AIDA Cruises now offers its guests new half-day and full-day “National Geographic Day Tours” in select regions for summer 2023 and winter 2023/2024. These new excursions have been specially designed by National Geographic professionals with a focus on education and sustainable tourism.
“For a growing number of guests, unforgettable and responsible vacation experiences are part of a successful cruise. That's why it's important for us to be sustainable in all areas of our product.
“In the area of shore excursions, we are continuously developing our offerings for different groups and ages. All of them have a focus on local integration and environmental protection. And we are pleased to expand our portfolio of sustainable excursions with National Geographic Day Tours,” says Frank Bönsch, Vice President of Guest Commerce at AIDA Cruises.
The new range of excursions is an opportunity for cruise passengers to discover destinations and their cultural treasures in a special and intensive way.
In small groups with local guides trained by National Geographic, passengers will discover new places off the beaten track. These destinations include France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the Canary Islands, and Madeira. Beyond the beauty of the region, getting to know the people and their culture is a priority.
New shore excursions include a geologist-led hike to the sacred mountain of Montserrat in Barcelona, or a fascinating tour of Rome's mysterious underworld with an archaeologist, offering a unique perspective on the ancient city's architectural and archaeological heritage.
In Ibiza, guests can discover the true nature of the island with a herbalist who will explain the wild herbs and a beekeeper who will illustrate the life of bees and their importance to the ecosystem and the stability of our food supply.
In Kusadasi, the terraced houses of Ephesus come to life through special performances such as a pottery demonstration or a tile-painting workshop.
In Athens, guests follow in the footsteps of the birth of democracy and receive a special behind-the-scenes look through educational stories.
In Santorini, an archaeologist offers an in-depth exploration of the archaeological site of Akrotiri, the “Greek Pompeii”.
All National Geographic day trips meet the criteria of the World Sustainable Tourism Council. They focus on sustainable management, socioeconomic impact, cultural impact, and environmental impact.
In addition, when visitors book a National Geographic day tour, they support research and sustainability programs around the world by donating a portion of the profits to the non-profit National Geographic Society.
AIDA Cruises currently offers 5,750 shore excursions worldwide, of which around 780 are fully related to sustainable tourism.
