AmaWaterways is proud to announce its exclusive Culinary Delights – Bites & Sights tours featuring cooking classes, walking tours and tastings on select European itineraries. From choosing local produce to preparing regional specialties such as the Bulgarian dish ‘banista’ and smoked salmon rolled with ‘cervelle de canuts’, AmaWaterways passengers can polish their cooking skills and explore the region’s flavors and culture.

“Culinary connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts will fall in love with this great addition to our city tours,” said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ executive vice president and co-owner. “From cooking multi-course meals to tasting local wines, fresh artisanal cheeses and hand-crafted delicacies, our guests are exposed to a true taste of Europe and we hope it will inspire their fondest memories.”

As the only river cruise line inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary organizations, AmaWaterways continues to lead the industry in innovative experiences both on-board and on-shore. The Culinary Delights – Bites & Sights tour is a facet of the river cruise line’s prestigious food and beverage offerings.

With an intimate group of 20 people per tour, passengers are able to explore another side of the city visiting cooking schools, distilleries and local markets. The tours include visits to culinary specialty shops, chocolatiers and charcuteries. Select tours include a visit to Studio of Cabestan in Avignon, France. Chefs take passengers to Les Halles market to select the freshest ingredients before donning aprons and chef hats, for a hands-on cooking demonstration in Provencal cuisine. In Amsterdam, travelers are provided a panoramic city tour topped off with a tasting of Jenever, Dutch liquor. The tour sweetens when passengers visit the Belgium city of Antwerp for a Belgium waffles and chocolates tasting.

Additional options on the European river cruises include a hands-on demonstration to prepare Lyonniase cuisine and Banistra pastry; presentation on how to pair chocolates and wine; demonstration of mustard production; a tasting tour of traditional Dutch foods like Frietzak (Dutch fires with mayonnaise), poffertjes (pancakes) and rollmops (pickled herring); and the opportunity to prepare, cook and taste Goulash in the historical city of Budapest.