Along with our Bon Appétit Culinary Center Chef , immerse yourself in the traditions of Venetian cuisine by browsing the centuries-old Rialto Market and then watching demonstrations devoted to cooking and chocolate making.
Join your Bon Appétit Culinary Center Chef and board a water taxi for a picturesque cruise along the canals of Venice to the famed Rialto Market. Accompanied by the chef and a local guide, you'll browse through the countless stalls filled with garden-fresh vegetables and fruits and freshly caught seafood. The colors alone are mesmerizing. Fiery-red tomatoes, bright purple plums and vibrant blood oranges lie side by side in the shadow of mounds of iced seafood that may include baby octopus, soft-shelled crabs, squid and flounder. Local farmers and fishermen have been displaying their goods at the Rialto Market for more than 700 years, and it's still thriving.
Next, you'll walk to a nearby private apartment, where a local chef will prepare a number of iconic Venetian dishes using traditional ingredients from the Rialto Market. The flavors and aromas will be especially intense as everything will be fresh and perfectly cooked. Questions are encouraged so don't hesitate to ask about certain techniques, the preparation or even the cookware that ensures that the dishes come out just as they were intended. Lunch is then served in the high-ceilinged dining room of this quintessential Venetian home, you'll feel like you're on an Ivory Merchant movie set !
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, and a treat is awaiting you at a nearby chocolate shop. Venice has long been a center of chocolate making, and you won't be disappointed by your taste of pure Venetian chocolate which you will get to sample after observing an enlightening chocolate making demonstration from a Venetian master chocolatier.
Afterwards, you'll stroll along the back streets of Venice on the way to the 'people mover' and a short tram ride to the pier. Those who want to spend more time wandering through Venice can rejoin the ship at their convenience.
Please note: This tour includes just under 2-hours of easy to moderate walking. There may be some uneven surfaces and steps to negotiate. The tour is not available to wheelchair guests and those with mobility concerns are cautioned to carefully evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Weather appropriate clothing; sun cap; sunglasses; sunscreen; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The noted tour duration is approximate and includes your classroom session aboard the ship.