Back in October I interviewed adventurer and explorer Ben Fogle on his return from his first cruise to find out what he thought about his Celebrity Cruise experience. I was surprised to learn that for him it’s always been about the journey and how you get there as well as the destination itself. Last week I was thrilled to meet Ben in person to find out about the exciting and unique new shore excursions that he’s designed for Celebrity Cruises as their ‘Destinations Expert’.
Ben Fogle Interview
I went up to London to meet Ben with the other Destination Bloggers as part of the #GreatAdventures launch for Celebrity Cruises to find out about the exciting new shore excursions.
Ben wanted to come up with an eclectic mix of tours that enhance the destination experience and enable visitors to immerse themselves in a place rather than just looking in on it from the outside. ‘To embrace the spirit of exploration.’ He explained that ‘adventure’ is different for everybody and can be as simple as just taking yourself out of your ordinary life and doing something completely different. The new tours are for people who want to take a bit of their holiday back home; that they can keep and build on, that want to embrace the spirit of exploration. Let me introduce Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures.
I love the idea of the Sicilian Gastronomic Tour. Imagine a visit to Catania’s marketplace, choosing your produce and learning how to cook it with celebrated Sicilian gastronomy expert Eleonora Consoli. Then take the experience home by recreating the dish for friends washed down with a glass of great Sicilian wine that you’ve discovered on your visit. I had a taster Sicilian cooking experience with Ben and some food bloogers at [email protected] and if that was anything to go by I’d definitely book this excursion! Great fun, great flavours and fabulous food.
Ben Fogle cooking up a storm
If you prefer to be more active then Ben Fogle’s Croatian Adventure might be for you. Experience Croatia on land and sea with a triathlon-themed tour that includes biking, RIB rides, swimming and sea kayaking. You don’t need to be athletic to do this one as the biking and kayaking are low impact and it’s suitable for all age and families. What a memorable way of exploring the beautiful Croatian coastline and getting very close to nature.
Or how about an Archipelago Adventure in Stockholm, Sweden? Get right up close to this beautiful landscape on a kayak tour. Again this is low impact, suitable for all ages and families alike. There is a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) included so you get up some speed to actually cover a bit of distance and see more of the stunning 24,000 islands, islets and skerries that make up the archipelago. How many people do you know that have explored the Stockholm Archipelago?
If it’s history you’re into how about indulging the adventurous spirit and those early days of exploration with a visit to Oslo on The Great Norwegian Explorers tour? Visit The Fram the ship that took Ronald Amundsen south to Antarctica and the Kon Tiki Museum where Thor built his great raft that he set off on to try and prove that Easter Island had been settled from South America. Two great tales of maritime exploration and an added dimension to your cruise experience.
What’s your favourite gelato or ice-cream flavour? Is there a flavour that you dream of but have never been able to buy? If the answer’s yes then The Sun, Sorbet and Sorrento tour is perfect for you (and me!). Imagine actually working with a chef to create your own recipe and make and savour your dream gelato flavour. A unique, hands-on, immersive experience with Italians, gelato and a beautiful Italian destination to boot.
Create your dream gelato flavour
The most inspired excursion for me is The Norwegian snorkelling with salmon. I mean have you ever even dreamed this was possible or even heard of it before? I definitely haven’t. This trip takes you to one of the great Norwegian rivers where you’ll dip into crystal clear waters and snorkell with the wild, dancing salmon. A totally unique experience and perfect for someone that wants a wildlife encounter unlike any other. So, which Great Adventure would you choose?
I am among people who just look on a place from the outside, when making a trip. Next time, I ought to immerse in the place. That would be great!
It doesn’t take much to enjoy from the inside as well – a cookery class or just chatting to a local gives an added insight 🙂
My favorite gelato flavor is…. I can’t decide! I’ll have to go there and try something new, 🙂
Go and try them all – then decide!! 🙂
They all sound fantastic, but the Sicilian cooking looks quite enjoyable. What a great way to match the experience with the destination!
Definitely experiencing a place rather than just seeing it. I love the idea of the cooking class too. 🙂
I think I’d go for Stockholm or the gelato – love Sorrento!
Sorrento’s so lovely and lots to see nearby too 🙂
Those sound like great excursions. I could happily dive into that ice cream with a very large spoon. 😉
There’s never a reason to say no to ice cream!
Got to be the foodie ones for me, but it is difficult to choose between them 🙂
I’m with you on the foodie tours but do like the sound of the snorkelling with salmon too – always love something a bit different!
I would choose the Sicilian one and the gelato tour – they sound amazing!
I love the sound of the Sicilian cooking class and the salmon snorkelling too. I’m trying to think of a gelato flavour that I would make – how about mascarpone and salted caramel? Yum!
Yessss! That flavour sounds amazing. Please make a batch and send me some!
Oh my goodness! All of them please, although the salmon snorkeling does sound especially fascinating – never heard of that before! And what a thrill to meet Ben. I’m not the least bit jealous 😉
They do all sound amazing don’t they – I’d love to snorkel with the salmon and take the Sicilian cooking class and we all know what I think about gelato….!
Ben is rather charming 🙂
That area of Oslo with the Fram Museum, the Kon Tiki Museum and the Maritime Museum is well worth a visit and easy to do if you get one of those Oslo cards with the free entry and transport. I liked Oslo a lot it’s a bit like Brighton only with much more expensive beer!
I like anywhere that is a bit like Brightom! I’m fascinated by the Kon Tiki raft and am sorely tempted to take a trip to Norway to
find out more. Should really read the book first though!
Some truly interesting adventures with Ben here – Sicilian Gastronomic Tour, is something I would enjoy. The Sun, Sorbet and Sorrento is calling too, but I don’t like sorbet. Brilliant post, Suzanne.
When there’s gelato on the menu sorbet always comes second for me alhtough I had some in Bologna and it was so creamy I didn’t realise it was sorbet – I shall do a sorbet making post when the weather’s warmer! The Sicilian Gastro tour is definitely my cup of tea 🙂
The Stockholm Archipelago, without doubt, Suze! Can you fix it for me? 🙂
If I could Jo, I most certainly would! Stockholms a wonderful city and it must be amazing to kayak through the archipelago – just imagine…..