Authentic adventures

Beyond the beaches: Exploring the Mediterranean like a local with NCL

Get into the heart of the Mediterranean with Norwegian Cruise Line, where immersive ‘Go Local’ excursions take you off the tourist trail and into authentic European life.

The Mediterranean has long been one of the world’s most alluring travel destinations, and its long stretches of rugged coastline make it particularly great for cruising. The Med’s draw lies not only in parasol-lined golden beaches, turquoise waters and ruins that date back millennia, but also in the rich cultures and traditions that span and shape the region.

While Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has always offered itineraries that showcase the Mediterranean’s greatest hits – Rome’s Colosseum, Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, Athens’ Acropolis – the brand’s ‘Go Local’ excursion programme, introduced in 2023, takes travellers beyond the usual guidebooks and tourist trails and into the quaint heart of each destination. Each port usually offers at least one ‘Go Local’ excursion to choose from.

Instead of just ticking off sights, Go Local excursions allow you to step into the authentic rhythms of everyday life in each destination, meeting farmers, craftsmen and chefs, sharing meals in family kitchens or wandering markets guided by locals who know them best.

Fancy learning the art to a perfect Tuscan ragu? Strolling through olive groves in Crete? Watching traditional Greek music in Santorini? That’s all possible! Go Local excursions give your Mediterranean cruise depth and texture, leaving you with a deeper appreciation of each place and memories that go beyond a snapshot at a landmark.

Go Local excursions are just one part of what makes NCL stand out in the Mediterranean. Visiting more than 150 breathtaking ports across Europe, guests sailing with NCL have the chance to visit a new port almost every day, while minimising lengthy sea days!

You’ll also have access to:

More time in port: An average of 10 hours is available ashore in each port, plus overnight stays on select itineraries for added destination immersion.
10 different ships to choose from – ranging from small ships for a more intimate cruise experience to mega ships with all the bells and whistles like Norwegian Viva or the newly refurbished Norwegian Epic.
A world of award-winning entertainment and activities such as racetracks at sea, world-class spas, Aquaparks, Broadway & live comedy shows, plus lots more.
Up to 20 exciting dining options to choose from, including Mediterranean seafood, Japanese, Mexican, French – you name it, all with first-rate service from the friendly crew.

There’s also an NCL Mediterranean cruise to fit every budget, whether you want to save your pennies while still having a fabulous time with an indoor stateroom or are looking to splash out and upgrade to a suite in ‘The Haven’ – NCL’s exclusive enclave with premium service, private lounges, pools and dedicated butlers.

Shore excursions are often the highlight of a cruise, but they can also risk feeling a tad superficial when you’re packed like sardines into coaches, visiting locations swarming with other tourists. NCL’s Go Local programme flips that on its head. So what makes it different?

NCL ensures that spaces are limited and groups remain small, making for more intimate, individual experiences. Direct engagement with real-life members of the community allows for deeper connection and understanding of each destination, rather than just a representative regurgitating the same old information. Authenticity is prioritised over spectacle – these are not staged encounters but genuine exchanges. Variety ensures there’s something for every interest, from food tours and hands-on workshops to village explorations and diving into niche cultural traditions.

The result? Shore days that feel like you’re uncovering stories and delving into authentic cultures, rather than a whistle-stop tour that only skims the surface.

Of course, that’s not to say you can’t see the main attractions too. Most NCL Mediterranean itineraries are seven nights or more, giving you plenty of time to see the big hitters while also doing some off-the-beaten-track exploring.

Visit one of Europe’s oldest food markets in Tuscany

Food is the lifeblood of Italian culture, and there’s no better way to experience it than exploring the epicentre of its produce – the marketplace. Join locals as you wander through Livorno’s humming 19th-century market, tasting seasonal samples like artisan cheeses, fresh fruits and cured meats, handed out by generous vendors to passersby. After you’ve had your fill of the sights and smells of the market, head over to the city’s New Venice district for a restorative cup of ‘Ponce Livornese’ – a rum-and-coffee concoction that locals often order as digestifs following their evening meal. Salute!

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A day in the life of a family from Corfu

Corfu glistens with beaches and blue waters, but beyond the scenery lies a slower rhythm of life. Discover this popular Greek island’s countryside with a family who call the island home. Before reaching the farm, stop off at the traditional village of Agios Matheos and get a feel for the pace of Corfiot Village life – sipping coffee in picturesque squares, while locals go about their day. Once you arrive at the family farm, the eldest son will host a tour through the working farm, with the chance to muck in with a few (fun) farm chores such as feeding the horses and donkey.

Pick ripe tomatoes and cucumbers, sample fresh herbs from the garden and see the farm’s beehives – all to be used in a cooking demonstration from the daughter of the family, before a typical Greek lunch spread all together.

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Olive picking in Greece on a NCL Mediterranean Cruise

Traditional Greek Music, NCL Mediterranean Cruise

Discover Santorini’s musical heritage

Santorini is famed for its caldera (volcanic) views and blue-domed churches, but this Go Local excursion reveals another side to the island: its affinity with music. In the idyllic village of Pyrgos, you’ll stroll cobbled streets beneath the 14th-century Venetian castle (Santorini was ruled by the Venetians from 1204-1579), before pausing for coffee and a Greek sweet treat. Then it’s into the Museum of Musical Instruments, which showcases traditional sounds of Greece, from the bouzouki to the laouto, and where you can unleash your musical prowess and try your hand at playing!

Greek music goes hand-in-hand with Greek wine, and this excursion finishes with a tasting at the family-owned Gavalas Winery, where locally produced wines are paired with delicacies from the island, such as goat’s cheese and tomato fritters.

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Valencia by bike: Taking the path less travelled

Swap the well-trodden city-centre sights for neighbourhoods where Valencianos actually live. This NCL Go Local cycle ride threads through El Cabanyal, the historic fishermen’s district with flat, easy streets, then out towards the rural Alboraya area, passing farmhouses and fields of chufa, or ‘tiger nuts’ – a vitamin-rich superfood that also makes for a tasty drink known as horchata. You’ll stop off for an authentic horchata tasting at a local spot before rolling on to the golden sandy plains of Malvarrosa beach to round off the ride with a cooling dip.

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Go Local cycling excursion through Valencia on NCL Mediterranean Cruise

Go Local cooking class in Tuscany, Italy

Farm to table: Learn to cook with a Tuscan chef

For an authentic taste of Tuscany, spend the day at an organic farm amid the region’s iconic rolling hills that produces a wide range of sustainable foods. You’ll witness traditional methods of cultivation, sample honey straight from the hives, and gather vegetables and herbs from the farm’s fields and gardens for lunch. Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves, as, under the watchful eye of a local chef, you’ll prepare a four-course Tuscan meal that you’ll pair with organic wines from the estate.

Along the way, you’ll have time to chat to the wine makers and farmers about their environmentally friendly practices.

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As we’ve established, we’re all about the shore excursions, and if you’re reading this, you probably are too! So, why not consider NCL’s ‘More At Sea’ upgrade package? It gives guests a juicy selection of added perks including excursion credits, starting, very reasonably, at £249pp for seven or eight-day cruises

You can expect bonuses like shore excursion credits of up to $50/£37.50 per port to use towards your NCL shore excursion of choice, premium drinks, speciality dining, plus high-speed wi-fi. All that for an extra £35 per day? You do the maths…

Author

Finn Thompson

Finn has always loved travel and feels fortunate to have visited some truly extraordinary places. As a passionate animal lover, safaris stand out among her favourite travel memories – there’s nothing quite like being up close to a magnificent creature such as a leopard or elephant. She believes cruising opens up endless opportunities for exploration, allowing travellers to visit multiple destinations in one trip and reach places that aren’t accessible by plane or train. A Mediterranean cruise around the smaller Greek islands, with time to immerse herself in the local cuisine and culture, is high on her wish list.

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