VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
MOST of us see heading somewhere sunny for a well-earned break as an essential part of the summer.
But for Charlotte Pink, 32, and Esh Kanagalingam, 38, travel is a passion that’s seen them jet off to all corners of the world.
“It’s what gets us out of bed in the morning – we’re constantly dreaming of where we’re going next, and we both love discovering new places.”
“We watched beautiful views of each city as we sailed out of port”
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The lucky couple holiday up to four times a year – and for their most recent break they chose a Virgin Voyages Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems cruise.
“We were thinking of going to Split or Dubrovnik in Croatia and friends told us that nearby Kotor, in Montenegro, is beautiful too,” says Charlotte, who works at an oil and gas company.
“I was trying to work out how I could fit them all in – but with all the different ferries, and factoring in our luggage, it felt like an absolute nightmare to organise.
“Then a friend told me about Virgin Voyages’ new cruise, which takes in all three places. You get a full day in each city, so it seemed perfect for us.”
To tackle their travel wishlist, Charlotte and Esh, who works in finance as a project manager, booked the seven-night, adults-only Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems cruise.
They boarded the Valiant Lady at Athens before docking at Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor and Corfu.
Charlotte and Esh break for a holiday selfie while enjoying the exciting nightlife on board ship
“I was a bit worried we’d be the youngest people on board our ship, but it was a real mix,” says Charlotte.
“Once our luggage was ready, we went to our room, which was gorgeous.”
After a day at sea, the couple woke up the next morning to find they’d arrived in Split while they slept.
“We spent the day exploring, returning to the ship that evening,” says Charlotte.
“It was lovely sitting on our balcony with a drink in hand, watching beautiful views of each city while we sailed out of the port.”
With a leisurely 12-hour stop scheduled at each destination, the couple enjoyed plenty of food, drinks and sightseeing – including some hidden gems that weren’t on their original itinerary.
Inspired by Esh and Charlotte’s trip? Find out more and book your cruise at virginvoyages.com
Railway northern spice scallops with saffron cream sauce
Photography by Nick Wilson
Why one young couple loved this adults-only luxury Adriatic and Corfu cruise
Ingredients:
1 pinch saffron
½ cup chopped shallots
2 tbsp butter
1 medium-sized garlic clove, crushed
½ tsp turmeric powder
¼ tsp curry powder
A pinch of ground cloves
1 lemon, juiced
1 cup heavy cream
Light marinade
Scallops, ½ lb per person
Salt and a pinch of curry powder, pepper to taste
Instructions
· Melt butter over medium heat in a pan
· Add the chopped shallots and sauté until soft
· Add the minced garlic, turmeric, curry powder and lemon juice
· Combine ingredients and add the heavy cream
· Whisk until it starts to thicken
· Add the saffron
· Whisk the sauce and simmer until it thickens a little more
· Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper if needed
Then set the sauce aside while you cook the scallops.
· Wash and dry the scallops
· Remove the “catch” muscle attached to the side
· Season the scallops with salt, curry powder and pepper and add to a hot pan
· Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side.
Spoon some of the sauce on a plate and top with the cooked scallops.
Serves four to six
Fascinating stop-offs from Corfu to Split are all part of this seven-night Virgin Voyages adventure
Esh has action-packed fun with a spot of onboard basketball while Charlotte takes the chance to chill
“At Split, someone advised us to visit the castle and when we got there the view was stunning,” says Charlotte.
“It turned out to be one of the best moments of our trip. Kotor surprised us as well – I’d been most excited about seeing Dubrovnik, but it was absolutely beautiful.
“Esh is a real foodie, so we booked meals at each destination so we could try the local cuisine, but we were also amazed by the quality of the ship’s restaurants.
“There’s a totally different atmosphere in each one and we had some incredible meals, including Mexican food with a flight of tequila, and a seven-course tasting menu.
The couple relished amazing Mexican meals and a seven-course tasting menu on their Adriatic cruise
“There was plenty to do while at sea too – we loved working out in the gym and the spa was absolutely stunning.
“Then, in the evening, you could get changed and head to the champagne bar, nightclub or casino, or go and see a show.”
Now they’ve seen the benefits at first hand, Esh and Charlotte are already looking forward to their next cruise – and with Virgin Voyages, they have over 100 exciting destinations to choose from.
“We’re looking at the Greek Island Glow trip for next year,” says Charlotte, who lives with boyfriend Esh in Reigate, Surrey.
“I’d seen a cruise as a way of visiting a few different places in one go, but Virgin Voyages delivered way more than that.
“Some of our best memories are from our time on the ship and it’s definitely changed the way we look at them. I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Charlotte says the Valiant Lady’s spa was stunning and she and Esh loved working out at the gym
