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From the Ancient Monuments of Athens to the Canals of Venice

Rovinj, one of Croatia’s prettiest old towns.

Experience History, Culture,
& Breathtaking Scenery

June 5–14, 2025

With Host and Lecturer Professor Bart D. Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and six-time New York Times bestseller.

DISTINGUISHED HOST AND LECTURER

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he has taught since 1988. Professor Ehrman has published extensively in the fields of New Testament and Early Christianity, having written or edited thirty-three books, including six New York Times Bestsellers: Misquoting Jesus, God’s Problem, Jesus Interrupted, How Jesus Became God, and The Triumph of Christianity.

His Introduction to the New Testament has been the most widely used textbook in colleges and universities for over twenty years, and he has recorded ten lecture courses for The Great Courses (The Teaching Company). More than two million copies of his books and courses have been sold, and his books have been translated into twenty-seven languages.

Ehrman’s work has been featured in the New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other print media. He has appeared on NBC’s Dateline, CNN, The History Channel, National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, the BBC, Fresh Air, other major NPR shows, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and other top media outlets.

A widely sought-after lecturer and winner of numerous university awards and grants, Professor Ehrman also has a weekly podcast, Misquoting Jesus, runs a daily blog on the New Testament and early Christianity (The Bart Ehrman Blog), and produces online courses connected with the historical study of the Bible and Christian antiquity (www.bartehrman.com).

The historic town of Greece’s island of Corfu.

The scenic fjord-like Bay of Kotor, Montenegro.

ITINERARY

Thursday, June 5, 2025
DEPART THE USA

Depart the United States for Athens, Greece.

Friday, June 6
ATHENS, Greece
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the Elia Hotel (or similar). Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening at a local restaurant. (D)

Saturday, June 7
ATHENS/EMBARK
In the morning, tour the Acropolis and its fabled monuments. Occupied since prehistoric times, the rocky plateau of the Acropolis rises dramatically out of the plain and dominates the modern city as it did in ancient times. The incomparable Parthenon and its neighboring temples represent the highest achievement of the art and architecture of the Classical period, and the nearby Acropolis Museum displays a remarkable collection of artifacts and sculptures from the site. After lunch at a local taverna, transfer to the port in Piraeus to embark EXPLORA I. The ship sails in the evening. (D)

Sunday, June 8
MONEMVASIA/MYSTRA

From the port of Monemvasia, travel inland to Mystra, the best-preserved Byzantine town in Greece, built on a rocky spur in the central Peloponnese, overlooking the plain of Sparta. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a great center of learning, art and culture and now a treasure trove of Byzantine architecture, an evocative medieval walled town with several churches that contain exquisite mosaics, and palaces and houses built mostly in the 14th century. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the excellent Archaeological Museum in Sparta before returning to Monemvasia for time at leisure to discover this town of labyrinthine alleyways, stately old homes, and chapels on your own. (B,L,D)

Monday, June 9
AT SEA
Attend lectures and enjoy the many amenities of the ship as you sail around the Peloponnese and into the Ionian Sea. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, June 10
CORFU
From the earliest times, Corfu has been prized for its natural beauty and resources and for its strategic position at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. It has come under the rule of a succession of empires—Greek, Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic, British—but has been throughout its long history a favorite retreat of European elites. Your experience of Corfu begins with a walking tour of its historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow streets and charming little piazzas crammed with cafés and shops. In the center of the city, stroll along the iconic arcades of Liston, built by the French in the 19th century to replicate the Rue de Rivoli of Paris, and visit the Church of Saint Spyridon, dedicated to the patron saint of the island. You will also have time to browse in Corfu’s shopping quarter, famous for its galleries, jewelry, and high fashion. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, June 11
KOTOR, Montenegro

Sail the fjord-like Bay of Kotor to reach the Montenegrin port town of the same name, located at the head of the bay beneath towering mountains. One of the most striking and best-preserved towns along the Adriatic coast, Kotor is also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour of this delightful town reveals its magnificent walls, palaces, and churches, including the Drago Palace, with its elegant Renaissance windows, the 12th-century St. Tryphon Cathedral, and the baroque Lipovac Palace. You will also have time at leisure to explore some of the many galleries and shops that display goods ranging from souvenirs to fine art, or to visit the small but fascinating Maritime Museum, with exhibits chronicling the development of Kotor’s naval and merchant marine traditions. (B,L,D)

Thursday, June 12
ZADAR,Croatia

After a morning at sea, arrive in Zadar, a city whose early history was dominated by Romans and Byzantines, yielding to control from Venice from the 15th to the 18th century, when it was a critical port for the Venetian navy. Explore the old core of the city, including the Roman Forum; the 9th-century church of St. Donatus; the Cathedral of Anastasia, one of the finest Romanesque churches in Dalmatia; and the Archaeological Museum, whose exhibits trace the history of the city. (B,L,D)

Friday, June 13
ROVINJ/POREČ

From the 14th through the 18th century, Rovinj was the center of Venetian government on the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. On your walking tour of the old city, you will see the Venetian influence everywhere, including in the emblematic bell tower of the main church of the town. After lunch aboard, a short drive north of Rovinj brings you to the small port town of Poreč and to the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gem-studded mosaics. (B,L,D)

Saturday, June 14
FUSINA, Venice/USA
Disembark in the morning in Fusina, a port town near Venice, and transfer to the Venice airport for the return flight home. (B)

The Extraordinary All-suite EXPLORA I

All accommodations aboard the EXPLORA I are spacious terrace suites that combine elegant space and light. They feature:

The Ocean Terrace Suites measure between 377 – 420 sq ft.
Oversize floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the sea.
Bespoke king-sized bed sleep system. In some suites the bed can be converted to two twins.
Lounge area with dining/coffee table.
Heated marble bathroom floor and Mandala Blue custom bath toiletries and amenities.
Spacious private ocean-front terrace with dining area and daybed or sun loungers for relaxation.
Spacious walk-in wardrobe with a seated vanity area.
Mini-bar replenished according to each guest’s preferences.
Espresso machine, a kettle and teapot.
Infotainment system with on-demand TV options.
Individual climate and lighting control.
Wireless bedside devise charging station.
Gentle motion-activated bedroom night lights.
Pair of binoculars for guests’ use during the journey.

The Extraordinary All-Suite EXPLORA I

Ocean Terrace Suite

All prices are per person, double occupancy
Category C – Ocean Terrace Suite | $7,990
Category B – Ocean Terrace Suite | $8,190
Category A – Ocean Terrace Suite | $8,390

Single occupancy supplements
Category C | $2,290
Category B | $2,390
Category A | $2,470

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS

The rates are all-inclusive. There are no hidden costs and no additional charges such as shore excursions or embarkation and port charges. Other than the international airfare and expenses of a personal nature, all else is included. Specifically, the rates include:

Ocean journey aboard EXPLORA I as described in the itinerary.
One night at the Elia Hotel (or similar) in Athens.
Airport/hotel/pier transfers and handling of luggage.
Program of lectures and discussions with Professor Bart Ehrman.
Complete program of shore excursions, led by professional local guides.
All meals aboard the ship, with a selection of wines, beer and soft drinks during all meals.
Open bar with select alcoholic beverages.
Coffee, including espresso and cappuccino, tea and soft drinks throughout the day and night.
24-hour in-suite dining.
Gratuities to the ship’s crew, guides, porters and drivers.
Wi-Fi aboard the ship.
The services of an experienced Thalassa Journeys Trip Director.
All local taxes and service charges, including port and embarkation taxes.
Complete pre-departure material.

NOT INCLUDED

International airfare; travel insurance; expenses of a personal nature; experience fees in Chef’s Kitchen and Anthology; any items not mentioned in the itinerary or the above inclusions.

    The Acropolis looms over Plaka, Athens’ oldest residential quarter, Greece

For reservations and information

Please call Thalassa Journeys at +1 866–633–3611
or email reservations@thalassajourneys.com