Gastronomy & Wine

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. Discover the vibrant ingredients of Portuguese cuisine, learn traditional recipes, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage.

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

Explore Istanbul's rich heritage on a guided walking tour, where you'll visit esteemed gourmet institutions to savor their delicacies and uncover the fascinating 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

Exclusively crafted for National Geographic, this tour offers a deep dive into Canarian wine and its historical significance as a cornerstone of European society from the 15th to the 18th century. Begin by exploring Garachico, one of Tenerife's most impeccably preserved historic towns. As you wander its cobbled streets, your National Geographic-trained guide will unveil the tale of its port—a vital hub for exporting wine to Europe and America, tragically altered by a volcanic eruption. Next, venture to Viñátigo Winery, a family-run estate celebrated for rescuing Tenerife's native grape varieties from near extinction. Meet the passionate owner and local winemaker amidst sprawling vineyards, where you'll learn about diverse grape species and their eco-friendly and organic agricultural methods. Experience their meticulous wine-making process before sampling a selection of their finest wines, guided by an on-site expert. Continue your wine odyssey at Bodegas El Sitio in Tacoronte, a pioneering, eco-conscious winery known as the Canaries' first energy-self-sufficient bodega. Discover their sustainable grape-growing practices from a knowledgeable guide, highlighting the natural methods that produce their distinctive and flavorful wines. Wrap up your day with a delightful spread of authentic Canarian tapas amidst the stunning vineyard scenery, immersing yourself in the eye-catching vistas of the surrounding landscape and the Atlantic Ocean serving as your backdrop.

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: Bodegas Campestral, a Sustainable Vineyard Experience

Take a closer look at the art of winemaking at Bodegas Campestral. The vineyard, located in Arcos de la Frontera, is known for its blend of tradition and sustainability. As you explore the estate, you'll learn about the heritage of winemaking at the bodega, Spain's largest ancestral wine cellar. Here, the family's commitment to sustainability is mirrored in every aspect of the winemaking process. On arrival, you'll be greeted with a warm welcome, and your guide will offer an insightful perspective on the vineyard business in the context of Jerez winemaking. Starting with an exploration of the grape selection process, your experience will then take you through harvesting techniques before leading you into the cellar where the wine is stored. See the integration of renewable energy with panels on the roof, powering the facility and making it autonomous in electricity. Next, head out into the vineyard for an activity reserved only for National Geographic travelers - the disgorgement of a wine bottle. This technique represents the artistry and craftsmanship of winemaking. Finally, satisfy your senses with a tasting experience, savor a selection of the bodega's wines, paired with tapas. This tour offers an opportunity to delve into winemaking techniques while discovering the owners' commitment to sustainability. From grape selection to bottling, each step is a testament to their dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within the industry.

Nat Geo Day Tour: A Taste of Tramonti and pizza-making experience.

Discover the treasures of Tramonti on this National Geographic Day Tour. Kickstart your adventure with a scenic ride along the Bay of Naples, under the watchful eye of Mount Vesuvius, leading through Monte Latteri and Valle dei Chiunz, revealing Tramonti's hidden hamlets. Pizza's global popularity owes much to Tramonti's ancestors, who played a pivotal role in spreading pizzerias worldwide. As you coast along lush countryside, your National Geographic-trained guide will share captivating stories of local culture and history. Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, Tramonti treats visitors to lemon-scented orchards, chestnut trees, and terraced vineyards. Your first stop is the garden of Acarbio, a pioneering association advocating for the Amalfi Coast to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Here, you'll enjoy a refreshment and hear about ongoing projects, including the revival of the almost-extinct Rè Fiascone tomato, a key ingredient for pizza. It's truly inspiring to see this dynamic group in action, preserving the rural heritage and biodiversity of the Amalfi Coast, reviving local agriculture, and protecting endangered species. At your last stop, you'll dive into a pizza-making workshop at a local Agriturismo, led by a skilled pizza chef. As you master the art of traditional ‘Neapolitan' pizza, the president of the Tramonti Pizzaioli Association, a prominent group of around 2000 pizza chefs, discusses Tramonti's pizza legacy. Finally, savour your culinary creations during a delightful 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

Approximate itinerary and duration of activitiesIntroduction - 15 minutesWalking tour through the olive trees - 30 minutesPause for questions and raki drink - 15 minutesOlive oil factory tour - 40 minutesOlive oil tasting and questions - 55 minutesCooking demonstration and tastings - 30 minutesPlease note the order of activities may vary at your guide's discretion 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.