East Asia & The Pacific
Area Destination Guides

Australia

Australia's scale means most trips focus on a couple of regions, Sydney's harbor and iconic Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Outback's red center around Uluru each represent a distinctly different experience. The Southern Hemisphere's spring and fall (September-November, March-May) bring comfortable weather across most of the country. A 12-14 day trip allows Sydney plus the reef or the Outback, connected by domestic flights given Australia's vast distances. Because Australia's regions are so far apart and offer such different experiences, an advisor's help building a realistic route (rather than trying to see it all) makes for a much better trip.

China

Shanghai anchors most first visits to mainland China, its striking modern skyline along the Bund contrasting with historic water towns and traditional gardens nearby, though the country's scale means Beijing's Great Wall and Xi'an's Terracotta Army are worth building into a longer trip. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable temperatures for touring. A 10-12 day trip allows Shanghai and Beijing together, with an optional extension to Xi'an. Because a US visa is required for China and major sites require advance booking, an advisor's help navigating both logistics well ahead of the trip is essential, not optional.

Cook Islands

The Cook Islands offer a quieter, less-developed alternative to more famous South Pacific destinations, Rarotonga's lagoon and Aitutaki's turquoise waters are frequently ranked among the most beautiful in the world, with a genuinely relaxed, uncrowded feel. The dry season (April-November) brings the most comfortable weather. A 7-10 day trip allows time for Rarotonga plus a few days on Aitutaki, connected by a short flight. Because the Cook Islands are still relatively undiscovered by American travelers, an advisor's guidance on what to expect (limited nightlife, a genuinely slow pace) helps set the right expectations for a trip built around pure relaxation.

Fiji

Fiji combines classic South Pacific overwater bungalow luxury with a genuinely warm, welcoming local culture, and its many island groups offer everything from honeymoon-style seclusion to family-friendly resorts. The dry season (May-October) brings the most comfortable weather and calmest seas. A 7-10 day resort stay is the most common trip type, sometimes combined with a stay on two different islands for variety. Because Fiji's islands vary considerably in vibe (family resort versus adults-only luxury versus off-grid diving), an advisor's guidance on matching the right island and resort to a traveler's goals is especially valuable.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong packs an extraordinary skyline, a genuine East-meets-West culture, and some of the world's best dim sum into a compact territory that's easy to explore in a few days. The cooler, drier months (October-December) bring the most comfortable weather for exploring on foot. A 3-4 day stay covers the harbor, Victoria Peak, and the city's markets and neighborhoods, and it works well as a stopover en route to other parts of Asia. Because Hong Kong's efficient transit and compact size make it easy to over-schedule, an advisor's guidance on pacing (and which neighborhoods reward slower exploration) helps make the most of a short visit.

Japan

Tokyo anchors most first visits to Japan, its blend of ultramodern technology and traditional temples offering a genuinely singular experience, though Kyoto's historic temples and a bullet train ride between the two round out a first-time itinerary well. Spring (cherry blossom season, late March-early April) and fall (autumn foliage, November) are the most popular and beautiful times to visit. A 10-12 day trip allows Tokyo and Kyoto together, with an optional extension to Osaka or Hakone. Because cherry blossom timing shifts year to year and popular periods book up months in advance, an advisor's guidance on timing and early reservations is especially valuable for a trip built around that season.

New Zealand

New Zealand's dramatic scenery, from Auckland's harbor to the fjords and mountains of the South Island, has made it a bucket-list destination for adventure and nature travelers alike. The Southern Hemisphere's spring and fall (September-November, March-May) bring comfortable weather for touring, while summer (December-February) is peak season for outdoor activities. A 12-14 day trip allows both islands, connected by a short flight or the scenic ferry crossing. Because New Zealand rewards a proper road trip more than a city-hopping itinerary, an advisor's help planning realistic driving distances and a well-paced route makes a real difference.

South Korea

South Korea offers a compelling mix of ultramodern Seoul, centuries-old palaces and temples, and a food and pop culture scene that has become a genuine global draw in its own right. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) bring the most comfortable weather and, in spring, cherry blossoms. A 7-9 day trip allows Seoul in depth plus a shorter stop in Busan or a countryside excursion to see traditional villages and temples. Because Seoul alone offers enough to fill a trip and pairs so naturally with a Japan itinerary given the short flight between them, an advisor's help deciding how to split time (and whether to combine both countries) shapes a much stronger overall trip.

Taiwan

Taiwan offers an easy, welcoming introduction to East Asia, Taipei's night markets and world-class dumplings, the dramatic marble cliffs of Taroko Gorge, and a well-developed high-speed rail network that makes the whole island genuinely accessible. Fall and spring bring the most comfortable weather, avoiding both summer's heat and typhoon season. A 7-8 day trip allows Taipei plus Taroko Gorge and a stop in Tainan or Kaohsiung in the south. Because Taiwan's high-speed rail makes multi-city itineraries genuinely easy compared to many other Asian destinations, an advisor's help building an efficient multi-stop route gets real value out of a shorter trip.