5 Curated Excursions by Dinogo to Experience on Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Expeditions

Imagine a journey that deeply connects you with local experts in music, history, and gastronomy. This is the essence of Dinogo Recommends, a selection of shore excursions featured in Atlas Ocean Voyages’ 2024 Cultural Expeditions. In collaboration with Dinogo, Atlas Ocean Voyages unveiled Dinogo Recommends earlier this year. These excursions—such as learning bagpipe music in Scotland, participating in a traditional barbecue in Patagonia, and exploring a historic turf house in Iceland—offer rich experiences with knowledgeable guides, hands-on workshops, and unique local tastings.

Exclusive cultural experiences are central to Atlas Ocean Voyages. The operator is reshaping luxury adventure cruising, providing unforgettable experiences in desirable and remote locales. With a combination of intimacy, luxury, and authentic hospitality, each expedition transforms into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, securing its status as one of the best independent cruise brands.

Curated by Dinogo, Dinogo Recommends is an integral part of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Cultural Expeditions, crafted to enrich travelers with immersive experiences that inspire exploration. The chosen excursions, grounded in the shared belief of Atlas Ocean Voyages and Dinogo in the transformative power of travel, encourage travelers to pursue their interests and savor more meaningful experiences. It’s about the life-changing journeys that unfold when you engage with local culture, explore your curiosity, and follow your passions. Continue reading for highlights of what to expect with Dinogo Recommends.

Watch penguins in their natural environment.

Southern Argentina boasts remarkable wildlife, and the coastal city of Puerto Madryn serves as a perfect base for animal lovers. After embarking on the 10-night Montevideo to Ushuaia itinerary starting on November 3, 2024, you can venture just 11 miles to the famous Península Valdes, recognized as one of South America’s premier wildlife sanctuaries. Here, you’ll have the chance to witness diverse wildlife—including penguins, sea lions, and elephant seals—thriving in their natural habitats.

Your journey kicks off at the Visitors’ Center, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and plant life. It’s a chance to learn about the region's unique biodiversity and the significance of conservation initiatives. Next, you’ll travel to Estancia San Lorenzo on the northeastern edge of Península Valdes, known for its iconic penguin colony. Get ready to be awestruck by over 2,000 Magellan penguins congregating alongside various marine birds and the region's vibrant flora and fauna.

Following this unforgettable experience, you’ll savor a traditional Patagonian barbecue, sampling the region's distinctive flavors, such as meat grilled over a wood fire. Finally, from a cliffside viewpoint, you’ll have the opportunity to witness more extraordinary wildlife—thriving colonies of elephant seals and sea lions relaxing in their unspoiled natural environment.

Delight in Norwegian hospitality, featuring coffee and pastries.

You’ll explore Stavanger, a Norwegian city renowned for its stunning fjords, mountains, and coastal vistas, during the 11-night Iceland and Norway itineraries departing on July 12, 2024 and August 10, 2024. The charming old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1975, is filled with artisan shops, cafés, and lovely whitewashed houses adorned with seasonal flowers, all set along picturesque cobblestone streets.

Your adventure unfolds with a visit to a local family’s home, providing a rare glimpse into Norwegian traditions and everyday life while you enjoy coffee, pastries, and engaging conversation. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through Stavanger’s Old Town, immersing yourself in the ambiance of yesteryears. A highlight of your trip will be the breathtaking views from Valbergtärnet, a former watchtower now offering stunning panoramas of this historic maritime city.

In Scotland, participate in a whisky-tasting and bagpipe lesson led by a renowned piper.

There’s no better way to embark on a journey through Scottish culture than by savoring fine whisky. On the 8-night Reykjavik to Amsterdam voyage departing on September 12, 2024, you can do just that. After an immersive tasting of four drams, guided by a Society Whisky Ambassador in the port of Leith near Edinburgh, you’ll be ready to delve into the world of the bagpipe—a musical instrument emblematic of Scotland, representing the strength, resilience, and unity of its people. You’ll learn from one of the finest, Louise Marshall, a piper who has performed for dignitaries like Pope Benedict XVI and Queen Elizabeth II.

She’ll offer you an insider’s perspective on Scotland’s musical heritage as you learn the basics of playing the bagpipe. You'll also have the opportunity to try on a variety of authentic tartans and attire, from glengarries to kilts. By the end of the session, you’ll receive a bagpipe certificate along with a small Scottish gift to remember your experience.

Join a local family in cooking at an authentic turf house in Iceland.

Iceland’s grass-roofed turf houses are a vital part of the country’s cultural identity and history. For over a thousand years, these structures have adorned nearly every farm on the island, providing warmth against the harsh climate. Vikings relied on them, gathering in the central room to share stories by the fire and combat the cold. You can explore this intriguing history on the 11-night Iceland and Norway itineraries departing on July 12, 2024 and August 10, 2024. During a scenic drive from the port of call Ísafjörður, a charming fishing town, to Litlibaer, you'll pass several breathtaking fjords before reaching an authentic turf house built in 1895.

Upon your arrival, a local family, the caretakers of this historic home, will greet you as you take in the breathtaking views of Skötufjörður. You'll hear stories passed down through generations while engaging in a hands-on culinary experience—transforming fresh cream into butter to enjoy with traditional Icelandic flatbread. Delight in cake, coffee, and other local treats as well.

On your return to Ísafjörður, there will be a stop to watch seals frolicking in the surf at the Hvítanes Viewing Platform and to explore the remnants of old fishermen's huts. The tour wraps up at Kambsnes Viewpoint, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of Ísafjarðardjúp, Iceland’s longest fjord.

Dive into history and socialize with locals at a traditional pub in Ireland.

Delve into a significant chapter of Ireland’s history: the Great Famine, and examine its lasting effects on the country’s culture and identity, which continue to echo through literature, art, music, and shared memories. You’ll depart from the pier in Bantry, a stop on the 9-night Dublin to London itinerary leaving on September 23, 2024, heading to Skibbereen in West Cork. During this devastating mid-19th-century period, this village along the Ilen River became a symbol of the hardships faced by the Irish, as it was among the worst-hit areas.

Today, Skibbereen stands as a symbol of resilience in the aftermath of tragedy, honoring the memory of those dark times through monuments, museums, and cultural initiatives. At the Skibbereen Heritage Centre, located in the restored Old Gasworks Building, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local historian who will share insights into how the Great Famine reshaped Ireland and its people.

After exploring Lough Hyne, Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve, head to the vibrant coastal village of Ballydehob for a stop at Levi’s Pub, a beloved local establishment where one family has offered warm Irish hospitality for over a century. Experience firsthand why this pub remains central to Irish social life as a communal gathering place while enjoying live performances of traditional music—a centuries-old art form and oral tradition.