Ask the expert

Stéphane Thépault, chef on Brittany Ferries’ Pont Aven, talks fabulous views, fresh ingredients and favourite routes to the continent.

■ What makes ferry travel so special?

It’s hard to beat seeing such beautiful scenery as you travel. You can feel really close to nature, watching dolphins and occasionally even seeing whales from an outside deck. Enjoying a sunrise or sunset over the water is equally magical on our longer journeys. With Brittany Ferries the food on board is wonderful as well.

■ Tell us about the menus?

We know our guests really enjoy French gastronomy and we ensure our food is always fresh and authentic – with our director of catering creating new menus each year for our restaurants and our self-service outlets. Fish and vegetables are my favourite ingredients and we are lucky enough to be able to source them at their freshest from local producers in and around Roscoff in France. We also support local farmers in Léon and lots of other smaller food and drink producers near our ports.

■ Which are your favourite routes?

All our routes to France are popular but I also love sailing from the UK to Spain. My favourite route takes us right into the heart of Santander and the entrance to the port is so beautiful. The Spanish specialities including traditional tapas dishes on our menus across this route also give you a taste of Spain before you arrive, so your holiday can really start early.

■ Top tips f for h holidaymakers lid k this summer?

Make the most of your time on board, perhaps enjoying the swimming pool, cinema and the restaurant on the way out and then the spa, shops and tea-room or self-service facilities on the way back – travelling on Pont Aven really is like being on a cruise. Don’t miss the shows our entertainment team put on, they’re great fun and as crew we always love it when each season’s new entertainment team joins the ship.