New experiences that allow travellers to uncover the foodie heart of a destination will be on offer for the first time this summer throughout Europe from Celebrity Cruises.

Hosted by one of the cruise line’s chefs, the new Chef’s Market Discoveries allow guests to meet farmers and food producers, tour markets and taste local specialities. The gourmet experience culminates with an exclusive dinner on-board, prepared by the chef using ingredients from the day’s market haul.

The cruise line is rolling out the Chef’s Market Discoveries to destinations in the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and South America.

Highlights of the new Chef’s Market Discoveries tours available include:

• Exploring the herbs, plants and trees of Crete’s Botanical Park and Gardens in Chania, sampling cheeses, honey and olives and learning how to prepare the popular dish of Boureki pie – courgette, potato, mizithra cheese and mint pie – before enjoying dinner on-board the ship created from Cretan local produce bought earlier that day. Available on 11 night Greece, Turkey and Italy and seven night Mediterranean cruises calling in Chania, Crete

• Visiting fresh fish markets in Iceland, sampling a number of its distinctive varieties and preparing dishes from ceviche to dried fish, joining a fisherman’s cookery school and choosing the fresh fish for dinner that evening. Available on 10 night Iceland and Ireland cruises that feature Iaafjordur in north west Iceland

• Choosing the lemons to make the perfect Italian Limoncello, visiting a mozzarella farm and learning about cheese and olive oil production in Naples before wine tasting and touring the Amalfi coast for fresh Italian fruits and vegetables for dinner in the evening. Available on seven, 10 and 11 night Mediterranean cruises featuring Naples

• Learning how to pair vodka with different foods over lunch in St Petersburg, Russia as well as trying caviar, honey, cottage cheeses and meats in specialist markets. Available on 12 and 14 night Scandinavia and Russia cruises with overnight stays in St Petersburg

Chef’s Market Discoveries are available in Tallinn, Helsinki, Reykjavik, Livorno, Cartagena and Venice. Prices for the exclusive excursions range between $169 per person (£122) and $359 per person (£258), and all prices include a private dining experience hosted by an on-board chef.

For more information on Celebrity Cruises, and to discover more about the award-winning food experiences available visit celebritycruises.co.uk/chefs-market-discoveries.