Trends – Culinary Travels

Atlas Ocean Voyages Just Announced an Impressive New Dining Experience

30 September 2025

Atlas Ocean Voyages is raising the bar on culinary travel with a newly enhanced dining program designed to immerse guests in the flavours and traditions of the destinations they explore.

Under the leadership of Corporate Executive Chef René Afleñzer, who recently returned from a sourcing journey across Argentina, the luxury cruise line has unveiled menus that spotlight locally inspired dishes and seasonal ingredients sourced directly from regional farmers, vintners and artisans.

“Food is an integral part of exploration,” said Chef Afleñzer. “Guests deserve a culinary journey as rich and inspiring as the destinations we visit. Our menus are designed to surprise and delight, blending creative presentation, exceptional quality and fresh regional flavours.”

A Taste of the World on Board

Guests can now enjoy Chef Afleñzer’s creations across all dining venues, including the elegant main restaurant, the alfresco 7Aft Grill, casual Paula’s Pantry, and 24-hour room service. Highlights range from raw Hamachi with soya-parsley and dill salad, to lobster ravioli with garlic butter sauce, to plant-based options such as roasted white onion with wild mushroom ragout and hazelnut cream.

The curated menus also include a standout dessert program featuring treats like infinity chocolate peanut butter cake and pistachio caramel sauce crumble. Beverage pairings, sommelier-led wine tastings and market-to-table dinners round out the expanded offering, creating a holistic dining experience designed to connect travellers to the culinary traditions of the regions they visit.

Expanding the Epicurean Experiences

Atlas Ocean Voyages has also announced the return of its popular Epicurean Expeditions for 2026 and 2027, sailing the Mediterranean with a line-up of guest chefs, wine pairings, market-to-table excursions and shoreside tastings.

“As one of the cornerstones of the Atlas experience, our culinary program continues to evolve,” said James A. Rodriguez, President & CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “Our guests’ feedback and strong ratings confirm that dining with Atlas is truly exceptional.”

With its expanded menus, expert-led experiences and commitment to sourcing sustainably, Atlas Ocean Voyages is charting a course to make dining at sea as memorable as the destinations themselves.

Wine Tourism is on the Rise: Where to Sip and Stay

2 September 2025

According to a recent Future Market Insights report, wine tourism is no longer a niche pursuit but a booming travel trend that’s only getting stronger. More than just tastings, today’s vineyard visits are immersive cultural experiences blending terroir, gastronomy, design and hospitality. From boutique stays in French villages to cutting-edge wine museums, travellers are increasingly pairing their love of wine with their love of place.

Here are some of the destinations shaping the next chapter of wine travel:

SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites — Mendoza, Argentina

Created by pioneering Argentine winemaker Susana Balbo and her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo, this boutique estate offers seven design-forward spa suites where wellness meets wine. Each suite features private amenities such as steam rooms, aromatherapy showers, and vinotherapy-inspired soaking tubs. Guests can dine at La VidA, the Michelin-recommended restaurant pairing seasonal menus with Balbo’s celebrated wines, or enjoy curated tastings and vineyard visits across Mendoza.

Spier Wine Farm — Stellenbosch, South Africa

Established in 1692, Spier is one of South Africa’s oldest family-owned wineries. Its approach blends centuries of tradition with modern sustainable practices. Visitors can explore its working farm, regenerative agriculture projects and even join eco-friendly Segway tours through the vines. For those seeking slow travel, Spier offers picnics among gardens, organic dining, and a chance to taste wines cultivated with a deep respect for the land.

The MUSE Saint Tropez — French Riviera, France

In the sun-soaked south of France, MUSE Saint Tropez offers a luxurious base for wine enthusiasts. With 16 suites named after iconic muses, the boutique hotel arranges intimate tastings with local vintners and exclusive access to nearby estates such as Château des Marres. Guests can pair Provençal cuisine with coastal vintages, enjoy spa treatments inspired by grape-based therapies, and dine alfresco in quintessential Riviera style.

Quinta dos Vales — Algarve, Portugal

Set amid 44 hectares of rolling vineyards just a short drive from the coast, Quinta dos Vales is both a wine hotel and a working winery. Guests stay in villa-style accommodations, many with private pools and terraces overlooking the vines. Beyond tastings and cellar tours, the estate offers the immersive Winemaker Experience, where visitors can create and follow their own personalized blends with expert support. Seasonal events — from Fado, Yoga & Wine evenings to sunset cinema and gourmet food pairings — add a cultural flourish, ensuring every stay is as memorable as the wines themselves.

Segera Retreat — Laikipia, Kenya

Kenya may not be the first place that comes to mind for wine, but Segera Retreat proves otherwise. Surrounded by vast wilderness, the lodge has carved out one of East Africa’s most extensive private wine cellars, stocked with over 2,000 bottles. Visitors can pair game drives with candlelit tastings, blending safari adventure with sommelier-led explorations of global vintages.

Byblos Hotel — Florence, Italy

Inside the Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà, a 16th-century palazzo outside Verona, art meets oenology. The hotel offers curated experiences with Amarone producers, showcasing one of Italy’s most iconic wines. Guests can admire contemporary art installations, indulge in Michelin-starred dining, and join private vineyard excursions across Valpolicella.

Forsthofgut Nature Hotel — Leogang, Austria

In the Austrian Alps, Forsthofgut has unveiled weinWALD, a forest-inspired wine lounge woven into the hotel’s spa complex. Tastings spotlight local alpine vintages alongside international labels, complemented by wellness rituals like vinotherapy treatments. Surrounded by spruce trees and mountain air, the experience captures the marriage of sustainability, craft and Alpine serenity.