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National Geographic Expeditions launches ability to book day tours starting at $79

Nov. 16, 2023
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3 min read
Arte - Fondazione Joan Miró
National Geographic Expeditions launches ability to book day tours starting at $79
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If you've ever wished you could be a part of an expert-led small-group tour but didn't have multiple days (or thousands of dollars) for the traditional options, there's a new tour in town with prices that start under $100.

National Geographic Expeditions just announced more than 100 half-day and full-day tours ranging from pasta making at a family-owned factory in Naples, Italy, to an engineer-led tour of New York City's Hudson Yards. You can now book the tours, some as short as 90 minutes, directly with National Geographic Expeditions, and they don't need to be done as part of a shore excursion, though that's an option, too.

These tours are available in over 14 countries, including the U.S., France, Spain, Italy, U.K. and Portugal, and there are options that cater to both adults and families. Tours are led by National Geographic-trained guides and local experts and specialists, such as archaeologists, marine biologists, chefs, farmers, photographers, historians, scholars and more.

TUI MUSEMENT/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Related: TPG's sister company Elsewhere makes planning authentic travel easier than ever

The idea of this new offering is that you can book one of these small-group tours for just one day of your larger trip to go deeper and get a better sense of where you are, or when you only have a few hours in a location but want to make the most of them.

What caught my attention the most was the price. It's not yet been in my budget to take a multiday, multithousand-dollar tour of this caliber, but it is sometimes in my budget to use points and miles to go to some cool spots. Being able to then layer on an experience like this from $79 is a far more realistic travel goal for my bottom line than booking an entire expedition.

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a group of people stands in front of a large aquarium with rays and yellow fish
women holding up baked goods
colorful sculptures in an art gallery
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In Lisbon, Portugal, a marine biologist will lead travelers on the “Visit to the Oceanarium,” where they will learn about the animals, oceans and the Oceanario Foundation’s collaboration projects with National Geographic. TUI MUSEMENT/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
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Related reading:

Featured image by TUI MUSEMENT/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.