Regent Seven Seas Cruises has revealed a lineup of culinary-inspired shore excursions for the inaugural season of its newest ship, the Seven Seas Explorer. Part of the Regent Choice Shore Excursion program, these new Gourmet Explorer Tours will compliment the ship's gourmet restaurants and hands-on Culinary Arts Kitchen.
This new collection of Gourmet Explorer Tours will expand upon the curriculum offered at the Culinary Arts Kitchen aboard the ship by allowing guests to explore the destination and local culture through its epicurean offerings. Each Gourmet Explorer Tour will be accompanied by the chef instructor from the Culinary Arts Kitchen and a local guide, often a chef, with intimate knowledge of the region’s agriculture, wine and cuisine.
Each Gourmet Explorer Tour was created by the line’s executive director of culinary enrichment, Chef Kathryn Kelly. In preparing the tours, Kelly partnered with a network of Michelin-starred chefs and local culinary experts.
In total, 22 Gourmet Explorer Tours have been developed for Seven Seas Explorer’s upcoming Mediterranean season, with several experiences that are exclusive to guests of the Seven Seas Explorer. A few of the tours include:
Sorrento, Italy – Travelers explore the unique cuisine of Campagnia by making cheese at the artisanal fromagerie, watching a culinary demonstration by a master chef, and wining and dining amid the luxury gardens of the stunning Don Alfonso.
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Guests can take part in a wine tasting at Cave Bianchi in Nice followed by dinner at the famed La Chèvre d’Or restaurant highlight a special night out with fellow foodies.
Saint Tropez, France – Foodies taste three Provence varietals at the famed La Croix winery, and then enjoy a gourmet dining experience at the renowned La Vague d’Or, a Michelin three-star restaurant in the heart of Saint Tropez.
Barcelona, Spain – This trip examines the rich Catalan culinary scene with guided strolls through the famed Boqueria and Santa Caterina markets, followed by a lunch and kitchen tour from Chef Jordi Cruz at ABaC, a famed two-star Michelin restaurant.
Many of the tours include personalized instruction back on board at one of the 18 individual cooking stations in the Culinary Arts Kitchen:
Corfu, Greece – Guests receive a shopping assignment and gather produce, cheeses and specialties at Old Town’s Corfiot Market. There is the chance to sample gelato, local wine, fresh-baked bread and the traditional “bourdetto” stew before returning to the Culinary Arts Kitchen for a Greek cooking class.
Palamos, Spain – Guests enjoy a tasting at an artisanal olive oil producer before enjoying a cooking demonstration and seven-course tasting menu luncheon in the stone-walled village of Madremanya.
Taormina, Sicily – Guests visit the fish and produce market in Catania, learn to make delicious cannolis from a pastry master, and enjoy lunch and a cooking demonstration at a Taormina restaurant specializing in slow food.
Livorno, Italy -- This food and wine experience in the Tuscan countryside includes a cooking demonstration and lunch – with wines – at Villa Dianella. Guests have time to wander through the stalls at Il Mercato Centrale and see artisanal cheeses and meats, fresh fish, seasonal produce and breads.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers free unlimited shore excursions in every port-of-call in every destination. Gourmet Explorer Tours are offered at as part of Regent Choice Shore Excursion packages. Gourmet Explorer Tours are available starting at a nominal $79 per person and ranging up to $799 per person.
Regent Seven Seas Explorer's maiden voyage is scheduled for July 20, 2016.