Whether it’s a Sicilian wine tasting in Messina, a Thai cooking class in Phuket or a crab feast in Alaska, Holland America Line’s extensive food and wine shore excursion offering will delight even the most discerning of culinary travellers.
“With almost 130 different culinary focused shore excursions to choose from, cruisers can rest assured Holland America Line has searched out the very best epicurean experiences across the globe. Shore excursions are designed to allow our guests a richer experience in the region in which they are visiting – and they can conveniently be pre-booked prior to departure or on-board,” said Tony Archbold, Holland America Line Director of Sales, Australia and New Zealand.
Food and wine shore excursion highlights
- Adelaide, Australia – Wine Tasting in the Barossa Valley
Guests will enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Adelaide Hills before arriving in the iconic Barossa Valley. Here, they will make stops at four of the region’s premiere wineries to taste and enjoy a two-course lunch with accompanying Barossa wines.
- Kangaroo Island, Australia – Kangaroo Island Art and Wine Culture
Best known for its rugged wilderness, Kangaroo Island is also home to exceptional food and wine. On this shore excursion, guests will visit some of the island’s leading wine makers including Chapman River, Dudley Wines and Sunset Winery for tastings and discover what makes the island’s wine so special. There is also the opportunity to browse and purchase local art.
- Akaroa, New Zealand – Fresh from the Wharf Cooking Class
During a five hour class, guests will learn about local seafood and how to source the freshest catch before the Akaroa Cooking School chefs embark on demonstrating different cooking techniques for seafood and serving up a delectable lunch. Guests will have the opportunity to assist with the cooking before sitting down to a seafood feast served with award-winning local wines.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina – A Culinary Walk though Buenos Aires
Guests will experience the vibrancy of Argentinian food culture on this four and a half hour guided walking tour through one of Buenos Aires’s most traditional neighbourhoods. They will visit three distinct and locally owned eateries each showcasing some of the city’s most loved and iconic dishes including empanadas, barbequed meats, provoleta cheese and chimichurri.
- Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Salmon Bake
For guests wanting to indulge in one of Alaska’s most well-known culinary offerings, a Salmon Bake enjoyed in the great outdoors will be just the ticket. They will enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast with Alaskan-caught wild salmon barbecued over an open alderwood fire served with a tasty secret sauce and accompanied by an array of sides including cheesy au gratin potatoes, baked beans with reindeer sausage, wild-rice pilaf, salads, cornbread and blueberry cake for dessert.
- St Tropez, France – A Taste of Provence
Guests will enjoy a taste of the good life with a visit to the delightful Provencal village of Gassin overlooking the picturesque countryside. On arrival, guests will have time to explore Gassin’s narrow, winding streets and pastel-hued buildings before being driven to a local family-run winery to sample some of the region’s best drops.
Of course it’s not only Holland America Line’s shore excursion program that will impress the foodiest of travellers. Whether enjoying a formal dining experience in the Main Dining Room, an intimate dinner in the exclusive Pinnacle Grill, a comfortable and casual bite in the Lido, or a private meal in-room, each dish on board Holland America Line is made according to the highest standards.
Archbold adds: “For cruisers looking to even further expand their culinary knowledge, each Holland America Ship is equipped with a state of the art cooking demonstration kitchen known as the Culinary Arts Center. The Culinary Arts Center hosts demonstrations and hands-on culinary classes with on board and guest chefs and is one of the most popular offerings on board.”
Providing expert guidance over Holland America Line’s entire culinary offering is the Culinary Council. The Council is made up of six esteemed international chefs, including Australia’s very own Mark Best of Marque and Pei Modern restaurants. Each Culinary Council member provides the fleet with recipes for some of their most lauded dishes which are then produced once on every sailing. In addition, the Council works with the line’s offerings in the Culinary Arts Centre to bring new and engaging learning experiences to guests.
For a full list of Holland America Line’s extensive culinary shore excursion program, visit hollandamerica.com.au or call 1300 987 321.
SOURCE Holland America Line