Regent Unveils New ‘Go Local’ Tours
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has introduced two shore excursion innovations designed to offer luxury travellers the most bespoke experiences in destinations around the world – Go Local Tours and Regent Choice small group tours.
“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 president 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. These local experiences will be exceptional.”
Regent guests can enjoy a more direct way to experience the culture of a destination through Go Local Tours. Now, guests can spend a day at a family owned goat farm in the countryside of Andalusia to learn the generations-old way of making cheese, or discover the joy of fishing with the residents of Portofino, or observe skilled artists in their studios in Palma de Mallorca. Guests will experience the world through the eyes of those who live in the community and discover the best of a favourite destination.
The cruise line worked for seven months to curate 122 small local experiences for guests, nearly 50 of which are included in its free Unlimited Shore Excursions. Go Local Tours are available on 2019 Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages, along with 2019 voyages calling on Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay.
In Greece, for example: Visit the Monastery of Agia Irini south of Heraklion and close to the traditional village of Kroussonas. The Monastery serves as a nunnery and is amongst the oldest in Crete. At the completion of the guided visit the nuns will offer guests traditional hand-made sweets.
In the village of Kroussonas guests will visit the traditional Cretan boot maker, Stivania, and tour the oldest bakery in the village. A host will introduce guests to traditional Cretan music accompanied by a lesson in folk dances such as the Ballos. The demonstration will also show 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 will be served at the end of the tour.
As well, about 250 excursions on 2019 Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages will be offered as Regent Choice small group tours.
“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. Small group tours allow for deeper, more meaningful conversations, interactions and explorations during many of our most popular tours,” Montague said.
