One Week Asia Itineraries

I was incredibly impressed with every aspect of our experience with Zicasso’s travel company. I was traveling with my 83-year-old mother, so I wanted to be sure we worked with a company we could trust. The initial steps of creating the itinerary were personalized and efficient. The communication before and during every day of the trip was clear and consistent.

Each guide and driver was prompt and friendly, and provided a level of care and flexibility that made every step of the journey so smooth. Guides were incredibly knowledgeable and well connected in their respective cities to create seamless experiences for us. When we asked for any change or addition during the trip, everyone responded quickly and met our every need.

It was truly a trip of a lifetime, all thanks to the brilliant team at the travel company. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an adventure in Asia and I look forward to engaging them for my next trip.

We (A and B) had an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime, 36-day trip to Japan and were very grateful we found Zicasso’s travel specialist to help us plan our itinerary.

The travel specialist made sure that all our travel arrangements were well thought out and his instructions were (mostly) straightforward. He was a good listener and helped us craft an itinerary that totally suited our needs. We had about four sessions (hours) on Zoom with him before our trip to iron out details. A company that does customized tours was exactly what we were looking for and that is what we got. This way, we had a lot of say in where to go, how long to stay, how we wanted to spend our time, and what attractions we wanted to see. He told us ours was the longest trip to Japan he had helped arrange.

The trip was amazing and we were blessed to be able to see the spectacular fall foliage everywhere we went, Mount Fuji on numerous days, and many beautiful places, as well as eat authentic Japanese food and immerse ourselves in Japanese culture. In addition to all that, we had many days on our own where we were able to meet up with 12 friends of B in three different cities, people B met 45 years ago in Japan.

All the arrangements made for us by the travel company were fantastic, including local transportation, drivers in every city, and train and shinkansen rides. The accommodations were excellent too and we especially appreciated that the location of our hotels was very convenient and in the best areas. The two stays in ryokans in Hakone and Miyajima were unique and special.

Every single local guide we had was fantastic. They were all knowledgeable, friendly, personable, helpful, and kind. The drivers were terrific too and we enjoyed meeting them and talking with them.

We highly recommend this travel company if you are looking for a customized, comprehensive, and fun tour of Japan.

The itinerary was perfect. We appreciated the variety of sites and the wonderful guides arranged by Zicasso's travel company.

Our trip to Vietnam was nothing short of exceptional, and it stands out as one of the most well-organized and enjoyable travel experiences we’ve ever had. From start to finish, every detail was thoughtfully arranged, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty, culture, and history of the country without any stress or logistical concerns.

The journey began in Hanoi, where we were immediately impressed by the seamless airport pick-up and smooth transfer to our hotel. The accommodation was ideally located—comfortable, clean, and perfectly situated for exploring the Old Quarter. Guided tours were expertly paced, balancing iconic highlights with quieter moments that let us absorb the rhythm of daily life. Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about Vietnam’s history and culture.

From Hanoi, we traveled to Ha Long Bay, and this portion of the trip was truly unforgettable. Transportation was punctual and comfortable, and boarding the cruise was effortless. The overnight cruise itself exceeded expectations: elegant cabins, excellent service, and breathtaking views of the limestone karsts rising from emerald waters. Activities such as kayaking and cave visits were well coordinated, never rushed, and thoughtfully timed to avoid crowds. Meals on board were outstanding and added to the overall sense of luxury and relaxation.

Next, we ventured to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land,” and it was a highlight of the itinerary. The scenic drive was smooth and our accommodations offered a peaceful retreat surrounded by dramatic landscapes. Boat rides through the rice paddies and towering cliffs were serene and magical. Again, the logistics were flawless—clear schedules, attentive guides, and effortless transitions between activities.

Our journey continued south to Hue and Hoi An, with flights and transfers handled seamlessly. In Hue, the historical sites were presented in a way that made Vietnam’s imperial past come alive. The hotel was elegant and restful, perfectly complementing the city’s reflective atmosphere. Hoi An, with its lantern-lit streets and charming architecture, was a dream. The accommodation here was particularly memorable—beautifully designed, centrally located, and paired with exceptional service. Tailoring experiences, cycling excursions, and free time were all balanced perfectly.

What truly set this trip apart was the level of organization. Every transfer, hotel check-in, tour, and meal arrangement was smooth and stress-free. We never once had to worry about timing, transportation, or communication. The attention to detail and professionalism of the tour arrangements allowed us to focus entirely on enjoying Vietnam’s incredible scenery, cuisine, and culture.

In summary, this Vietnam trip—from Hanoi and Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh, Hue, and Hoi An—was flawlessly executed. Exceptional planning, seamless transport, high-quality accommodations, and attentive guides made it an outstanding travel experience. We would wholeheartedly recommend this itinerary to anyone seeking a comprehensive, comfortable, and deeply rewarding journey through Vietnam.

We were so pleased with the whole experience. Zicasso’s travel specialist listened to what we were looking for and presented several different options to achieve our goals. The end itinerary was perfect. The trip itself was amazing. The tour guides were fantastic, the hotels very nice, and the experiences were unforgettable.

I will start by saying this is the first time I have ever used a travel company of any sort. I have always booked all of my own hotels, Airbnbs, flights, trains, and tickets for activities, etc. I have booked tours with tour guides, transportation, and excursions, but never left it up to a tour company to handle all of the details, start to finish. Needless to say, I was nervous. I was nervous I would land in Japan to no driver, no hotel, no guide, no tickets to activities on our “must-do” lists that get sold out—just my money gone and us stranded. I am used to the comfort of confirmations and control.

That is so far from the experience we had. Everything was fantastic! Our driver messaged us the night before landing with exact instructions on where to meet him, with pictures of how to navigate the airport. All three of the hotels we stayed in were clean, really nice, and exactly the type of rooms I requested. I have a very tall husband and two teenagers. King-size beds are hard to find in Japan, so I was very firm on wanting a king bed for us, but still the twin bedrooms for our kids.

Our first guide in Tokyo spoke fantastic English. He also did an amazing job of just doing what we wanted to do, even if it wasn’t on the itinerary. We were so appreciative of his flexibility because we did not stick to the itinerary at all, other than the ticketed activities. He took us to some restaurants that were local, not just those in tourist areas. He never rushed us, but still ensured we made it on time to the ticketed activities that had entry times. One night, our daughter realized she had left her purse in the bathroom and the driver drove us back 30 minutes to get it without an ounce of complaint or hesitation, even though it had been a long day and that now added another hour to his day. We even said we would take a taxi so he could go home, but he refused to let us and drove us personally.

Our second guide was in Kyoto. This is where we wanted to do the most sightseeing. He had no shortage of knowledge on the history of Japan. He was a walking Google for all things Japanese history. He did an excellent job switching up the itinerary when we discovered some things were closed for the New Year holiday. He took us to some more local and less-touristy places to eat as well.

I only needed to contact Zicasso’s travel company one time during our week. It was the night before our departure for the airport to confirm the driver, as this was the first time the entire trip I had not been contacted by a driver or guide the day before a departure or meeting. She responded within 30 minutes. The driver then contacted me within another 30 minutes. Otherwise, I was always contacted directly by each guide or driver the day before, with details of their arrivals and any other information.

It really was an excellent experience and I would highly recommend the company to anyone traveling in Japan or other areas in Asia where they provide travel services.