One trip, five dishes: Mediterranean edition

If you want to try proper local dishes, a food tour is the best way. I booked the Central Market and Tapas Tour shore experience with P&O Cruises, and it was utterly perfect – a guided stroll through the streets of Alicante, a look around its historic market and a tapas bar crawl (with drinks!). My favourite tapa of the day was this pan con tomate – our guide explained that in Alicante, the simple breakfast dish is traditionally served with ham and manchego, as farmers needed a protein boost for a hard day’s work. It was a perfect bite, simple, soft and a little salty, brushed with their local olive oil – and lovely with an ice-cold white sangria. 

The Glass House is one of Arvia's on-board restaurants. Here, for a little extra, you can indulge in a tapas menu curated by P&O Cruises Local Food Hero José Pizarro, an acclaimed Spanish chef from Extremadura. His expertise, along with recommendations by wine expert and P&O Cruises Food Hero Olly Smith, make for a really special meal on board, from the variety of sharing tapas to the ‘tapas trios’ for one – and my seafood trio was really something. Crispy cajun soft-shell crab, grilled tiger prawns and lobster mac and cheese on one plate was a layered and rich dish, presented beautifully with samphire shoots and edible flowers. Cooking crab this way is common in Spain’s coastal regions, but it was my first time trying it, and trust me – rich crab meat, a slightly spicy tempura-style batter, and those crispy, crunchy crab legs? Add it to your food bucket list immediately.

I had been recommended this tapas bar by my colleagues in Barcelona, so I headed there for lunch. Named after the Spanish sandwich bocata, Bar Bocata is a trendy spot with sandwiches, classic tapas and seafood on the menu – but it’s most famous for its tortillas. I’ve tried my fair share, but this was a cut above the rest, served the Spanish way with crispy edges and a warm, runny middle. Hidden in its buttery filling were rich caramelised onions, salty Spanish ham and butter-soft potato – I could have eaten six more. We even bagged the best seat in the house, right by the window so we could watch sunny Barcelona go by. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Okay, sure, a glass of wine isn’t technically a dish, but I can’t not mention the fantastic Castellet and Wine Tasting shore experience I booked with P&O Cruises for our day in Toulon (from La Seyne-sur-Mer). We got to visit Domaine de Souviou, a small vineyard in La Seyne-sur-Mer, and explore the fairytale village of Le Castellet, which is perched on a cliff edge with incredible views. We learned a ridiculous amount about winemaking, and tried local snacks to pair with each glass. Thought only red wine could go with cheese? You thought wrong. I learned that cheeses like the soft, rich goat’s cheese we tried pair perfectly with a citrussy, mineral white wine. We also tried a very nice full-bodied red, but my favourite of them all was Domaine de Souviou's pale and fruity Bandol rosé – when in Provence, after all. 

Of course, as a Time Out editor, I can’t visit Barcelona without checking out its Time Out Market. Time Out Market Barcelona is a magnificent space, with four outdoor terraces looking out over Port Vell and 14 eateries to choose from. But my favourite thing about any Time Out Market is being able to try a restaurant with a Michelin star – so I made a beeline for Fran López for one of his iconic rice dishes. And it did not disappoint – creamy rice, fresh cuttlefish, finished with fresh chives and topped with two butter-soft langoustines, every bite was packed with rich, decadent flavour. The best part? You can book a Time Out Market Barcelona shore experience with P&O Cruises.