

DAYS 13 & 14

Oman’s capital city of Muscat boasts an enchanting blend of golden minarets and luxuriant parks. See the palace of Sultan Qaboos and his enormous Grand Mosque; cruise the Arabian Gulf at sunset aboard a graceful, two-masted dhow; browse the colorful Mutrah Souq; and indulge in a festive “Arabian Nights” feast with traditional entertainment.

Al Bustan Palace, Muscat

DAYS 15 & 16

Touch down in Crete, home to panoramas of forested mountains and azure seas, temples that have stood the tests of time, and a Mediterranean culinary tradition that delights the palate and the soul. Step back in time at the Palace of Knossos, inhabited since Neolithic times by the Minoans, Europe’s oldest—and most enigmatic—civilization. Enjoy a private wine tasting and luncheon at a local wine estate; visit traditional rural villages; and if you wish, enjoy your choice of active excursions in the bucolic countryside.

Blue Palace Resort & Spa, Elounda

DAYS 17 & 18

Fly north to France and stroll through the charming old town of Dijon and visit the magnificent medieval fortress of Château de Rully. Relish an extraordinary dinner and enjoy a rare private tour in the company of an expert on local wines at the historic 12th-century Château du Clos de Vougeot, surrounded by prized vineyards.

Hotel Le Cep or Hotel de la Poste, Beaune

DAY 19

This afternoon the private jet returns to Reykjavik, where you can connect with a regularly scheduled commercial flight home.

The expedition price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. The expedition price includes all private jet flights, meals, accommodations, educational program, and philanthropic contributions. Commercial airfare to and from the first and last destination is not included. Please see the Terms & Conditions for details. For your protection and peace of mind, all payments are secured in a bank escrow account that is fully insured by the U.S. Federal Government.

Hotel Borg
Reykjavik, Iceland

Dignified and imposing, Hotel Borg overlooks the beautiful square of Austurvöllur, in the heart of Reykjavík, across from Althingi, the Icelandic parliament and the cathedral. The Borg, which has become one of Reykjavik’s landmarks, is conveniently located within walking distance of variety of restaurants, businesses, souvenir shops, art galleries and specialty shops. The hotel's 56 rooms and suites, with Art Deco style throughout, are elegantly appointed yet offer an extensive array of modern amenities. The Silfur restaurant in Hotel Borg, offers exquisite Icelandic cuisine served in beautiful and stylish surroundings, along with a café and bar.

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace
Budapest, Hungary

The renaissance of an Art Nouveau landmark, exquisitely transformed with ultra-modern comforts, Four Seasons combines luxury and intuitive service with panoramic vistas of the Danube and the hills of Buda.

Ista Hotel
Amritsar, India

Brought to you by the renowned destination spa Ananda in the Himalayas, The ISTA hotels are a group of trendy, young hotels where business and leisure lend seamlessly to create a unique style. Breaking the traditional concept of luxury, redefining the term to set new standards of comfort levels and the ultimate in style, the hotels have a boundless energy and buoyancy that sets them apart from the norm. Set in the heart of cities that buzz with the confidence and power of young India, the Ista Hotels are modern and contemporary in design. The concept of Ista Hotels had been developed with world-renowned architects and designers, keeping in mind the what the discerning world traveler, is searching for…maximum comfort, high efficiency, contemporary style and finesse in the heart of any high powered city.

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West
Hangzhou, China

In China’s most picturesque setting; Four Seasons reveals an intimate lakeside village, melding centuries of tradition with chic contemporary style. Convenient to business and shopping, discover a tranquil enclave, woven with ponds, streams and lagoons. Experience the gentle spirit of Chinese hospitality in exclusive private dining rooms and resort-style recreation, including two swimming pools and a cutting-edge designer spa. Deftly sophisticated Four Seasons care instills confidence and delight.

Banyan Tree Hangzhou
Hangzhou, China

Discover priceless tranquility in Banyan Tree Hangzhou. Let the splendor of nature and centuries old cultural legacy enthrall you. Enveloped in lush greeneries and calm waters, Banyan Tree Hangzhou sits within China’s first wetland reserve, the Xixi National Wetland Park, home to an amazing wealth of thriving plant and animal life. Within Xixi National Wetland Park, a ‘living water park’ has been preserved by recovery of wetland areas and restoration of ecological systems, paving the way for the establishment of fish ponds and reedbeds, and reintroduction of 270 biological species such as persimmon, mulberry, bamboo, willow and camphor trees. Guests may visit various attractions within the reserve, including the Plum Villa, Autumn Snow Temple, Yanshui Fishing Villa, and Xixi Family House, which provide the historical and cultural stories of the Hangzhou region. From its tiled roofs and ivory walls, to the elaborate décor of each suite and villa, Banyan Tree Hangzhou is an exemplary depiction of traditional Chinese architecture and modern comforts, set within tranquil natural surroundings.

Paradise Cruise Ship
Thailand

The Paradise Cruises Experience is an immersion in culture, heritage and natural beauty of one of the most enchanting destinations in the world. By choosing a unique design and the finest natural materials –precious dark wood, creamy silk, crispy white linen, sea-blue taffeta, fine texture marble, delicate china and silver accessories– Contemporary comforts blended with the richness of Vietnamese design. Lounge on a heavenly-soft bed with wide open view to Ha Long Bay. Each of Paradise Cruise’s 17 cabins’ delivers the ultimate in luxury and comfort with our attention to detail of hints of local color.

Sofitel Legend Metropole
Hanoi, Vietnam

The Metropole is an award-winning French colonial-style hotel positioned in the heart of Hanoi. The hotel was the first Sofitel Legend property in the world and offers 364 rooms and suites, complimented by a choice of three restaurants (French cuisine at Le Beaulieu, Vietnamese specialties at Spices Garden and authentic Italian food at Angelina), three bars including the recently refurbished Bamboo Bar, seven function rooms, a swimming pool, health club, and the luxurious Le Spa du Metropole.

Al Bustan Palace
Muscat, Oman

Historic prestige amid dramatic mountain views, Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel is set against dramatic mountain backdrop on 200 acres of private beach and lush green gardens. Meticulously designed for comfort and convenience, the rooms have been appointed to reflect local traditions and art deco influences, exuding the richness of Arabian culture, art and history.

Blue Palace Resort & Spa
Elounda, Greece

Nestled on the famed coast of Elounda on the Island of Crete, our luxury beachfront resort offers emblematic views to the relics of Spinalonga Island. A luxury resort in Greece with exceptional charm, architecture and style, Blue Palace Resort & Spa is the perfect hideaway to combine authentic island luxe accommodations, the finest award winning cuisine and a soothing retreat for the senses. We invite you to discover an enchanting island in Greece.

Hotel Le Cep
Beaune, France

Ideally located in the heart of the medieval Dieu des Hospices and Notre-Dame Basilica, Le Cep Hotel is a veritable institution, affiliated to the prestigious “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” brand.

Hotel de la Poste
Beaune, France

Beaune's four-star Hôtel de la Poste is located in the heart of the wine-growing country of Burgundy, loved by professional oenologists and wine amateurs alike. This prestigious establishment, a former post house in a magnificently picturesque building, is located very close to the cobbled streets, typical houses and ramparts of Beaune's historic city centre. The hotel also has the advantage of being close to the Hospices de Beaune, a superb example of 15th century gothic architecture, with its multicoloured tiled roofs, the venue for the famous annual auctions. The hotel has 36 rooms, including 3 suites, and 2 restaurants which perpetuate the Burgundy tradition of hospitality, good food and great wines. This is the ideal start point for the discovery of the legendary Burgundy vintages, candidates for listing as UNESCO world heritage appellation, and the architectural jewels of one of France's most beautiful regions. With all its charm and culinary art, Hôtel de la Poste is a favourite venue for gastronomic trips for business or pleasure.

Darra Goldstein

Darra Goldstein, Ph.D. is the Francis Christopher Oakley Third Century Professor of Russian at Williams College. She is also Founding Editor and Editor in Chief of Gastronomica: the Journal of Food and Culture, which won the 2010 Best Food Magazine in the World award at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris. She has served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and is general editor of California Studies in Food and Culture, a book series that seeks to broaden the audience for serious scholarship in food studies and to celebrate food as a means of understanding the world. Dr. Goldstein is the author of four cookbooks and is a frequent contributor to well known publications including Saveur, Gourmet, Bon Appétit, The Joy of Cooking, and the New York Times.

Charles Doherty

Charles Doherty is an art historian, lecturer, and writer who has traveled to more than 125 countries. Following a Fulbright Fellowship at the University of London’s Courtauld Institute of Art, he completed a Ph.D. in art history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He returned to London to research and catalog the Guinness art collection, and then participated in the “Art of Imperial China” post-doctoral program at the invitation of the National Endowment for the Humanities. He then taught the history of world art at Loyola University, New Orleans, and now serves as visiting professor in the MBA program of INSEEC, in Bordeaux, France, where he lectures on the business of the art and auction markets. He is the author of the Encyclopedia of Far Eastern Art, and has been a popular lecturer on many private jet expeditions.

Boeing 757

We offer educational expeditions that use custom-designed Boeing 757 private jets. With their long-range capabilities and 99 percent reliability rate for operating without mechanical delays, our jets are ideally suited for visiting an incredible variety of far-flung destinations around the world in one expedition.    We make use of our flying time with engaging lectures by distinguished experts, and some fascinating flightseeing. And we fly only during the day, so that you may have a proper night’s rest in some of the world’s finest hotels. Our VIP-configured jet seats only 78 travelers, so you can enjoy more comfortable seating, more dedicated services and amenities, and unparalleled access to expedition lecturers and staff.

Our specially-outfitted Boeing 757 private jet for 78 travelers offers many special comforts and amenities:

Generously seats 78 passengers in 2x2 configuration instead of the standard 233 seats.

Elegant and plush VIP-class leather seating with 45-degree recline, and ergonomic ecomfort™ foam that reduces pressure and stress. Onboard education system with 24 flat-screen monitors for onboard seminars and destination-specific movies and documentaries, and a library of destination-specific books and other publications.

Award-winning meal service inspired by the cuisines of the destinations featured in our itinerary.

Noise-canceling headsets, in-seat power outlets and plenty of storage space for laptops, digital cameras, and other personal devices.

A specially-trained flight crew of 3 pilots, an expedition chef, a catering officer, two engineers, a dedicated luggage handler, and eight flight attendants, offering one of the highest crew-to-traveler ratios in the business: 1 to 5.

Operated and maintained by the award-winning Thomson Airways, formerly First Choice Airways, based in England.