Silversea Launches Inaugural S.A.L.T. Voyages

Already renowned for their sophisticated luxury and highly personalised small ship experience, one of the most unique draws of Silversea is their Sea and Land Taste Programme (S.A.L.T.)

If this is your first time hearing about S.A.L.T., allow us to explain. 

Essentially, Silversea believe that one of the best routes to a destination’s culture and traditions is through its culinary offering, which has previously taken the form of onboard drinking, dining and cooking experiences. 

Now, they have taken the concept one step further with the launch of their inaugural S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages Collection, which weaves the epicurean even more tightly into the fabric of each sailing. Centred around four different themes – Gather, Craft, Celebrate and Indulge – these voyages will take place aboard both Silver Dawn and Silver Spirit from August to October. 

This first collection comprises seven voyages which have been carefully scheduled to coincide with Europe’s grape harvest season, hitting ports across France, Spain and Portugal. 

Seen these destinations before? 

Not like this you haven’t.

Each excursion has been curated to provide a true off-the-beaten-track experience, leading discerning guests through doors not usually open to tourists. We’re talking truffle hunting in the grounds of Château Royal, a Normandy cooking lesson with Chef Brigitte Durmant, visiting the kitchens of Château de Prince Noir and port blending in the Douro Valley, among other things. The idea is to leave typical port activities behind, instead introducing travellers to people and places in new, deeply personal ways. This travel at its most immersive and transformative. 

Bert Hernandez, president of Silversea, said: “With our new collection of dedicated S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages, we’re building on our position as the small-ship leader in culinary variety to give guests direct guests direct access to the people and places that define a region’s food culture. That means a countless opening her kitchen in northern Portugal, or a chef teaching her own family recipes at home in Normandy. These are experiences guests couldn’t arrange on their own, and that access is what sets this collection apart”.

Don’t, however, be fooled into thinking all the fun happens ashore. With a stacked programme of seasonal cocktail hours, harvest themed brunches, expert led workshops and tastings, plus an ever-rotating destination inspired menu, things are certainly no less exciting on board.

The programming includes:

-              A sommelier-led tasting of European Atlantic Coast wines.

-              A sommelier-led Bordeaux wine tasting.

-              A spirit tasting session, led by the S.A.L.T. Bar Team and featuring various cognacs and Armagnacs.

-              A champagne tasting, featuring world-famous and under-the-radar brands alike.

-              An autumn-inspired mixology class, led by the S.A.L.T. Bar Team.

-              Iberia’s Autumn Bounty – A chef-led, nine-course dinner at La Dame, shining the spotlight on autumnal flavours and wines from Northern Spain and Portugal.

-              Autumn Forest Treasures – A six-course lunch at La Dame, centred around foraged foods like truffles and wild mushrooms.

-              Atlantic Coastal Catch – A live cooking masterclass focused on Atlantic seafood, followed by a six-course lunch.

-              A guided French cheese and wine tasting, hosted by the head sommelier.

For those guests who seek something a little bit different, these S.A.L.T. voyages may be just the ticket, traversing the road less travelled in search of a beautifully seasonal escape, one which boasts an array of unique experiences both onboard and ashore, whilst maintaining the sense of luxury for which Silversea is renowned.

The seven voyages span between ten and twelve days and include stops such as the Channel Islands, La Coruña, Vigo, Porto, Bilbao and Santander, among others. 

The best part? This is only the beginning.

These Harvest voyages mark an exciting new chapter for Silversea, who are already developing more culinary voyages, calling at some of the foodie meccas of the world in pursuit of a truly unique travel experience. 

You can find out more about Silversea here.