A Grand Journey of Enchanting Cityscapes & Medieval Treasures

Overview

A 9-night voyage aboard EXPLORA I, departing Athens (Piraeus), Greece on 7 Oct 2028 and arriving in Jeddah, calling at 7 destinations along the way.

Cabin prices

Live prices per person based on two sharing. Select a grade to see its fare options.

1. 1

   Day 1 ·Piraeus (Athens)Embark

   7 Oct 2028

   Depart 18:00

   Athenians don’t live in the past. Ahead of its time, Athens exudes glamour and a sense of possibility - housing galleries, gelaterias, bijoux boutiques alongside a plethora of museums. And you can’t help but marvel at the archaeological wonders of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Stroll through vibrant streets and markets, dance at buzzing bouzoukia, sing along in tavernas. At night, head to the harbour, where dimly lit bars serve the local ice cold beer. And, as you inhale the salty air and watch Greek fishing boats peacefully depart for their catch, reflect on this ancient city's progressive attitude.
   
2. 2

   Day 2 ·Heraklion, Crete

   8 Oct 2028

   Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00

   Immerse in a capital town that bustles with life, classical culture, steep landscapes and seductive beaches. Visit Rethymnon’s impressive past and visit Chania’s glorious Venetian architecture. Be guided around the Palace of Knossos - a must for minotaur and labyrinth fans. Walk the Venetian walls that mark the medieval city limits to explore the main archaeological museum, the Loggia Building and the Agios Titos church for relics of St Tito. Scale the heights of Mount Ida, hike paths that span villages and battlefields, scuba dive and nip over to fêted neighbouring Greek isles. Explore the island through the ages at museums, sip raki and delight in local cuisine. Embrace this Isle of the Gods that teems with treasure.
   
3. 3

   Day 3 ·Rhodes

   9 Oct 2028

   Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00
4. 4

   Day 4 ·At Sea

   10 Oct 2028
5. 5

   Day 5 ·Port Said, Egypt

   11 Oct 2028

   Arrive 07:00Depart 21:00

   A place of myth and legend that simmers with heady mix of romance, action, adventure, pharaohs and Pyramids. Choose to crawl through chambers to discover ancient hieroglyphics, gaze at the Great Sphinx, visit Luxor, the Valley of Kings (and Queen) and Tutankhamun’s exhibition at G.E.M. For a different experience, you may prefer to drop into a health spa for pure relaxation, and later share stories as you gracefully sail along in a hot air balloon. Passionate Egyptologists will talk you through the lineage of the Pharaohs, whilst architects and engineers walk you through the construction of the Suez Canal. Come evening, slow down for some Eastern cuisine in the curiously quaint Port Fouad where choice and variety is the order of the day. An incredible global crossroads that you truly need to see and experience to believe.
   
6. 6

   Day 6 ·Crossing the Suez Canal

   12 Oct 2028

   Arrive 00:15Depart 00:30

   From the cool blue Mediterranean at Port Said to its halfway point at tranquil Timsah Lake, the Suez Canal cuts an arrow-straight line through sublime North African desert. Imaginations soar with the eagles as the banks of Egypt’s wonderful waterway unfold towards the scorched wilderness of Sinai and the fertile farmlands of the Nile Delta. Ships glide in orderly single-file towards the Great Bitter Lake, then onward to the minarets of Port Tewfik, where the call to prayer guides us towards the sun-kissed Gulf of Suez.
   
7. 7

   Day 7 ·Crossing the Suez Canal

   12 Oct 2028

   Arrive 16:30Depart 17:00

   From the cool blue Mediterranean at Port Said to its halfway point at tranquil Timsah Lake, the Suez Canal cuts an arrow-straight line through sublime North African desert. Imaginations soar with the eagles as the banks of Egypt’s wonderful waterway unfold towards the scorched wilderness of Sinai and the fertile farmlands of the Nile Delta. Ships glide in orderly single-file towards the Great Bitter Lake, then onward to the minarets of Port Tewfik, where the call to prayer guides us towards the sun-kissed Gulf of Suez.
   
8. 7

   Day 7 ·Sharm El-Sheikh

   13 Oct 2028

   Arrive 08:00Depart 20:00

   Dive into raw desert adventures, glittering treasures, and world-class reefs. Float through a riot of colourful coral off Shark Bay and delve into the depths of perfectly preserved Thistlegorm. Travel out to the beating soul of Cairo for the great Pyramids and Sphinx, visit laid-back Dahab’s Blue Lagoon, or hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings. Stop by Old Sharm to browse Souqs and impressive mosques, zip through the desert to local Bedouin villages, climb holy Mount Sinai and drop into the world’s oldest working monastery. It’s not just the year-round sunshine that lights up this beautiful region.
   
9. 8

   Day 8 ·Aqaba (Petra)

   14 Oct 2028

   Arrive 07:00Depart 21:00

   Welcome Middle Eastern culture with a splash of adventure. Jordan’s sun-kissed centre reels in distinct Islamic architecture with access to lunar-like landscapes and ancient archaeological wonders. Visit the stunning rock-hewn Petra and take a four-wheel-foray to the rust-coloured sands and towering rocks of UNESCO-listed Wadi Rum. Flock to observe migratory birds, dive through underwater wonders, or crack Arabian cooking inland. Support local artisans on a spice-scented stroll through colourful souks and dress to worship at stark white mosques. This movie-set region teems with elegant Arabic charm.
   
10. 9

    Day 9 ·At Sea

    15 Oct 2028
11. 10

    Day 10 ·JeddahDisembark

    16 Oct 2028

    Arrive 08:00

    Immerse yourself in the bustle and buzz of Saudi Arabia’s oldest city. Pilgrimage to Islamic holy towns, unearth secrets in the backstreets of UNESCO-celebrated Al-Balad, explore ruins and floating mosques, then unwind strolling amongst the charms of the Corniche. Seek breathtaking Edge of the World views, shop heaving souks and set out to Moon Mountain. Fish, quad bike, dive, ride camels, mountain climb, or gallop through the desert on Arabian horses. From the world’s largest dome to the world’s tallest fountain, watch the rise of this captivating city.
    

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