New Silversea program puts the focus on slow food

Silversea Cruises has introduced a new “Slow Food Adventure in Tuscany”land option that will debut this year on three Mediterranean voyages. In collaboration with Slow Food Italy, Silversea has designed an exclusive three-night program that will highlight the culinary and cultural traditions of Tuscany and introduce participants to local wine producers and products that adhere to the Slow Food philosophy of preserving biodiversity and gastronomic traditions. The program will be conducted with one or more members of Silversea’s own culinary team on hand to provide participants with expert guidance and exclusive access to local producers committed to responsible and sustainable food production, as recommended by Slow Food. Participants might visit a dairy farm or stroll through olive groves and vineyards to learn the secrets of traditional food production. Guests will gain a greater understanding of the region’s wines as well as the ingredients carefully selected for the dishes served in La Terrazza, Silversea’s Italian specialty restaurant — the only restaurant at sea that partners with Slow Food Italy to showcase products reflecting the standards of Slow Food. From Rome, travellers will enjoy a scenic drive into the heart of the Brunello region of Tuscany, leading to the vineyard estate of Castello Banfi, producer of some of the region’s best-known wines. The program includes three nights at Il Borgo, Castello Banfi’s elegant hotel nestled amid the vineyards and olive groves of Montalcino. Highlights include a cooking class, where participants will learn to prepare typical Tuscan specialties with the help of Silversea’s own culinary team and the estate’s professional staff; an in-depth tour of the Castello Banfi winery; and a full-day tour of Slow Food-recommended vineyards, olive groves, farms or other traditional food-producing operations. This three-night sojourn, priced from $3,599 per guest (based on double occupancy), is offered as a pre-cruise option on Silver Wind’s April 30 voyage (#2212), Rome to Venice, and Silver Spirit’s Oct. 22 sailing (#5233) from Rome to Barcelona. It’s also available as a post-cruise option on Silver Wind’s April 17 voyage (#2210), Barcelona to Rome. In addition to accommodations at Il Borgo for three nights, the price includes all transportation, transfers, guided sightseeing and some meals. (http://www.silversea.com)