The Journey
Barcelona to Rome
A relaxed run across the western Mediterranean with the ship in port late, an overnight in Ibiza and long evenings ashore. Premium drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi are part of the fare, so the days ashore and the nights aboard flow without a bill in sight.
Board Explora I in the afternoon and sail in the evening, Gaudí's city glowing behind you as the western Mediterranean opens up ahead.
A rare overnight in Ibiza, the walled UNESCO old town of Dalt Vila by day, the island's quiet coves and salt flats, and a long evening with the ship in port into the early hours.
Across to North Africa for the ruins of Carthage above the bay and the cobalt-and-white lanes of Sidi Bou Said, a hilltop village over the sea.
The honey-stone capital of the Knights, Baroque palaces and the Grand Harbour, with a long evening ashore before sailing on toward Sicily.
Sicily beneath Etna, the cliff-top Greek theatre and lanes of Taormina just above the bay, and a coastline of lemon groves and the deep blue Ionian.
The Sorrento coast and the gateway to Capri, Positano and the Amalfi Drive, with the ship in port until 8 PM for a long Italian evening.
A quiet morning arrival into Civitavecchia, with Rome about an hour away, a worthy final act for those extending the journey in the Eternal City.
