G Adventures And National Geographic Partner To Offer New Line Of Travel Experiences

Pioneering travel companies join forces to offer National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures

National Geographic and award-winning Canadian tour operator G Adventures have joined forces

 to launch National Geographic Journeys  with G Adventures, a new line of experiential

trips to destinations all over the globe. With similar core values, an aligned sense of social

 responsibility, and a shared belief in the positive impact that  travel can have on the world,

 these two renowned brands will together offer  travelers a meaningful and accessible way

 to experience the world.

This travel partnership—which coincides with G Adventures' 25^th anniversary—combines National

 Geographic's more than 125 years of global exploration, science and storytelling with the fun,

 authentic experiences for which G Adventures is internationally recognized. The initial collection

 of 70 trips is designed for travelers who appreciate the freedom to roam, but seek the structure 

and security that comes with travelling in a group. Each group will be led by a knowledgeable local 

guide, and most will be limited to 16 guests. Travelers will have the opportunity to connect with

 local people and cultures while discovering places where National Geographic's scientists and

 storytellers have shaped history. 

"We are thrilled to be working with National Geographic—an organization that shares our values

 and a similar approach to travel—to offer our guests unique experiences that will forever change

 their expectations of travel," said Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures.

These two travel pioneers have worked closely together to create special experiences that bring

 travelers behind the scenes in incredible destinations—be it practicing a centuries-old tradition

 of throwing pots on a visit to a women's cooperative in Belize or joining a researcher on safari in

 South Africa to learn firsthand about a National Geographic-sponsored initiative to protect cheetahs

 and other big cats.

Forging true human connections will be an integral component of National Geographic Journeys

 with G Adventures. Travellers will have the opportunity to spend time in a family home in Jaipur,

 India; share a meal with a local author and her storytelling troupe in Botswana; meet a traditional

 weaver in Ecuador; and sip homemade limoncello with a farmer at his lemon orchard in Italy.

A 14-day trip to Costa Rica, priced from $2,099, includes meeting with a researcher from the

 Sea Turtle Conservancy, co-founded by a National Geographic grantee. Many trips will feature

 visits to projects sponsored by G Adventures' nonprofit organization Planeterra, which develops

 sustainable projects to support local communities. As with all National Geographic travel

 programs, a portion of the proceeds will support the National Geographic Society's nonprofit

 work in conservation, exploration, education, and cultural preservation.

"Our partnership with G Adventures adds an exciting and accessible range of travel opportunities

 to our portfolio of extraordinary ways to explore the planet. We're excited to invite travelers around

 the world to experience the destinations they've dreamed about, get to know people in other

 cultures and make a positive impact while doing it," added Gary E. Knell, president and CEO

 of the National Geographic Society. 

The new line will join National Geographic's suite of travel programs, which includes National

 Geographic Expeditions, National Geographic Adventures, National Geographic Student

 Expeditions, National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, and more.

Next year's lineup of National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures will be published 

on Dec. 15, 2015, with departures beginning Jan. 5, 2016.

About National Geographic Travel National Geographic Travel is the travel arm of the National Geographic Society, one of the world's

 largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, founded in 1888. National Geographic 

Travel creates authentic, meaningful and engaging travel experiences through National Geographic

 Traveler magazine; National Geographic Expeditions; National Geographic Unique Lodges of the

 World; digital travel content; travel books; maps; and travel photography programs. National 

Geographic Traveler (eight issues per year) is the world's most widely read travel magazine

 and has 17 international editions. National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the

 Society, offers a variety of unique travel experiences led by top experts to more than 80 destinations

 across all seven continents. Travel opportunities include family and student expeditions, active

 adventures, private jet trips, and voyages on the six expedition ships in the National Geographic-

Lindblad fleet, as well as photography workshops, expeditions, and seminars. The 

National Geographic Travel digitalgroup shares its inspiring and authoritative digital content 

such as trip ideas, photo galleries, blogs, and apps with its @NatGeoTravel community of 7

 million. National Geographic Travel books bring readers curated travel advice, photography,

 and insider tips. Follow National Geographic Travel @NatGeoTravel on Twitter, Facebook,

 Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+.

About G Adventures Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2015, G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering

 the widest selection of affordable small group tours, safaris and expeditions to more than 100

 countries on all continents. It was the first adventure travel company to offer 100% guaranteed 

departures in 2013. Powered by an international team of passionate travelers, the award-winning

 trips embrace authentic accommodation, exotic cuisine and local transport to put travelers on a 

first-name basis with the planet's people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife. The intimate, authentic

 and sustainable approach to small-group travel introduces travelers to the highlights of a destination

 while offering the freedom to explore it on their own. Whatever age, interest, ability or budget, G 

Adventures has a genuine life-changing experience.

For more information, please visit gadventures.com/journeys or nationalgeographicjourneys.com.

Celebrity Cruises Launches Immersive Adventures In The Galapagos Including Dining At Family Farm And Joining Reforestation Project

 

Celebrity Cruises unveils authentic dining experience 
with locals and reforestation project in national park 

 Explorers can enjoy new vacation experiences when sailing to the Galapagos Islands with Celebrity Cruises. The modern luxury brand, celebrating its 10-year anniversary in the unspoiled region, has launched immersive and inspiring land excursions that range from dining on authentic cuisine prepared by local residents to contributing to the protected islands by giving new life to a native tree species.  

Building on 10 years of involvement in the Galapagos Islands, Celebrity continues its commitment to supporting and empowering the communities of the region with a medical clinic, fishing and agriculture cooperatives, and a partnership with the Galapagos Conservancy, which includes a matching program to double the value of guests’ donations. Now for vacationers, Celebrity has introduced more Galapagos experiences that include:

·        Authentic Dining in the Highlands – Dine on local fare at a family’s farm nestled in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, Galapagos. Arranged exclusively by Celebrity, the immersive cultural experience directly connects vacationers with residents of the local community and the beauty of the island, its farms and even the giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat.

·        Scalesia Reforestation Project – In close collaboration with the Galapagos National Park, in Santa Cruz, guests guided by Celebrity’s naturalists now can join a reforestation project with the goal to plant 5,000 Scalesia trees – an endemic tree that has lost much of its habitat in the Galapagos, adversely impacting wildlife that call the forest home. The Scalesia-saving project is the first-ever of its kind conducted by a cruise line with the Galapagos National Park.

·        Collaborating with Farmers for Onboard Menus – The one-of-a-kind dining menu onboard Celebrity Xpedition reflects Celebrity’s effort to preserve the natural conditions and support local growers and farmers in the Galapagos region. From Ecuadorian ceviche to roasted fish, soups and even desserts such as tres leches – a variety of the locally caught, sustainable fish and seafood, vegetables and fruits served onboard are fresh, organic and sourced from Galapagos fishermen and farmers.

·        Commemorative Book – Each modern explorer onboard Celebrity Xpedition between June 2014 and December 2015 will receive a complimentary coffee table book featuring fun, touching and inspiring stories and photos submitted via Facebook by past guests who have explored the islands with Celebrity Cruises, along with information on the Galapagos Islands environment and community. Vacationers whose stories were featured also will receive a copy of the exclusive book.

The new adventures are included when sailing onboard Celebrity Xpedition, in addition to the immersive Galapagos vacation itinerary that features daily naturalist-led lectures and excursions of the untouched islands, its highlands and beautiful beaches.

Planning a Vacation
Galapagos vacations range from seven to 15 nights aboard the 98-guest Celebrity Xpedition – select packages feature all-inclusive amenities, including adventure gear, chartered luxury air transfers and creature comforts such as gourmet cuisine, in-stateroom dining and cocktails. 

For more information or to book a Galapagos vacation, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or contact a travel agent.