Epicureans will discover new shore-side culinary enrichment programs in fascinating destinations for the upcoming Mediterranean season
Already renowned for offering the finest cuisine and most engaging culinary enrichment programs at sea, Oceania Cruises is expanding its ever-popular Culinary Discovery Tours to include some of the Mediterranean’s most remarkable destinations for the 2016 season.
The foodie-focused cruise line first offered Culinary Discovery Tours to provide guests with epicurean interests the opportunity to experience firsthand the cultures of the world through their cuisine. The program has grown year-after-year and for the upcoming Mediterranean season on Riviera and Marina, Oceania Cruises will offer these exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours at 26 carefully-selected destinations across Europe.
New to the Culinary Discovery Tour itinerary for 2016 are these enthralling expeditions:
- Antibes, France – Provençal Olive Grove Luncheon
- Bandol, France – Provençal Lunch & Wine with Master Chef
- Casablanca, Morocco – Chef Tour & Moroccan Cooking Class
- Catania on Sicily, Italy – Chef Market Tour, Cannoli & Lunch
- Heraklion (Iraklion) on Crete, Greece – Cretan Food & Wine, with Farm-to-Table Lunch
- Palamos, Spain – Spain’s Trendiest Culinary Destination
“From private tastings of regional varietals to jaunts through bustling fish markets, each Culinary Discovery Tour enables guests to experience firsthand the authentic flavors that define the local cuisine of the destinations we visit,” said Kathryn Kelly, Director of Culinary Enrichment for Oceania Cruises. “Cuisine is a significant part of a community’s culture, and we’re excited to bring to life the rich culinary traditions found in new destinations for our guests.”
Accompanied by a master chef instructor from the ship’s hands-on cooking school, The Culinary Center, guests will delve deeply into the local cuisine by exploring local food markets, vineyards, restaurants and farms. Many half-or full-day excursions conclude with a destination-inspired cooking class at The Culinary Center, featuring ingredients selected during the tour.
Here is a sampling of new epicurean adventures for the 2016 European season:
Antibes, France – Provençal Olive Grove Luncheon
Guests will enjoy a scenic 45-minute drive to Domaine de la Royrie, an olive grove dating to the 15th century, near the quaint village of Grasse. The owners will guide guests on a walking tour amongst the majestic, silver-leaved olive trees and explain the artisanal methods for making superior extra virgin olive oil. Joined by a neighboring winemaker, the group will discover the authentic flavors of Provence during a luncheon complemented by a tasting of regional varietals.
Bandol, France – Provençal Lunch & Wine with Master Chef
This tour takes guests to the private, stone cottage home of Master Chef Rene Berand, where guests will stroll through his magnificently abundant gardens brimming with herbs, lettuces, fruit trees and grape vines. Following a cooking demonstration of classical Provencal dishes, guests will be escorted to his nearby restaurant, Le Bistrot de Jef. Guests will enjoy a specially-prepared lunch in the restaurant’s glass-enclosed rooftop dining room. The Mediterranean-inspired lunch will be expertly paired with local Bandol wines, all while guests enjoy stunning views of Provence.
Casablanca, Morocco – Chef Tour & Moroccan Cooking Class
This tour focuses on popular Moroccan cuisine, with guests and their chef taking an exotic journey through the Central Market of Casablanca and the ancient city’s famous olive market. The Central Market’s colorful stalls sell a variety of fresh fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers – such as preserved lemons and breads that will be purchased by the chef and used later for a class back on the ship focused on modern Moroccan cooking. At the olive market, olives of every imaginable variety and color are displayed beneath the building’s Moorish designed arches – a truly unique culinary delight.
Catania on Sicily, Italy – Chef Market Tour, Cannoli & Lunch
On this chef-guided tour, guests will savor the specialties of this magical city. The walking tour begins with a sampling of delicious Sicilian street food – like arancini, a fried rice ball with various fillings – followed by a stroll through the ancient, exotic Mercate del Pesce di Catania street market, where locals sell everything from blood oranges to cuttlefish. Next, guests will enjoy a tasty lunch of Sicilian dishes – and wines – at the charming Ostier Vinoteca. The day ends with an authentic Sicilian-style cannoli from a family-owned patisserie.
Heraklion (Iraklion) on Crete, Greece – Cretan Food & Wine with Farm-to-Table Lunch
Guests learn (and taste) the secrets behind what makes Crete a culinary mecca. Along with the chef and a local expert, the group will meander through the streets of the Old City, stopping at bakeries and coffee shops for tastings of pastries, breads, coffees and olive oils bursting with flavor. Lunch is served at Areutosa, a charming all-Cretan restaurant with a passion for showcasing locally grown ingredients, cooking methods and recipes, enhanced by fine wines from the island.
Palamos, Spain – Spain’s Trendiest Culinary Destination
A small group of “foodies” will delve into an intimate, behind-the-scenes look of the Catalan region, boasting more Michelin chefs than anywhere on earth. The group will visit Can Solivera, a producer of artisanal Arbequina olive oil, and sample the fruity, fresh, aromatic oil. After shopping at the Forallac farm-shop, prized for 100 percent extra virgin olive oil soap and creams, the group will experience Catalan cuisine at La Placa de Madremanya for a seven-course tasting lunch with wine – and a cooking demonstration.
For more information about the Culinary Discovery Tours and Oceania Cruises, guests should call 855-OCEANIA (855-623-2642) or contact a professional travel agent.
SOURCE: Oceania Cruises