North Pacific Cruise - from Incheon - Seoul - 118935

The main gateway to Korea with an international sea port. Above the port lies Chayu-Park, which commemorates General McArthur's landing in 1950, which signified the turn of events in favour of the South in the Korean War from 1950-53. The Bomunsa temple lies outside the city on the island of Seokmodo. Legend has it that it was founded in the 635 by Queen Seondeok of the Silla Dynasty. The most important attraction is the "sitting Buddha", carved ten metres high into the cliff-face. The island of Seokmodo has a beautiful sandy beach, often used in films. The Sorae fish market at the south-western harbour of Inchon is the traditional place to buy marinated fish. There are several small fish restaurants along even the first few metres of the fish market. The seafood market at Yonan-Pier and the Chinese quarter of Inchon are also worth a visit.

Nagasaki is the only city in Japan with a European influence, since it was only here that some settlements were allowed during the 300 years of isolation. The city lies at the end of a bay between mountain ranges, from where you can enjoy an excellent view of the city, the islands just off the coast and the ocean. The old trams are the perfect way to get around the city and visit the sights. Nagasaki is a busy, colourful city whose early history of encounters with the Portuguese and Dutch has been overshadowed by its fate as the second target of an atomic bomb attack. Urakami, the centre of the atomic explosion is today an affluent and peaceful suburb. This is where visitors can find the nightmarish atomic bomb museum, a vivid reminder of the horrors of nuclear destruction. The Hypocentre Park is also located here. It has a black stone column marking the exact spot at which the bomb exploded, as well as remains and ruins. A bell sounds at 11.02 a.m. every day, the time of the explosion, at the turtle-shaped Zen temple Fukusai-ji.

Kagoshima is the prefecture capital of the Japanese island of Kyushu. Kagoshima is the most southerly city in Japan, and is not only tropically warm, but also has a relaxed, South-Seas atmosphere despite all of its modern amenities. Opposite the city rises the imposing backdrop of the volcano Sakurajima, which towers more than a thousand metres over the peninsula, its jagged crater smouldering unceasingly. The memory of the Jesuits is upheld and revered in Kagoshima by many monuments; it was the Jesuits who facilitated the first real contact with the West. Several of the museums are worth a visit, e.g. the new prefecture museum built on the grounds of the old castle. It shows exhibits relating to a wide range of issues of national importance.

Hiroshima is one of the most affluent cities in Japan, but its fame is attributable mainly to the atom bomb attack on August 6, 1945. The modern landmark of Hiroshima is "Genbaku domu", the "A-bomb cathedral". The ruins of the former Chamber of Industry and Commerce with its naked steel dome were left as a memorial and a warning to future generations. Close by "Genbaku domu" is the Children's Peace Monument, inspired by Sadako Sasaki, a little girl who died of leukaemia. The 'Peace Park "Heiwa koen" is home to the atom bomb museum and the memorial grave with the eternal flame.

Kochi is one of the few originally preserved castle towns in Japan and is located on the island of Shikoku. Alongside the Chikurin-ji temple, Kochi Castle is the city's most important tourist attraction. Kochi's diverse nature can be enjoyed on a walk through one of the impressive parks, for example, while the extensive caves in the surrounding area are also well worth a visit.

Osaka is the port town on the island of Honshu, the capital of the prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan. With a population of 2.5 million, the city, which is surrounded by satellite towns, lies at the estuary of various rivers in Osaka By. In early history Osaka was the seat of the Japanese emperor several times. The city is seen as a centre of industry, trade, culture and research (5 universities, various research institutions). The Daimyo castle dating from the 16th century, the many temples and gardens are all worth a visit. The most important sectors of the economy here are textiles, iron and steel, machine manufacturing, the chemicals industry and the oil refineries. Many prospering companies have their headquarters in the city, laying the foundations for a modern infrastructure and cultural tradition. In 1970 Osaka hosted the World's Fair. The city is currently experiencing somewhat of an architectural renaissance, with the objective of making it a focus for people, goods and information from all over the world.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan with a population of almost 8 million, combines tradition with progress. Buddhist temples stand side by side with Shinto cultural institutes and sky-scrapers. In the tiny streets you can find Kimonos, fans and miniature carvings, just a few streets away from the modern banking district and the grand architectural masterpieces. Visitors can relax in the Koraku Garden which has replicas of various features of the Japanese landscape. If it's a thrill you're after, a visit to the fish market is just the thing - and you could even bid on some fish!. More than 90,000 works of art are on display in the largest museum in Japan, the National Museum. In 1958 the Japanese built a replica of the Eiffel tower; At 333m high, 'Tokyo tower' would dwarf the original. Other sights include: the Meji shrine, the emperor's garden and palace, the town hall, the 'Capsule Hotel' where guests are accommodated in "drawers", Asakusa Kannon temple and the temple gardens in Kamakura.

Skagway is in the Klondike National Historic Park. Today it is a reminder of the era of the Gold Rush when thousands of gold diggers set sail to make their fortune. The historic part of Skagway is particularly worth a visit. Here you can take a stroll along the promenades lined by buildings with restored facades. Sights include: the Gold Rush Cemetery, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the Trail of '98 Museum, the historic town centre.

Juneau, situated between Mount Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, was founded during the Gold Rush. Due to the lack of major roads it has retained its cosy atmosphere. The capital of Alaska has many attractions, such as the old Victorian houses, the governor's palace, museums and much more.

The "Salmon Capital of the World" is one of the towns in south-east Alaska that already existed during Russian times. As in Sitka, this Russian influence is also apparent here in the form of folk dancers and a Russian Orthodox church. In Totem Bight State Park you can view totem poles elaborately carved by the Tlingit native Americans. Ketchikan is considered to be a Mecca for salmon fishers, who already settled here hundreds of years ago.

The charming provincial capital of British Columbia is on Vancouver Island and has a very European feel to it with its narrow streets lined by stone buildings dating from the 19th century. Victorian architecture, red double-decker buses and nostalgic hackney cabs are a reminder of the colonial age of the British Empire. This is in sharp contrast to the many totem poles in the parks, which signify the amalgamation of the two cultures. Expansive parks with exotic and native plants are the perfect place to take a stroll. Sights include: Butchard Gardens, Government House, Beacon Hill Park, Craigdarroch Castle, Helmcken House, Royal British Columbia Museum.

Probably the most beautiful city in America lies on a peninsula bordered on the West by the Pacific and in the North by the Golden Gate Strait and in the East by the San Francisco Bay. Two famous bridges span the bay: the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bay Bridge. The city is built over 40 hills, so that almost every street has wonderful views of the bay. One of San Francisco's main attractions is the 130-year-old cable cars, which are still a popular means of transport even today. Other sights include the Fisherman's Wharf with its restaurants and views of the bay; the former high security prison of Alcatraz, which lies on an island before the city and is open to visitors; Chinatown, the largest Asian settlement outside Asia; the pagoda-topped Japan Centre; as well as Ocean Beach and North Beach. The main shopping area is located around Union Square in the town centre.