An Extended Journey Unlocking Mediterranean Myths Cruise on Explora I from Barcelona

Barcelona

The port of Barcelona was born about the same time as the city was. It is one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean, cruises leaving to tour the most desirable cities in the Western Mediterranean. It has modern facilities and all the services needed to accommodate the many passengers who have Barcelona as a starting point and end of their trip. Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan and multicultural capitals of Europe. Among many attractions that include the Sagrada Familia, Montjuic, Gaudi's Güell Park and the famous Ramblas.

Trapani (Sicily)

Trapani is a city and comune on the west coast of Sicily in Italy. The city is renowned for its Easter related Holy Week activities and traditions. Main attractions of Trapani are Old Town, Palazzo Giudecca,Santa Maria del Gesù, Biblioteca Fardelliana, Sant´Agostino, Palazzo Cavaretto, Chiesa del Collegio, Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Palazzo Riccio, Torre di Ligny Museum, Harbor, La Columbia, Santuario dell´Annunziata Museo Regionale Pepoli and Salt Works.

Valletta (Malta)

Valletta is the capital of Malta, situated in the east central portion of Malta. It is the second southernmost capital of Europe. The City was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. The city is essentially Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo Classical and Modern architecture in selected areas. Building dated The city consists of buildings from the 16th century onwards, built during the rule of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as Knights Hospitaller. The official name given by the Order of Saint John was Humilissima Civitas Valletta The Most Humble City of Valletta. The bastions, curtains along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches, led the ruling houses of Europe to give the city its nickname Superbissima, Most Proud.

Naxos (Grecia)

Chania (Crete)

Chania , is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It lies along the north coast of the island, about 43 mi west of Rethymno and 90 mi west of Heraklion.Some notable sights include the Mosque of Djamissi; the remains of the Venetian "arsenali", where ships were once built and repaired; the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, the huge Municipal Market that connects to the new town at its opposite entrance; the marvellous Archaeological Museum occupying a 16th Century Venetian church; and many of the side streets filled with shops, craftsmen, and beautiful architecture.

Naxos (Grecia)

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens, the capital city of Greece is an active cosmopolitan mix of different cultures and people, passionate about their art and history. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few miles from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica. The main attractions of Athens are The Ancient Agora, Anafiotika, The Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, Thiseion Cinema, Gazi, Monastiraki Flea Market, Pireaus seaside, Pireaus open air market, Kastella Hill, Veakio open air theatre and Piraeus Archaeological.

Volos (Greece)

We arrive at Volos to awaken all our senses with the view of Meteora, a place wher numerous dark rock mountains, narrow and high, rise perpendicularto the ground. On some of those amazing rocks we see monasterys constructed during the 14th century and finished in the 16th century. With the time stairs have been constructed and bridges to access to those buildings. They are inhabited by monks and nuns, dedicated to the prayers and the paintings of the religious icons.

Thessaloniki (Greece)

Thessaloniki, is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace. The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general, and is considered to be Greece´s cultural capital. Events such as the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are held annually, while the city also hosts the largest bi annual meeting of the Greek diaspora. Thessaloniki is home to numerous notable Byzantine monuments, including the Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as several Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish structures. The city´s main university, Aristotle University, is the largest in Greece and the Balkans. The earliest known letter by Paul the Apostle was written to the early Christian church in Thessaloniki and is identified as First Thessalonians; it is among the books in the New Testament whose authorship by Paul is generally regarded by scholars as being undisputed. A later letter to the same church follows in the Christian Bible as Second Thessalonians. In addition to its historic roots, Thessaloniki is also a very popular tourist destination in Greece. In 2010, Lonely Planet ranked Thessaloniki as the world´s fifth-best party city worldwide, comparable to other cities such as Dubai and Montreal.For 2013 National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in its top tourist destinations worldwide.

Kavala

Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul attracts visitors not only for its history and its monuments, but also for their way of life and its lovely people. It is the city of churches, synagogues and thousands of mosques Istanbul is the city of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces.

Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul attracts visitors not only for its history and its monuments, but also for their way of life and its lovely people. It is the city of churches, synagogues and thousands of mosques Istanbul is the city of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces.

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens, the capital city of Greece is an active cosmopolitan mix of different cultures and people, passionate about their art and history. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few miles from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica. The main attractions of Athens are The Ancient Agora, Anafiotika, The Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, Thiseion Cinema, Gazi, Monastiraki Flea Market, Pireaus seaside, Pireaus open air market, Kastella Hill, Veakio open air theatre and Piraeus Archaeological.