Cuisine, art, and cultural exploration with Emily

May 2 - 13 (ish): Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou June 16-27(ish): Hong Kong, Xiamen

Dates: August 31st - 9th 2024

Host: Emily Lau

Assistant host: Jesse Ehrenberg

Group size: 10 people + 2 leaders

Hosted by Emily Lau,
Award-winning musician & owner of Cloud Pine Tea + Culture

A luxurious yet down-to-earth experience curated by Hong Kong-native Emily Lau in an intimate setting. It is an offering one will not encounter anywhere else. Take the opportunity to experience two/three of the most fast-paced, futuristic, culturally-diverse cities in the world that is also a sub-tropical nature paradise. The purpose of the trip is to experience other-worldly cuisine and scenery, look at new things, learn new perspectives, and make cultural, creative, intellectual, and interpersonal connections.

It will be the 8th time Emily takes a group of Americans on an epic international adventure in the last 10 years. :)

Oh, and the temperature is going to be warm and balmy. And Americans do not need a visa. Just your passport. The China portion of the trip can be maneuvered by a 144-hour visa-free transit pass.

A short IG post about the trip last August:

Tell me more

Details:

Trip fees include:

Round-trip international flight from PDX (other airport possible, please inquire)
10 days, 9 nights of stylish lodging in 4-5 stars hotel
2-3 passionately curated meals a day at some of the most famed eateries
Local transportation including subway, taxi, ferries, cable car, tram and entrance fees

Invest in life and experience:

$3750 per person (double occupancy, solo travelers can be paired depending on the group’s makeup, solo occupancy if not paired is around $700-$900 extra). You can also opt to buy your own flight tickets. Your tour fee will be reduced to $2450.
$2000 due at sign-up
The rest due 3 weeks before departure

It is a great trip for you if:

You are fun and nice and curious about the world
You can physically walk up to 7-10 miles a day (regular/slow pace with plenty of breaks and food)
You have no special dietary restriction that requires you to eat separately from the group (of course there are so many options and everyone’s preference and interest are kept in mind)
You are a self-governing adult

Sample Itinerary

Travel Day

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Flight out of PDX with transfer

Arrival in the evening, taxi to hotel, check-in, rest

Take the MTR (subway) to Hong Kong Central District and have brunch @ Central Market, (built in 1895 as the oldest organized wet market in Hong Kong)

Explore the central district’s modern and historical architecture

Peak Tram to Victoria Peak

1.5 mile walk/hike to enjoy the breathtaking view of Hong Kong Island

Visit Tai Kwun

Hotpot dinner at a secret local spot

Famous Pineapple Buns and Hong Kong style breakafast

Take the incredible glass bottom cable car up the mountain

Big Buddha

Po Lin Monastery

Lollygag around quaint seaside neighborhood Mui Wo

Sunset on Silvermine beach

Cantonese Seafood dinner in Mui Wo

M+ Contemporary Art Museum

Victoria Harbor Evening Cruise

Cantonese Banquet-styled dinner

Beach/nature day followed by Michelin-star restaurant meal

Travel on boat to Shenzhen, enjoy the incredible architecture of Shenzhen.

Day 7

A walking tour of Shenzhen on Subway, visit a luxurious SPA for traditional and modern therapies.

Day 8

High Speed Rail to Guangzhou, the garden city with unbelievable parks, architecture, cuisine, and fashion

Michelin-star restaurant visit

Day 9

Day 10

Guangzhou Tower, Art Museum, Music Hall, and River Cruise

Fly Back from Guangzhou

“As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was about to happen.” – A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain