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From Rome, your adventure starts in grand piazzas surrounded by ancient history. Your route covers Naples with Vesuvius, baroque streets and Pompeii’s shadow, then Palermo with mosaics, temples and towering Etna. Visit Cagliari with its hilltop citadel on Sardinian shores, Tunis with medina lanes and Carthage, then Valletta with its bastions and harbour light. Continue to Crotone, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Ravenna, each rich in sea views, old stone and art, before arriving in grandiose Venice.
Journey highlight
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1, Civitavecchia (Rome), ItalyDeparture 20:00
There’s more to Rome than its ancient architecture. The Eternal City is home to a seemingly endless array of hidden gems. The artistic-minded can enjoy fashion aristocracy, street art, vespa jaunts to The Appian Way and toss coins into fountains. Or you can stroll by appointment to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Pope’s private quarters at the Vatican. Explore the historic ruins of The Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps and The Pantheon. Learn how to make pasta the true Italian way, hunt truffles, nibble gelato, sip coffee and sink into a 3000 year old pool for a wellness experience. An ode to homespun pasta at a Renaissance piazza. When in Rome, fusing old with new makes it simple to indulge in whatever you like.
Day 2, Naples, ItalyArrival 08:00Departure 18:00
Pitched between mighty Mount Vesuvius and the volcanic calderas of Phlegraean Fields, history is revealed around every corner of Naples, cradle of Italian culture. Baroque churches, Italian-Renaissance palazzi and Neoclassical opera houses leave you breathless, so ride the funicular up to the top of Castel Sant’Elmo for dreamy views of the Bay of Naples and Sorrento Peninsula beyond, gateway to the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Beneath the cobblestone streets lies another Naples, a warren of subterranean tunnels hewn by legions of Roman and Greek settlers. Linger longer to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried under the wrath of Mount Vesuvius, or hop over to the idyllic Island of Capri.
Day 3, Palermo (Sicily), ItalyArrival 08:00Departure 17:00
Be drawn into a balmy blend of olive-strewn landscapes, starkly beautiful Greek temples, Byzantine mosaics, and ricotta-filled farm-to-table delights. Wander Palermo's ficus-filled streets as you tour through the Florio family tale. Taste wine through a patchwork of fertile vineyards below rumbling giant Mount Etna and talented Teatro Greco, Sicily's most dolce vita hill town. Take in noble UNESCO heritage sites, tour leafy Villa Tasca, marvel medieval mosaic masterpieces at Monreale or Cefalù and continue the Greek theme to visit tumbled ruins and secluded temples. Welcome Baroque brilliance, Aztec chocolate, and modern-day charms in Sicily's honey-hued deep south towns. From Michelin-starred temple dining to Trapani beaches and fishermen mending nets outside hipster bars - such contrasts are at the soul of this irresistible island.
Day 4, Cagliari (Sardinia), ItalyArrival 08:00Departure 17:00
Cagliari fans out from the steep slopes of Il Castello, the hilltop citadel built by Pisan rulers in the 13th century, home to the opulent Cathedral of Santa Maria and bloody Elephant Tower, where trophy heads once hung. The seven-kilometre expanse of Poetto Beach unfurls from the Devil’s Saddle (Sella del Diavolo) on St. Elia promontory, past a string of beachfront eateries where legendary Sardinian seafood is enhanced by crisp chilled Vermentino. Across the waves, the irresistible waters of Capo Carbonara Marine Reserve teem with colourful coral fans and kaleidoscopic sea creatures.
Day 5, La Goulette (Tunis), TunisiaArrival 08:00Departure 16:00
Whitewashed buildings have welcomed seafarers to Tunis, gateway to North Africa, since time immemorial. Elegant mosaics carved wooden doorways and intricately tiled courtyards lurk around every corner of the ancient medina (old town), a warren of labyrinthine souks, white-domed mosques and beautiful madrassas (Islamic schools) with their iconic black and white archways and cool arcades. French influence is palpable in the Ville Nouveau, where wide boulevards lined with eucalyptus lead to the monumental expanse of St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral. Don’t miss the ancient Phoenician ruins and astonishing mosaics of Carthage near the pretty oceanfront town of Sidi Bou Said, muse of artists and poets.
Day 6, La Valletta, MaltaArrival 09:00Departure 17:00
Unearth the Med’s master of restoration and renovation behind honey-hued Valetta’s fortified walls. Strewn with a mass of well-preserved history - head back in time to hand-carved shelters, a maze of subterranean tombs and stone-age temples. Discover war secrets beneath the limestone streets, skim the Grand Harbour aboard a dghajsa, step into state history and get your fill of art and Fat Ladies in museums. But it’s not all ancient history - watch buzzing bars spill out onto limestone alleys, treat yourself to Michelin-starred Maltese cuisine, neighbourhood watch and dive over wrecks. Malta may be Europe’s tiniest capital, but she packs a might punch.
Day 7, Crotone, ItalyArrival 09:00Departure 19:00
Perhaps it was the sight of the Ionian Sea that helped make Pythagoras so sharp. Follow the coast from Crotone’s historic centre and 16th-century Castello di Carlo V to the deep blue waters of Capo Rizzuto marine reserve and the Aragonese fortress at Le Castella. At Capo Colonna Archaeological Park, a solitary Doric column is all that remains of the ancient Temple of Hera. Take it all in with gelato on the promenade or a glass of Cirò Bianco and Calabrian seafood in a waterside restaurant.
Day 8, Corfu, GreeceArrival 08:00Departure 19:00
Revel in a heady mix of Ionian landmarks amid spirit-boosting views. Sit beneath the iconic Liston arches in the atmospheric Old Town, span Spianada Square where skinny streets radiate off past churches and cross the moat to the Old Fortress. Slip into homey tavernas where chefs work meze finesse, skip aboard a caique, mountain bike, horse ride or shop ceramics. Head for staggering Paleokastritsa views strewn with pines, firs and sleepy Corfiot villages, bird spot in lush wetlands and climb Mount Pantokrator to capture rare icons. An enticing and scenic jaunt through an eternal Greek classic.
Day 9, Dubrovnik, CroatiaArrival 08:00Departure 16:00
Marvel at this chic walled city paved with a wealth of aristocratic palazzi, ancient forts and epic Adriatic views. Enter grand Pile Gate to lose yourself in intricate alleys, stage-set squares, museums and baroque churches. Ease out of town to kayak around sturdy ramparts, taste Dalmatian wines in the Konavle countryside, and visit archaic Cavtat and history-packed Mostar. Escape the crowds to cacti-clad Lokrum for a spot of yoga and botanical walking, or join in to graze at trendy restaurants on the rocks. It’s no wonder the glitterati flock to the strength of this charming and inspiring medieval Dalmatian marvel.
Day 10, Ravenna, ItalyArrival 09:00Departure 21:00
Unleash your artistic soul in Ravenna, where 1500-year-old churches are embellished with intricate mosaics and Byzantine art. Flooded crypts, columnar bell towers and Dante’s tomb make this Emilia-Romagna city divine. The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, once the home of bloody King Theodoric the Great, is one of eight UNESCO treasures. Feast on Adriatic octopus in Piazza del Popolo, pedal through pine forests in nearby Cervia, cross invisible borders in espresso-sized San Marino, or discover the canals and flamingo-flecked wetlands of Comacchio.
Day 11, Fusina (Venice), ItalyArrival 08:00
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.
Optional
Pre-Journey
Allow us to ease you into your ocean travel experience by taking care of all the essentials before your Journey.
How to Reserve
Contact the Explora Experience Centre for assistance.
Allow us to arrange seamless private transfers to the ship from your hotel or the airport.
Air Travel & Private Air Charters
Through our airline partners we can help secure competitive fares, with flight protection.
Bespoke Hotel Arrangements
Through our hotel partners, we can arrange bespoke accommodation near your port of embarkation.
Onboard Experiences
11 distinct culinary experiences
Ocean-inspired signature treatments and rituals
12 elegant bars & lounges
State-of-the-art Fitness Centre and Open-Air Fitness designed in partnership with Technogym
Curated tastings and pairings
Bespoke shopping experiences
Five indoor and outdoor heated pools
Enrichment experiences
World-class entertainment performances
Culinary classes at the Chef’s Kitchen
The Casino
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Overnight
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Overnight
Time at Sea
Embarkation
Arrival
Departure
Arrival Method
Disembarkation
The majestic Hassan II Mosque, with its 690ft minaret, stands like a lighthouse in this
bustling
port city. Africa’s largest mosque, one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims, dazzles
with
mosaics, marble columns, and Murano glass chandeliers.
Casablanca blends tradition and modernity—Habous Quartier’s colonial Art Deco, Moorish
houses,
and lively souks contrast with its cosmopolitan nightlife, buzzing restaurants, and
Parisian-style cafés.
Destination Experiences
How To Reserve
Ocean Terrace Suite
Next Passage
Optional
Post-Journey
Allow us to extend the experience by making your Journey home as seamless as possible.
How to Book
Contact the Explora Experience Centre for assistance.
An immersive, authentic dining experience offering the finest Pan-Asian cuisine.
Onboard Experiences
Ocean Terrace Suite
An immersive, authentic dining experience offering the finest Pan-Asian cuisine.
Combine this Journey with another to create an extended ocean journey experience and enjoy savings of up to 20% compared to reserving each Journey individually with our Extended Journeys offer.