What would it be like? Japan and China in 12 days by Mandarin Journeys

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STAY IMMERSE INDULGE SAVOR August 19 - 31 , 2015 Despite their long history and prominent position on the global stage Japan and China remain a tantalizing mystery to most of the world. Boasting a truly unique cultural heritage and rich in scenic wonders Japan and China oer all the ingredients for a memorable and invigorating holiday in the Far East. Japan & China | 12 day trip

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As most of the readers know (and in case you personally didn't) Mandarin Journeys only creates tailor-made holidays and does not offer any type of packaged holidays. Our artisanal approach to Travel is a constant challenge in which we put all the emphasis on the needs of the client to craft a unique holiday that will be forever remembered. In this case, a very special client approached us with a trip in mind and with certain specifications that we had to keep in mind. A family of 4, with two daughters of 18 and 20 years old, visiting the most important cities in Japan and China during a 12 day trip. Following is an outlined version of the itinerary we prepared for this family, may it help you have an idea of what it would be like if you were to do a similar trip with your family. (Note: the personal experiences in each city are tailored to the specific needs of each family and thus are not fully included in this version of the itinerary).

Transcript of What would it be like? Japan and China in 12 days by Mandarin Journeys

Page 1: What would it be like? Japan and China in 12 days by Mandarin Journeys

STAY IMMERSE INDULGE SAVOR

August 19 - 31 , 2015

Despite their long history and prominent position on the global stage Japan and China remain a tantalizing mystery to most of the world. Boasting a truly unique cultural heritage and rich in scenic wonders Japan and China offer all the ingredients for a memorable and invigorating holiday in the Far East.  

Japan & China | 12 day trip

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Mandarin Journeys endorses and is endorsed by only the most high quality of partner companies, associations and labels. Below is a short list of some of the affiliations we are proud to claim.  

Pedigree | Quality Matters

XO  Private   With discerning travellers seeking a complete luxury lifestyle experience, the XO Private platform now comprises not only the finest accommodations around the globe, but also the most extraordinary experience operators, yachting and cruise operators, destination specialists, luxury lifestyle events and even the necessary must haves. The XO Private label is awarded to only the highest quality operators and hotels worldwide.

Family  Travel  Associa4on   The Family Travel Association is bringing together the leaders in family and multigenerational travel to inspire families to travel and advocate travel be an essential part of every child’s education. All members have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality and service. Our goal is to have the public, the media, travel agents, and the travel industry at large come to recognize and respect these members as leaders in their respective categories.  

Interna4onal  Luxury  Travel  Market   Mandarin Journeys is a frequent guest company at the prestigious ILTM gatherings taking place around the world and connecting the elite travel planners and tour operators around the world. As VIP buyers at these invitation-only events taking place in Cannes (France), Shanghai (China) and Kyoto (Japan) we have access to the movers and shakers, top hoteliers and the very best experience providers in the world. As a result our clients get the best rates, personal service and care.  

Other affiliations

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Counting trend-setting Harajukus and the natural attraction Yoyogi Park within its bounds, Shibuya District is a notoriously youthful neighborhood that combines cutting-edge fashion and old-fashioned fun. Skate shops and street wear boutiques climb up the steep alleys behind Dogenzaka Street and keep Shibuya District at the forefront of new trends. Visitors can still find solace in the district despite its fast pace and constant crowds—just journey to nearby Meiji Shrine, a verdant escape from the neighborhood’s frenzy.

International Arrival in Tokyo | Day 1

HOTEL GRANBELL IN SHIBUYA 3 NIGHTS

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is recommended at ‘Restaurant I’ of chef Keisuke Matsushima

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Instead of ‘ticking boxes’, you will be treated as a friend and VIP guest and we will show you the true face of Tokyo, from some of the famous highlights to many of the lesser known areas, boutiques, entertainment venues and dining. Your guide, who will meet you at the hotel after breakfast, will be matched to your family profile and will be attuned to the tastes of your daughters who will wish to see some of the trendy and exciting aspects of Tokyo, in addition to any requests you have. Please take some time to devise a plan together and make your visit of Tokyo an ideal one.

Tokyo | Day 2

HOTEL GRANBELL IN SHIBUYA

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is recommended at a hidden dining venue, known only to local and loyal patrons

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Tokyo | Day 3

Building on your day out yesterday, your guide will meet you again at a time of your choosing for more exploration. If you like some free time away from the guide, not a problem, he will be nearby ready to rejoin when you need help or advice. We pride ourselves in having the best guides in the business, so they do not take offense and instead wait, anticipate and are just a call away. Feel free to ask your guide for whatever explicit demand you may have.

HOTEL GRANBELL IN SHIBUYA

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is recommended at the exclusive Kagurazaka Ishikawa

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Kyoto | Day 4

In the morning, you will be transferred to Tokyo Station to grab the famous Shinkansen Nozomi ( Bullet Train) boarding to Kyoto. The trip will take 2 hours and 15 minutes, yet since Japanese high-speed trains do not have space for luggage as such, we will have arranged a separate luggage transfer that is quite common in Japan (secure,convenient and fast). Upon arrival you will be met by a private van and transferred to your Ryokan. Once you have settled in, we highly recommend taking the rest of today free to explore the serene and beautiful surroundings of the Ryokan, as well as immersing yourself in the iconic Gion District.

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  For dinner we recommend a local Kaiseki meal

2 NIGHTS TAWARAYA RYOKAN IN GION DISTRICT

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Kyoto | Day 5

This morning your expert local guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast for a friendly chat about the many possibilities in his native city. Together, you will decide on a plan for today. The same friendly approach as in Tokyo and all other destinations applies; this is not a guided tour designed to tick the boxes but rather a unique opportunity for your family to discover Kyoto under the guidance of a local friend/guide. In the afternoon, we recommend having a Sake Tasting in the famous Asakura, one of Kyoto’s best spots to sample this surprisingly diverse brew.

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is on your own

TAWARAYA RYOKAN IN GION DISTRICT

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Beijing | Day 6

In the morning, you will be privately transferred to Osaka Airport ( roughly 1 hour away of Kyoto) for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, Han's Royal Garden. As per previous days, a local guide-friend will meet you at the hotel for a casual chat and a drink. He will give you advice for the rest of the day and can organize activities on the spot if needed. He will also discuss with you the many options for tomorrow and will remain on call for the rest of the day should you need any help.

HAN’S ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL 2 NIGHTS

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is recommended at Green T House, a unique fusion cuisine restaurant.

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Beijing | Day 7

Today your expert local guide will meet you at the hotel to start an exciting day of sightseeing. You will have a private van at your disposal with a very experienced driver so that the guide can concentrate on you and your ambitions for the day. Instead of ‘ticking boxes’, you will be treated as a friend and VIP guest and we will show you the true face of Beijing, from some of the famous highlights to many of the lesser known areas, boutiques, entertainment venues and dining. Your guide will be matched to your family profile and attuned to the tastes of your daughters who will wish to see some of the trendy and exciting aspects of Beijing, in addition to any requests you have, please feel free to ask your guide for any explicit requests you might have.

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is on your own

HAN’S ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL

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Great Wall | Day 8

In the morning you will be picked up by 5 vintage sidecars for an unforgettable trip out to the Great Wall. On our way, we will make a first stop at the Silver Mountains Pagodas, an out-of-the-touristic-map site that is simply amazing for its stunning beauty. After another 45 min ride in the mountains we arrive at the Brickyard in Mutianyu and the Schoolhouse. Later, you will be taken to an isolated and unknown section of the Great Wall for a unique picnic lunch on the Great Wall, with some champagne to make for a great experience.

BRICKYARD AT MUTIANYU 2 NIGHTS

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is arranged by your guide ü  Dinner is on your own. You can have dinner at the Brickyard or we can arrange a catering at the Villa,

perhaps a barbecue with beers at sunset with views of the Great Wall?

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Shanghai| Day 9

After a morning visit the the Mutianyu Great Wall section, a private van will transfer you to the airport, connecting with your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to recover and explore the Bund area, one of the city's most important sites. Boasting a multitude of entities, from opulent restaurants to stunning colonial-era financial buildings, the Bund area offers both historical weight as well as contemporary entertainment. We can provide you with some maps of nearby hotspots and hard-to-find gems. Your local connoisseur-guide will meet you in the evening for a friendly chat over a drink to discuss the many options for tomorrow.

LES SUITES ORIENT HOTEL 2 NIGHTS

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is at UltraViolet by Paul Pairet

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Shanghai | Day 10

Today you will be treated as a friend and VIP guest as we will show you the real face of Shanghai, from some of the famous highlights to many of the lesser known areas you decided the day before with your guide. You will have a private van available at all times. As some extra tips, we could organize a private shopping half day tour with a true insider. A long-term resident expat will take you to the very best boutiques and curious shops in the city, help you select the best quality items and get you the best deals. Please let us know if you would like to arrange this as this option involves a different expert guide. As another recommendation, in case your daughters would like to enjoy a taste of Shanghai’s burgeoning nightlife, we can arrange a private expat female chaperone to take them to some of the coolest areas in the city, while keeping them away from the tourist traps or potentially unsafe locations. We usually organize this type of excursions and our expat chaperones are highly knowledgeable, gregarious and multi-lingual. Please let us know if you would like to have us plan this.

LES SUITES ORIENT HOTEL

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own ü  Dinner is at the hotel

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Hong Kong | Day 11

Enjoy a free morning to rest or explore Shanghai on your own, a private van will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, you can be transferred to the hotel, where your local connoisseur- guide will meet you in the evening for a friendly chat to discuss the numerous options for tomorrow. Take the afternoon to freely discover the surroundings of the hotel or the rest of the city, your guide will give you the best tips to make the most of the city.

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is on your own (can be arranged if needed) ü  Dinner is recommended at Fa-Zu-Jie for some innovative Chinese-French fusion cuisine.

2 NIGHTS THE UPPER HOUSE HOTEL

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Hong Kong & Macau | Day 12

In the morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel and will take you around the city, showing you the highlights of Hong Kong, as well as the lesser known areas of the city as mentioned the day before, whichever your preferences are, please let your guide know as he/she will be prepared for the needs of your family, whichever they are. In the afternoon, enjoy a private half day excursion to Macau with a local guide. The guide will meet you at the hotel and join you on the 30-minute walk to the Macau Ferry Pier in Central. Board the express catamaran to Macau. Upon arrival the guide will escort you by public bus to the Old Town to walk around and see the Portuguese heritage buildings and the market areas. After your half day sightseeing return to Hong Kong by express catamaran. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast at the hotel ü  Lunch is included ü  Dinner is on your own

THE UPPER HOUSE HOTEL

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STAY IMMERSE INDULGE SAVOR

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Reviews | What clients say

MJ  planned  an  excellent  leisure  trip  for  me  to  Japan  and  China  in  July-­‐August  2014.  The  trip  was  2  weeks  and  included  all  hotels,  both  long  haul  and  short  hall  flights,  trains,  local  transportaLon,  dinner  reservaLons  each  night,  and  full  day  guides  in  each  city.  CiLes  visited  included  Tokyo,  Kyoto,  Beijing,  Shanghai  and  Hong  Kong.  The  trip  was  planned  and  executed  flawlessly.  There  was  not  one  detail,  reservaLon,  travel  arrangement  that  was  miscommunicated  or  out  of  order.  For  this  to  occur  on  a  two  week,  complex,  internaLonal  iLnerary  speaks  volumes  to  the  quality,  reliability,  and  thoroughness  of  Marc  and  Mandarin  Journeys.  The  guides  in  each  city  superb  and  highly  knowledgeable  re.  the  local  sights,  culture,  languages,  and  transportaLon.  Stayed  in  a  older  courtyard  house/hotel  in  Beijing  (Hans  Royal  Garden)  and  300  year  old  Ryokan  in  Kyoto.  The  trip  was  thoroughly  enjoyed.  MJ  even  arranged  vintage  motorcycles  with  side  cars  as  the  transportaLon  from  central  Beijing  to  a  non  touristy,  less  travelled  part  of  the  Great  Wall.  I  highly  recommend  Mandarin  Journeys  for  anyone  that  wants  a  non  touristy,  comprehensive  trip  to  the  Far  East    Mr  Steve  Randich  –  CIO  Finra,  former  CIO  CiLgroup  

Our  family  recently  used  Mandarin  Journeys  for  a  3-­‐week/5  desLnaLons  trip  to  China  and  Thailand,  and  we  highly  recommend  them.  They  were  a^enLve  and  responsive  during  the  planning  process,  which  for  us  involved  mulLple  changes  along  the  way,  and  they  helped  us  manage  everything  seamlessly.  They  designed  a  premium,  customized  program  with  acLviLes  suited  to  us  and  expert  guides  who  completely  enhanced  the  experience.  And  they  were  in  touch  throughout  to  ensure  things  went  according  to  plan.  They  took  the  Lme  to  understand  what  we  were  looking  for  and  delivered  beyond  our  expectaLons.  I'm  sure  we  will  be  "repeat"  customers.    Mrs  Mary  Gerzema  &  John  Gerzema  –  VP  Global  Media  at  The  Estee  Lauder  Companies  &  NYT  Bestselling  Author  

Read dozens more independent reviews on LinkedIn

Wish to speak to a past client? We will be happy to provide references