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A Greek & Turkiye Odyssey
The Stuff of Legends
Explore myths, legends and the relics of long-gone civilisations. Hop between two cities that wear their epic past on their sleeves with Explora Journeys, stopping at islands and picture-postcard ports as you go.
The spacious suites on EXPLORA II are refined but oh-so comfy and each has a private sun terrace where you can while away lazy moments. There are more dining experiences than days of the week, 12 bars and lounges, four pools and nearly a thousand square metres dedicated to wellness and fitness. And all this for just 922 guests.
Itinerary overview
Trip notes
Before your cruise
If antiquity is your thing, then devoting a slice of your time to Athens is a no-brainer. A stay ...
Trip notes
Journey inclusions
There’s so much included on an Explora Journeys trip. It all begins with in-suite Champagne on ar...
Trip notes
Shore exploring
Late-night departures and creating real connections with local communities and cultures are just ...
Trip notes
After your cruise
Istanbul deserves at least a few days of your time, so we’ve snuck on three nights here. There ar...
Days 1 to 3
Athens, Greece
Begin your cultural getaway with a few nights in Athens, where boutique- and restaurant-lined str...
Day 4
Athens, Greece
Make your way to the port and board the Explora II, your high-end home for the week.
Day 5
Nafplio, Greece
The Peloponnese Peninsula town of Nafplio, with its cliff-clinging fortress and Old Town historic...
Day 6
Paros, Greece
Hop over to the Cycladic island of Paros where White-washed cube buildings spill down to bijou ha...
Day 7
Skiathos, Greece
Go from the Cyclades to the Sporades and see the distinct difference between the two island clust...
Day 8
Volos, Greece
It’s time to head back to mainland Greece, this time it’s the Pelion peninsula and the city of Vo...
Day 9
Kusadasi, Türkiye
A new day and a new country. You’ll dock in Kusadasi, the gateway to Turkiye’s most incredible Gr...
Day 10
At sea
Make the most of the superyacht energy as you make your way to Istanbul, sailing through the Dard...
Days 11 to 13
Istanbul, Türkiye
As you sail into Istanbul, your journey may be nearing its end but there’s still time to enjoy th...
Trip notes
Before your cruise
If antiquity is your thing, then devoting a slice of your time to Athens is a no-brainer. A stay here really sets the tone to the journey you’ll set off on in a few days’ time. Mix those must-see sights like the unmistakable Acropolis and the columned Parthenon which sits pretty upon it, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Panathenaic Stadium, with no-rush neighbourhood wanders.
Trip notes
Journey inclusions
There’s so much included on an Explora Journeys trip. It all begins with in-suite Champagne on arrival and continues with nine culinary experiences including six restaurants and in-suite dining. Then there are the unlimited drinks served anytime and anywhere. You can also access the thermal spa, join wellbeing programmes and share it all using the included high-speed Wi-Fi.
Trip notes
Shore exploring
Late-night departures and creating real connections with local communities and cultures are just a couple of ways that Explora Journeys’ destination experiences stand out from the crowd. There are also smaller groups and, thanks to those longer days in port, more immersive experiences. You can learn to cook on charming farms, go truffle hunting or visit Paros’ marble mansions.
Trip notes
After your cruise
Istanbul deserves at least a few days of your time, so we’ve snuck on three nights here. There are unmissable mosques, museums, bazaars and palaces and you can never go wrong with a Bosphorus cruise at sunset. Alternatively – or perhaps additionally – fly over to the other-worldly Cappadocia where hot-air balloons rise up over wind-and-water-sculpted ‘fairy chimneys’ at sunrise.
Days 1 to 3
Athens, Greece
Begin your cultural getaway with a few nights in Athens, where boutique- and restaurant-lined streets sit in the shadow of some of the most iconic ruins on Earth. We’ve picked a hotel in the heart of the city, the Grecotel Pallas Athena, so each day can be solely dedicated to packing as much in as many sights and taverna visitsas possible.
Day 4
Athens, Greece
Make your way to the port and board the Explora II, your high-end home for the week.
Day 5
Nafplio, Greece
The Peloponnese Peninsula town of Nafplio, with its cliff-clinging fortress and Old Town historic mix-and-match architectural styles, is the first stop on this unforgettable journey.
Day 6
Paros, Greece
Hop over to the Cycladic island of Paros where White-washed cube buildings spill down to bijou harbours and streets are lined with bakeries selling baklava and cakes dripping in honey.
Day 7
Skiathos, Greece
Go from the Cyclades to the Sporades and see the distinct difference between the two island clusters. Skiathos and its fellow islands have a slower pace, greener landscapes and with a more local vibe.
Day 8
Volos, Greece
It’s time to head back to mainland Greece, this time it’s the Pelion peninsula and the city of Volos. Delve deep into the Jason of the Argonaut and Centaur legends, find deserted beaches or follow donkey trails between impossibly beautiful villages.
Day 9
Kusadasi, Türkiye
A new day and a new country. You’ll dock in Kusadasi, the gateway to Turkiye’s most incredible Greek-meets-Roman ruins: Ephesus.
Day 10
At sea
Make the most of the superyacht energy as you make your way to Istanbul, sailing through the Dardanelles Strait.
Days 11 to 13
Istanbul, Türkiye
As you sail into Istanbul, your journey may be nearing its end but there’s still time to enjoy those last few days in full holiday mode. You’ll have the perfect amount of time to see the main sights of Türkiye’s continent-spanning metropolis. The Ottoman-influenced CVK Park Bosphorus is our pick of hotels on this holiday because if its five-star status, strait views and easy access to the metro system.
Day 14
Istanbul, Türkiye
The odyssey ends as you head to the airport.
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