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MS Europa Departures by Date
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MS Europa Departures
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China Seas: of Mythical Creatures &
Skyscrapers - Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City
MS Europa -
February 24 - March 9, 2012
The skyline of Shanghai futuristically rises on the horizon,
and China presents itself between glittering urbanity, rich history and magnificent tropical
beaches. The opulent heritage of the Vietnamese emperors competes with the breathtaking beauty
of a bay which, according to legend, was created by a dragon. On board, you will harmonise the
flow of your vital energy "qi“ with traditional Chinese medicine, tai chi and qigong.
Encounters with Asia that will make a lasting impression on you.
Highlights of this cruise
• UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites: the round houses of
the Hakka
people*, the imperial city of Hue* and the old trade town Hoi An*
• UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site: Halong Bay*
• Visit to the SOS children's village in Ho Chi Minh City*
• Body vitality: yoga, tai chi, qigong courses on board
• Shaolin monks on board
* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price.
Subject to changes.
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| Date |
Destination |
| 24-Feb-12 |
Embarkation on the EUROPA in Hong Kong. Depart at 22.00
hrs |
| 25 Feb - 26 Feb-12 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 27-Feb-12 |
Shanghai, arrival 8.00 hrs |
| 28-Feb-12 |
Shanghai, departure 18.00 hrs |
| 29 Feb - 01 Mar-12 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 2-Mar-12 |
Xiamen (Fujian), 7.00 - 17.00 hrs |
| 3-Mar-12 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 4-Mar-12 |
Halong Bay, 14.30 - 19.00 hrs |
| 5-Mar-12 |
Sanya, 11.00 - 19.00 hrs |
| 6-Mar-12 |
Chan May, 8.00 - 10.00 hrs. Da Nang (Hue), 13.30 - 20.00
hrs |
| 7-Mar-12 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 8-Mar-12 |
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)/ Vietnam, arrival 9.00 hrs.
Overnight stay on board |
| 9-Mar-12 |
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Disembarkation. |
Hong Kong/China
Begin your holiday with some exciting days in the Chinese
metropolis: join our pre-cruise programme* and experience the highlights of Hong
Kong.
Shanghai/China
The skyline of Shanghai appears on the horizon, and you have
two days' time to explore the pulsating megacity. The sight of the metropolis will
already thrill you from the berth of the EUROPA off the coast of the Pudong district. Ashore,
you will approach futuristic Shanghai* with its skyscrapers and one of the tallest
television towers in Asia - the "Oriental Pearl Tower" is no less than 468 m high. In its 11
spheres of different sizes, it accommodates observation platforms, a teahouse and even a hotel.
Alternatively, you could immerse yourself in Shanghai's nostalgic charm* - stroll
through the old part of the city, pay a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple and enjoy the peace and
quiet in Yu Garden. In the evening, you will be fascinated by the body control of the artists
who create breathtaking scenes on the stage in the acrobatics show*. On the second day,
innovative German technology in China awaits you - welcome on the Transrapid*.
Xiamen (Fujian)/China
Just across from the port city lies the small
car-free island of Gulanyu* which you may wish to explore on a leisurely walk. The
architecture of the unusual Hakka round houses* in the province of Fujian developed
approximately 1,000 years ago. The clay forts featuring several stories in height are called
tulou. They were spacious enough to accommodate hundreds of people and were built around a
large, round inner courtyard. On the lower levels, there were no windows facing outwards, and
only a single gate - a construction method that ensured protection against raiders and enemies.
Quanzhou* was the starting point of the "Silk Road of the seas". The remnants of the
Kaiyuan Temple and the approx. 1,000-year-old Qingjing Mosque are evidence of the times when
the city was one of the largest ports in the world.
Halong Bay/Vietnam
According to legend, a dragon created this dream of
countless islands - Halong Bay, a picturesque UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in the north
of Vietnam. On a trip in local boats*, the bizarre limestone islands topped with thick
jungle vegetation and their miraculous caves hold breathtaking sights in store for you.
Sanya/Hainan/China
Palm tree-fringed tropical beaches and the reassuring murmur of the South China Sea
make the island a popular holiday destination. On Sanya's local maket, day-to-day life
in the port city awaits you. In the course of your tour*, one of our stopovers will be at
Luhuitou Hill. From up here, you can enjoy the magnificent view across the city and its
bay.
Chan May/Vietnam
Join us on a full day excursion to the ancient imperial
glory of Vietnam. Until 1945, Hue* was the venerable capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, which
resided behind the thick walls of the citadel. Sights such as the "Hall of Supreme
Harmony" or the imperial palace itself reveal an unfamiliar, opulent world with tiled roofs,
skillful carvings or the magnificent throne. Via the Hai Van Pass, we will subsequently travel
on to Da Nang.
Da Nang (Hue)/Vietnam
If you stayed on board in Chan May, the long beaches around Da
Nang may inspire you to have a relaxing afternoon. Alternatively, you could admire the
former harbour town Hoi An* with its historic trading houses, the colourful Chinese
assembly halls and the pretty Japanese Bridge.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)/Vietnam
Countless bicycles, mopeds and rickshaws
manoeuvre their way through the streets of lively Saigon*, past architectural gems from the
colonial era such as the impressive main post office or the pretty cathedral Notre Dame.
The Reunification Palace, which comes across as rather plain, was built in 1966 and served as
the home of the President until 1975. Since then, time seems to have almost stood still in the
conference and banquet halls or the library. Many traders and small temples account for the
charm of the Cholon district* - Saigon's Chinatown. Vietnam also proves to be
fascinating during a boat trip on the Mekong*. Across the water, we will approach an isle in
the river. There, you can step aboard small canal boats and experience the buzz of activity on
the Nine Dragons River at close range. Following an overnight stay on board, you will embark on
your return journey to Germany.
*
These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The
shore activities listed here are in the planning stage and are subject to changes.
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¹ You pay only the guaranteed price for double occupancy shown here. Accommodation will be
provided in a suite of Category 1 to 7, subject to availability. If you book a combination of
several cruises in a guarantee suite we cannot promise that you will be allocated the same
suite throughout your whole stay. You will receive your exact suite number on board at the
beginning of the cruise (limited allotment).
² US Dollar rates as
of Dec. 20, 2011. Fares are based on the current Euro to
Dollar exchange rate and are subject to change.
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
6-8 months.
Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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