Top Chef Fan Favorite Fabio Viviani

Sets Sail with Windstar    

Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, offers guests the opportunity to learn about Tuscan cooking from “Top Chef Season 5 Fan Favorite” Fabio Viviani on Wind Surf’s Oct. 22, 2011, Athens to Rome voyage. During the sailing, Viviani will conduct a lecture, question and answer session, and cooking demonstration.

Viviani began his culinary career at age 12 and attended Italy’s Instituto Professionale per I servizi Alberghieri in Florence, focusing on advanced Tuscan and regional cooking as well as a wide variety of specialization courses.  He spent months at regional restaurants and abroad to learn the secrets of master chefs and eventually co-owned and managed several high-volume Florentine restaurants along with being the personal chef for a number of Italian and American celebrities. As owner and executive chef of restaurants Café Firenze and Firenze Osteria, Viviani brings his Tuscan dishes and Florentine flair to Southern California. In addition to being a chef and restaurateur, Viviani is also the official spokesperson for Bialetti, Bertolli Olive Oil and Santa Margherita wines. For more information on Viviani, visit www.firenzeosteria.com.

Wind Surf’s 7-day Athens to Rome sailing departs Oct. 22, 2011, and visits Milos, Greece; Monemvasia, Greece; Messina, Italy; Amalfi, Italy; and Ischia, Italy.  Cruise fares from $2,399 per person, double occupancy.

Wind Surf accommodates 312 guests, offering deluxe, oceanview staterooms that include beds with luxury linens and mattresses, a flat-screen TV and DVD player, Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods, waffle-weave robes with slippers and sumptuous L’Occitane products. Suites also include an extra bath, TV and sitting area. Wind Surf’s spa suites include all the amenities of a suite along with luxurious microfiber linens, spa robes, an orchid flower arrangement, specialty pillow menu, daily fresh fruit platter, O SPA London products, WindSpa spa experiences and events as well as unlimited Pilates and Yoga classes.  Bridge Suites offer everything in a suite along with the additional luxury of a spacious private living room and relaxing whirlpool spa. Guests can enjoy culinary wonders in Wind Surf’s The Restaurant, Degrees, Le Marché and Candles.  Wind Surf also features a lounge, Yacht Club, casino, three bars, two pools, two hot tubs, a shop, photo gallery and watersports platform.

        Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations.  Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245.  Visit Windstar Cruises online at http://www.windstarcruises.com.