TORONTO — Foodies take note – Avalon Waterways has announced a new culinary cruise down the Rhône River with one of Canada’s top chefs.

Departing May 12 from Lyon, the week-long voyage will sail through the French countryside onboard the Avalon Waterways Poetry II, where guests can rub elbows with Chef Umberto Menghi. The ship will sail to such towns as Avignon and Arles, where Vincent van Gogh once called home.

The cruise includes a host of shore excursions, from a guided hike through a nature reserve to a painting workshop in Arles, as well as plenty of opportunities to sample local cuisines. Guests may find themselves at a cooking class in Lyon, crafting their own chocolate bar in the Valrhona Chocolate Factory, enjoying a wine tasting in a cave, visiting an oyster farm in the Camargue, or taking a guided e-bike ride through Tavel, home of rosé wine.

Other highlights include expansive breakfast buffets (or continental in bed), regional lunches in the main restaurant or up top in the open-air Sky Lounge, and a choice between four-course or casual bistro dinners. Wine and beer are included with lunch and dinner.

Certain to be a highlight will be two cooking demonstrations hosted onboard by Chef Umberto. Born in Tuscany, Umberto is the author of five best-selling cookbooks and has successful restaurants in Vancouver and Whistler, plus a cooking school in his native Italy.

This special departure is regularly priced from $4,894, including port taxes, excluding airfare. Clients who book by March 9 will save $900 per person.

For more information go to agentlingo.ca.