A Journey Of Artistic Marvels & Mediterranean Romance

Delve into ancient palaces, century-old galleries, and modern-day exhibits as you whirl through Venice. Walk through masterpieces, catch an opera, gaze at medieval buildings, blow Murano glass and drift down the Grand Canal by gondola to visit churches, convents and campi “squares” that vary in spirit and scale. Cross hump-backed bridges, reach teeming Piazza San Marco's Basilica and Doge's Palace, or duck down passages to escape reality. From palazzos to perfumeries and the must-see Bridge of Sighs, you're only moments from a place of beauty in this liquid-gold city of treasures.

Unleash your artistic soul in Ravenna, where 1500-year-old churches are embellished with intricate mosaics and Byzantine art. Flooded crypts, columnar bell towers and Dante's tomb make this Emilia-Romagna city divine. The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, once the home of bloody King Theodoric the Great, is one of eight UNESCO treasures. Feast on Adriatic octopus in Piazza del Popolo, pedal through pine forests in nearby Cervia, cross invisible borders in espresso-sized San Marino, or discover the canals and flamingo-flecked wetlands of Comacchio.

Plunge into a UNESCO labyrinth of marble lanes and creamy stone houses built under the influence of Romanesque, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Gather in the Gothic town square, which has been the city's main social scene since the 13th century, check out the stunning Cathedral of St. Lawrence, climb its Bell Tower for panoramic views, then wander the hulking Kamerlengo Fortress. Carry on to storied Split with its Diocletian's Palace and compact UNESCO old city centre. For adrenaline highs, head to Krka National Park to hike beside cascading waterfalls and impossibly clear lagoons.

Comely Kotor Bay, a lesser-travelled amphitheatre etched into the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, welcomes with hypnotic jade waters encircled by emerald-crowned slopes. Sheltered in the fjord's angelic embrace, Kotor Old Town beckons as a fairy-tale city whose formidable walls, Romanesque churches and medieval bastions have witnessed the highs and lows of masked carnivals and devastating earthquakes.

Italian and Mediterranean influences flavour the cuisine, where gelato and brodetto accompany fresh Adriatic seafood. Uphill, the Church of our Lady of Remedy affords spectacular views of Kotor's red-tiled UNESCO World Heritage rooftops, a manmade jewel amongst landscapes where the inspired will wander.

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.

Giardini Naxos offers a relaxed sweep of sandy bays and Ionian-blue waters, perfectly placed for exploring Taormina's ancient lanes, café-filled piazzas and its iconic Greek Theatre overlooking sea and volcano. From here, Mt. Etna awaits with crater paths, lava fields and Etna DOC wine estates, while coastal boat trips and seafood trattorias invite a slower, sun-soaked pause. A charming gateway to Sicily's culture, scenery and volcanic soul.

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.