Holland America Line has begun operating “National Geographic Day Tours” to allow guests to connect more deeply and sustainably with destinations in the Mediterranean. These shore excursions were developed in collaboration with National Geographic.
Starting this summer, guests sailing on the Oosterdam and Nieuw Statendam can participate in National Geographic day trips that will allow them to discover powerful female figures in Kusadasi, Turkey; experience a day in the life of a marine biologist in Naples, Italy; visit organic bee farms in Rhodes, Greece; and meet local families in Santorini, Greece. Each trip is led by a National Geographic-trained guide.
“We are constantly seeking enriching and transformative experiences for our guests, and the new National Geographic day trips are not only immersive but also provide exclusive access and hands-on experiences,” said Carole Biencourt, Holland America Line’s supervising vice president of shore excursions. “We are thrilled to offer them to guests on our Mediterranean itineraries that visit these ports and will look to expand the program in the near future.”
Guests on select Mediterranean cruises can now book National Geographic excursions.
Among the excursions are:
– A day in the life of a marine biologist in Naples, Italy.
– A visit to Europe's oldest aquarium, along with the Darwin Dohrn Museum (DoDaM), the world's first marine biodiversity research laboratory.
– “Meet the locals of Santorini” in Santorini, Greece.
– “Spend a day at the homes of two Santorini families and hear their stories about life on the island while tasting local wine, cheese, and vegetables,” among other things.
– Influential women in Turkey: “From the past to the present” in Kusadasi, Turkey.
– “The fascinating world of bees” in Rhodes, Greece.
National Geographic's new day trips are available on seven- to 14-day itineraries departing from Trieste (Venice), Italy; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; and Barcelona, Spain, with stops in Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Santorini, and Naples.
Holland America Line's nearly 6,500 exclusive shore excursions are designed to help guests make the most of every port and connect with the places they visit, as well as experience an adventure.
For food and wine lovers, Holland America Line offers shore excursions in partnership with FOOD & WINE magazine. These excursions around the world showcase the culinary side of destinations in a unique way, combining food and culture with one-of-a-kind experiences.
