An Extended Journey From Mediterranean Radiance To The Thrill Of Monaco Race Weekend​

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.

Pillow-soft sponge cakes, nutty pesto and barrels of creamy gelato await in historic Genoa, where young Christopher Columbus first glimpsed the sea. Wander cobbled streets past Baroque palazzi in the UNESCO-listed old town, where coffee-scented breezes drift through a labyrinth of alleyways near dazzling Piazza De Ferrari and its unmatched architecture. Dive into history among a treasure trove of galleries and museums in resplendent residences built for the bankers and merchants who made Genoa one of the mightiest ports in the Med. Surrender to the sunset serenade and heed the call of aperitivo as you stroll along Corso Italia beneath a fiery orange sky.

Tucked away in a fold of idyllic Italian coast, picturesque Portofino is a jet-set haven, where the summer residences of European nobility nestle among olive-covered slopes. Beyond the luxury boutiques and pretty harbourside piazzas, pastel townhouses huddle around the water's edge and the manicured sculpture gardens of Museo del Parco lead up to the Chiesa di San Giorgio, resting place of the dragon-slaying saint, whose yellow façade looks out towards Etruscan villas and Ligurian lighthouses on the hillside. An hour away lie the five picture-perfect hamlets of Cinque Terre, stacked above the Mediterranean in a tumble of pastel cubes piled precariously on rocky promontories.

Yacht-studded seas and palm trees form Cannes' iconic Riviera backdrop. Yet inside are a swish marina, perfumed forests, casinos, iconic boutiques, cinematic heritage, and supermodels. Stroll ancient narrow winding streets of the hilly Le Suquet and feel its medieval past, shop fashion labels on palm-flanked La Croisette, slide into sleek Michelin-starred restaurants, and lie low in plush beach clubs where glittering sea views take central stage. Peace seekers may ferry to leafy island of Saint-Honorat and the 500-year-old monastery. Take a spin along the Cote d'Azur to moneyed Monaco or glitzy St Tropez. Cannes has curves in all the right places – the oh so French social hub that defines seaside glamour.

Saunter into the sultry, sophisticated stretch of the French Riviera. Bardot and blonde beer shine bright in this playground of international glitterati. Bask in the Mediterranean sun, mingle with movie stars, admire the super yachts and enjoy champagne in effortlessly chic cocktail bars. Then slide away from the jet set to take in breathtaking landscapes and verdant hillsides, all the while feasting on the very best fresh local produce. After all the decadence and glamour that the Cote d'Azur delivers, we continue our journey to somewhere a little calmer.

The svelte capital of Costa Smerlda never disappoints. A ruggedly beautiful coastline that stretches like a gold necklace dotted with emerald coves, elegant yachts, extravagant villas and endless powder white beaches. Tuck into funky beach clubs where the party never ends or charter a boat to Maddelena Island where blue-green waters are hypnotic. See and be seen in pretty Piazzetta de Porto Cervo then give thanks for your good fortune at the sweet Stella Maris cathedral. Pop into Poltu Quatu, the fanciest spot on the coast or delve into history at “Giants' Graves” which proves Porto has been a sanctuary since the Stone Age.

Cagliari fans out from the steep slopes of Il Castello, the hilltop citadel built by Pisan rulers in the 13th century, home to the opulent Cathedral of Santa Maria and bloody Elephant Tower, where trophy heads once hung. The seven-kilometre expanse of Poetto Beach unfurls from the Devil's Saddle (Sella del Diavolo) on St. Elia promontory, past a string of beachfront eateries where legendary Sardinian seafood is enhanced by crisp chilled Vermentino. Across the waves, the irresistible waters of Capo Carbonara Marine Reserve teem with colourful coral fans and kaleidoscopic sea creatures.

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.

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.

Megayachts jostle for space while billionaires roll dice in the world's most famous casino — welcome to Monte-Carlo, playground to the rich and famous. Royals and legends alike grace the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, gathering place for well-heeled locals and visitors since 1879. Supercars growl along well-dressed streets, past palatial hotels and fine dining restaurants showered in Michelin stars. Delve into seafaring history at the Oceanographic Museum, a cliffside cabinet of curiosities, and explore the 13th century Prince's Palace perched high on the monolithic Rock of Monaco, then soak up the Riviera sunshine at the Thermes Marins (thermal baths), dedicated to well-being and beauty.

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.

Seductive Greek Sirens still sing from Sorrento's shores and lure us into her astonishing beauty of Vesuvian sites, Amalfi hikes and a wealth of pretty Positano pleasures. Wander maze-like Centro Storico laced with hidden gardens and historic churches then prepare your palate for old-school pizzerias and lemony gelato in picturesque Piazza Tasso. Peer down into the Valle dei Mulini or venture to Lattari Mountain trails and dig into Italy's most famous sites: ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum. Hop a yacht across the Bay of Naples to chic Capri or round Sorenntina Penisola for ravishing Ravello's terraced gardens. Between sips of luscious limoncello and a wealth of wonders, Sorrento smoulders with eternal dolce vita glamour.

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.

Corsica's capital, a 16th-century citadel cradled by mountains on the island's west coast, could take its magnetic moniker from its founder, the Greek hero Ajax, or from the word adjaccium, Roman for “place to rest”. This is Napoleon's birthplace, so beeline the old town's charming narrow streets to Maison Bonaparte, the family home and now a museum, and Baroque cathedral where he was baptised in the marble font. Meander markets popular with foodies seeking local winemakers, olive oil, chestnuts and cheeses, and kick back on white sands in the beautiful Bay of Ajaccio with views of the Genoese tower on the Parata Peninsula and rust-coloured Sanguinaire islands beyond.

Beckon the buzz of a small UNESCO-listed island; proud of producing its own cheese, wine and rather distinguished gin. Sink into a lemon-scented laidback lifestyle that reflects elegant Georgian architecture, Spain's oldest opera house, history, art and a monastery-based museum. Off glittering turquoise shores, visit the Royal Naval hospital, shop for world-renowned shoes, amble amongst butterflies up coastal paths and rest for tapas in harbour-side tavernas. Celebrated yet discreet – unhurried Menorca is the low-key location to go and not to be seen.

Leave craggy coastlines behind and venture to the heartland of the biggest Balearic. Where endless authentic charm, history and nature await. Celebrate at Spain's oldest winery, shop chic Palma boutiques and marvel at blossoming UNESCO-limestone mountains aboard a vintage train. Experience a tranquil monastery, art at a historic hacienda and tons of protected wildlife. Delve into nature at reserves, feast on wood-fired paella at lively hangouts, pilgrimage to historic churches and tour old-world Mallorcan villages. And as for sapphire seas that frame spotless beaches - Mallorca is truly an immense Balearic beauty.

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.