Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Costa debuts new tour types for Diadema, from 'Easy' to 'Discover and Taste,' plus biking

Costa debuts new tour types for Diadema, from 'Easy' to 'Discover and Taste,' plus biking
With Costa Diadema's November introduction, Costa Crociere is rolling out three new types of shore excursions: 'Easy,' 'Discover and Taste' and bike tours. Plus, there will be special tours for the ship's three inaugural cruises, for example, one that targets Formula 1 fans.

'Easy' day trips are for travelers wishing to discover destinations in a relaxed way. They will be able to visit attractions on their own, but counting on transfers and tour guides provided by Costa.

From Savona, for example, Costa Diadema passengers can reach Genoa to tour the Aquarium or the old city and architectural higlights like Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From La Spezia, passengers can visit Florence, Pisa and Lucca, as well as Portovenere and Cinque Terre, also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Authentic local traditions are highlighted in the 'Discover and Taste' (Scoperta e Sapori) excursions featuring dishes from the best gastronomic tradition of each destination, along with top attractions. In Spain, for example, 'Taste of Tapas and Barcelona' combines a walking tour and tastings in the Catalán capital, while in Naples, passengers will sample pizza and have the opportunity to explore Pompeii and Herculaneum.

A Jeep excursion to Tuscany's Alpuane Alps includes a visit to the Carrara marble quarries that produced marble for the masterpieces of Michelangelo and Giovanni Pisano. At the end of the visit, participants will taste croutons with lardo di Colonnata before returning to La Spezia.

Bike tours, already offered with Costa Favolosa and Costa Fortuna summer cruises, are accompanied by expert guides. Costa Diadema passengers will be able to bike around Palma de Mallorca, Savona and the western Ligurian coast, and in Barcelona.

Passengers can get information and book excursions at the tour office or at the touch-screen 'excursion totems' on board or on Costa websites in advance of sailing.

There will be also exclusive excursions for Costa Diadema's inaugural cruises on Nov. 8, 15 and 22. For example, a one-day tour from La Spezia will take Formula 1 fans to the Ferrari paradise of Maranello with its museum, track and pits. Participants also get to taste local specialties like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma ham.

Costa Diadema is to be christened in Genoa on Nov. 7.