By
Alex Smith |
Explora Journeys has revealed details of the Destination Experiences for Explora I’s North American journeys from September to November 2023.
The brand will offer a mix of urban experiences in cities including New York and Boston in the US and Halifax and Quebec City in Canada, as well as chances to visit the natural landscapes of the East Coast of North America. Experiences are designed for groups of between two to 25 guests, with an emphasis on slower-paced travel.
“Our team have sought out exclusive partnerships across the globe to ensure our guests are offered a wide array of curated experiences to suit their every desire,” said Sacha Rougier, head of itinerary planning and destination experiences at Explora Journeys. “Under the umbrella of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) we partner with Travelife to create sustainability awareness for Tour Operators. Travelife is an internationally leading training, management, and certification program for sustainability in tourism. The ingenuity of Explora Journey’s bespoke destination experiences created is set to surpass expectations, leading our guests on a journey of self, social and active discover fulfilment and enrichment, easing them into an ‘Ocean State of Mind’.”
Guests visiting New York will have the opportunity for a private tour of the Museum of Modern Art on a private tour before opening hours by an art historian. They will also be invited to an exclusive encounter with a Broadway performer in the city’s theatre district performing a selection of musical favourites, as well as a Japanese-style forest bathing session in the city centre.
In Boston, passengers can visit the Boston Red Sox’s iconic Fenway Park, before visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and taking afternoon tea in the 1895 Beaux Arts public library on Boston’s Copley Square. Down in Port Canaveral in Florida, guests can be taken from the port to the Kennedy Space Center for a private meeting with a NASA astronaut, while nearby Cocoa Beach will be the location of a two-hour surfing lesson.
In Portland, Maine, Explora’s passengers will be able to take a trip on a lobster boat before tasting fresh seafood shops, browsing coffee houses, bakeries and restaurants in the old port. A trip to the local winery will offer a chance to taste wines and spirits made from local fruits and grains.
In Canada, guests visiting Baie Comeau will be able to take part in a sea kayak exploration on the St Lawrence River, while Charlottetown will provide a chance to discover the sport of Falconry and a ‘Fair Isle Food Tour’ exploring modern Canadian cuisine. Visitors to Gaspé will be able to take a hike in Forillon National Park and embark on a sea excursion on the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The seaside village of Havre-Saint-Pierre in Quebec will be the start point for a 90-minute walk viewing the sights of the Mignan Archipelago, known for its huge limestone monoliths. Meanwhile, a seaplane tour will offer views of the area around La Baie, including the mountain Cap Éternité, while other experiences include a class with Chef Jonathan Grenon of the award-winning Auberge des Battures.
Finally, Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, will offer the chance to traverse the scenic Lighouse Route along the city’s South Shore, before a lunch at the Shore Club in Hubbards. Golfers will be able to play around the 18 holes of The Links at Brunello, designed by golf course architect Thomas McBroom.