Top 10 Food Experiences

Follow along as Bethany explores her top 10 food experiences from her seven river and ocean cruises.

To date, I have had the pleasure of taking five river cruises and two ocean cruises in Europe, Asia, and South America. Along the way, I have had several fun foodie experiences. Below is the top 10 list of my favorite food experiences.

1. Austrian Cooking School, Vienna

What I Did

While in Vienna on my Active & Discovery on the Danube cruise on Avalon in July 2018 I had the pleasure of attending cooking classes at Andante twice. The first time was the end of the Insiders Tour, where our gregarious instructor, Nabiel, explained how to make and form three different types of traditional Viennese rolls. Once they finished baking, we got to enjoy the fruits of our labor there as a snack.

The following day, I joined a smaller group for a mid-day excursion called “Austrian Chef for a Day.” We went back to the same cooking school. This time, a lunch of local Viennese specialties was on the menu. After a warm welcome and a cool glass of prosecco, Nabiel helped us slice and dice our way to the perfect Kartoffelsalat (potato salad), Wiener schnitzel, and apple strudel. We got everything ready and then headed over to the table to enjoy everything. Once we finished our meal, we each got a certificate of achievement.

Why I Loved It

This one tops the list because of how interactive both visits were. I absolutely adore excursions that are more hand-on, and these two definitely fit the bill. Our host and instructor, Nabiel, is also amazing and funny. So, he definitely made the experiences wonderful. Finally, the food itself was all delicious, so enjoying our hard work at the end of each excursion was definitely a treat.

2. Jordaan Foodie Walk, Amsterdam

What I Did

My final excursion on my Tulip Time for Beer Enthusiasts cruise on Avalon in April 2019 was the terrific Jordaan Foodie Walk. This fun optional afternoon excursion included a walking tour of the Jordaan neighborhood in Amsterdam, and we visited five different locations to sample five different Dutch specialties:

• Poffertjes (small, fluffy pancakes typically served with powdered sugar and butter)
• Stroopwafel (two thin round waffle cookies with a sweet caramel filling)
• Cheese
• Chocolate
• Bitterballen (a very thick beef stew, refrigerated until it firms, and then rolled into balls which then get breaded and fried) and beer…sounds a bit strange but it is delicious!

Why I Loved It

I loved this tour because it was basically a combination of two different tours: a walking tour of the Jordaan neighborhood and a food tasting. The way each of the five different food stops was woven into the overall walking tour was great, as we had a chance to see parts of the fun and quirky neighborhood along the way. I also really enjoyed each of the five traditional Dutch food specialties we sampled along the way.

3. Vietnamese Cooking Class, Saigon

What I Did

My favorite food excursion on my Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River cruise on Avalon in February 2020 was a working lunch at the Mai Home cooking class at the Saigon Culinary Art Center. Here we learned some basics of Vietnamese cooking, including knife skills and flavor profiles. We then prepared our own marinated chicken and sent that off to be cooked.

Meanwhile, we got a lesson in how to create summer rolls. We also had a contest to see who could make the best looking (and most equally-sized!) pair of summer rolls. Spoiler alert: I came in second place! Next up, we got to enjoy some Vietnamese pho (beef noodle soup). Then our marinated chicken was ready so we enjoyed that with some jasmine rice on the side. We ended with a delicious dessert of a dumpling stuffed with mung bean paste served in a coconut cream sauce. It was definitely a fun and delicious afternoon!

Why I Loved It

Similar to the cooking classes in Vienna, I loved the hands-on nature of this excursion. Not only did we get to actively participate in making our own lunches, but the summer roll making contest was also very fun. I am not very familiar with Vietnamese cooking, so it was also a great opportunity to learn a bit more about the methods and flavor profiles.

4. Christmas Market Treats, Basel & Frankfurt

What I Did

I loved a lot of things about my Christmastime in Alsace and Germany cruise on Avalon in December 2021, but perhaps one of the best (and most delicious!) parts was the variety and quality of local food specialties available throughout the markets. The things that I loved the most included raclette (a Swiss dish that includes heating large blocks of cheese, scraping off the melted part, and serving the warm and gooey cheese over boiled potatoes) in Basel; fresh made-to-order crepes (both sweet and savory) and brats in several stops along the way; and Baumstriezel (similar to the trdelník I tried in Prague, a bit further down on this list) in Frankfurt.

Why I Loved It

I’m really a simple girl at heart and getting a quick bite to eat from a food truck while I am out and about is one of my favorite things. What made these experiences even better was how incredibly delicious (and generally affordable) everything was. Another great part about these food trucks and stalls is that they all feature plenty of the local and regional specialties, so it is a wonderful way to sample some new things.

5. Cheese Making Class, Edam

What I Did

One of many highlights on my Northern Cities Voyage cruise on Azamara in June 2022 was a morning excursion to a Dutch Cheese Making Workshop. This was a very fun morning as our host walked us through each step in the process, which starts with a bucket of fresh milk (it was inside the cow at about 5:00am that morning!). About halfway through, it was time for a coffee break. We got to enjoy some coffee and a delicious slice of homemade pound cake topped with fresh whipped cream…it was oh, so good! Then it was back to the workshop to finish making our cheese.

We also had some free time to explore more of the workshop area and to do some shopping in the large gift shop while the cheese was being pressed during the final step of the process. After shopping we returned to the workshop to unwrap our finished product. Our cheeses were then sealed in plastic so we could take them back to the ship with us. At this point, the cheese is basically a mozzarella cheese. It has to be aged much longer to eventually become the famous Edam cheese!

Why I Loved It

This is another entry on this list that is very interactive. I had never actually made my own cheese before, so it was also very educational. But the highlight of this one, for me, was that it was actually on my 50th birthday. I cannot think of a better way to start my “Fabulous 50” year than with such a fun excursion in such a beautiful location.

6. Trdelnik, Prague

What I Did

While in Prague on my Active & Discovery on the Danube cruise on Avalon in July 2018, I stopped to sample the local favorite, trdelník. This delicious treat is dough that has been rolled, wrapped around a stick, grilled, and topped with a sugar and walnut mix. It can then either be served plain, or filled with ice cream, fruit, chocolate, or any number of other sweet treats. I got mine served with ice cream, as it was a very hot and humid day. There are several small trdelník stands throughout the city, and each one smells heavenly as you walk by!

Why I Loved It

I always like to find local specialties in new places I visit. When I was researching Prague before the trip, I saw lots of references to this local treat, so I knew I had to try one. I also have a rather insatiable sweet tooth, and this warm, sugary treat was a delicious mid-afternoon snack.

7. Cheese Tasting, Gouda

What I Did

Another fun food excursion on my Tulip Time for Beer Enthusiasts cruise on Avalon in April 2019 was a cheese tasting in Gouda (which the locals pronounce as “HOW-da”, by the way!). At the end of the city walking tour we stopped for a cheese tasting at a local cheese shop. Here we sampled several different local cheeses, all of which were unquestionably delicious. After the tasting we had a bit of free time to shop in either the cheese shop or the other shops all along the main square.

Why I Loved It

My general rule of thumb is if I ever find myself in a city or country that has something to eat or drink named after it, I darn well better try it while I am there! This visit to Gouda, Netherlands, was no exception. It was also not a disappointment…the cheeses I sampled here were all wonderful. The small city of Gouda is lovely, so the entire morning I spent there was wonderful. This cheese tasting was simply the best way to top off the excursion!

8. Olive Oil Tasting, Punta del Este

What I Did

I had a great time in Punta del Este, Uruguay, near the end of my Carnival In Rio cruise on Azamara in February 2023. After a morning tour of the beautiful area, we made our way to the highlight of the excursion: an olive oil tasting at Olivos de las Animas. Tucked in a quiet area outside of the city, this beautiful olive grove produces olive oil. One of the owners gave us a tour of the vineyards, where he explained the types of olives they grow and how they grow and process them.

We then hopped onto the rugged tractor and got an up-close view of the vineyard as we made our way to the owner’s house. Here we were warmly greeted by a few more family members (including the dog!) and invited to sit and relax at a large table out on the patio. We were treated to a wonderful plate of meats and cheeses, accompanied by fresh baked bread and olives. We also had three different olive oils to sample as well. Each had a different flavor and texture, and it was really interesting to taste them together to really understand the sometimes-subtle differences.

Why I Loved It

Although this excursion was similar in structure to a winery tour and tasting, the subject of olive oil was a new one for me. This was my first time visiting an olive grove and hearing about how olive oil is made. The intimacy of the small-group tour was also fantastic. The owner and his family welcomed our group into their gorgeous home and spoiled us rotten during the tasting. It was a delicious and relaxing afternoon.

9. BBQ Lunch, Montevideo

What I Did

Another favorite food experience on my Carnival In Rio cruise on Azamara in February 2023 was a BBQ lunch on a working ranch in Montevideo, Uruguay. Estancia La Rabida is owned and operated by a local family. Two of the family’s third-generation, a pair of cousins, were our primary guides throughout the day.

Our tour of the large ranch ended back at the main ranch house, where lunch was ready and waiting for us. There were some appetizers available, including grilled sausages, vegetables, and bread. The main meal included grilled beef, pork, and chicken. Grilled potatoes (regular and sweet) were also served, as were many different fresh side dishes and salads. A tall, cold beer hit the spot as I sidled up to a hay bale and enjoyed my typical Uruguayan barbeque lunch!

Why I Loved It

While a BBQ lunch is nothing new, the setting of this one made it a very fun and unique experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the day I spent here on this ranch. The lunch was a delicious highlight of the day. Getting to enjoy it on a sprawling, private family ranch was amazing.

10. Chocolate, Zurich

What I Did

Before kicking off my Romantic Rhine cruise on Avalon in June 2017, I spent some time exploring Zurich on my own. While promenading along Bahnhofstrasse I made a stop at Confiserie Sprüngli to drool over the massive counters filled with decadent chocolates and pastries. This master chocolatier has been making delicious delicacies since 1836. A champagne macaron was a lovely little treat here.

Why I Loved It

Two words: Swiss chocolate. Need I say more? Seriously, one simply cannot visit anywhere in Switzerland and not indulge in some of the best chocolate in the world. The Confiserie Sprüngli store is very large and is filled with a mind-blowing assortment of chocolate, pastry, and other sweet treats. I loved being able to sample a few different types before settling on a box to purchase.

Conclusion

Although food is a necessity, there are so many fun and unique experiences relating to food that are available while traveling. Sometimes, these fabulous food experiences are part of structured excursions. But often, fantastic food experiences can happen organically during a trip. There is something to be said about simply stumbling upon a wonderful local restaurant or trying a delicious local specialty for the first time. This list of my top 10 food experiences shows the wide variety of such experiences I have had so far. I cannot wait to see what future food experiences await me!

Links

Curious about what some of my other favorite experiences are? Click the button below to check out my other ‘Top 10’ lists:

Want to learn more about my experiences on each of the cruises covered in this post? Click the buttons below for the full pages for each of the cruises:

Interested in booking your own fabulous cruise? Click the buttons below for further information about Avalon and Azamara cruises: