Venture Ashore, the largest independent cruise excursions provider in the world and part of the City Experiences portfolio of brands, expands its Essential Collection to offer guests even more one-of-a-kind offers around the world. The additions include nine new unparalleled walking and culinary tours from WALKS and Devour Tours.

“We are thrilled to expand Venture Ashore’s ‘Essential Collection’ with new one-of-a-kind offerings that will allow our guests to experience even more on their next Mediterranean itinerary,” said Rinat Glinert, COO, Venture Ashore. “Our expert local guides will help you explore your port city like never before providing experiences such as a behind-the-scenes access to the Colosseum with your family, a delicious day exploring Venetian culinary culture capped with a gondola ride with your friends, or a Testaccio neighborhood food and market tour with lunch and a gelato experience in Civitavecchia, Rome with your partner, and all delivered with our worry-free guarantee you will get back to your ship on time.”

Each Essential Collection tour begins with a meet and greet at the port with an expert guide and ends with a back-to-ship guarantee. Venture Ashore’s new tours offer a mix of shared and private experiences, including both pre- and post-cruise land-based offerings.

© City Experiences

Some of the new tours in Rome include: Walk with the Gladiators Tour and Rome on Your Own Tour; Testaccio Neighborhood Food and Market Tour; and Guided Colosseum Tour with Private Transfer. The first of these tours sees guests enter through the Gladiator’s Gate, stepping into some of the most exclusive parts of the Colosseum. The Ancient Rome experience continues with a full tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The Testaccio tour brings guests through the neighborhood and traditional market for real Roman food. Guests receive tips on how to eat like a Roman and taste some of Rome’s freshest products like pizzas, cheeses, cured meats and more.

The two new Barcelona tours, Barcelona Tastes & Traditions and Complete Gaudí Tour and Barcelona on Your Own, allows guests to discover Barcelona through its food and architecture. On the Gaudi tour, guests not only get a deeper look into the life and work of Antoni Gaudí, but also visit Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Park Guell and La Sagrada Família.

Venture Ashore also invites guests to try one of its new tours in Venice. The Legendary Venice tour takes guests to some of the city’s most significant sites while gaining access into intimate spaces. The Welcome to Venice tour brings guests along the streets and canals of Venice, combining some of the city’s iconic sites with some of the more hidden gems. In addition to a gondola ride, an expert local guide shows guests where to eat and what to see, all while avoiding tourist crowds.

© City Experiences

In Lisbon, the Lisbon Tastes & Traditions tour allows visitors to discover the local’s Lisbon, wandering through the historic neighborhoods of Baixa, Chiado, Bica and Cais do Sodré. This tour also takes guests to historic shops and eateries featuring iconic dishes and pastries.

Have you gone on a Venture Ashore or City Experiences tour before? What tour are you most interested in? What appeals to you most when choosing a Venture Ashore or City Experiences tour? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.