SOUTHEAST ASIA • FEBRUARY 3rd – 17th, 2014
The conference fee is $1,575 and includes all 23 seminars below. You may take every class — i.e., there will be no overlap as only one class will be going on at any one time. Classes only take place when we’re at sea, between 8:30am and 7:30pm.
THEORETICAL PHYSICS:
Sean Carroll, Ph.D.
GENETICS & EVOLUTION:
John Mattick, Ph.D.
NATURAL HISTORY:
Craig Benjamin, Ph.D.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION:
Dr. Mark A. Stoler
MILITARY STRATEGY:
Dr. Andrew R. Wilson
ARCHAEOLOGY/ANTHROPOLOGY:
John R. Hale, Ph.D.
Click a Tab (above) for a port overview and available shore excursions.
For detailed information on a port including restaurants, maps, places to visit, Wikipedia links, etc., please visit our ITINERARY page.
HONG KONG, CHINA — Monday, February 3, 2014
City-state, deep-water harbor, darling of empires, engine of global finance, shopper’s paradise, cinematic trend-setter, world’s most vertical city. Whew. Hong Kong with Holland America Line and join the parade into one of the city’s countless markets. Watch the hardworking world of Aberdeen’s junks and sampans. Rise above it all on the tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak. Hong Kong is where ancient herbal remedies mix with designer fashions, Buddhist monks mingle with businessmen, and Chinese traditions meet modern international capitalism.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
HALONG BAY, VIETNAM — Wednesday, February 5
The great Vietnamese poet and statesman Nguyen Trai called it the “rock wonder in the sky.” In designating it a World Heritage Site, UNESCO describes it as “spectacular seascape of limestone pillars.” It’s name translates as “Descending Dragon Bay.” Geologists call it karst topography, and say it’s what happens when soluble bedrock wears away over millions of years. Halong Bay, located on Vietnam’s northeast coast, is otherworldly no matter what words you choose. About 2,000 limestone islands stipple the vast bay, most of them rising hundreds of feet sheer from the sea. If, as you cruise along, you find words fail to capture the beauty of the place, be at ease. They never do.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
»» Halong Bay Shore Excursion Details »»
DA NANG, VIETNAM — FRIDAY, February 7
Located on the South China Sea, Da Nang is a major port city and your gateway to the natural and ancient wonders of Vietnam. Gaze upon the five peaks of the Marble Mountains emdash; long a source of inspiration for Vietnamese artisans; visit the palace and pavilions of Hue, the Imperial City of the Nguyen emperors; and explore the charming merchant town of Hoi An and nearby China Beach.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
»» Da Nang Shore Excursion Details »»
NHA TRANG, VIETNAM — Sunday, February 9
White sand beaches, turquoise waters, beachfront cafés. Nha Trang’s days as an underappreciated treasure are over. Still very much intact since the 7th century are the venerated towers of the Cham Ponagar Temple complex.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
»» Nha Trang Shore Excursion Details »»
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM — Monday, February 10
Whether you are on a wide boulevard admiring the French Colonial architectural influence, or in a bustling market haggling with a street vendor, you cannot escape the culture and history of this bustling city. Ho Chi Minh City is home to many colorful pagodas, cathedrals and palaces emdash; including one of the city’s oldest, Giac Lam Pagoda, dating from 1744.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA — Wednesday, February 12
Known for its white sand beaches, warm Gulf of Thailand waters, and laid back atmosphere, Sihanoukville is a premiere beach lovers’ destination. Built in the late 1950s, the town is much newer and more cosmopolitan than most Cambodian provincial cities. Spend the day exploring miles of unspoiled beaches or chose one and swim, snorkel, or simply relax under a beach umbrella.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
BANGKOK, THAILAND — Thursday, February 13 & FRIDAY, February 14
Once a small Khmer trading center, Bangkok has grown into one of the world’s most populous and cosmopolitan cities. Bustling streets and markets stand side by side with serene golden temples and glitzy nightclubs. Explore the architectural marvel of the Grand Palace. Discover Bangkok’s largest Buddha at Wat Pho and shop the spectacular Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
»» Bangkok Shore Excursion Details »»
KOH SAMUI, THAILAND — Saturday, February 15
Looking at the water, the palms, and the plants, you might think the color green was invented on Koh Samui, and then reinvented. Everywhere you look are shades of celadon, smaragdine, and viridian. Located in the Gulf of Thailand about 400 miles south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is an island of towering coconut trees, generous sun, and powdery white beaches. Cruise visitors will enjoy the Big Buddha, an important symbol for the locals, the Na Muang waterfall, and the beaches. Chaweng is the island’s high-energy beach. Lamai is less busy. Maenam is quiet, and closest to port.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
SINGAPORE — Monday, February 17
It’s an island city-state, a World War II battleground, a global economic superstar, and a crossroads of the world. Singapore and in the space of a few hours you can relax in a Chinese teahouse, purchase a colorful sari in Little India, and visit the gold-domed Sultan Mosque.
»» Bright Horizons Itinerary »»
Craig Benjamin, Ph.D.
Sean M. Carroll, Ph.D.
John R. Hale, Ph.D.
John Mattick, Ph.D.
Mark A. Stoler, Ph.D.
Andrew R. Wilson, Ph.D.
Speakers have confirmed their intent to participate; however, scheduling conflicts may arise.
Cruise prices vary from $1,799 for an Interior Stateroom to $7,099 for a Neptune Suite, per person. (Cruise pricing is subject to change.) For those attending our SEMINARS, there is a $1,575 fee. Port Charges are $299 per person; gratuities are $11.50 per person per day; taxes and fees are $100 per person. All prices and fees are detailed on the BOOK NOW page.
For a detailed listing of the cruise itinerary please review our ITINERARY page.
Use our PRICING CALCULATOR for a quick price quote! For questions, please don’t hestitate in calling us at InsightCruises.com (650-787-5665) or emailing Neil.
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A fabulous, definitive, ultra-luxury six-night, seven-day excursion through China taking in Tian’anmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City in Beijing; the Great Wall; and Xi’an and its Terracotta warriors.
This tour was designed specifically
for the Bright Horizons guests and is provided by our colleagues at Imperial
Tours.
»» Tour Beijing, The Great Wall, and Xi’an »»
Visit the ancient Khmer cosmos at Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Amidst the monumental architecture, scenic beauty, and luxuriant trees a symbolic representation of Khmer sacred existence, history, and philosophy hide in plain sight. Astronomical alignments and Hindu concepts permeate Angkor’s mandala layout. Enter the realm of Angkor and experience select temples, significant, charming, and evocative. Learn how ancient craft is kept alive. Observe daily life afloat on Tonle Sap lake. Join the adventure, journey through Khmer history, and relax amidst Cambodia’s cultural treasures and complexities. This tour was designed specifically
for the Bright Horizons guests and is provided by our colleagues at Trails of Indonesia.
»» Tour Angkor Wat »»
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