A Grand Journey of Enchanting Cityscapes & Medieval Treasures

Itinerary

1. Day 1 , Piraeus (Athens), Greece 2028-10-07 Departure 18:00
   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.
2. Day 2 , Heraklion (Crete), Greece 2028-10-08 Arrival 09:00 Departure 18:00
   Immerse in a capital town that bustles with life, classical culture, steep landscapes and seductive beaches. Visit Rethymnon’s impressive past and visit Chania’s glorious Venetian architecture. Be guided around the Palace of Knossos - a must for minotaur and labyrinth fans. Walk the Venetian walls that mark the medieval city limits to explore the main archaeological museum, the Loggia Building and the Agios Titos church for relics of St Tito. Scale the heights of Mount Ida, hike paths that span villages and battlefields, scuba dive and nip over to fêted neighbouring Greek isles. Explore the island through the ages at museums, sip raki and delight in local cuisine. Embrace this Isle of the Gods that teems with treasure.
3. Day 3 , Rhodes, Greece 2028-10-09 Arrival 09:00 Departure 18:00

   Rising from the sea like a jewel, the island of Rhodes was a gift from Zeus to Helios, the sun god. A sun-kissed home to Cicero and Caesar whose rhetoric and thinking still echo along stone-paved lanes and the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Follow the footsteps of the Knights of St. John and their Turkish conquerors who both left fascinating monuments, fountains and shady squares. Soak up the buzzing energy and be gently tempted to step back in time. Pay respect at the pinkish Suleiman Mosque with its tall minaret then seek serenity at the Byzantine Church or heavenly views where perfectly positioned white houses are dotted high into the hills. Whilst you wander, lean into the legend of the 100-foot Colossus, a wonder of the world, replaced now with twin bronze deer that guard the Mandraki Harbour.

4. Day 4 , Time at Sea 2028-10-10
   With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.
5. Day 5 , Port Said, Egypt 2028-10-11 Arrival 07:00 Departure 21:00
   A place of myth and legend that simmers with heady mix of romance, action, adventure, pharaohs and Pyramids. Choose to crawl through chambers to discover ancient hieroglyphics and gaze at the Great Sphinx. For a different experience, you may prefer to drop into a health spa for pure relaxation, and later share stories as you gracefully sail along in a hot air balloon. Passionate Egyptologists will talk you through the lineage of the Pharaohs, whilst architects and engineers walk you through the construction of the Suez Canal. Come evening, slow down for some Eastern cuisine in the curiously quaint Port Fouad where choice and variety is the order of the day. An incredible global crossroads that you truly need to see and experience to believe.
6. Day 6 , Crossing the Suez Canal, Egypt 2028-10-12 Arrival 00:15 Departure 00:30

   Egypt’s wondrous waterway, the Suez Canal, unfolds before you on a sensorial sailing. Glide gently through the liquid link as you ebb between auspicious antiquity and modern commerce. Swish beneath bridges and traverse locks as the canal leads you beside fertile farmlands of the Nile delta and rugged desert of the Sinai Peninsula. Embrace your inner explorer to discover the world on a deeper level with this extraordinary canal expansion experience.

7. Day 6 , Crossing the Suez Canal, Egypt 2028-10-12 Arrival 16:30 Departure 17:00

   Egypt’s wondrous waterway, the Suez Canal, unfolds before you on a sensorial sailing. Glide gently through the liquid link as you ebb between auspicious antiquity and modern commerce. Swish beneath bridges and traverse locks as the canal leads you beside fertile farmlands of the Nile delta and rugged desert of the Sinai Peninsula. Embrace your inner explorer to discover the world on a deeper level with this extraordinary canal expansion experience.

8. Day 7 , Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt 2028-10-13 Arrival 08:00 Departure 20:00
   Dive into raw desert adventures, glittering treasures, and world-class reefs. Float through a riot of colourful coral off Shark Bay and delve into the depths of perfectly preserved Thistlegorm. Travel out to the beating soul of Cairo for the great Pyramids and Sphinx, visit laid-back Dahab’s Blue Lagoon, or hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings. Stop by Old Sharm to browse Souqs and impressive mosques, zip through the desert to local Bedouin villages, climb holy Mount Sinai and drop into the world’s oldest working monastery. It’s not just the year-round sunshine that lights up this beautiful region.
9. Day 8 , Aqaba (Petra), Jordan 2028-10-14 Arrival 07:00 Departure 21:00
   Welcome Middle Eastern culture with a splash of adventure. Jordan’s sun-kissed centre reels in distinct Islamic architecture with access to lunar-like landscapes and ancient archaeological wonders. Visit the stunning rock-hewn Petra and take a four-wheel-foray to the rust-coloured sands and towering rocks of UNESCO-listed Wadi Rum. Flock to observe migratory birds, dive through underwater wonders, or crack Arabian cooking inland. Support local artisans on a spice-scented stroll through colourful souks and dress to worship at stark white mosques. This movie-set region teems with elegant Arabic charm.
10. Day 9 , Time at Sea 2028-10-15
    With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.
11. Day 10 , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 2028-10-16 Arrival 08:00
    Immerse yourself in the bustle and buzz of Saudi Arabia’s oldest city. Pilgrimage to Islamic holy towns, unearth secrets in the backstreets of UNESCO-celebrated Al-Balad, explore ruins and floating mosques, then unwind strolling amongst the charms of the Corniche. Seek breathtaking Edge of the World views, shop heaving souks and set out to Moon Mountain. Fish, quad bike, dive, ride camels, mountain climb, or gallop through the desert on Arabian horses. From the world’s largest dome to the world’s tallest fountain, watch the rise of this captivating city.