In Palermo, food sits close to the city’s soul. It is found in the morning rituals, the coastal traditions, the family recipes and the instinctive knowledge of what the day’s best ingredients can become.​

The experience begins on board, in the Chef’s Kitchen, with our chef sharing the philosophy of Sicilian coastal cuisine: pure ingredients, chosen with care, prepared with balance, and allowed to speak clearly. From there, the journey continues through historic Palermo, its lively streets and vibrant culture unfolding along the way. A pause for the ritual of a local treat brings the city closer, with every bite revealing the craftsmanship and tradition behind it.​

At Mercato del Capo, abundance takes over. Pristine seafood still glistening from the sea, the freshest catches of the day, sun-warmed produce, vivid colours and familiar aromas come together in a rich expression of Palermo’s culinary soul.​
Seen through the chef’s eyes, the market becomes more than a place of discovery,​
it is where the meal first begins to take shape.​

With the best ingredients selected, the experience returns to the ship.​
Back in the Chef’s Kitchen, the morning’s market finds become the menu​
for a hands-on cooking moment alongside the chef. Three refined Sicilian coastal dishes come together through technique, balance and the art of simplicity — carrying with them the freshness of the market, the memory​
of Palermo and the living heritage of the city.​

In Marseille, the sea shapes the rhythm of the harbour, the traditions of its fishermen​
and the recipes passed down through generations. The Mediterranean is more than​
a backdrop; it is the source of the city’s enduring culinary identity.​

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The experience begins in the Chef’s Kitchen, with an introduction to the ingredients, techniques and traditions that define Marseille’s coastal cuisine. Guests then travel​
by private boat into the iconic Vieux-Port, arriving as life unfolds along its historic waterfront.​

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At the city’s renowned fish market, local fishermen return with the morning’s catch as Marseille’s maritime heritage comes to life along the quayside.​
Accompanied by the Chef, guests meet the fishermen whose knowledge has shaped the port for generations and select the finest Mediterranean fish for the menu to follow.​
The experience continues at La Caravelle, where Navettes de Marseille and Provençal apéritifs are savoured overlooking the harbour.​

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Back on board, the morning’s selection is transformed in the Chef’s Kitchen into​
a refined interpretation of bouillabaisse. Marseille’s signature expression of the sea,​
the dish brings together the finest Mediterranean catch in a fragrant broth of saffron, herbs and Provença aromatics. Paired with regional wines, the experience brings provenance, culinary craft and a profound sense of place to the table – an immersive celebration of Marseille and the living heritage of the Mediterranean.​

In Barcelona, food is woven into everyday life through vibrant markets,​
time-honoured traditions and the Mediterranean spirit that shapes the city’s culinary identity.​
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The experience begins in the Chef’s Kitchen with an introduction to the ingredients and techniques of Catalan cuisine. Guests then venture into the city, taking in the energy of Las Ramblas and the historic port before arriving at La Boqueria.​
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Amid the market’s colourful abundance, fresh seafood, saffron, seasonal vegetables, cured meats and Catalan specialities reveal the richness of the region. Guided by the Chef, guests select the ingredients for the menu to follow, before pausing for traditional tapas accompanied by cava or a local cerveza.​
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Back on board, the morning’s discoveries become the foundation of a hands-on experience in the Chef’s Kitchen. Alongside the Chef, guests prepare the real “Paella Valenciana”, discovering the technique, patience and instinct behind one of Spain’s most celebrated dishes.​
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Paired with local wines and shared in a convivial Mediterranean setting, the experience reveals Barcelona through its flavours, traditions and enduring passion for food.​

In Puglia, the landscape is inseparable from the table.​
Sunlit vineyards, centuries-old olive groves and fertile countryside shape a cuisine defined by seasonality, restraint and a profound respect for the land.​

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Accompanied by the Chef, guests are welcomed into a traditional Puglian estate to explore its vineyards, olive groves and wine cellars. Encounters with local producers reveal the knowledge and precision behind the estate’s wines and extra virgin olive oil, each an expression of the region’s distinctive terroir.​

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A guided tasting of five estate wines is accompanied by the flavours of Puglia at their purest: burrata and mozzarella, freshly baked focaccia and friselle, olives, seasonal produce, organic almonds, preserved tomatoes and local cheeses served with artisanal preserves.​

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The experience culminates in an unhurried countryside lunch, prepared with ingredients sourced directly from the estate. ​
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Shared in the warmth of the Puglian landscape, it offers an intimate expression of the region’s craftsmanship, generosity and enduring culinary heritage.​

This autumn, one of Europe’s most treasured culinary ingredients takes centre stage in a tableside truffle ritual unfolding across the restaurants at sea.​
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Throughout the Journey, guests will discover a new creation each day, featuring truffle sourced with meticulous care from Piedmont at the height of the season and completed tableside with freshly shaved truffle.​
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The ritual unfolds across the distinct culinary venues through both timeless and contemporary interpretations. From Anthology’s handmade tagliolini with fresly shaved truffle to the unexpected elegance of a Pan-Asian dessert, each creation reflects the character of the restaurant in which it is served, while preserving the truffle’s inherent sense of rarity and seasonality.​
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A considered wine selection complements each dish and echoes its provenance, with particular attention to the celebrated expressions of Piedmont.​
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Included as part of the culinary experience at no additional cost, The Truffle Season brings the European legacy of Explora Journeys to life through one of gastronomy’s most coveted pleasures — a reflection of the quiet generosity of luxury at sea: thoughtful sourcing, impeccable seasonality and moments of genuine wonder.