Oceania Cruises, the leading cruise line for dining at sea and destinations around the world, has announced its new and innovative series of immersive destination tours, called Go Local.
As part of the ongoing improvements to the OceaniaNEXT initiative, these new, exclusive, limited-capacity tours go beyond simply visiting tourist hotspots, allowing guests to delve deeper into local communities. They will experience destinations on a whole new level, staying in local homes and businesses and immersing themselves in the way of life of the people in the area.
“Our new Go Local itineraries don’t focus on the highlights or tourist attractions. Instead, they allow travelers to meet local artisans and shop at local markets, becoming part of the family. They learn about the ways of life of past generations and how people live today,” says Bob Binder, president and CEO of Oceania Cruises.
In this sense, more than 120 tours can be made throughout Europe, Alaska and South America, with countless options ranging from a day on the farm in Kusadasi, Turkey, to the hidden treasures of Milongas in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Gaelic games in Cork, Ireland.
Some of the local attractions are:
Shepherd for a Day in Mahón, Spain: Guests will be welcomed to a family farm in the countryside of Ciutadella or Es Mercadal and introduced to the farm's lifestyle and operations. They can participate in activities such as milking and shearing sheep. Guests will also learn the intricacies of making goat cheese and how the strong coastal winds that soak the grazing fields give the cheeses a touch of sea salt. After their immersion in sheep farming, they can enjoy a meal around the family table and sample local cheeses, freshly baked bread, cured meats, and, of course, wine.
Shop for dinner and set the table in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Accompanied by a local guide, this activity consists of a fun and engaging afternoon of shopping in local markets, followed by a trip to a local home where dinner is prepared and enjoyed. Wandering through a bustling market, visitors will have the opportunity to ask butchers for the best cuts of meat, fishmongers for the catch of the day, or haggle with the fruit vendor for the best price on vegetables. You don't need to be a foodie to appreciate the richness of this experience. After the shopping is done, you'll savor a traditional Argentine dinner "at home."
Fishing with the Locals in Portofino, Italy: On this lively excursion, guests will spend the day at sea with a team of local fishermen, watching them make their daily catch. The captain and crew will show you their daily life on the beautiful Ligurian Sea and explain the different fishing methods they use, such as casting nets or the traditional palamiti (long fishing lines with hundreds of hooks). Of course, no day at sea would be complete without a traditionally prepared meal of freshly caught fish, followed by a refreshing dip in the sea off the coast of Portofino.
Ardmore Village and inspiration from an artist's studio in Waterfold, Ireland: At Brigid Shelly's gallery in Ardmore, the artist known as "The Cow Lady" leads a painting class in her own studio. Shelly loves capturing landscapes and people on canvas, but admits she's fascinated by painting the local cows. The visit begins with a tour of her gallery, stopping at some of her most recent works, and then allows all visitors to unleash their inner Picasso. During the session, she delights travelers with stories about local life and traditions, and Shelly loves answering any questions that may arise. Everyone goes home not only with fond memories but also with their own personal artwork.
With the addition of these new tours, Oceania Cruises offers the broadest and most immersive range of travel options. Oceania Exclusive and Oceania Select offer more conventional excursions, while Culinary Discovery Tours and Food & Wine Trails provide the finest gastronomic experiences. Oceania Cruises also boasts the most comprehensive Wellness offering available on six continents, complemented by the innovative Go Local initiative, now available for purchase and accessible in the "Explore the Coast" section of oceaniacruises.com.
