Riverboat Cruises vs. Ocean Cruises: Which is for You?

When it comes to taking a cruise, you have a decision to make. Do you want to cruise the river, or the ocean?

Both types of cruising offer the ultimate in relaxation, onboard activities, and offshore excursions. No matter which you choose, you’ll see the world and experience new cultures and people. However, river and ocean cruising differ in several ways:

• River cruising offers a more intimate setting than ocean cruising. You’ll cruise the river on a smaller ship, and you’ll receive more personalized service than ocean cruisers.
• Unlike ocean ships, most cabins on a river cruise ship have a window view. The cabins tend to be more spacious as well, but not always.
• On the ocean, typical activities include a shipboard casino, several boutiques, and Vegas-style shows. Typically, river cruising ships do not have onboard casinos, and their onboard activities tend to focus on discovering the region and its culture. You’re more likely to enjoy lectures, cooking classes, and wine tasting.

• River cruise ships pass by large cities, medium-sized towns, and small burgs. They dock close to city centers for easy access to shore and ship. You’ll have more opportunity to get to know the locals and see authentic culture. Ocean cruise ships dock in coastal cities, which are often tourist-oriented areas, and you may not have as much exposure to the locals.
• On the ocean, you might sail for hours or days without seeing land. River cruising is a constant vista of spectacular scenery such as majestic castles and charming villages.
• On shore, river cruise entertainment, excursions, and dining are locally owned and staffed, so your experiences will be culturally authentic. Ocean cruises tend to offer popular, well-known shore excursions that many others have experienced.

While both river and ocean cruising involve relaxation, superb service, sumptuous food, and water, the differences between the two are significant and could be a consideration as you plan your cruise.

Have you ever been on a river cruise, ocean cruise, or both? 

Uncover the Secrets to Cooking Authentic Italian Cuisine from Fabio Bongianni

Imagine discovering the secrets to creating authentic Italian cuisine from a legendary cooking mentor who expands beyond traditional cooking techniques and takes you inside Roman lifestyle and culture.

Fabio Bongianni provides food lovers with a completely unique experience that goes above and beyond other traditional cooking classes found throughout Italy. Specifically, Fabio’s classes are highly personalized, bringing clients into his home and learning about their specific interests and preferences in order to create a class that is customized to their needs.

With Fabio’s private cooking classes you’ll travel inside his home to discover the traditional Roman lifestyle, authentic Italian cooking techniques, cultural heritage, and remarkable culinary delights—all while sipping on wine from Italy’s most prestigious wine regions.

I recently had the honor of interviewing Fabio on his personalized cooking classes, Fabiolous Cooking Day, and I am pleased to share his answers with you.

See the interview, below:

Your cooking classes are highly personal, taking place in your homes in Rome and Mazzano Romano. Why did you decide to host your classes at your homes and how do you think this setting affects the experiences participants have?

I want to give an experience other than a typical cooking lesson. To share my house, my kitchen, my culinary experiences on a friend level. Clients have often been pleasantly surprised by the personal factor. 

What do you think differentiates your cooking classes from others found throughout Italy and Europe?

My personalized attention and bringing the clients into my life. Not just a cooking lesson but an experience to draw upon. 

What does a typical culinary class with you consist of?

3 kind of dough—water and flour; egg and flour; potato and flour

Sauce techniques

1 meat dish

Regional recipes

Cooking techniques: I do this in order for my clients to expand upon the lesson for a lifetime.

What cuisine do you primarily focus on? Do the various seasons have any influence on the dishes you prepare with participants?

Pasta—again the 3 different types of dough. 

Yes, the season has an influence. But I never prepare a lesson beforehand. I discuss the client’s likes / dislikes and then we choose ingredients based upon what is in season.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Owning restaurant is a job, and the cooking lessons are my passion.  Every day is a new experience.

For an even deeper look into a Fabiolous Cooking Day, watch the video below: 

About Fabio:

Fabio Bongianni, born and raised in Rome, attended law school before realizing his true passion was cooking. At this realization he began working in the “dolce vita” Sans Souci restaurant before taking his dream a step further in Paris at the Ritz Escoffier cooking school. After one year of culinary study, Fabio traveled back to Rome and started his own, highly successful restaurant, the T-Bone Station. He then opened That’s Amore restaurant before discovering that he really wanted to teach cooking classes.

Today, Fabio opens his home in the countryside of Mazzano Romano to travelers seeking a personalized, authentic cooking experience. 

Wine Tasting in Sonoma

For a spectacular getaway full of luxury and wine, look no further than the famed Sonoma Wine Country in California. Its award-winning wineries feature the best vintages California has to offer, and you’ll find plenty to do and see in between tastings. We can arrange private tours of wineries, and you’ll find yourself viewing the majestic beauty of wine country from a stretch limousine.

Where to go:

• Benziger Family Winery: This family owned and operated winery offers an unusual tram tour of the vineyard and gives you spectacular views of the area.
• Del Dotto’s Cinghiale Vineyard: Located on the sprawling Sonoma coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Cinghiale Vineyard is celebrated for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.Cave-aged wines are richer and bolder than other wines, and you’ll enter the cave and taste it right out of the barrel.
• Stonestreet: Known for their remarkable Cabernet Sauvignons, Stonestreet is a must visit for bold wine-enthusiasts. For the ultimate wine tasting experience, book a custom tasting tour where you can try wines based on your specific preferences, as well as tour the breathtaking Alexander Mountain Estate.

Courtesy of Avalon Luxury Inn

Where to stay: 

• The Inn at the Tides: Overlooking Bodega Bay’s harbor, this secluded hotel features luxurious lodges and spectacular natural views. Championship golf, deep-sea fishing, and whale watching are only a short drive away.
• Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn: With its mineral hot springs, golf course, luxurious spa, and Michelin-starred restaurant, this lavish hotel completes the extravagant Sonoma winery experience.
• Avalon Luxury Inn: Enjoy a gourmet three-course breakfast by the fireplace, or take an invigorating stroll through the redwoods before you embark on your next vineyard tour. This luxury bed-and-breakfast features a charming creek, balconies, hot tubs, and an exercise room.

What to do:

• Soar over Sonoma in a hot-air balloon.
• Shop in the boutiques in towns such as Graton or Sebastopol.
• View the wineries from the air in a biplane.
• Tour Annadel State Park on horseback or by mountain bike, stopping for an intimate picnic deep in the redwoods.
• Enjoy gourmet lunches with top chefs in renowned Sonoma restaurants.
• Play a round of golf at Bodega Harbor.

Where to eat:

• The Girl and the Fig features French-inspired cuisine such as the bistro plat du jour, grass-fed steak tartare, and pastis scented steamed mussels and frites.
• La Salette’s Portuguese cuisine features the pork tenderloin recheado and the Brazilian national dish feijoada completa, made with stewed beef, pork, smoked sausage, and black beans.
• Depot Hotel Restaurant features Mediterranean fare such as carnaroli risotto, roasted Petaluma chicken, and Sonoma duck confit.

Throughout the Sonoma Wine Country, you’ll find plenty of activities, over 200 wineries, and dozens of fine restaurants featuring any type of cuisine you can imagine. In fact, the only limit to what you can do in Sonoma is your own imagination.

Would you love to book a private wine tour?