Travel Through China (Taiwan and Japan too) with Windstar Cruises and Goldring Travel on the Star Legend – March 5, 2019

Windstar’s Star Legend 212 Guests/All Suite Yacht

Goldring Travel is excited to announce it will be leading an intimate group on an incredible and immersive fourteen day cruise tour (sea and land) departing March 5, 2019 on an eleven night cruise on the Windstar Star Legend from Hong Kong to Beijing and then fly on to Xian, China.

Goldring Travel has negotiated special pricing and added complimentary amenities for our small group: 

• 10% discount on the cruise fare
• Unlimited internet 
• Laundry service throughout your cruise
• $100 per person Onboard Credit

And, of course, when you travel with Eric Goldring, there will be some special experiences that you can’t experience through the cruise line or on your own!

Goldring Travel’s special pricing start at $5,599 per person + taxes, based upon double occupancy.

Join Goldring Travel on March 5, 2019 on this immersive Chinese Itinerary

The Star Legend, an all-suite ship with a maximum of 212 guests, is the perfect platform for an immersive Chinese experience ranging from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong to the modern marvels of Shanghai, as well as the natural beauty of Ishigaki Island, Japan.

The Yacht Club Views over the bow in a comfortable “yachtie” venue

The former Seabourn Legend has been updated and revitalized, so if they had a piece of your heart before (as they did mine), she will recapture it!  All areas of the ship has been significantly updated, the Veranda is now more open, has far more seating and a modern feel (expanding with new modern space where the pool used to be) , the Yacht Club (formerly Observation Lounge) is now one of my favorite spaces, 

A standard Oceanview Suite on the Star Legend Identical suites with French balconies are available as are larger, premium, suites

Star Legend’s standard Marble Bathroom

Star Legend’s Veranda The perfect place of al fresco dining converts to Candles in the evenings

So where are we going and what are we going to do?

• Mar 5 Tue – Hong Kong, China  Embark: 12:00 PM Overnight
• Mar 6 Wed – Hong Kong, China Depart: 4:00 PM
• Mar 7 Thu  – At Sea
• Mar 8 Fri  – Taipei (Keelung), China (Taiwan) 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
• Mar 9 Sat – Ishigaki Island, Japan 9:00 AM 4:00 PM
• Mar 10 Sun – At Sea
• Mar 11 Mon  – Shanghai, China 9:00 AM Overnight
• Mar 12 Tue  – Shanghai, China Depart 6:00 PM
• Mar 13 Wed – At Sea
• Mar 14 Thu – Qingdao, China 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
• Mar 15 Fri  – At Sea
• Mar 16 Sat – Beijing (Tianjin), China 7:00 AM
• Mar 16 Sat – Tianjin Port To Beijing (Overnight China World Hotel)
• Mar 17 Sun – Beijing To Xian  (Overnight Gran Melia Xian Hotel)
• Mar 18 Mon – Xian To Beijing  (Overnight China World Hotel)
• Mar 19 Tue  – Beijing To Beijing Airport

First, you may be asking if March is a good time for this journey.  Actually, experiencing this is March is perfect!  Midday temperatures in Hong Kong and Taipei are in the 70’s (so you avoid the heat and humidity) and even in Beijing and Xian you can expect perfect touring and hiking temperatures in the mid 50’s. 

Here is sort of a day-by-day general description of what each port has to offer.  Maybe you can find a hint or two as to where I might decide to do something special with my guests!

While I plan on diving into the culinary wonderland of Hong Kong‘s night markets and taking a hike, there is incredible views, temples, nightlife and luxury to experience as well as all that Victoria Harbour has to offer. Want to head to the Wet Market and attend a Cooking Class or visit Lantau Island?  Windstar has you covered! 

I spent time in Taipei a few years ago.  Whether you decide on visiting Taipei 101 (one of the world’s tallest buildings that houses literal superstores for every luxury brand from Dior to Louis Vuitton), seeking out Michelin star soup dumplings, wandering the street markets or exploring the culture and differences from mainland China, you will be amazed.

Ishigaki Island is both the most relaxing island and hub of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture.  But it’s claim to fame is its natural beauty and wildlife.  Want to visit historic rural villages and take a water ox cart ride?  Hang on the beach or take a hike? Can do!

Shanghai is, well, unto itself and you have two full days to explore it!  The Bund is a waterfront area that will afford you that classic photo of Shanghai’s spectacular cityscape.  Whether you wish to visit old and new Shanghai, enjoy the night markets, have a more formal evening dining experience, take a morning bike ride or visit the rural areas outside of the city one day, Windstar has excursions that will meet your needs…if you don’t head off on your own.

After a day at sea, it is time to explore Qingdao, China; home to Tsingtao beer and European architecture, in part due to the German occupation (you can visit the prison where Chinese prisoners were jailed).  While enjoying your beer in all sorts of flavors, served in a plastic bag with a straw (yup!), you may wander the streets or visit Jimo Lu Market (apparently the ultimate in Chinese fakes) or Pichai Yuan Market (a traditional market). Want to visit temples or parks?  Got that too.  My eye is on a Qingtao Beer Brewery and Museum.

It is then a day at sea before arriving in Beijing.  While some will head home upon arrival, our first day will being heading to the Temple of Heaven park, the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square while enjoying a local lunch and, of course, a Peking Duck dinner.  Our stay is at the 5 Star Shangri-La China World Hotel.  

Day Two affords us the opportunity to walk on The Great Wall of China, then have lunch at The Brickyard at Mutianyu (a sustainable tourism project whose dining experience includes both typical Chinese comfort foods and Western options, both created from 80% locally sourced seasonal products).   After lunch we fly to Xian and overnight at the 5 Star Gran Melia Xian Hotel.

In Xian we, of course, visit the Terracotta Warriors followed by a leisurely walk around some of the seven miles of Xian City Walls which date back to the second century B.C. and then a lunch at a local Chinese restaurant before flying back to Beijing to again overnight at the China World Hotel before your onward flight home.

Travel to China can be tiring and time consuming because the country is so large and so much time is spent checking into and out of hotels, in airports and buses traveling from city to city.  On this cruise you can visit the top cities and some off-the-beaten path ones, plus a taste of Taiwan and Japan, without having to deal with any of that…except for exploring Beijing and a very worthwhile trip to Xian.

Interested in this or another Windstar cruise experience? Give me a call, drop me an email or send me a Facebook message!