Discover Guanacaste, Costa Rica. These stunning photographs of the wildlife, people, beaches, and forests of Guanacaste give you a taste of our new itinerary.
Spending a day under the coconut palms of Guna Yala, off the northeastern Caribbean coast of Panama, is a rare chance to experience a traditional way of life that can also seem decades ahead of its time.
Help release rehabilitated sea turtles and learn more about turtle conservation at the Latin American Sea Turtles Association on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula.
From mist-shrouded rainforests to colorful coral reefs, this incredibly biodiverse country entices nature lovers with an incredible variety of experiences. Let our guide help you decide what to see—and how.
We'll take "things that make you go aww!" for $1000. From sloths to sea lions, these cute baby animal photos will have you packing your bags for Costa Rica, Baja, Antarctica and beyond.
The wildest of Costa Rica’s wild places are also the least accessible—unless you approach by expedition ship. Here are more reasons to explore this region from the sea.
Keep your camera close at hand. In Guanacaste, breathtaking natural beauty waits around every corner—from mist-shrouded volcanoes to remote jungle waterfalls.
One recent guest aboard the National Geographic Quest shares his 10 moments of discoveries from his voyage, including a surprise visit from a family of humpback whales.
The two key subjects of the island of Elba are iron ore and Napoleon Bonaparte. Elba has 70% of the region’s known minerals in its belly and for centuries its iron mines have contributed to writing the history of the Mediterranean. From the Etruscans to the Romans to present day Italians. But nothing has made this island more famous than the forced exile of Napoleon Bonaparte. Everything here is reminiscent of Napoleon's stay. From the palace to his favorite water source. From the chair where he sat upon his arrival, to the flag personally created by the French Emperor to give official status to the territory of the island of which he became temporary governor. Even the legendary gossip regarding Napoleon's undisputed charm over the women of Elba, and his rumored 17 illegitimate children. Portoferraio, which is the capital of the island, is calm and sleepy when we arrived. We enjoyed every corner of it as we followed the guide while touring. And after three hours of immersion in the past (with the inevitable shopping in the present) we toasted three times to Bonaparte in the best way, by sipping local wines, a white, a rosé, and a red, before setting off to sea again toward other shores.
With a lovely hike at Seymour, our day started. We took an amazing tender ride around the shorelines of the island. In the afternoon, we enjoyed an amazing snorkel at Rabida Island, which has red sand beaches and sediments along the topography of the island.
Overnight, we traveled north on the Lynn Canal and arrived in Haines, Alaska’s adventure capital. For guests on National Geographic Sea Bird , it was a choose your own adventure day. In the morning, guests could hike to Mt Riley, raft down the Chilkat River, or go flyfishing. In the afternoon, options included flyfishing, a guided bike tour, or a hike to Battery Point. In this small town of a little over 2,000 people, guests explored some amazing wildlife and landscapes. After the day’s outdoor activities, we gathered on National Geographic Sea Bird to exchange stories and learn even more from our naturalists.
We spent the day in San Sebastian, considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Spain. Situated in the mountainous north, this is Basque Country, a region with its own unique language (Euskara), food, and culture. We took a walking tour of this resort city next to France to observe the beautiful architecture, bridges, and churches. Then, we all walked through the old section of the city to visit the Txoko Gastronomic Society, where we sampled several different Basque dishes. Some guests walked up the hill for panoramic views. In the afternoon, National Geographic Explorer cruised out of the very narrow Pasaia Harbor under blues skies. What an amazing sight, as we went by old buildings, fishing boats, waving people, tilted rock layers, and several lighthouses…all very close to us due to the narrow harbor mouth. During the afternoon, we had delicious Swedish pancakes in the bistro for teatime. Later, the captain gave his farewell toast, thanking the entire staff during cocktail hour. Finally, we had a fantastic dinner on our final evening to celebrate an amazing eleven-day voyage around the Iberian Peninsula.
Today we sailed to Tuscany to experience some of the quintessential elements of the medieval period – a marble sculpture workshop, a quiet provincial town, and the magnificent Cathedral and Campanile of Pisa. On a beautiful sunny day we arrived ashore in Viareggio, a seaside town with countless beach clubs, sun chairs and beach umbrellas. The promenade was lined with palm trees and extended for miles along the waterfront. On the way to Pietrasanta we saw the jagged peaks of the Apuan Alps and stark white areas where marble is quarried. At the workshop we see both traditional and modern sculptures, as well as the methods of reproducing them. A casual stroll through the beautiful town of Pietrasanta was capped off by a hearty lunch of antipasto and pasta, washed down with some red wine. At Pisa, with its renowned leaning tower, we got a sense of how wealthy this republic was during its heyday – the “Field of Miracles” is built almost completely in beautifully carved marble. The incredible frescoes adorning walls of the Camposanto cemetery featured some of the most impressive artworks of the era. Our first day in Tuscany was definitely one to remember.