Partnering with Ducasse Conseli and Château Latour, Ponant is offering an exceptional 9-day cruise for foodies and oenophiles from Lisbon to Lorient aboard the luxurious megayacht l’Austral April 11-19, 2020. Onboard festivities include two gala dinners prepared by chefs from Alain Ducasse’s restaurants, two Grand Cru tastings and wine conferences, and the onboard presence of the sommelier Eric Beaumard and the cheesemaker-affineur Bernard Antony.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites featured throughout the cruise start with the Tower of Belem and Monastery of the Hieronymites 
(Jeronimos Monastery) in your boarding port of Lisbon. First on the itinerary is Porto, capital of northern Portugal and UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its fine wine. Next is Vizcaya Bridge in Bilbao near the celebrated La Rioja winemaking region. Following a cruise up the Gironde estuary to Pauillac, you’ll enjoy winetastings at some of the most magnificent vineyard estates in the Saint-Estephe, Margaux and Pauillac appellations. Château Latour provides a storybook setting for the evening’s mooring and onboard dinner gala featuring innovative wine and dish pairings.
During two full days in Bordeaux, you will be immersed in the Aquitaine wine capital’s rich wine-making traditions with excursions to the Port of the Moon World Heritage Site, Cité du Vin museum, medieval village and château of Saint-Émilion, and other majestic area châteaux. Last stop before disembarking at Lorient is Ile d’Aix, a popular crescent-shaped, two kilometer-long island of marshes, vines, cliffs, creeks, and perfect pastel houses with multi-colored shutters. You can also visit the village, World Heritage site of Fort Liédot, the Napoléon Museum and African Museum.
Ponant’s l’Austral is a sleek 132-passenger vessel blending traditional yacht elegance with innovative features to create the perfect mix 
of luxury chic and casual. Restaurant menus are inspired by Ducasse Conseil which also oversees training of the chefs. The many personal touches and service complete the sophisticated, yet laid-back ambiance of a private yacht. Amenities include Hermès beauty products, Veuve Clicquot champagne, and top-of-the-line beauty treatments in its Sothys Spa. Click here for a virtual tour.
For further details on the itinerary, visit Gastronomy, Grands Crus & VineyardsCruise
Photos courtesy of Ponant
