Gastronomy & Wine

Nat Geo Day Tour: From Plate to Palate - A Culinary Discovery of Spanish Delights

Enjoy a tapas cooking class in Madrid and learn the art of crafting iconic small plates while savoring the flavors of Spain's culinary heritage.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Crafting Lisbon’s Culinary Heritage

Join a culinary experience that combines a visit to a hidden chef's market, a hands-on cooking class, and cultural insights in Lisbon.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Taste of Tradition, Exploring Emirati Cuisine

Delve into Emirati cuisine on this culinary tour. Shop for ingredients at a local market, engage in a cooking class, and watch a musical performance.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Istanbul's Finest Coffee and Confectionery

Discover Istanbul's heritage on a guided walking tour, visiting renowned gourmet instititutions to sample their delicacies and diving deep into the history of Turkish coffee and culture.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Baguette and Éclair Initiation with a French Master Baker

Discover the history, passion and savoir faire of Didier, French master baker based in Paris. Immerse yourself in his world: The baker grinds his own flour in his windmill. You'll be able to discover the backstage of a real bakery during a 2.5 hour initiation.

Nat Geo Day Tour: History of Wine in the Canary Islands

Designed exclusively for National Geographic, this tour gives an insight into Canarian wine and its history, and why it was an essential beverage for the European society from the 15th to the 18th century.Discover Garachico, one of the best preserved and most historic towns in Tenerife. As you stroll its cobbled streets, your National Geographic-trained guide will reveal the story of its port – a bustling harbinger of wine to the rest of Europe and America, which was later devastated by a volcanic eruption.Next, you'll visit the family-run, Viñátigo Winery, that has helped save many of Tenerife's native grapes from the brink of extinction. Meet the wine expert who'll show you the sprawling vineyards and teach about the different grape varieties. They will also explain how their wine is produced without chemicals. After learning the elaboration process, sample various wines with a specialist on hand to answer any questions you may have.Conclude your day by indulging in authentic Canarian tapas amidst the picturesque vineyard backdrop, while soaking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Teno Alto, Tenerife's Last Shepherd Stronghold

Set off on an immersive tour through Teno Alto, a bastion of rural traditions within Teno Rural Park. Your local guide will unveil the settlement's evolution during a scenic 45-minute hike. Encounter ethnological elements from prehistoric to present times and experience the profound connection of Teno Alto's inhabitants to their land, sustained by agriculture and goat herding – the region's hallmark.At the trail's end, delve into the heart of local culture with an exclusive visit to a cheese farm, where you'll meet one of Teno's last shepherds. Discover the artistry behind award-winning cheeses and the tireless efforts of generations to preserve this ancient craft. Witness a "salto del pastor" exhibition – an esteemed folk sport showcasing remarkable agility and skill.End your adventure at Rebojo, a traditional restaurant in Garachico, where the third-generation owners elevate Canarian cuisine with modern flair. Indulge in a tasting menu meticulously crafted to reflect the flavors and landscapes of Teno Alto, using km0 produce that highlights the region's culinary richness. To complete the experience, complement your meal with carefully selected wines from the region.By joining this tour, you'll not only support sustainable tourism in a protected area but also contribute to the preservation of its cultural heritage. Interact with locals, gain insights into their way of life, and savor the essence of Teno Alto through its flavors and traditions.

Nat Geo Day Tour: The Secrets of Tuscan Olive Oil

Discover Tuscan olive oil's exquisite flavor and history at Villa Campestri, the world's first Olive Oil Resort, and unveil the secrets of preserving virgin olive oil's distinctive flavor. Tour, taste, and picnic amidst scenic beauty.

Nat Geo Day Tour: A Taste of Tramonti, Pizza Making and Wine Tasting

Discover the treasures of Tramonti on this National Geographic Day Tour. The day starts with a scenic ride along the Bay of Naples, under the watchful eye of Mount Vesuvius, leading through Monte Lattari and Valle dei Chiunzi, where the small hamlets of Tramonti await. The world owes its love of pizza to the ancestors of today's residents of Tramonti — it's thanks to them that pizzerias have spread across the globe. Your National Geographic-trained guide will share tales of local culture and history as you weave along the scenic roads towards your first destination. Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, Tramonti beckons with lemon orchards, chestnut trees, and terraced vineyards. Your first stop is the garden of Acarbio, a visionary association committed to reuniting people with tradition and nature that has been promoting the Amalfi Coast's candidature to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Here, you'll enjoy a refreshment while discovering some of the ongoing projects, including the revival of the historical Rè Fiascone tomato, an almost-extinct key ingredient for pizza making. It's hard not to be inspired by this dynamic association, and their dedication to preserving the Amalfi Coast's rural heritage and hidden biodiversity, focusing on reviving local agriculture and endangered species. From there, you'll travel to a family-run vineyard, nestled among Tramonti's terraced slopes. Stroll amidst some of Europe's ancient vines, uncovering the secrets to their remarkable resilience. Then, treat your palate to an exquisite wine tasting, savoring the rich flavors of Amalfi Coast wines. The last stop of the tour is a local Agritourism venue, in their rural restaurant, for a hands-on pizza-making workshop led by a skilled pizza chef, who'll guide you through the art of crafting traditional pizzas. The president of the Tramonti Pizzaioli Association — an important national association of around 2000 pizza chefs — will shed light on Tramonti's pivotal role in global pizza history. Finally, relish your culinary creations during a delectable lunch.

Nat Geo Day Tour: La Geria, Vineyards that Sprouted from Fire

When Timanfaya's six long years of eruptions ceased in 1736, the farmers of La Geria believed their fertile lands were lost forever under a thick layer of ash. But the local families needed to make the land productive again, and through sheer hard work and determination, they succeeded in creating the vineyards of La Geria. You'll start off with a scenic walk, following trails through private vineyards belonging to the family-owned bodega of Nacho Romero, opened exclusively for National Geographic travellers. As you soak up the unique character of these landscapes where vineyards are surrounded by volcanoes, the owner will explain how the layer of volcanic ash, known locally as ‘picón,' has shaped their cultivation methods, which are unique in the world. If you are lucky enough to find them ripe, you might even get to pick grapes straight from the vine as you hear Nacho or his wife Luisa, both winemakers, talk about the characteristics of volcanic wine. Back at the bodega after the walk, you'll be able to sample one of the artisanal wines that Nacho and Luisa make in their home winery. Next, you'll head to Bodega La Geria – another important component of the ecological wine making movement. The winemaker himself will show you around the bodega. Find out the secrets of the hollows, called ‘zocos' which shelter the vines from the wind, and discover the different varieties of grapes that thrive in Lanzarote's volcanic terroir. To finish, savour a tasting of one of the estate's renowned wines with local cheese and crackers.

Nat Geo Day Tour: The History of Pasta

Discover the essence of Gragnano on this National Geographic-exclusive pasta tour, starting with a scenic bus ride along the Bay of Naples under the watchful eye of Mount Vesuvius. Your National Geographic-trained guide will give you an insight into Campanian culture as you soak up the views.Your first stop is the Valley of the Mills, a ravine on the slopes between Sorrento, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Here, a local volunteer historian and retired miller, dedicated to the restoration of the site, will reveal the fascinating engineering behind the series of mills, of which two will be exclusively opened for travelers on this tour.Enjoy a leisurely walk through the landscape before heading to a renowned pasta factory with deep-rooted traditions. Be amazed by the creativity of chief pasta maker, Antonino Moccia, and the factory's 140 different shapes of pasta. Accompanied by the factory's owner, you'll embark on a tour of the museum, hearing stories that have shaped this industry over the centuries. You'll learn about one of the oldest pasta-making families of the area, an ancestry that is partly responsible for pasta's transatlantic journey to the United States in the late 1800's.Next, it's time to roll up your sleeves at an interactive pasta-making session, with Nonna Giuseppina on hand to guide you as you knead. Finally, indulge in a pasta lunch featuring ingredients sourced from the factory's garden, a true farm-to-table experience and a rewarding way to end the tour.

Nat Geo Day Tour: The Millenary History of Olive Oil

With millennia of experience behind them, it's no wonder the people of Crete produce some of the finest olive oil in the world. You will appreciate the timeless bond between Cretans and their revered olive trees as you trace the long heritage of olive cultivation on the island. Just outside Kritsa village in the hills of eastern Crete, you'll follow Nikos Plevritakis on a brief walk to his olive groves where some trees are 600-800 years old, and learn about olive cultivation from a true specialist. In the shade of the olive trees, you can try local raki known as ‘tsikoudia' with olives to nibble on while discussing the cultural and societal significance of olive cultivation in Crete. Then it's time to visit a local cooperative factory, to see up close how olives are processed into world-class olive oil. Back on the Olive Path, seize the chance to taste fresh figs, almonds, and grapes, see what the locals are growing, and find out all about the Cretan lifestyle and diet. Then, at an olive farm, you can sample olives, fresh tomatoes, and raki before your olive oil tasting session begins – a great opportunity to learn how to taste oils like a professional and compare the flavor profiles of different varieties. Finish off the day with a cooking lesson on various ways to use olive oil in Cretan cuisine. Authentic dishes, such as tzatziki and Greek salad will feature, and you'll find out why the traditional Cretan diet is so beneficial to health and longevity.