The past two years I have joined Mara Papatheodorou, Bon Appetite contributing Editor, for a nine-day wine and food cruise.
This year we started in Rome cruising to Corfu, Greece, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Hvar and Rovinj, Croatia and ending in Venice, Italy. In Rome we all stayed at the Hotel Bernini Bristol. The first day we checked out of the hotel and proceeded to the elegant Palazzo Brancaccio.
After lunch, we departed for the Silversea’s Silver Whisper for our first full day at sea. After breakfast, we went to the show lounge for Relais & Chateaux Master Chef’s demonstration and tasting with commentary by Mara Papatheodorou. In late afternoon, a cocktail reception plus a presentation about Corfu cuisine and customs by Mara.
There are two restaurants that you make your reservations for dinner, but breakfast and lunch reservations aren’t necessary. Room service is 24 hours a day.
On Sunday, we departed the ship for a tour of Corfu and a traditional Greek food lunch at Taverna Tripa, hidden in the hills of Corfu. Afterwards there was strolling and shopping in the old town. Later we had a cocktail reception and presentation about the cuisine and culinary customs of Croatia.
The next day we arrived in Dubrovnik. We transferred to Taverna Rustica at the Excelsior Hotel for a Croatian dinner and drinks in cold Dubrovnik. The next day, Mara did a presentation about “Entertaining with style/ bringing the Central Mediterranean into your home”.
That evening, there was a private dinner featuring an exciting menu from the pages of the October 2007 issue of Bon Appetite with select wine parings by the ship’s Sommelier. On Wednesday, there was a cocktail reception and Mara gave her final presentation about the cuisine and culinary traditions of Venice.
On Thursday, we disembarked the ship for our day excursion to the islands of Murano and a tour of their internationally known glass factory and on to the Island of Burano for a typical Venetian luncheon at Ristorante Della More. Afterwards there was time to stroll around St. Marks Square.
The next day we departed the Hotel des Bains for home. If you are interested in the next trip, it will be in the Pacific. Contact Destinations & Adventures (800) 659-4599.
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