Explora Journeys Invites Guests To Savour The Mediterranean’s Golden Season With Early Autumn Journeys

With summer drawing to a close, the Mediterranean welcomes the calm and colours of early autumn. Explora Journeys, the ultra-elegant ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, extends a timely invitation: to embrace the season’s luminous beauty before it fades.

Between now and November 2025, EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II offer a curated collection of late summer and early autumn Journeys that reveal the Mediterranean in a different light – calmer, cooler and infinitely more intimate. With radiant afternoons, fewer crowds and deeply immersive Destination Experiences, these Journeys are ideal for those seeking a spontaneous escape or a final flourish of sun-drenched serenity before the season turns.

This is a rare moment to experience the Mediterranean at its most authentic – when the bustle of summer recedes, when light and landscapes reveal new depths, and when travellers can enjoy celebrated destinations with more space, time and tranquillity.

From the pine-scented shores of the Aegean to the artistic promenades of the French Riviera and the volcanic silhouettes of the Canaries, each journey invites travellers to rediscover the joy of unhurried exploration. Whether opting for a one-week escape or an Extended Journey weaving together culture, cuisine and coastal pursuits, guests are promised a Mediterranean that feels quieter yet more alive than ever.

“The late Mediterranean season has an understated magic,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “It’s a time when destinations become their truest selves – when local rhythms return, the light takes on new depth and clarity, and travellers can connect with places and people on a richer, more authentic level. These Journeys unveil the region’s captivating beauty while providing the space and time to truly absorb it all.”

EXPLORA I: Immersive Journeys through the Eastern Mediterranean

Aboard EXPLORA I, guests can discover a region where myth, history and culture have shaped some of the world’s most iconic coastlines. From September through October, the ship journeys through the Eastern Mediterranean, tracing a route through Greece, Türkiye and beyond.

With departures from cities including Athens, Istanbul, Antalya, Venice (Fusina) and Barcelona, voyages feature beloved highlights such as Katakolo, gateway to ancient Olympia. These destinations paired with thoughtfully timed overnights offer travellers the chance to genuinely engage with local cultures, experiencing regional cuisine and traditions at their leisure.

A Journey between Magnificent Ruins & Myths (2–8 October) continues from Antalya to Istanbul, pausing in Paphos, Kusadasi and Mytilene. In these storied settings, sacred grottoes and sun-kissed bays give way to whitewashed villages, Byzantine chapels and spice-scented bazaars.

EXPLORA II: Late-Season Tranquillity in the Western Mediterranean

EXPLORA II offers a parallel experience across the Western Mediterranean, with itineraries starting in Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Lisbon. Along the way, guests can enjoy the elegance of the Riviera and the spirited rhythms of Sicily and Sardinia, with each Journey unfolding in relaxed spontaneity.

Ibiza reveals itself beyond the summer crowds, while cobbled lanes in Saint-Tropez invite afternoon strolls and Trapani’s earthy wines beckon beneath rustling vines. Cagliari, with its hilltop views and timeless pace, offers a quieter Sardinia.

On A Journey of Riviera Starlets & Napoléon’s Corsica (6–13 October), guests sail from Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia), calling at Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Alghero, Ajaccio – the birthplace of Le Petit Caporal – and Livorno. Legendary hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants give way to colourful sea walls, Corsican charm and Tuscan treasures.

Later in the season, A Journey from Cliffs to Cathedrals (28 October – 2 November) offers a westward escape from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Barcelona via Lanzarote and Cádiz. From Tenerife’s tiled courtyards and volcanic cliffs to Cadiz’s Moorish echoes and Catalonia’s Gothic spires, every port whispers of worlds layered in time and lit by late-season warmth.

For those wishing to linger longer, Explora Journeys’ Extended Journeys offer a more expansive way to travel – combining itineraries into one seamless experience across multiple countries and cultures.

To reserve their Journey, guests can visit explorajourneys.com or contact their preferred travel advisor.