12 Day Luxury Cruise | Greece to Italy with Explora Journeys | 2024
Athens - Paphos - Agios Nikolaos - Kusadasi - Santorini - Split - Venice
11 Nights in an Ocean Suite onboard the LUXURIOUS EXPLORA I
Discover the ancient wonders of the Mediterranean
Visit Santorini with stops in Cyprus, Crete, Turkey and Croatia!
Receive up to 450 Euro on On Board Credit if you BOOK TODAY
From $11,100 Typically $11,700 pp twin share
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The ocean relaxes you and creates an energy in you that inspires inner and outer discovery, broadens horizons and triggers new connections. The ocean connects you with yourself, people and the places around you.
Is it the mystical blue water at sunset, the endless beaches, or the star-studded sky where nature reveals her perfection - inspiring us to live life to the fullest? Your answer will reveal itself along the luminous shores of the Mediterranean. From Athens, warm breezes guide us to rejuvenate on powdery beaches, to explore storied lands and ancient cultures, where the seed of life well-lived blossoms in the sunshine of Santorini and harvests along the Dalmatian coastline before triumphant return to the towers and domes of stately Venice rising proudly from the Adriatic.
Explora Journeys represents the ambition and long-held dream of the MSC Group and the Aponte family to create a transformative luxury ocean travel experience and brand that redefines the luxury cruise category.
Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12
Athens (Piraeus)
On arrival into Athens, make your way to the port and prepareto embark EXPLORA I. Today you will depart at 8PM.
Athenians don't live in the past. Ahead of its time, Athens exudes glamour and a sense of possibility - housing galleries, gelaterias, bijoux boutiques alongside a plethora of museums. And you can't help but marvel at the archaeological wonders of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Stroll through vibrant streets and markets, dance at buzzing bouzoukia, sing along in tavernas. At night, head to the harbour, where dimly lit bars serve the local ice cold beer. And, as you inhale the salty air and watch Greek fishing boats peacefully depart for their catch, reflect on this ancient city's progressive attitude.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
At Sea
Today is a day at sea. Take the opportunity to relax and use the facilities onboard your luxuxry cruise ship.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
Pahpos (Cyprus)
This morning the EXPLORA I will arrive at 7AM. You will be taken by tender to shore.
Aphrodite found love here, and you will too. Rise to explore lush fauna covering century-old sites; underground tombs, forts, museums, Byzantine painted churches and Aphrodite's rock. Meet monastery monks for a private singing concert, sculpt pottery, craft mosaics and learn local cooking skills. Encounter butterfly-filled valleys and gorges bursting with rare flowers and fruit, birds and butterflies - where the delicate balance of nature is intact. Head to hillside villages to wineries and tavernas offering Cypriot delicacies. And relax.
From golden sands, snorkel into cool coves, sink into the crystal-clear blue lagoon, kayak along the coast or safari through deserted beaches to where turtles breed. Mindfully immerse into Aphrodite's natural spring-filled pool, known for rejuvenating powers. You'll have a deeper understanding of love here, as the purest ancient Greek mythology lives on.
The EXPLORA I will depart at 7PM.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
At Sea
Today is a day at sea. Take the opportunity to relax and use the facilities onboard your luxuxry cruise ship.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
Agios Nikolaos (Crete)
The EXPLORA I will arrive at 7AM. Today you will disembark at the dock.
Picture a panoramic, sun-drenched Cretan town fit for royalty. Imagine lakes, hillside villages, bars, tavernas, shops and artistic, tile-roofed houses and you have Agios Nikolaos in Crete. Somehow this town is lively and cosmopolitan as it is calm, peaceful and slow-paced. You cannot help but be gently tempted to step back in time; experience archaeological adventures, legendary visitors, famous hillside windmills, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques. Then satisfy an appetite by meeting proud and welcoming local communities who serve customary, delicious dishes in endless tiny tavernas. After - unwind on pale pink sandy beaches endlessly caressed by transparent turquoise waters.
EEXPLORA I will depart tonight at 8PM.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: Explora I
Kusadasi (Turkey)
EXPLORA I will arrive at 9AM this morning at the dock.
Prepare for an exclusive explosion of history, culture and carpets. Walk in Cleopatra's steps and pay homage to the Roman ruins of Ephesus.
Journey through fields bursting with cotton, olives and peaches until the hills broaden and Ephesus arises. Dedicated to Artemis, visit monuments, shrines, columns and ruins. The place where Popes pray and pilgrims drink (holy water). Fully immerse yourself within this ancient spot of worship; wish for good health and meditate in the sacred thermal pools of Pamukkale. Travel out to Orthodox villages combining Turkish-Greek culture and feast on organic filo, feta and spinach. Learn about Turkish weavings, natural dyes and different materials; see looms in action, knotting carpets and kilims.
Steeped in history and with terrain as diverse as the culture, it won't just be the traditional Turkish coffee that will make you sit up straight.
You will return to EXPLORA I by 9PM where the ship will remain docked overnight.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
Kusadasi (Turkey)
Today is another day exploring Kusadasi.
EXPLORA I will depart tonight at 11PM.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
Santorini (Greece)
This afternoon the EXPLORA I will arrive at 2PM. Visits to the shore will be by tender
Dreamily sail into Santorini when others leave.
Romantic, exuberant and pure; roam one of the world's most enchanting islands as you enjoy breathtaking scenery, rock-set whitewashed houses, paved paths, sugar white sand, black beaches and terracotta cliffs. Experience the many geological and architectural delights; blue-domed churches, an active volcano, excavate with experts and cover the caldera between cliff-hanging Oia and Fira. Glide through sapphire seas in a catamaran, taste local wine, eat freshly-caught seafood, break plates and shop elegant boutiques.
Then settle in for a slow moonlit dinner high on a hilltop, just in time for the world-famous sunset.
Return to EXPLORA I by 9PM for an overnight stay docked in Santorini.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
Santorini (Greece)
Today is another day visitng Santorini.
The EXPLORA I will depart at 2PM.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
At Sea
Today is a day at sea. Take the opportunity to relax and use the facilities onboard your luxuxry cruise ship.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
Split (Croatia)
This morning EXPLORA I will arrive at 7AM at the dock.
Sheltered by mountains and hills of pine, Split casts a sirenic spell, its terracotta-tiled rooftops spilling straight down to the sparkling Adriatic. Wander within the ancient walls of Diocletian's seafront palace to its collonaded courtyard and cathedral, the sinuous streets and sunny squares abuzz with cafes and shops, and everyday life ongoing amid the palace's atmospheric alleyways. From here, people-watch over coffee on the Saint Tropez-esque Riva promenade; climb to the hilltop park, small churches hidden along the way, for a sundowner; or seek the sandy Bacvice beach, swimming the shallows as Splicani play picigin (ballgame), and perfecting the Dalmatian art of fjaka, the sweetness of doing nothing.
EXPLORA I will depart Split at 5PM.
Meals: All Meals and Premium Drinks onboard
Accommodation: EXPLORA I
Venice (Marghera)
Today EXPLORA I will arrive early morning and disembarkation will be at 8AM. Make your way to the sights and sounds of Venice, to the airport or onto your onward journey. If you would like to discuss arranging accommodation and activities in Venice or beyond, please speak with one of our Customer Service team.
Delve into ancient palaces, century-old galleries, and modern-day exhibits as you whirl through Venice. Walk through masterpieces, catch an opera, gaze at medieval buildings, blow Murano glass and drift down the Grand Canal by gondola to visit churches, convents and campi "squares" that vary in spirit and scale. Cross hump-backed bridges, reach teeming Piazza San Marco's Basilica and Doge's Palace, or duck down passages to escape reality. From palazzos to perfumeries and the must-see Bridge of Sighs, you're only moments from a place of beauty in this liquid-gold city of treasures.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 11 Nights onboard EXPLORA I in an Ocean Suite
- Up to 450 Euro On Board Credit*
- Authentic, intuitive service from our team of hospitality experts
- Nine distinct culinary experiences, as well as in-suite dining
- Unlimited beverages, fine wines and premium spirits, specialty coffees, teas and soft drinks available at all times, including in-suite mini-bar
- Access to the spa thermal area
- Wellbeing and fitness programmes on board and at the destinations
- All on-board gratuities
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- In-suite welcome bottle of champagne
- Shuttle services from port to city centre (where required/available)
In-Suite Technology:
- Infotainment system with Smart TV and easy connectivity to personal devices
- Telephones with voicemail
- On-demand TV options
- Wireless charging base on bedside tables
- Individual climate control in each suite
Services Onboard:
- 24-hour concierge services
- 24-hour in-suite dining
- 24-hour laundry, wet-cleaning and ironing services*
- Twice-daily housekeeping services, including evening turndown service
- Shoeshine service
*Additional charges may apply
Exclusions
- Inernational Airfares
- Any transfers not mentioned
- Any meals not mentioned
- Any activities or tours not mentioned
- Travel insurance
About your ship: EXPLORA I represents a new era of luxury ocean travel. Exquisitely designed with a promise of elegance, joy, exploration and discovery.
About your suite: The Ocean Suites feature a larger ocean-front terrace of 11 sqm (118 sq ft), featuring an outdoor dining area and comfortable daybed for relaxation. These elegant Suites are amongst the largest in the category - and full of light. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the suites in light and private sun terraces help guests truly relax and bring them closer to the ocean.
Journey Experience Credit: Book with us today to receive a BONUS up to 450 Euro per suite for use as onboard credit. Solo travellers will receive 50% of the total credit.
Solo Supplement: There is a solo supplement of $11,100, payable on checkout.
Travel Insurance: We recommend Covermore travel insurance. To quote and book, please click HERE.
Travelling on your own? Why not join the Traveldream Solo Travellers Facebook group where you can interact with other travellers.
