A Journey to Santorini, Sicily & the Riviera - Athens to Barcelona
Deal number 30809223
Explora Journeys
Explora II
29th Nov 2026
Mediterranean
10-night cruise
Departing from Athens
Earn points on every booking with Travel Associates*
Exclusive Inclusions
$1800 Airfare Credit
per person*
EUR300 Journey Experience Credit
per suite*
Save up to 30% off
on selected sailings*
10 night Explora cruise from Athens to Barcelona, onboard EXPLORA II in a Guaranteed Ocean Terrace Suite
Nine distinct culinary experiences and in suite dining.
Unlimited premium beverages & specialty coffees, teas and soft drink, available anytime, including in-suite
In-suite welcome bottle of champagne and a bottle of spirit of the guest's choice upon arrival.
Unlimited High-speed Wi-Fi.
Shuttle services from port to city centre (where required/available).
Access to Ocean Wellness - the spa thermal area.
Group wellness, fitness and mindfulness activities
Pre-Paid Gratuities.
Port charges and government fees.
The service of a dedicated Travel Advisor managing your booking.
Earn & Redeem Points on all travel with our new loyalty program, World360 Rewards*.
Begin in Athens before Santorini's dramatic setting introduces the Aegeans distinctive character. Sailing west, Valletta's compact grandeur and Messina's gateway to Sicily reveal layers of Mediterranean history, followed by Naples' energy and depth. Rome and Florence offer a rich immersion in art and heritage, before the coastline softens into the Riviera in Villefranche-sur-Mer. A final day at sea creates a gentle pause before arriving in Barcelona, where creativity and coastal life meet.
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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 Europes tiniest capital, but she packs a might punch.
If Sicilians do everything better, then Messina is pure mastery. The cathedral is finer, its bell tower taller, and the astronomical clock more magnificent. The fountains more fabulous with mythological figures and statue of the sea god. Cinematic settings more stunning in the nearby village where the movie "The Godfather" was filmed and wineries more fruitful growing in fertile lava fields. Top off your day Taormina, home of the magnificent Greek Theatre, or heli, hike and summit epic Mount Etna. Eternally exciting Messina is built to impress.
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.
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.
Plunge into Tuscany's capital of culture. Once casa to legendary Michelangelo, Florence now shelters some of the Renaissance's greatest masterpieces. Immerse in the relics of antiquity, catch a glimpse of the heavens in the famous Uffizi gallery, visit the iconic terracotta-tiled Duomo and step into an oasis of sculptured serenity at Giardino di Boboli to forget the world beyond its leafy walls exists. And as the sun sets over the Ponte Vecchio, relax in an elegant terrazzo with a rich refined Tuscan red, and reflect on the city's Medici dynasty - Hurry Slowly.
A bejewelled siren sunning along the Cote d'Azur, Villefranche-sur-Mer beckons with provincial scenes, rainbow-bright houses and flowers fluttering everywhere. Poised at the tip of a sapphire harbour, this genteel enclave has curves in all the right places, including the only Corniche that winds beside Plage des Marinier with its crescent flour-soft sand that sweeps around the cobalt Med. Escape into charming chapels and centuries-old citadel that affords shimmering views of Cap Ferrat then venture to two nearby medieval walled towns of atelier-focused St Paul de Vence or easy-on-the-eyes Eze which captured the imagination of Mr. Walt Disney.
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.
Breathe in the cultural heart of Catalan, an elegant blend of high energy and undisturbed tradition. Muse over the origins of captivating Gaudi architecture within the enchanting labyrinth that is the Gothic Quarter. Savour the flavours of fresh tapas and crisp cava in breezy plazas, tranquil terraces and coveted cafs, or glide down to a shimmering beach club to unwind. Imagine a visit to peaceful Passeig de Gracia, where modernist buildings merge to showcase iconic global labels. And, as dusk falls, prepare for urban action and swing by the lively bohemian bars to fiesta on the leafy stretch of La Rambla. If you're serious about style, this colourful city provides plenty to celebrate.
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