A Journey Through Ionian Shores & Cycladic Beauty

The A Journey Through Ionian Shores & Cycladic Beauty is a 7-night Mediterranean cruise aboard EXPLORA II, operated by Explora Journeys. Departing Athens (Piraeus), Greece on August 17, 2026, the voyage visits 5 ports. Fares start from $6,150 per person.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Aug 17, 2026
Returns: Aug 24, 2026
Ports of call: 5
Days at sea: 1

Itinerary

Day 1 Aug 17, 2026 Athens (Piraeus), Greece Departs 20:00 A city of legend, civilisation and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece's capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which can count notable contributions to philosophy, drama and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus' giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of the Athens' urban area. From there it's a simple jaunt to the centre. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon - which date back to the 5th century BC - stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens' best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage. See the marble horseshoe of the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, for more of the city's enduring legacy. Elsewhere, golden beaches and temples stretch out along the coastline, should you wish to explore a little further afield. Coffee is an art form to the Greeks, and it's an unwritten rule that coffee time must never be rushed. So prepare to settle down for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good chat. Feeling hungry - try traditional souvlaki made with sauces handed from generation to generation. Athens (Piraeus), Greece port guide Search cruises visiting Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Day 3 Aug 19, 2026 Bari 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Bari, capital of the province of Apulia, lies on southern Italy's Adriatic coast. Its busy port is a leading commercial and industrial centre as well as a transit point for travellers catching ferries across the Adriatic to Greece. Bari comprises a new and an old town. To the north, on a promontory between the old and new harbours, lies the picturesque old town, or Citta Vecchia, with a maze of narrow, crooked streets. To the south is the spacious and regularly planned new town, which has developed considerably since 1930, when the Levant Fair was first held here. The heart of the modern town is Piazza della Liberta. The busy thoroughfare, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, separates the new town from the old. At the eastern end of the Corso begins the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, a magnificent seafront promenade that runs along the old harbour. Bari and the Apulian region were long recognized for their strategic location, attracting a succession of colonizers such as the Normans, Moors and Spaniards, each leaving their mark. Romanesque churches and powerful castles built by 13th-century Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia are among the most impressive buildings in the region. Bari's Basilica of San Nicola became famous as the final resting place of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). According to local tradition, sailors from Bari went to Myra in Turkey, stole the saint's remains and brought them back to Bari. St. Nicholas was the popular bishop of Myra, who was revered as the patron of sailors, virgins and children. In addition to unspoiled scenery and historical sites, Apulia is also known for its hearty cuisine that has evolved from more than 2,000 years of foreign influences. While not as famous as other areas in Italy, Bari and its surrounding region hold many surprise attractions that make it well worth exploring this ancient land and its capital at the heel of Italy's boot. Bari port guide Search cruises visiting Bari

Bari photo — Day 3 Aug 19, 2026 Bari 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Bari, capital of the province of Apulia, lies on southern Italy's Adriatic coast. Its busy port is a leading commercial and industrial centre as well as a transit point for travellers catching ferries across the Adriatic to Greece. Bari comprises a new and an old town. To the north, on a promontory between the old and new harbours, lies the picturesque old town, or Citta Vecchia, with a maze of narrow, crooked streets. To the south is the spacious and regularly planned new town, which has developed considerably since 1930, when the Levant Fair was first held here. The heart of the modern town is Piazza della Liberta. The busy thoroughfare, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, separates the new town from the old. At the eastern end of the Corso begins the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, a magnificent seafront promenade that runs along the old harbour. Bari and the Apulian region were long recognized for their strategic location, attracting a succession of colonizers such as the Normans, Moors and Spaniards, each leaving their mark. Romanesque churches and powerful castles built by 13th-century Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia are among the most impressive buildings in the region. Bari's Basilica of San Nicola became famous as the final resting place of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). According to local tradition, sailors from Bari went to Myra in Turkey, stole the saint's remains and brought them back to Bari. St. Nicholas was the popular bishop of Myra, who was revered as the patron of sailors, virgins and children. In addition to unspoiled scenery and historical sites, Apulia is also known for its hearty cuisine that has evolved from more than 2,000 years of foreign influences. While not as famous as other areas in Italy, Bari and its surrounding region hold many surprise attractions that make it well worth exploring this ancient land and its capital at the heel of Italy's boot. Bari port guide Search cruises visiting Bari

Day 4 Aug 20, 2026 Nydri 09:00 – 20:00 11.0 hrs ashore Set in a picturesque inlet, the town of Nydri is a favorite Ionian yacht harbor. Explore the vast olive groves that blanket Lefkada’s landscape, and the famous Nydri Waterfalls. Nydri port guide Search cruises visiting Nydri

Nydri photo — Day 4 Aug 20, 2026 Nydri 09:00 – 20:00 11.0 hrs ashore Set in a picturesque inlet, the town of Nydri is a favorite Ionian yacht harbor. Explore the vast olive groves that blanket Lefkada’s landscape, and the famous Nydri Waterfalls. Nydri port guide Search cruises visiting Nydri

Day 5 Aug 21, 2026 Pylos 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Pylos occupies a superb and dominant position on one of the best natural harbors in Greece. Your gaze is inevitably drawn to the bay that is almost landlocked due to the position of the offshore island of Sfaktira. The Battle of Navarino, which took place here one night in 1827, effectively sealed Greek independence. An unusually stylish town with a pair of medieval castles, Pylos is an excellent base for exploring the Peloponnese. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this town, which spreads across the slopes of the hill, its picturesque cobbled lanes lined with two-story houses. Opposite the harbor, in the Square of the Three Admirals, a three-sided column rises between two canons - one Turkish and the other Venetian. The figures of the admirals of the three fleets, English, French and Russian that defeated the Turko-Egyptian navy in the Battle of Navarino are represented. A visit to Niokastro, one of the two castles guarding the harbor, affords wonderful views out over the bay.

Day 7 Aug 23, 2026 Mykonos 08:00 – 22:30 14.5 hrs ashore Think of a trip to Greece and you will imagine Mykonos. The port of Mykonos, or perhaps it would be more correct to say of Chora, is located on the west coast of the island. The Cyclades islands in the Aegean are wonderful and the beaches are no less marvellous, with the pleasant distinction of being among the most festive in the archipelago. After docking at the port of Mykonos, enjoy the numerous natural coves, beaches and cliffs of this beautiful island. You can enjoy the clean, azure sea of Paradise Beach, while in the evening let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of this cosmopolitan and youthful island. The harbour district, the Kastro, is known as the 'little Venice'. In its alleys, the shops and restaurants alternate with white houses with blue doors and windows. On a trip to Mykonos, take advantage of the stop to go on shore excursions, stroll through the maze of streets and alleys where you can discover the beauty of the architecture and the design of the city. The small white houses with shutters as blue as the sky, the pigeon houses and the numerous small churches of Mykonos will simply enchant you. Mykonos port guide Search cruises visiting Mykonos

Mykonos photo — Day 7 Aug 23, 2026 Mykonos 08:00 – 22:30 14.5 hrs ashore Think of a trip to Greece and you will imagine Mykonos. The port of Mykonos, or perhaps it would be more correct to say of Chora, is located on the west coast of the island. The Cyclades islands in the Aegean are wonderful and the beaches are no less marvellous, with the pleasant distinction of being among the most festive in the archipelago. After docking at the port of Mykonos, enjoy the numerous natural coves, beaches and cliffs of this beautiful island. You can enjoy the clean, azure sea of Paradise Beach, while in the evening let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of this cosmopolitan and youthful island. The harbour district, the Kastro, is known as the 'little Venice'. In its alleys, the shops and restaurants alternate with white houses with blue doors and windows. On a trip to Mykonos, take advantage of the stop to go on shore excursions, stroll through the maze of streets and alleys where you can discover the beauty of the architecture and the design of the city. The small white houses with shutters as blue as the sky, the pigeon houses and the numerous small churches of Mykonos will simply enchant you. Mykonos port guide Search cruises visiting Mykonos

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 91-day span: $4,520 · range $4,520–$7,640

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $6,150

$878 / night

Fare rows

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,150

$878 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,450

$921 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,800

$971 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,950

$992 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,100

$1,014 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Premier Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,105

$1,015 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,770

$1,110 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,610

$1,230 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,550

$1,364 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Retreat Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,695

$1,385 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,850

$1,407 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Serenity Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,875

$2,125 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $43,120

$6,160 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 23, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Explora Journeys and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 15 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Not listed
Cove Residence	CO	Suite
Cocoon Residence	CR	Suite
Deluxe Penthouse	DP	Suite
Grand Penthouse	GP	Suite
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite	GT	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT1	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT3	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT4	Suite
Penthouse	PH	Suite
Premier Penthouse	PP	Suite
Retreat Residence	RR	Suite
Serenity Residence	SR	Suite

Ship

Your ship EXPLORA II 5★ **63,900** GT **922** guests Built **2024** Exquisitely designed with the guest and relaxed, home-like comfort in mind - and in partnership with the world’s foremost superyacht and luxury hospitality designers - the innovative ship will seamlessly blend elegant Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship and vibrant design. With 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences, guests will enjoy feeling closer to the sea and in port thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows and personal private terrace. Suites will start at 35 sqm (377 sq ft) which makes them among the most spacious for the luxury cruise category. Fourteen decks will provide ample indoor public space, maximizing guest choice and create areas of quiet seclusion and privacy. Generous outdoor decks will boast more than 2,500 sqm (26,909 sq ft) delivering stunning views of the sea, with 64 private cabanas across 3 outdoor pools. A fourth pool, with a retractable glass roof, will allow swimming and poolside relaxation in any weather. Combined with various indoor and outdoor whirlpools on the ship’s promenade deck, the ship has been designed with water as a real focal point of the onboard experience - helping our guests discover their ocean state of mind. Tailored to suit personal preferences, flexible dining times at nine distinct restaurants will provide unrivalled variety at sea. Each venue will celebrate global culinary talents, with a focus on provenance and wholesome ingredients sustainably sourced from local partners. To make sure guests are spoilt for choice, several indoor and outdoor bars and lounges will also be in place to unwind and relax. The wellbeing experience onboard was inspired by our love for the sea, with a spacious indoor/outdoor spa and fitness area on board. From treatment rooms to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, group workout classes to personal training appointments, tailor-made programs make keeping well while on holiday effortless and enjoyable. Bespoke wellness experiences at each destination will make relaxation and rejuvenation easily accessible both onboard and ashore. EXPLORA II ship guide Search cruises on EXPLORA II

A Journey Through Ionian Shores & Cycladic Beauty

Itinerary

Pricing

Current prices

Inside

Oceanview

Balcony

Suite

Price history

Ship

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