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Rethink cruising on EXPLORA II, with just 461 suites, all ocean-facing, you can enjoy world-class facilities with the feel of a private yacht.
Go in search of volcanic vistas, architectural wonders and gastronomical delights, as you sail from Rome to Barcelona on the luxurious EXPLORA II.
Departing from Rome, you'll call at the beautiful city of Naples, where perhaps, you'll visit Pompeii or ride the funicular up to the top of Castel Sant'Elmo to see dreamy views over the Sorrento Peninsula. Immerse yourself in Sicilian culture when you call at Trapani, where the pace is much slower - and there's an old-world feel.
By contrast, Tunis invites you with its melting pot of cultures - French influences are evident in the Ville Nouveau, while you'll also find traditional white-domed mosques and Moorish mosaics as you saunter the medina.
Sardinia will charm you with its pretty piazzas and hilltop castles - with fishing boats bobbing in the bay as you arrive at Carloforte, a pretty town replete with cobbled streets, on the southern island of San Pietro.
With a day at sea, you can fully explore your floating home-from-home. EXPLORA II offers a variety of sumptuous dining options - ranging from Italian to Pan-Asian and a steak restaurant. Relax as you sail to your next destination in one of the many bars or lounges - the Explora Lounge offers 270-degree views, so you'll be spoilt for ocean vistas. Whether you'd like to be active or unwind, there are plenty of fitness and wellness options too.
As your ship arrives in Spain, your first port of call Valencia will leave you breathless. With 2,000 years of history to uncover, visit La Lonja, the UNESCO-listed Silk Exchange; the Mercado Central; or the historic Cathedral - before your voyage ends in Barcelona.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a lead in suite, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Singles from £7,210. Deposit 30%. Restrictions apply on included drinks. Pre-paid Destination Experience credit may be spent on excursions only. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Credit is non-refundable if it is not used in full for purchasing destination experiences prior to the journey's departure and it is non-transferrable. It must be used at least three days prior to the journey's departure. There is an experience fee applicable to two restaurants. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Explora S.A.
Fly from London to Rome and transfer to the port in Civitavecchia. Embark EXPLORA II for your seven night cruise to Barcelona.
Pitched between mighty Mount Vesuvius and the volcanic calderas of Phlegraean Fields, history is revealed around every corner of Naples. 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.
Savour exciting historical sites and authentic Sicilian life. Admire some of the best-preserved relics of Greece's Golden Age at the UNESCO-acclaimed ancient city of Agrigento. Stock up on locally produced Ortigia and sample Sicilian classics passed down through generations. Visit famed Erice for one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Sicily, or up to Monreale to ponder crumbling hilltop alleys and the Norman cathedral depicting Sicily of old and amble through orange, olive and almond groves.
Whitewashed buildings have long welcomed seafarers to Tunis, gateway to North Africa. Elegant mosaics carved wooden doorways and intricately tiled courtyards lurk around every corner of the ancient medina, a warren of labyrinthine souks, white-domed mosques and beautiful madrassas with their iconic black and white archways and cool arcades. French influence is palpable in the Ville Nouveau, where wide boulevards lined with eucalyptus lead to the monumental expanse of St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral.
Sea breezes drift through the cobbled streets of Carloforte. Centuries-old walls and hilltop castles tell tales of pirates and plunder, while pretty piazzas and bustling markets set the stage for unhurried moments. Nature sculpts otherworldly forms along a rugged coast, where seabirds swoop around gorse-covered clifftops and scenic sailings reveal hidden coves and honeycomb caverns.
As you spend the day sailing to Valencia, it's a great opportunity to explore your ship and its facilities. Perhaps, you'll book into the spa for a revitalising treatment (at a supplement), or spend some time out on deck in one of the whirlpools or reading your book on a lounger. Visit the boutiques, the casino or take a look at the immersive selection of artworks from renowned and emerging artists in the gallery.
The labyrinthine streets of Ciutat Vella thread between cobbled plazas where flaming festivals erupt throughout the year. Spectacular frescoes, Gothic towers and intricately carved stonework make the city's religious buildings some of the most awe-inspiring in the world, while secular strongholds like La Lonja - the UNESCO-listed Silk Exchange - echo its history as a commercial powerhouse. At the heart of it all, the Mercado Central, an Art Nouveau temple of gastronomy.
Disembark EXPLORA II and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Winner of the Best Luxury Cruise Line from Cruise Critic
Experience elegance at sea on board this floating home-away-from-home. EXPLORA II boasts 461 spacious suites - all offering sea views. On board, all appetites and tastes are catered for as you'll find six restaurants and more than 12 bars and lounges. With four heated pools, private cabanas and expansive outdoor decks, there's plenty of space to watch the world go by as you sail. EXPLORA II also has a fitness centre, spa and wellness programme.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a lead in suite, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Singles from £7,210. Deposit 30%. Restrictions apply on included drinks. Pre-paid Destination Experience credit may be spent on excursions only. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Credit is non-refundable if it is not used in full for purchasing destination experiences prior to the journey's departure and it is non-transferrable. It must be used at least three days prior to the journey's departure. There is an experience fee applicable to two restaurants. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Explora S.A.