Costa Cruises presents another exciting new offering for summer 2023: the “National Geographic Day Tours.” Through a new portfolio of excursions designed by National Geographic, the Italian company will offer ten new shore experiences on its cruises in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and Madeira.
The new excursion offering, available from June 2023, will take guests to discover unexplored and captivating destinations in Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia, the Canary Islands and Madeira, through unique experiences, accompanied by expert local guides trained by National Geographic.
These tours aim to promote a responsible and sustainable travel style, as a portion of the profits from each experience will be donated to the National Geographic Society to fund research and sustainability programs worldwide. Furthermore, they are specifically designed for small groups of explorers to foster a personal connection with the guide in a way that respects nature.
Among the experiences in the Western Mediterranean, Costa suggests Monte Raschio, in Rome, to enjoy an incredible hiking experience in a protected beech forest, recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, while a local guide shares his knowledge about the work of National Geographic explorer Alfredo di Filippo for the study and preservation of this unique place.
In Naples, guests will learn about the daily lives of sea turtles and the work of National Geographic explorer Sandra Hochscheid, who works to preserve sea turtles at Turtle Point in Portici, the largest sea turtle research center in the Mediterranean and part of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station.
In Ibiza, a herbalist guide will showcase the island's authentic landscape, introducing guests to the scents and flavors of wild herbs and demonstrating their uses. Afterward, guests can discover beekeeping and the importance of bees to the ecosystem at an organic apiary open exclusively to National Geographic travelers.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, guests will enjoy an authentic local experience in Mykonos, with a local family opening their home to them exclusively, offering traditional food, music, stories about island life, and cultural anecdotes.
In Dubrovnik, guests can discover the many benefits and flavors of oyster farming by sailing through the pristine waters of Mali Ston Bay, a special nature reserve, and visiting a local oyster farm.
A marine biology experience will also be offered in Rhodes, where guests can learn about Blutopia, a small family business that aims to keep young scientists on the island and protect the natural marine environment, while discovering aquaculture and marine ecotourism.
In the Canary Islands, on Lanzarote, guests can sample a volcanic wine cultivated in a local winery in La Geria that is usually closed to the public, surrounded by a lunar landscape. A winemaker and biologist will explain how, after a series of volcanic eruptions that forever changed the appearance and terrain of the region, local farmers discovered a new and unique method of cultivation.
In Gran Canaria, guests can explore the lush forests and rocky cliffs of the island's mountains, discovering ancient settlements and sacred sites. Accompanied by a National Geographic-trained guide, guests will hike along hidden trails and discover panoramic viewpoints while savoring local cuisine.
In Tenerife, guests can discover the last stronghold of local shepherds in Teno Alto: a bastion of the island's rural traditions. In this protected area, the locals are committed to preserving not only the surrounding wilderness but also their cultural heritage. Guests can interact with the locals, visit a traditional dairy farm, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Finally, in Funchal, Madeira, Costa Cruises offers a hands-on discovery of sustainable agriculture at the Quinta Pedagogica da Camacha farm, where guests can learn about the environmental impact of certain agricultural practices while participating in activities and workshops led by the farm owner, before enjoying homemade cakes and freshly brewed tea.
