Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled two new types of tours as the luxury cruise line looks to appeal to travellers in the market for more local experiences and small group trips.The company officially announced “Go Local Tours” and “Regent Choice small group tours”, adding that these excursions were designed to offer luxury travellers the most bespoke experiences in destinations around the world. Guests can expect to see places through the eyes of those who live there while also coming across some of the best an area has to offer. For example, in Spain they could spend a day at a family-owned goat farm in the Andalusian countryside to learn the generations-old way of making cheese or observe skilled artists in their studios in Palma de Mallorca.

“Our guests’ desire to learn about the people, cultures and natural wonders of our world is the inspiration behind Go Local Tours,” said Regent Seven Seas Cruises President and CEO Jason Montague. “Their fascination for immersive exploration, and the fact that many guests return to some of the same ports they’ve visited before and are looking for distinct authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences, led to our groundbreaking approach to elevate luxury travel shore excursions.”

The cruise line, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., says it worked for seven months to curate 122 small local experiences for guests, nearly 50 of which are included as part of its free unlimited shore excursions. Go Local Tours are available on 2019 Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages along with cruises calling next year on Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. Here’s a closer look at a few of the experiences:

Spain: This excursion takes travellers to the mountain village of Alfarnate in Andalusia. That’s where a local guide will escort them through the village shops and introduce them to local artisans. The next stop is the nearby town of Alfarnatejo and an ancient, restored house. Here guests sip on a glass of local wine before a host takes them to their own home for a traditional Spanish lunch and an introduction to the country’s gastronomical culture.

Finland: Regent says guests will experience the unique and beautiful sights of central Helsinki during this tour. The day starts with a visit to the city’s popular food market, Kauppahalli, to taste a variety of local fish, meat, and cheeses. Next, guests hop on a local tram headed toward Kamppi Center to visit two famous Finnish supermarkets before touring the underground Central Bus Station, which connects Helsinki with the surrounding towns. Travellers also munch on a typical Finnish snack and take a stroll through Kaivopuisto Park, one of the city’s oldest and best-known.

Greece: This tour highlights the Monastery of Agia Irini, which serves as a nunnery and is among the oldest on the island of Crete. After a guided visit, the nuns offer guests traditional hand-made sweets. Travellers also head to the village of Krousonas, stop at the traditional Cretan boot maker, Stivania, and tour the oldest bakery in town. A host will introduce travellers to traditional Cretan music accompanied by a lesson in folk dances such as the Ballos. The demonstration also shows how families prepare cheese and make Cretan cheese pies. Afterward, guests are treated to olive oil and wine tastings, and a demonstration in Cretan weaving. A traditional Cretan lunch is served at the end of the tour.

Regent Choice small group tours are smaller versions of the cruise line’s existing free unlimited shore excursions and Regent Choice tours. They have no more than 16 guests, and guests can expect more personal destination engagement with a knowledgeable guide. The excursions are designed to provide additional ways to engage luxury travellers’ interests and passions, including food, wine, art and architecture. Around 250 experiences will be offered as Regent Choice small group tours on 2019 Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages.

“Imagine the intimacy of you and only 15 others in your small group walking through the beautiful sites in Dubrovnik, observing the historic town’s unique marble-paved squares, tall houses, steep-cobbled streets and fountains as you engage in conversations with a local guide,” Montague added. “Small group tours allow for deeper, more meaningful conversations, interactions and explorations during many of our most popular tours.”

Regent operates a modern, five-ship fleet that visits more than 450 destinations around the world.

For more on Regent along with the new Go Local Tours and Regent Choice small group tours, call Deluxe Cruises today on 01202 767926

Courtesy of InsiderTravelReport.com

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