Uncover the history of indigenous Canarians, Julius Caesar’s Rome, or New York’s iconic Central Park and much more, with National Geographic Day Tours.
If the best part of any trip for you is delving into the history of your destination, then this article is for you. Discover eight National Geographic Day Tours that will open your eyes to exciting bygone eras.
Led by specialist guides trained by National Geographic, these tours embody the renowned National Geographic spirit of exploration, conservation and education, helping you uncover the history of a place through captivating stories and local connections. You’ll also enjoy exclusive access to experiences and areas closed to the public, while National Geographic’s commitment to sustainability means you’ll be giving back with each tour. A portion of all proceeds go to the National Geographic Society to fund research and sustainable programs around the world.
Keep reading to discover 8 National Geographic Day Tours that no history lover should miss.
1. Gran Canaria (Spain): Guanches Mysteries Unearthed with an Archaeologist
Explore Gran Canaria’s past on this exclusive guided tour led by an archaeologist. The Guanches are the aboriginal people of the Canary Islands, who disappeared in the Middle Ages with the arrival of the Spaniards. Numerous remnants of this ancient civilization remain, especially in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Learn about their customs, habits and culture by visiting the Museum of La Fortaleza, including a private room of the archive, as well as an archaeological site, the most important on the island. You’ll also learn about their unique mummification technique.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: Guanches Mysteries Unearthed with an Archaeologist
2. Cancun (Mexico): Exploring the Underworld and Mayan Culture
The Yucatán Peninsula is ever popular, not only for its heavenly beaches and natural landscapes but also for its ancient history and culture. This National Geographic Day Tour takes you deep into Mayan Civilization and the mysteries of their beliefs and traditions. It begins with a dip in the cenote Abuelo or Zoi Che, where your guide explains the spiritual and practical importance of cenotes for Mayan culture. The tour then continues along the Xibalbá Mayan trail, with exclusive access to the park’s recently discovered fifth cenote, before finishing up with a local meal that gives you a taste of the region’s rich culinary tradition.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: Exploring the Underworld and Mayan Culture
3. Rome (Italy): Discovering the Rome of Julius Caesar
No matter how much you know about the history of Rome, exploring it with a National Geographic Day Tour will shed new light on this ancient city. One of the best ways to delve into the city’s past is through the historical figure of Julius Caesar. Consul and dictator of the Roman Republic, he was considered one of the most important figures in the history of the Western world. Discover details about his life and the history of the empire by visiting symbolic locations from his birth to his assassination, such as the Roman Forum, the Temple of Pompey, the Theater of Marcellus and the Portico of Octavia. Finish the tour in a restaurant overlooking the very place where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: Discovering the Rome of Julius Caesar
4. Naples (Italy): Gragnano, the Epicenter of Dried Pasta Production
This experience combines a love for Italian cuisine with a passion for history. Accompanied by a local historian and retired miller, you’ll discover the history of this beloved Italian food: pasta. Explore the famous Valley of the Mills, nestled in a natural environment of great beauty, to discover the ingenuity and creativity of Amalfi millers in the 13th century. The tour continues in the town of Gragnano, in the metropolitan city of Naples, with a visit to a historic factory that produces up to 140 different types of pasta. Hear stories from those who’ve worked in the factory over the years, visit the museum and see the pasta-making process firsthand.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: Gragnano, the Epicenter of Dried Pasta Production
5. Capua (Italy): Spartacus’ World at Ancient Capua
Discover how gladiators lived in the Campano Amphitheater of Capua, the second-largest amphitheater after the Colosseum in Rome. Led by a guide specializing in Roman archaeology, you’ll get to explore the underground area of the amphitheater with exclusive access to the gladiator room. Learn about the dramatic story of Spartacus, the legendary gladiator who led the revolt against Roman slavery, and fully immerse yourself in the dramatic atmosphere of the amphitheater as it was 2000 years ago, thanks to an augmented reality experience created exclusively for National Geographic.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: Spartacus’ World at Ancient Capua
6. Madrid (Spain): A Regal Experience, Madrid’s History and Cuisine
Discover the captivating history and culture of the Spanish capital with a local historian. This guided tour includes a visit to the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family used exclusively for receptions and official events. You’ll also get to explore the Madrid of the Austrias, a neighborhood rich in history, while discovering anecdotes and interesting facts about the Spanish Golden Age or the turbulent period of the Spanish Inquisition. Complete the experience with a delicious meal at Casa Botín, the oldest restaurant in the world.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: A Regal Experience, Madrid’s History and Cuisine
7. New York (United States): The Untold Story of Central Park
Central Park is the green lung of the Big Apple, and one of the most visited places by both New Yorkers and tourists. But what many don’t know is that before the construction of the iconic park, the western strip was home to Seneca Village, a settlement that, in 1855, had 225 residents, mostly African Americans. In addition to becoming property owners, this community allowed them to escape the unsanitary conditions and racial discrimination they suffered in lower Manhattan. Thanks to a detailed explanation from a National Geographic-trained guide specializing in African American history, you can learn all about life in this community and discover what happened to it after the creation of Central Park.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: The Untold Story of Central Park
8. Boston (United States): Boston, Hub of Innovation
Discover the history of technological and scientific advances in the city and delve into many of the discoveries that have changed the modern world on this city walking tour. Visit the Verizon Communications Museum, normally closed to the public, where you can see a recreation of Alexander Graham Bell’s laboratory, as well as the Massachusetts General Hospital, where you can enter a 19th-century operating room and learn about the first use of anesthesia in history. Another highlight is the MIT campus, where you’ll discover curious facts about revolutionary inventions such as Technicolor or the Polaroid.
Book your experience online: Nat Geo Day Tour: Boston, Hub of Innovation
