Silversea Culinary Adventures

We are on a Baltic cruise on the Whisper in July. Culinary/cooking adventures are offered in 3-4 cities. Has anyone done any of these? We were in the Black Sea last year and some of those culinary experiences were not very well thought of, for instance how to make a Romanian tomato salad.

Comments welcomed.

In our past experience an expensive waste of time.Once bitten,never again!

We did one on Mexico, about cooking fish in banana leaves. This was a disaster, only thing the vendor wanted to do was show off their hotel. Just in case were interested in coming back some day.

Although we did one recently in Sorrento; cooking fresh pasta with a complete meal in a family's large estate home. This experience was priceless and all ten of us had a wonderful evening. At this estate they also made wine, we all got to taste all the different varieties they produced. No one left there disappointed.

We did one on Mexico, about cooking fish in banana leaves. This was a disaster, only thing the vendor wanted to do was show off their hotel. Just in case were interested in coming back some day.

Although we did one recently in Sorrento; cooking fresh pasta with a complete meal in a family's large estate home. This experience was priceless and all ten of us had a wonderful evening. At this estate they also made wine, we all got to taste all the different varieties they produced. No one left there disappointed.

Sounds very intriguing...was this a ship excursion in Sorrento? Sounds like it may be one of those ship excursions that exceeded expectations?

Sounds very intriguing...was this a ship excursion in Sorrento? Sounds like it may be one of those ship excursions that exceeded expectations?

Yes both were ss excursions. Like everything else, some things are good and others are not so good. You don't know till you try them out...

Yes both were ss excursions. Like everything else, some things are good and others are not so good. You don't know till you try them out...

Good to know. Does this sound like your excursion? This is offered on our cruise in June. It sounds like fun and the villa sounds lovely. We are overnighting in Sorrento. It's $249 per person. There are some great restaurants in Sorrento, and of course for $500, you could have a fabulous dinner/evening in a restaurant in Sorrento, but of course if the villa is beautiful and it's memorable evening, it will be well worth it.

"Discover the secrets to preparing authentic Italian cuisine during this half-day cooking lesson with dinner at an exclusive private villa in Sorrento.

Depart the pier for the brief transfer to a private villa, which is nestled amidst an amazing setting with beautifully manicured gardens, orange and lemon trees, a swimming pool, typical 'pergolato', ceramic decorations, old palms, and English lawns full of coloured flowers and fountains.

Upon arrival, you are welcomed by the owners and served an aperitif before commencing your cooking class in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Learn the secrets to preparing traditional Italian cuisine with an emphasis on Neapolitan recipes. During your cooking class, take a break to visit the wine cellar for a tour and tasting.

Following your cooking lesson, enjoy the meal you have helped to prepare by the pool or under a 'pergolato', and receive a certificate of graduation from the cooking lesson. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier."

Back to the OP's original question. I think that there are a lot of variables here...do you like the cuisine of the city you'll be in? Do you want to learn more about it? What is your level of expertise in cooking? I ask that because sometimes classes are pretty basic. Where will the class take place--i.e., in an interesting location? Will you be comfortable with that area's food cleanliness standards? I know you mentioned yours is a Baltic cruise--where are the culinary adventures taking place? Copenhagen has a lot of fabulous restaurants and specializes in New Nordic cuisine so that could be really interesting; Estonia could be as well. Not sure how I'd feel about St. Petersburg--while the class could be very intesting, given that you can't drink the tap water I'd be a little concerned about it slipping into the food. And of course if you have any food allergies that's something to consider as well.

Where are they offering these adventures?

Good to know. Does this sound like your excursion? This is offered on our cruise in June. It sounds like fun and the villa sounds lovely. We are overnighting in Sorrento. It's $249 per person. There are some great restaurants in Sorrento, and of course for $500, you could have a fabulous dinner/evening in a restaurant in Sorrento, but of course if the villa is beautiful and it's memorable evening, it will be well worth it.

 

"Discover the secrets to preparing authentic Italian cuisine during this half-day cooking lesson with dinner at an exclusive private villa in Sorrento.

 

Depart the pier for the brief transfer to a private villa, which is nestled amidst an amazing setting with beautifully manicured gardens, orange and lemon trees, a swimming pool, typical 'pergolato', ceramic decorations, old palms, and English lawns full of coloured flowers and fountains.

 

Upon arrival, you are welcomed by the owners and served an aperitif before commencing your cooking class in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Learn the secrets to preparing traditional Italian cuisine with an emphasis on Neapolitan recipes. During your cooking class, take a break to visit the wine cellar for a tour and tasting.

 

Following your cooking lesson, enjoy the meal you have helped to prepare by the pool or under a 'pergolato', and receive a certificate of graduation from the cooking lesson. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier."

That would be the one.... The father also has a inlay wood furniture store in town that's worth checking out....