From the vineyards of Bordeaux and the Douro Valley to the kitchens of Normandy and the Basque Country, Silversea’s new S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages invite guests to discover Europe through its food, flavours and people.
Building on the line’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) programme, the new collection combines expanded culinary programming on board with immersive experiences ashore, all shaped by the seasons and guided by local experts, chefs, sommeliers and mixologists.
The inaugural collection launches with seven Grape Harvest sailings aboard Silver Dawn and Silver Spirit, offering advisors another way to sell European cruising to clients who want to truly savour the destinations they visit.
Grape Harvest voyages
Autumn is arguably one of the best times to experience Europe through food.
Silversea’s Grape Harvest S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages have been timed to coincide with the harvest season, allowing guests to explore vineyards, restaurants and markets in some of the region’s most celebrated gourmet destinations.
The collection includes sailings between August and October, with itineraries travelling through Portugal, Spain, France and the UK.
Each voyage is built around four themes – Gather, Craft, Celebrate and Indulge – and is designed to provide privileged access to the people, places and traditions that shape each region’s food culture.
In Portugal’s Douro Valley, travellers can explore a historic wine estate, walk its terraced vineyards and blend their own port alongside an oenologist. The day ends with a live-fire lunch accompanied by premium regional drops.
Further north, the Basque Country offers another take on the harvest season. Guests can visit a traditional txakoli winery, meet the winemaker and taste the region’s distinctive wines with pintxos before sitting down to a wood-fired feast at Michelin-starred Garena.
Then there’s Bordeaux, where a visit to Château du Prince Noir takes travellers behind the scenes of a working kitchen. Michelin-renowned chef Vivien Durand shares his approach to local ingredients and techniques before guests enjoy a private three-course lunch matched with local wines.
A seat at the table
But perhaps the most memorable S.A.L.T. experiences are those that give travellers a seat at tables they wouldn’t usually have access to.
In Normandy, guests can head into the countryside for a cooking lesson with chef Brigitte Dumant at her home in Saint-Étienne-la-Thillaye.
In northern Portugal, a historic estate provides the setting for a cooking experience hosted by a countess, while in Sintra, guests can gather seasonal ingredients with master chef, forager and fisherman José Velhinho.
For travellers looking for something more indulgent, there’s also the chance to hunt for black truffles in France before a private meal at Château de Cazeneuve, or to explore more than 300 years of winemaking history at Château Lafaurie Peyraguey in Sauternes.
On board offerings
The culinary immersion continues well after guests return to the ship.
All S.A.L.T. sailings feature an expanded programme of S.A.L.T. experiences, bringing the flavours of the season on board.
At La Dame, guests can enjoy a chef-led nine-course dinner celebrating the autumn flavours of Portugal and northern Spain.
An onboard sommelier leads tastings of premium Bordeaux and Champagne, and clients can indulge in every possible craving with S.A.L.T. Bar masterclasses, French cheese and wine pairings, and Cognac and Armagnac tastings.
For those wanting to sharpen their kitchen prowess, an Atlantic Coastal Catch masterclass with the executive chef explores the preparation and cooking of seafood before a six-course lunch with wine.
Seasonal touches continue throughout the voyage, including a Harvest Cruise Welcome, Autumn Harvest Grand Brunch and Harvest Cruise Aperitivo.
An appetite for immersion
The S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages are not aimed solely at those who would describe themselves as foodies.
Clients who have already explored Europe’s major attractions can experience familiar destinations differently, while wine lovers can build a journey around some of the continent’s most celebrated regions.
Keen home cooks will find plenty of hands-on experiences, while discerning travellers can enjoy privileged access to private kitchens, historic estates and Michelin-starred tables.
By combining seasonal experiences ashore with destination-inspired dining and enrichment on board, Silversea’s S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages give advisors yet another reason to put Europe on the menu.
