A Grand Journey Across The Atlantic To Brazil’s Radiant Shores

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 cafés, 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.

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.

Enjoy the epitome of Spanish charm. Slowly discover Andalusian riches to reveal Picasso's birthplace, the Alhambra in Granada, Mezquita in Cordoba and the Ronda valley. Explore ancient heritage sites, dance the flamenco, dare to hike the Caminito del Rey trail and delve into white villages sprinkled amongst mango groves and avocado orchards. Sip cocktails by day and sangria by night. And as you watch the sun slip down, reflect upon this gateway of delights.

At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, this once rakish, countercultural Moroccan city has retained its bohemian, beguilingly artistic feel. People watch the demi-monde from the Petit Socco, heart of Tangier's seductive café scene, before strolling the Kasbah and cobblestone Grand Socco among a tangle of streets saturated in colour from tiles and painted cedarwood shutters and doorways.

Iconic must-visits might include the 64-year-old Librarie des Colonnes, a sumptuous bookshop of literary greats; Café Hafa, for sunset sweet mint tea overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar; and El Morocco Club, for a nightcap on its rooftop terrace or in the city's only piano bar.

Like a lighthouse, the majestic Hassan II Mosque beckons us to the shores of this bustling port city, its minaret soaring 690ft to the sky. Africa's biggest mosque is one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims, inviting us to marvel its mosaics, marble columns and 50 Murano glass chandeliers. Casablanca conjures a charismatic collision of tradition and modernity, the Habous Quartier's faded grandeur of French colonial Art Deco, whitewashed Moorish houses, narrow alleyways, small souks and olive markets in companion to its cosmopolitan nightlife, buzzing restaurants and Parisien-style cafes.

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.

Drop a sun-kissed Spanish city onto an island off the coast of North Africa, add a sprinkle of tropical charm and place an active volcano on the doorstep and you have Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Feast on tantalising tapas before exploring neighbouring San Cristóbal de la Laguna's UNESCO-listed Old Town, whose ancient doorways conceal exquisitely tiled courtyards and hand-carved balconies overlooking resplendent churches. Beyond, Tenerife is dotted with half-moon bays, immaculate golf courses, vineyard-covered hillsides, labyrinthine lava tunnels and sheer basalt cliffs: a primordial landscape sculpted by the fury of mighty Mount Teide.

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.

In Brazil's colourful cocktail of Portuguese heritage and tropical modernity, Recife offers something unique: a little slice of Dutch history perched above an arc of golden sand. Starting from Praça do Marco Zero, explore the colourful townhouses of Rua do Bom Jesus and visit the oldest synagogue in the Americas, accompanied by the frenetic rhythm of frevo music. Spend an afternoon in the UNESCO-protected heart of neighbouring Olinda, where labyrinthine streets weave between brightly painted colonial buildings and quiet convents are nestled among the palms.

A modern metropolis overlooking a swathe of spectacular beaches, Maceio is a doorway to the tapestry of rivers and deltas that crisscross Alagoas state. Sail a traditional wooden jangada out to vibrant coral reef; explore the islets and mangrove forests of Mundaú Lagoon; or paddle the calm waters of Rio Jequiá, where sand dunes roll into the sea. After lunch, browse brightly coloured filé lace and handcrafted embroidery in the artisan workshops of Pontal da Barra or head to the city centre to admire the neoclassical grandeur of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

There's nowhere on earth quite like Salvador, the relentless, beating heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. Gravitate towards the UNESCO-listed streets of Pelourinho, where pastel-painted mansions and magnificent churches reflect the architectural style of the Portuguese colonial era, and life flows to the steady rhythm of samba, drums and the fluid motions of capoeira. Bahia's African roots are celebrated in the museums, galleries and restaurants that line the wide avenues and beachfront boardwalks of Barra, whose iconic lighthouse watches over the entrance to All Saint's Bay.

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.

When the residents of Rio de Janeiro need a break, they follow Brigitte Bardot's footsteps to the crystal-clear coves and tropical forests of the Búzios peninsula, where there's a beach for every mood. Snorkel and swim the quiet waters of Praia João Fernandes; drop anchor in the remote bays of Azeda and Azedinha; join a game of volleyball on Geribá; or watch the sunset in Porto da Barra after a stroll along Orla Bardot – the beachfront promenade named for its most famous visitor.

Cariocas live life to a different rhythm. If you want to keep up, you need to tune in. Start early on the golden sands of Ipanema and Copacabana, where joggers and sea-swimmers greet the sun, before lunch in the trendy tables of Botafogo and Leblon. Wander the cobbled streets of Santa Teresa; explore mansions and botanic gardens in Cosmo Velho; take the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain; and ride the rails to the top of Corcovado, where Christ the Redeemer welcomes all with outstretched arms.