An Extended Journey from Antiquity to the Queen of the Adriatic Cruise on Explora I from Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul attracts visitors not only for its history and its monuments, but also for their way of life and its lovely people. It is the city of churches, synagogues and thousands of mosques Istanbul is the city of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces.

Bozcaada (Turkey)

Bodrum (Turkey)

Bodrum is one of the most turistic places in Turkey. Hundreds of thousands fo tourists arrive there each year. In Bodrum you will enjoy of a good service of hotels on full board, you can go shopping through the animated center of the city or you can rest on the beach. Nightlife is animated fun until dawn. The bright sea water around Bodrum is an splendid place for scuba diving, with it's reefs and coves, and it's colorful marine life. In the center of the city you can find the Mausoleum of Maussollos, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and also the Castle of Bodrum, that represents the architecture of the crusaders, built by the Knights Hospitaller and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

Rhodes

Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is located northeast of Crete, southeast of Athens and just off the Anatolian coast of Turkey. Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. From there you can access Lindos and its famous Acropolis which can be accessed on foot or by donkey.

Samos (Greece)

Samos outstands for its superb natural beauty, and the place that gave birth to one of the creators of mathematics, Pythagoras. Let yourself go with the amazing beaches and even visit some of the surrounding islands like San Nicolas and Macronisi, both uninhabited and heavenly.

Paros

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens, the capital city of Greece is an active cosmopolitan mix of different cultures and people, passionate about their art and history. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few miles from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica. The main attractions of Athens are The Ancient Agora, Anafiotika, The Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, Thiseion Cinema, Gazi, Monastiraki Flea Market, Pireaus seaside, Pireaus open air market, Kastella Hill, Veakio open air theatre and Piraeus Archaeological.

Katakolon (Greece)

Katakolon is a beautiful seaside town and it is situated in the municipality of Pyrgos in western Elis, Greece. The port of Katakolo is popular destination for cruises. It offers great opportunity to the passengers to visit the site of Ancient Olympia. Port of Katakolon where Greek mythology started .Greece is where the first Olympics was ever held and where you can find a historical landmark anywhere. Places of interest: Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, Stadium of Olympia, Greece and the remains of the medieval Pontikokastro/Beauvoir castle still stand on a hilltop northeast of the modern port.

Fiskardo (Greece)

Fiskardo is a Greek Island, one of the least exploited by tourism. Plenty of beautiful beaches with white sand, and a very natural enviroment.

Bari (Italy)

Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland It is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas. Bari is made up of four different urban sections. To the north is the closely built old town on the peninsula between two modern harbours, with the splendid Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Swabian Castle built for Frederick II, which is now also a major nightlife district. To the south is the Murat quarter, the modern heart of the city, which is laid out on a rectangular grid-plan with a promenade on the sea and the major shopping district

Zadar (Croatia)

Is a city in the Dalmatian Region, in the modern Croatia, capital of the county of Zadar, in the centre of the country and infront of the islands od Uglian and Pasman, from which it is separated by the Zadar Strait. The different layers of the walls of the city, are the renaissance, baroque and gothic monuments, that prove the turbulent past of the city.

Rovinj (Croatia)

This picturesque Croatian town is known as the Blue Pearl of the Adriatic. The Rovinj archipelago is formed by 14 islands. The old town lies within an egg-shaped peninsula and its houses are pastel coloured situated down to the shoreline. Romantic and mysterious, the historical centre has plenty of Venetian influences, the town clock bears the Venetian lion. Cobbled streets and piazzas with plenty of boutiques and cafes, lead to the Baroque, hilltop church of St Euphemia that offers spectacular views. You will also find beautiful beaches full of pine trees just minute from the old town. Also don't miss the Punta Corrente Forest Park, a Roman amphitheatre and the subterranean Baredine Cave.

Fusina (Italy)