Italy is known for its delectable desserts, and now Costa Cruises is showcasing some of the leading Italian and international pastry masters on two confectionery-themed sailings aboard Costa Toscana and Costa Fascinosa. This collaboration with the Association of Pastry Ambassadors of Italian Excellence (APEI) will be led by renowned pastry chef Master Iginio Massari.
Massari and the APEI masters will be onboard Costa Toscana’s weeklong June 9, 2023, cruise, offering daily workshops demonstrating the art of pastry making. Guests will have the opportunity to taste some of Massari’s most iconic desserts and receive a signed copy from his “Dolce è la vita” book series. The ship departs Genoa, Italy, and visits Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; Cagliari, Sardinia; Naples and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.
For the third consecutive year, Costa will host the annual Panettone senza confini, or “Panettone Without Borders,” competition aboard Costa Fascinosa’s Oct. 21, 2023, cruise. Guests will be able to sample delicacies prepared by master chefs from 15 pastry shops from around the world competing in the Panettone senza confini that’s dedicated to Italy’s iconic sweet bread.
During the cruise, panettone will be prepared in a variety of ways: traditional and chocolate, plated desserts and even an ice cream version. Guests will judge and vote the best chocolate panettone. The best traditional panettone will be chosen by a jury of APEI masters, chaired by Iginio Massari. The 10-day roundtrip itinerary features calls at Marseille; Málaga, Cádiz and Valencia, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and British Territory Gibraltar.
For an immersive, European experience of the Mediterranean on an authentically Italian-style cruise, contact your travel professional, visit costacruises.com or call Costa Cruises North America at 1-800-GO-COSTA (800-462-6782).