Great Trips: Japan, China, South Korea and Uzbekistan await you
Traveling is no longer simply about moving from one place to another. For many, it's now about exploring the world in depth , with awareness , and with elegance . In this context, the so-called Grand Tours have emerged: carefully designed itineraries for discerning travelers who seek more than just a destination; they desire a holistic experience .
Great Journeys do not include conventional tours or superficial excursions . They are much more than that. They represent a cultural, historical , and aesthetic immersion in territories that transform the traveler .
For 25 years , Batista Travel , an agency associated with Expan Tours and part of the select Virtuoso Preferred group, has perfected the art of designing and guiding these expeditions .
Batista Travel, key to Great Journeys
Gonzalo Moreira , director of Batista Travel , has not only traveled the world to specialize as an international guide , but has also put his vast knowledge of history , geopolitics , languages and cultures at the service of tourism .
" The Great Journeys arose from a need: that of those travelers who didn't want to go alone, but also didn't want to follow a rushed guide on a tight itinerary . They wanted to see , experience , and understand in groups, but with time . They wanted to share with cultural peers and, in turn , learn about new trends . To experience the extraordinary ."
And so, traveling in small groups of no more than 18 to 20 people , Batista Travel has taken travelers from Uruguay , Paraguay , Chile , Argentina , Mexico and all over the world to places like Japan , Uzbekistan , Africa , the Middle East and Central Asia , among others.
How do the Great Journeys differ?
" Some itineraries include luxury trains , boutique cruises , five-star hotels , and unique experiences not found in ordinary catalogs. But the true luxury of these trips lies in the time , the quality of the journey , and the depth of the human connection with other cultures , traditions , and regions ."
The Great Journeys offer something far more human: sharing . Groups, limited to a maximum of 20 people, are made up of travelers with shared cultural interests , similar levels of experience , and a deep respect for one another . Traveling this way not only enriches the experience but also builds connections , lasting friendships , and a sense of community in faraway lands.
" And although group trips are Batista 's calling card, they also offer personalized itineraries for families , couples , or groups of friends . The difference lies in the design , the approach , the service : tailor -made trips for those who want to understand the world ."
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Great Journeys: The Silk Road
For Gonzalo Moreira , one of the most fascinating destinations in Batista Travel 's catalog is Uzbekistan and the Silk Road , a Grand Journey on which he has served as a guide aboard the luxury Golden Eagle train. He considers it "one of the highlights of our program for September 2025. "
" This itinerary takes you through ancient cities steeped in history , many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites , such as Samarkand , Bukhara , and Tashkent . The journey reaches the famous Fergana Valley , the vital hub that sustained the most important trade route in history: the one that for over a thousand years linked the Far East with the Middle East , the Mediterranean , Europe , and North Africa ."
Uzbekistan – September 2025 | 13 days / 12 nights
Of all the destinations offered by Batista Travel , Uzbekistan is perhaps the most fascinating and least explored . It's an invitation to travel back in time , aboard the luxurious Golden Eagle train. For 13 days , you'll follow in the footsteps of merchants and scholars who crossed deserts , mountain ranges , and oases , carrying silk , ideas , and legends .
The route begins in Tashkent , with its Kukeldash Madrasa and Khast-Imam Square . Then, Fergana , with its fortifications , silk looms , and colorful markets . In Bukhara , every corner is an architectural gem : from the Kalyan Mosque to Lyabi Hauz Square .
In Nókis , surrounded by deserts , you'll discover a cultural oasis . And in Khiva , you'll walk through a walled city that seems straight out of an Arabian Nights tale .
Then, in Shahrisabz , you'll see the palace of Amir Timur . And to close, Samarkand , a symphony of blue domes , madrasas , mausoleums , and minarets , where the past still beats .
Japan – September 2025 | 15 days / 14 nights
Japan is another star of this catalog. The island of Honshu unfolds like a fan of emotions in this exclusive tour that departs from Tokyo , a city that combines neon lights , temples , and sumo tournaments .
For five days , you'll stay at the luxurious Conrad Hotel, opposite the Imperial Palace , enjoying city tours that blend the classic and the contemporary . Then, you'll escape the urban bustle and head to Hakone , where Mount Fuji will greet you as you cruise Lake Ashi aboard a Pirate Boat and spend the night in a traditional ryokan .
In Takayama , you'll explore artisan markets and samurai houses ; and in Kanazawa , gardens and historic districts like Nagamachi and its geisha district . Hiroshima will confront you with memory at its Peace Memorial Park , and the iconic island of Miyajima , home to the floating torii gate , will offer you an unforgettable view .
The final stop will be Kyoto , the spiritual heart of the country, where tea ceremonies , ancient temples , geisha districts and the corners of "Memoirs of a Geisha" will allow you to connect with the Japanese soul .
South Korea – September 2025 | 8 days / 7 nights
South Korea is a secret that's finally coming out. In just eight days , this trip will take you from imperial palaces to volcanic cliffs . It begins in Seoul , where you'll spend your first night at the stunning Lotte Hotel Seoul before boarding the KTX train to Busan .
Busan awaits you with its cultural village of Gamcheon , its skywalks overlooking the sea, and the impressive Haedong Yonggungsa temple , located facing the ocean.
Then, heading to the exotic Jeju Island , home to volcanoes , botanical gardens , black lava beaches and cliffs like Jusangjeolli , a marvel of geology .
Back in Seoul , the trip concludes with the best of the South Korean capital : Gyeongbokgung Palace , the traditional Bukchon Hanok district , the Myeongdong shopping district , and more. A journey where each day seems to condense centuries of history and culture .
China – October 2025 | 17 days / 16 nights
China isn't just explored, it's discovered . Each city is a universe , and every step a page of history . On this 17-day journey, you'll experience the vibrant duality between the ancient and the modern .
Begin in Beijing , with the majestic Forbidden City , the historic Tiananmen Square , and the winding Great Wall of China . From there, head to Xi'an , home of the Terracotta Army and the eastern gateway to the Silk Road .
In Chongqing , amidst teahouses and suspended streets , you'll embark on a luxurious Yangtze River cruise to explore the ghost town of Fengdu . Then, discover two hidden gems : Hangzhou , with its West Lake and the Temple of the Hidden Soul , and Meijawu , the birthplace of the finest green tea .
The journey culminates in Shanghai , a symbol of the future . There, you'll admire the tallest tower in the country , stroll along the Bund , and experience the tranquility of the Yu Garden . All in one country, all in one trip. The grandeur of China , at the pace it deserves to be understood .
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