Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/298224
48 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 APRIL 2014 THE MaltaToday Travel Photo Competition, which ran over a span of two weeks, closed on 10 April. Hundreds of wonderful travel pho- tos from every corner of the world were submitted - from the jungles of Borneo to the French Alps and the spice markets of Jerusalem. With a total number of 727 votes, our lucky winner is Henry Cooper- stone, who won a 12-day cruise for two aboard the magnificent Costa neo Riviera, in conjunction with Orange travel. FINE food and a more relaxed pace of life are two hallmarks of the Mediterranean and Costa Cruises has combined the two to offer an unusual summer programme. Its Festival of Mediterranean Cuisine uses a smaller ship like Costa neoRiviera to get to less- frequented locations and sample traditional f lavours. This slow- cruise programme is inspired by the slow-food movement, which aims to preserve traditional and regional cuisine using locally grown products. Working with the Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronom- iche di Pollenzo and set up by slow food founder Carlo Petrini in Cu- neo, guests can sample food and wine, attend seminars and enjoy gastronomically inspired excur- sions for smaller groups. Costa neoRiviera's 12-day 'Medi- terranean Heart' trip starts its journey to Liguria (Savona) to Tuscany (Livorno) from Malta, with other stops in Provence (Tou- lon), Catalonia (Barcelona), Sicily (Porto Empedocle) and Campania (Salerno). Onboard tastings include pro- tected designation of origin olive oil from five Italian regions, wines and sweets typical of the coastal areas and preserves from orchard produce. Ship meals continue the slow-food theme, with à la carte and buffet menus. An overnight stay in Barcelona and night departures from Valletta and Salerno give passengers the time to enjoy dinners in local restaurants rather than racing back to port, while a typical excursion has pasta makers from the Amalfi Coast dem- onstrating the traditional method of preparing fusilli. Costa neoRiviera (48,200 gross tonnage and 624 cabins) is a cruise liner trying to evoke the feel of a large sailing yacht. With Costa neoRiviera you'll dis- cover a new way to travel for con- noisseurs: longer stopovers you can enjoy to the full, exclusive and unusual destinations, away from the usual routes, more intimate spaces, comfortable and personal, far from the crowds. Costa neoRiviera is inspired by the charm and atmos- phere of the Italian Riviera, the Cote d'Azur and the Amalfi Coast. Travel MaltaToday travel photo competition Exquisite culinary experience on board Costa neoRiviera this summer Claire Mifsud, left, with winner Henry Copperstone and Daniela Vella The winning shot