Sustainability & Conservation

Nat Geo Day Tour: Oceanario Odyssey, A Behind-the-Scenes Experience

Get behind-the-scenes access to Lisbon's Oceanário on this National Geographic tour, led by a marine educator and enjoy traditional snacks paired with local wine.

Nat Geo Day Tour: The Valley of the Oranges

Picturesque hills and aromatic citrus orchards best describe Sóller. From Palma de Mallorca, travel into the Serra de Tramontana mountains, where you'll discover this eye-catching town, nicknamed the 'Valley of Oranges'. Historically, Sóller was isolated from the rest of Mallorca due to its mountains, allowing the development of unique cultural and agricultural practices. Sóller's orange groves trace their roots back several centuries, introduced to the region by Arab settlers during the Spanish occupation. On this exclusive tour, you'll uncover the region's conservation initiatives with your National Geographic-trained guide, visiting the Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences for an exclusive audio-visual experience including photos illustrating the history of the orange groves and their impact on Sóller's local economy. After this, tour Sóller's citrus-infused Botanical Gardens, where you'll study the botanical properties of different citrus varieties, enjoy an exclusive visit to the seed bank and learn more about the museum's work to conserve the Balearic Islands' plant species, unique ecosystems and natural habitats. Finish with a cooking demo featuring a zesty dessert with a citrus tang. Next, discover Sóller's secrets on a guided walking tour, before stopping by Sa Fàbrica de Gelats, an ice cream Parlor featured in National Geographic España as one of the best spots for orange-flavoured gelato. Finish with some free time to explore at your leisure.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Regenerative Agriculture at Fattoria Triboli

Discover how regenerative organic agriculture at Fattoria Triboli is improving the natural resources available, then tour the farm and enjoy an olive oil tasting and light lunch of local Tuscan produce.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Unveiling the Importance of Cancun’s Reef Restoration

Explore the wonders of the Mesoamerican Reef System on this exclusive National Geographic Day Tour. Led by marine specialists, you will have the unique opportunity to snorkel and witness the impact of humanity on the reef and see coral bleaching. This is followed by an insightful talk on actionable steps for reef restoration.Setting sail when the waters are at their calmest, you'll venture to two different reefs, each affected by bleaching due to global warming, water pollution, and microplastics. Visit the reef known as “El Meco”, which boasts the youngest corals, making it a particularly special attraction.The boats used for the tour are certified by Blue Flag for sustainable tourism, ensuring your voyage aligns with eco-conscious practices. Along the way, you'll also get to know the local fauna and savour samples of traditional snacks including Kibi.During this tour, you will be inspired to protect these marine ecosystems, which is the aim of the National Geographic-sponsored Pristine Seas project. This project has carried out expeditions to Banco Chinchorro, a significant part of the Mesoamerican Reef System. This project's work underscores the importance of safeguarding marine environments from human influence while protecting the last wild places in our oceans.By joining this tour, you will engage with the vital importance of preserving and protecting the precious Mesoamerican Reef System. See for yourself the marvels of the ocean and gain a profound understanding of coral reefs and their critical role in the biosphere.

Nat Geo Day Tour: The Fascinating World of Bees

Your introduction to this fascinating world begins at the Bee Museum of Rhodes, featuring engaging interactive exhibits. Learn about the importance of beekeeping as your National Geographic-trained guide explains the history of maintaining colonies of bees and their hives in the South Aegean islands. Watch bustling beehive life through transparent observation hives and discover intriguing facts about pollination and apitherapy—the medicinal use of bee products. You'll also learn various simple ways to protect these creatures so crucial to our planet's ecosystem. National Geographic travelers will then enjoy an exclusive, live demonstration of honey extraction by one of the Bee Museum staff in a private room. Learn about professional techniques like honeycomb scratching and the use of tools such as manual extractors to fill empty jars. Afterwards, you'll be able to sample the freshly extracted honey in a dedicated space exclusively available to National Geographic groups. Try other types of honey, too, including varieties like pine, thyme and erica. Plus, try the famous Melekouni, a traditional sweet snack from Rhodes. After the tasting, don a protective suit and take a look at an active apiary, examining the open hive with an experienced beekeeper. Surrounded by happy buzzing, you'll learn about important tools, such as frames, smokers and scrapers, as well as gain a practical understanding of how bee colonies are organized. Leave with a new understanding of the humble honeybee and what you can do to protect it.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Mallorca's Flor de Sal, Unearthing an Island Treasure

Approximate itinerary and duration of activities:· Walking Tour through the salt fields 30 minutes· Salt harvesting 30 minutes· Birdwatching 15 minutes· Salt Tasting 15 minutesPlease note the order of activities may vary at your guide's discretion Behind the white sand beach of Es Trenc stretches the Protected Area of the Levante Salt Flats. For millennia, precious salt has been harvested here, and today it's a haven for nature enthusiasts and home to over 160 different species of birds. With luck you will be able to spot avocets, stilts, and pink flamingos among many others. Spanning an expansive 150 hectares, the Levante Salt Flats have been designated as a Natural Area of Special Interest. Three conditions are essential for the purest salt to form – hot sun, sea breeze and low humidity. You will witness the ancient process of salt harvesting as you explore the salt pans on a gentle walking tour, your National Geographic-traned guide providing you with local insight and explaining the history of this ancient Balearic occupation. Watch the expert Salineros using age-old techniques to gather the finest, Flor de Sal salt crystals, and then have a go at harvesting some yourself. The tour also spotlights the sustainable nature of the sea salt industry. The production is in total harmony with the ecosystem, in fact many migratory birds rely on the mineral-rich wetlands to restore balance after long flights from overseas. The delicate nature of salt crystals means hand harvesting is the only workable method, so there is no need for mechanised harvesting. Enjoy landscapes and artisan processes that have remained unchanged for centuries as you soak up the peace and nature of this special place, with a tasting to round off the tour.