14 Best Shore Excursions for Foodies
Ask any foodie worth their salt and they'll gladly tell you all the reasons why a good meal can and should be considered its very own activity. Take, for instance, the simple act of enjoying homemade pasta for lunch - the texture of the noodle, the flavour of the sauce - and it's easy to regale the experience as one of your favourites and most memorable. Which is why Norwegian's shore excursions abound with opportunities for travellers to make the most of their cruise holiday with food-driven experiences.
If you can rattle off wine varietals or cheese categories without hesitation, then this list is for you. Here are Norwegian's best shore excursions for foodies!
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1. Flavors of Sorrento & Pompeii
Following a visit to Pompeii, the civilization buried under 20 feet of ash and pumice 1,700 years ago, is a stop at the cliff-top town of Sorrento where you'll enjoy lunch on a family-owned farm that produces olive oil and homemade mozzarella.
Location: Naples, Italy on a Europe Cruise
2. A Taste of Madeira
After taking in breathtaking views off Cabo Girao, the highest sea cliff in Europe, you'll have chance to sample local wines and Portuguese cheeses on this scenic excursion through the island's southern coast.
Location: Funchal, Madeira on a Europe Cruise
3. Gold Creek Salmon Bake
This all-you-can-eat feast is a perfect opportunity to sample Alaska's wild salmon followed by a hike along Salmon Creek where a breathtaking waterfall and a chance to try gold panning await.
Location: Juneau, Alaska on a Alaska Cruise
RELATED CRUISES:
5-Day Bahamas Cruise: Great Stirrup Cay & Key West
3-Day Bahamas Cruise: Great Stirrup Cay & Grand Bahama Island
4-Day Bahamas Cruise: Great Stirrup, Bimini & Nassau
4. Shrimp Fest in Mazatlan, Mexico
Try Mazatlan's world famous shrimp at the mountainside residence of Cerro de la Cruz while live music plays in the background.
Location: Mazatlan, Mexico on a Mexican Riviera Cruise
5. A Taste of Italy & Rome
For an authentic taste on your Italian cruise vacation, stop in for lunch at a local family farm where Mama will prepare homemade pasta for lunch accompanied by locally produced wines. You can even try your hand at making the pasta yourself.
Location: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy on a Mediterranean Cruise
6. Kona Coffee & Mocha in Hawaii
Coffee lovers are in for a treat on this excursion where travellers will have an opportunity to sample world-renown Kona coffee followed by a visit to the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory for a taste of the locally made sweet treat.
Location: Kona, Hawaii on a Hawaii Cruise
7. Cagliari & Wine Tasting in Sardinia
High quality food and wine is a family tradition in Sardinia, where the secrets of making fine wines and olive oils are passed down through the generations. Visit aged cellars and taste the wines of Sardinia accompanied by regional snacks.
Location: Cagliari, Sardinia on a Europe Cruise
8. Jumilla's Wine Region in Cartagena
Wine enthusiasts will have an opportunity to visit two of Jumilla's leading wineries for a taste of the region's finest wines and scenic views of the countryside.
Location: Cartagena, Spain on a Europe Cruise
9. Ancient Akrotiri and Wine Tasting
Visit Akrotiri, one of the 10 top archaeological sites globally, for an educational and enjoyable excursion. Afterward, make a stop at an impressive winery where you'll have the chance to sample Santorini's delicious wines.
Location: Santorini, Greece, on a Mediterranean Cruise
10. The Culinary Flavors of Fairview
This culinary experience combines history, food, and rum - quite a productive day! A historian cook will prepare your meal as you watch; hear him recount the history of Fairview and finish off with a rum tasting.
Location: Basseterre, St. Kitts on a Caribbean Cruise
11. Pisa & A Taste of Tuscany
Tuscany is home to some of the finest wines in the world. This excursion will give you a chance to ride right through the Italian wine country, tour a winery, have lunch with a view, and sample the house wines and olive oils.
Location: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy on a Europe Cruise
12. Dalmatian Traditions in Croatia
Enjoy a visit to the House of Dalmatian Prosciutto, where the secrets behind making this crave-worthy delicacy are revealed - along with a taste of this gastro favourite. You'll even be able to purchase some to take home, right from the source.
Location: Zadar, Croatia on a Europe Cruise
13. GL-Poljica Republic: Life and Food
Visit a tiny Croatian village and cook a traditional dish locally known as Dalmatian pizza. This vegetarian delight consisting of wheat flour, Swiss chard, onion, olive oil, garlic, and salt makes up Croatia's list of intangible cultural heritage.
Location: Split, Croatia, on a Europe Cruise
14. Salsa Cooking & Dancing in Costa Maya
Nothing says holiday like salsa dancing on the beach. But if you add actually learning how to make salsa (and authentic Mexican guacamole) you're pushing the boundaries of fun. Top it off with a beach break and this shore excursion could not be more well rounded.
Location: Costa Maya, Mexico on a Caribbean Cruise
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published on November 20, 2015. It has been updated to show related content and itineraries.