An Extended Journey of Aegean and Adriatic Pearls 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.

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.

Santorini

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece´s mainland The island remains the home of a small, but flourishing, wine industry, based on the indigenous grape variety, Assyrtiko, with auxiliary cultivations of two other Aegean varietals, Athiri and Aidani. Wine Industry The vines are extremely old and resistant to phylloxera (attributed by local winemakers to the well-drained volcanic soil and its chemistry), so the vines needed no replacement during the great phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century. In their adaptation to their habitat, such vines are planted far apart, as their principal source of moisture is dew, and they often are trained in the shape of low-spiralling baskets, with the grapes hanging inside to protect them from the winds. Architecture The traditional architecture of Santorini is similar to that of the other Cyclades, with low-lying cubical houses, made of local stone and whitewashed or limewashed with various volcanic ashes used as colours. The unique characteristic is the common utilisation of the hypóskapha: extensions of houses dug sideways or downwards into the surrounding pumice

Chania (Crete)

Chania , is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It lies along the north coast of the island, about 43 mi west of Rethymno and 90 mi west of Heraklion.Some notable sights include the Mosque of Djamissi; the remains of the Venetian "arsenali", where ships were once built and repaired; the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, the huge Municipal Market that connects to the new town at its opposite entrance; the marvellous Archaeological Museum occupying a 16th Century Venetian church; and many of the side streets filled with shops, craftsmen, and beautiful architecture.

Galipoli, Italy

Gallipoli meaning "Beautiful City" is a town and comune of 21,200 inhabitants in the province of Lecce, in Apulia, southern Italy. It is located by the Ionian Sea, on the west coast of the Salentina Peninsula. The town of Gallipoli is divided in two parts, the modern and the old city. The new town includes all the newest buildings including a skyscraper. The old town, instead, is located on a limestone island, linked to the mainland by a bridge built in the 16th century. Places of Interest: Angevine Aragonese Castle, built in the 13th century by the Byzantines. It was largely remade under the Angevines and the Aragonese, who added a polygonal wall fortified with round towers. The main additions were carried on by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, who worked for King Alfonso II of Naples. In 1522 it was added the eastern wall, known as Rivellino, defended by waters on three sides. 14th century walls Originally it had 12 towers or bastions. Baroque cathedral of Sant´Agata. It has a richly decorated façade in carparo, a local limestone rock, with niches featuring statues of saints. The interior is on the Latin cross plan, with Baroque altars, including a polychrome one by Cosimo Fanzago (high altar). Church of St. Francis of Paola, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of San Domenico al Rosario Church of the Holy Crucifix, Church of Santa Maria della Purità, Greek Fountain, Palazzo Pirelli (16th century), with mythological-theme decorations in the interior, Church of San Pietro dei Samari, outside the city. It was built in late Byzantine times. Spiaggia la Puritate beach

Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Dubrovnik is situated on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia, at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik, Nerevta country. Places to visit: Lokrum is an island in front of Dubrovnik and because it takes only 15 minutes by ferry to get there from the Old Town it is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Zaton, another place to find natural peace and beauty, it takes 20 minutes by bus to get from Dubrovnik to Zaton. Other tourist attractions are: Franciscan monastery, fortresses, Medieval walls encircling the city and Sponza palace.

Ancona (Italy)

Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy. Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region. The city is located 170 mi northeast of Rome, on the Adriatic Sea, between the slopes of the two extremities of the promotory of Monte Conero, Monte Astagno and Monte Guasco. Ancona is one of the main ports on the Adriatic Sea, especially for passenger traffic, and is the main economic and demographic centre of the region.

Trieste (Italy)

Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of Italian territory lying between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city. Once a very influential and powerful centre of politics, literature, music, art and culture under Austrian-Hungarian dominion, its importance fell into decline towards the end of the 20th century, and today, Trieste is often forgotten as tourists head off to the big Italian cities like Rome and Milan. It is, however, a very charming underestimated city, with a quiet and lovely almost Eastern European atmosphere, several pubs and cafes, some stunning architecture and a beautiful sea view. It was also, for a while, the residence of famous Irish writer James Joyce.

Fusina (Italy)

Rijeka (Croatia)

This cosmopolitan coastal city is famous for its annual carnival, Rijeka’s theatres, museums and abundant history make cruises to Rijeka an intriguing destination at any time of the year. The unique Baroque rotunda of St Vitus Cathedral, dedicated to the port’s Patron Saint and protector, is in the old town. He appears again in a relief on the early 16th century city flagpole outside the Municipal Palace close to the Church of St Jerome, once part of an Augustinian monastery complex. Further stone decorations, this time of fish and molluscs, are found in the city’s Great Market. Energetic visitors on Rijeka cruises can climb the 500 steps to reach the ancient district of Trsat and the Church of Our Lady of Trsat, the oldest Croatian sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary

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

Aghios Nikolaos (Greece)

Agios Nikolaos is a coastal town on the Greek island of Crete, lying east of the island's capital Heralion, north of the town of Ierapetra and west of the town of Sitia. The town is a municipality of Crete region, and sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara. Agios Nikolaos is probably best known as a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up that part of Lassithi. Tourist attractions include the small lagoon Lake Vouslismeni, small beaches in the town, the tiny island Agioi Pantes, the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition and numerous fairs. The lagoon features a small park with a trail, traditional fishing boats, ducks, pigeons, an amphitheatre and many cafes.

Haifa (Israel)

the city of Haifa is famous for beeing the world center of the Bahai faith, an indpendent religion with administrative headquarters in Mount Carmel, near the principal sanctuary. Between the points of interest, we can name de German Colony, constructed with stones and a recommended tour, Wadi Nisnas, a walk through the Haifa Museum, the mall in St. John´s Street and an outdoor market, the Pascha, a tour that will take you through de residential district of Hadar to the Old City.

Haifa (Israel)

the city of Haifa is famous for beeing the world center of the Bahai faith, an indpendent religion with administrative headquarters in Mount Carmel, near the principal sanctuary. Between the points of interest, we can name de German Colony, constructed with stones and a recommended tour, Wadi Nisnas, a walk through the Haifa Museum, the mall in St. John´s Street and an outdoor market, the Pascha, a tour that will take you through de residential district of Hadar to the Old City.

Paphos (Cyprus)

Paphos is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus. The town is included in the official Unesco list of cultural and natural treasure of the worlds heritage due to its exceptional historical and architectural values, of the remains of villas, palaces, theaters, fortresses, and tombs. Its mosaics are among the most beautiful in the world.

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.

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.