Description
Gourmet delights, sensorial pleasures, culinary exploration… Such are the watchwords of this unique gastronomic cruise, in partnership with the Maison Pierre Hermé Paris and La Mamounia Marrakech luxury palace, with the exceptional presence of Pierre Hermé, named best pastry chef in the world in 2016, his head pastry chef Mickaël Marsollier, Pierre Jochem, the Managing Director of La Mamounia and Rachid Agouray, the Executive Sous-Chef of La Mamounia.
For 8 days, from the volcanic archipelagos of the Canary Islands and Madeira to the southern tip of Portugal to the Moroccan coastline, awaken your senses and your emotions during culinary demonstrations, unforgettable lunches and dinners, and discussions with renowned professionals present on board. Timeless and unique moments off the coast of majestic volcanos, lush green valleys, isolated inlets, verdant cliffs and historic cities with multiple sources of heritage, where sweet delicacies and Oriental fragrances create a delightful blend.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT.During this cruise, admire the volcanic and verdant landscapes of Santa Cruz de La Palma, explore the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from La Gomera, or walk along the levadas, the irrigation channels that were dug out of the mountain by hand in the 19th century, from Funchal. The diversity of expériences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
Your cruise will start on the island of Gran Canaria in Las Palmas, then your ship will take to the sea, sailing west to reach Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In these lands of a thousand contrasts, dominated by the emblematic silhouette of the Teide stratovolcano, discover the unique and fascinating landscapes found in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teide National Park.
Le Bellot will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve. This island is also renowned for its whistling language, Silbo, that the inhabitants use to communicate from one valley to another.
Next, Santa Cruz de La Palma will invite you to spend a moment suspended in time. Here, the accent is on authenticity and tranquillity as you succumb to the charms of its unspoilt nature and its unusual architectural heritage featuring traditional Canarian houses with brightly-coloured wooden balconies, sumptuous palaces, and religious buildings.
Your ship will then set a course northward to carry you to Madeira, a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. On this steep island covered in luxuriant vegetation, the variety of landscapes, including sheer cliffs, levadas (Madeiran aqueducts), banana plantations, and the laurel forest – Laurisilva – listed with UNESCO, never ceases to amaze visitors.
As a grand finale, the dynamic and dynamic city of Casablanca, nicknamed “the white city”, will mark the end of this unique journey. For those who wish to extend this gourmet interlude, the Moroccan city will also be the departure point towards the sublime La Mamounia luxury palace in Marrakech to continue discovering, via gastronomy, all the heritage and authenticity of this century-old establishment.