With culinary programs on luxury cruise ships becoming the norm, it’s nice to see Regent Seven Seas Cruises take it to the next level with their new Epicurean Explorer Tours.
These new chef-led shore excursions and curated culinary adventures are designed to immerse travelers in the food and wine culture of each destination the ships visit – namely, the Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Grandeur. These small-group experiences, offered at a supplementary charge, are part of the even larger shore excursion agenda offered on select voyages in regions known for their fabulous cuisine and fine wine-making traditions.
Guests partake of local market tours conducted by culinary insiders and by the Regent Culinary Arts Kitchen Chef Instructor, participate in cooking classes and wine-tastings, and visit top-tier restaurants, regional farms and olive groves.
How you will find the best culinary cruise is merely a matter of assessing your tastes:
If you crave Spanish tapas…
Cadiz Market & Tapas Lunch
From Seville (Cádiz), Spain
Stroll the authentic market in the old quarter of Cadiz exploring the bounty of southern Spain before enjoying lunch at El Chato along the coast.
Gastronomy Tour & Tapas Lunch
From Barcelona, Spain
Visit Barcelona’s Boqueria and Santa Caterina markets before experiencing an olive-oil tasting and lunch at two-Michelin-starred ABaC Restaurant.
To hone your tapas techniques…
Market Tour & Onboard Tapas Lunch
From Bilbao, Spain
The Chef Instructor from the Culinary Arts Kitchen takes guests through the Mercado de la Ribera in central Bilbao, before returning to the ship to conduct a tapas cooking class.
Market Foraging & Onboard Tapas Class
From Málaga, Spain
Málaga’s acclaimed Atarazanas Central Market is the focus of this tour accompanied by Regent’s Culinary Arts Kitchen Chef Instructor, with a tapas cooking class and lunch to follow.
If you’re partial to Provence…
Market, Mater Chef Provencal Lunch & Wines
From Sanary-Sur-Mer, France
Enjoy a tour and Provencal cooking demonstration hosted by Michelin-starred Chef René Bérard, followed by an elegant, Mediterranean-inspired lunch at Le Bistrot de Jef.
Nice Market & Chateau Eza Lunch
From Monte Carlo, Monaco
This chef-led excursion offers a memorable day on the Cote d’Azur complete with a wander through the seaside market in Nice and an exquisite lunch at the Chateau Eza restaurant.
For those with Italian tastes…
Catania Market Tour, Cannoli & Etna Winery
From Taormina (Sicily), Italy
Learn how to make delicious cannoli from a Sicilian pastry master before heading into a cooking demo and lunch in Taormina with slow-food advocate Chef Turi.
Market Tour, Pesto, Pasta & Lunch
From Portofino, Italy
Enjoy a boat ride along the coastline to Rapallo, before tasting the region’s famous Ligurian olive oil. Later, you travel to Recco for a pasta-making class and a lunch of local specialties.
For Caribbean culinary tips…
Soufriere Market Bean To Bar & Lunch
From Castries, St. Lucia
Visit the 100-year-old Castries Market before discovering St. Lucian cuisine with a hands-on cooking class. An al fresco lunch lets you enjoy the fruits of your labors.
Spice Farm & Onboard Cooking Class
From Harvest Caye, Belize
Journey inland in Belize for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at renowned Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Garden.