I’ve been working with the folks at Go Travel and Celebrity Cruise Line to put together a cruise designed especially for people who love food and wine, and I’m pleased to announce we set sail Sunday, January 12 for a seven night cruise aboard the Reflection, the newest ship in the Celebrity fleet. In fact, it doesn’t have its inaugural cruise until November, so it will still have that new boat smell!

It’s a big ship, and you’ll have access to all the amenities on board. But only those who book for the SJO Cruise through Go Travel will have access to our special events. What have we got planned? We’ll have private group dining nights, martini tastings, food demonstrations and a special meal at Qsine, the ship’s signature dining room. We’re even going to have a champagne party on the ship’s lawn (yes, it’s so big it has an actual grassy lawn on it). 

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Updated — Sorry, we have no more spaces. Watch for announcments about upcoming trips.

Who would like to join me in Europe this summer?

In conjunction with UCF’s Study Abroad program, I will be leading a course titled “Writing about Eating Experiences in London and Paris,” and you’re invited to come along. Although it is designed as a course for university students, the trip is open to the general public, as well. We’ll spend five days in London then travel on Eurostar via the English Channel tunnel for five days in Paris.

Along the way we’ll eat, drink and write about eating and drinking. We’ll visit the bustling Borough Market and the stunning food stalls at Harrod’s. We’ll experience afternoon tea, sample pub grub, visit the vendors at Camden Locks, tour historical Smithfield Market and stroll along Brick Lane amid its myriad Indian and Pakistani restaurants. In Paris we’ll sample chocolates at Fauchon and visit a boulangerie. We’ll learn about bistros and brasseries, and eat at sidewalk cafes. And we’ll take an excursion to the Champagne region to visit a winemaker. Our final day in Paris will be July 14 — Bastille Day! Maybe we’ll find a barricade to storm. We’ve designed the itinerary so that there’s plenty of free time to explore on your own, too.

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