Duration
30 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
24 Ports
19 June
Setting sail from Barcelona
Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, is one of our favourite ports of call. From the warren-like medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic to the fantastical modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí, from the dizzy heights of Mount Tibidabo to the golden sands of Barceloneta, there's never a dull moment in this most beguiling of cities. Take a stroll along the Ramblas, soak up the wonderful art of Picasso and Miró, or experience the electrifying atmosphere of a match at the Camp Nou. Barcelona is truly a city with something for everyone.
Our tip
For the ultimate boozy lunch head to Can Paixano, also known as La Xampanyeria, where local residents, office workers and the odd adventurous tourist crowd around the bar and tuck into sandwiches washed down with Cava.
20 June
At sea
21 June
Italy: Trapani
Situated on the western edge of Sicily, closer to Tunis than it is to Rome, the historic port of Trapani has a discernible North African feel to it. This was once an important medieval trading centre that linked Carthage and Venice, and the lovely old town is a great place to spend some time exploring.
22 June
Malta: Valletta
Malta’s tiny capital, established by the Knights of St John, packs in an awful lot of history considering its diminutive size. The atmospheric old streets, bathed in Mediterranean sunshine, are full of attractive honey-golden buildings, along with an impressive selection of bars and restaurants.
23 June
Italy: Taormina
Taormina enjoys a truly spectacular setting on Sicily’s east coast, perched on a mountainside looking out towards the smouldering Mount Etna. The medieval streets are pleasant but often crowded in high season, so we’d recommend getting out and exploring the surrounding countryside.
24 June
At sea
25 June
Greece: Chania
Chania, Crete’s second city, is an alluring blend of architectural styles. The jumble of streets that make up the Venetian old town are remarkably intact, and there are plenty of reminders too of the two centuries of Ottoman rule, such as the imposing harbourfront Mosque of the Janissaries.
26 June
Greece: Naxos
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands, a green and fertile place where the landscape is littered with ancient temples, Byzantine churches and Venetian towers. The rugged terrain means it’s a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but there are also some lovely beaches and the buzzing city of Hora (Naxos Town).
27 June
Greece: Athens (Piraeus)
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.
28 June
Greece: Volos
The bustling port of Volos sits on the site of the ancient city of Iolkos, the mythological home of Jason and the Argonauts. The modern city has plenty of interesting museums and churches, along with a pleasant waterfront lined with restaurants.
29 June
Greece: Thessaloniki
Greece’s bustling second city has a rich history, shaped by Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, and was once home to a large Jewish community. Sadly many of Thessaloniki’s historic buildings were destroyed by a fire in 1917, but the famous White Tower survives, along with the city’s vibrant, multicultural spirit.
30 June
Greece: Kavala
Kavala has a rich history dating back nearly 3,000 years, and was known in antiquity as Neapolis. Many of the city’s most interesting sights were built by the Ottomans, including the aqueduct of Suleyman the Magnificent and the beautiful Imaret, a former religious school.
1 July
At sea
2-3 July
Turkey: Istanbul
Istanbul is the place where East meets West, where Asia Minor reaches out across the Bosphorus and almost touches Europe, and the city remains a bristling, bustling cultural melting pot, the skyline dotted with magnificent minarets and domes.
4 July
At sea
5 July
Greece: Athens (Piraeus)
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.
6 July
Greece: Paros
Paros gleams with a classic Cycladic colour palette of whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, and is famous for its ancient marble quarries, which provided the raw material for the Venus de Milo. The island is also home to some great restaurants, peaceful inland villages and lovely beaches.
7 July
At sea
8 July
Greece: Fiskardo (Kefalonia)
Rugged Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands, and remains unspoilt by tourism despite earning fame as the setting for ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’. The island rewards exploration, with some splendid beaches and lovely little villages, and the vineyards here produce some excellent wines.
9 July
Croatia: Dubrovnik
We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the marvellous sea views.
10 July
Croatia: Split
Croatia’s second city enjoys a dramatic setting, hugging a sweeping bay against a backdrop of sheer grey mountains. Split's labyrinthine old town is contained within the remarkable Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spills out onto the buzzing seafront Riva promenade.
11 July
Croatia: Rovinj
Rovinj is undoubtedly the highlight of the Istrian coast, a picturesque medieval fishing port with a strong Italian influence discernible in everything from the elegant architecture to the bilingual street signs. A day trip to one of the nearby islands also makes for an enjoyable excursion.
12 July
Italy: Fusina
Fusina is on the mainland just across the Venetian Lagoon from Venice and is a common embarkation and disembarkation port for those ships who can no longer call into the heart of the city. Convenient for the airport but offering little else in the immediate vicinity, it is in striking distance of Venice by water taxi and the treasures of Venice are well worth the journey.
13 July
Italy: Ravenna
Ravenna is a must-visit for art and history lovers, with an impressive array of UNESCO-listed historic buildings decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. The city is also home to Dante’s tomb, and you’re within easy reach of Bologna, Ferrara and San Marino.
14 July
Croatia: Hvar
Hvar is the most popular of Croatia’s islands, a ruggedly beautiful place carpeted with lavender fields and dotted with little villages. The island’s capital, Hvar Town, is a charming collection of marble streets arranged around a harbour, and it gets very busy in the summer months.
15 July
Montenegro: Kotor
Kotor sits at the head of a beautiful, fjord-like bay, hemmed in by glowering mountains. The compact, walled old town is Montenegro’s star attraction, a warren of little alleyways and shady squares that is often described as a ‘mini Dubrovnik’.
16 July
Italy: Brindisi
The port of Brindisi sits at the end of the old Via Appia, and was once an important transit point for pilgrims and crusading knights heading east to the Holy Land. Brindisi's compact old town is pleasant enough, but you may prefer to head inland to visit the stunning baroque city of Lecce.
17 July
Greece: Nydri
The port of Nydri, a favourite with the yachting crowd, is situated on the east coast of Lefkada, a beautiful and unspoilt island connected to the Greek mainland by a narrow causeway. Here you’ll find amazing beaches, peaceful olive groves and the refreshing Dimosari Waterfalls.
18 July
At sea
19 July
Arriving in Athens (Piraeus)
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance. Towering over the city are the gleaming columns of the Parthenon, surely one of the most iconic sights in the whole of Europe. And yet Athens is much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding. For all its faults, the Greek capital possesses an energy and an optimism that are manifest in everything from the burgeoning art scene to the restaurants and bars that continue to pop up on a regular basis.
Don't miss
Obviously don’t miss the Acropolis, nor the new adjacent museum, where space has pointedly been left for the frieze we call the Elgin Marbles – it is really excellent. Then take time to stroll on the hills and slopes around the outcrop.
Your home from home
Explora I launched in 2023 with Explora II following in 2024, and these luxury all-inclusive resort-style vessels are an exciting new entrant into the luxury cruise market.
What we love
These identical ships feature spacious accommodation, generous outdoor areas, a huge choice of restaurants, an attractive guest to crew ratio of 1.25 to 1, three outdoor pools and a fourth with a retractable glass roof, these ships really have it all.
Capacity | 922 Guests |
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Style | Aiming for the feel of a 'luxury resort at sea' these ships offer sleek and stylish décor, spacious public areas and accommodation and an abundance of choice. Plus, attentive, unobtrusive and personalised service that will make your stay on board that much more special. |
Inclusions |
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Launch Date | August 2023 (Explora I / August 2024 (Explora II) |
Tailor-make your trip
Where to stay in Barcelona
The lovely Hotel Arts on the sea front is perfectly located for a pre- or post-cruise stay, and has great restaurants too.
Explore Catalonia
Take a day trip to the attractive city of Girona, with its fascinating mix of Gothic, Moorish and Modernist architecture, as well as an exceptionally well preserved Jewish Quarter.
Extend your stay in Athens
At Mundy, we have long been hunting for the perfect Athenian hotel - our favourite so far is the Electra Palace in Plaka.
Excursions from Athens
Delphi is an absolute must – you’ll need a full day though, it’s quite a drive.