Historic Cities of the Sea

With Distinguished Guest Lecturer Alan Shapiro, Professor of Archaeology, Emeritus, at Johns Hopkins University

DISTINGUISHED HOST AND LECTURER

Alan Shapiro is a classical archaeologist and the W. H. Collins Vickers Professor of Archaeology, Emeritus, at Johns Hopkins University. He is a scholar of Greek and Roman art and archaeology with particular interests in Greek sculpture and vase-painting, mythology and religion. From 2020-2023 he served as Dietrich von Bothmer Research Scholar in the Department of Greek and Roman Art of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The historic town of Greece’s island of Corfu

Church of the Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain

Diocletian’s mausoleum in Split’s palace of Diocletian, now the Cathedral of Saint Domnius

Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the background, Italy

Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sicily, Italy

Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

ITINERARY

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
DEPART THE UNITED STATES

Wednesday, April 1
BARCELONA, Spain
Transfer upon arrival to the Grand Hotel Central (or similar). Barcelona traces its roots to the Roman Empire, by which it was founded as Barcino, in the 1st century BC. Remains of Roman-era walls and streets can still be seen in Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter. Its subsequent history as an important trade hub under the Crown of Aragon – a powerful Mediterranean maritime empire from the 12th to 15th centuries – makes it a fitting locale for the start of our journey. Enjoy a festive welcome dinner this evening. (D)

Thursday, April 2
BARCELONA/EMBARKATION
Though Barcelona’s autonomy as a Catalan city with a unique identity, culture, and language has waxed and waned throughout its history, it regained cultural and political prominence when democracy returned to Spain after Franco’s death in 1975. Today Barcelona is a thriving, urbane destination, known worldwide for its vibrant food scene and innovations in art and design. Tour the historic center of the city this morning, including Antonin Gaudi’s unique Church of La Sagrada Família. Lunch will be provided. This afternoon, transfer to the port to embark EXPLORA I and set sail. (B,L,D)

Friday, April 3
AT SEA
Discover your preferred style of onboard relaxation today. Immerse yourself in EXPLORA I’s “ocean state of mind” and familiarize yourself with the ship’s many amenities, available for your enjoyment during this day at sea and throughout your voyage. (B,L,D)

Saturday, April 4
NAPLES, Italy
Spend the morning on an excursion to evocative Pompeii, famously destroyed by the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Situated near the coast at the volcano’s foot, Pompeii and its citizens were tragically buried under dense layers of ash and pumice. Systematic excavation of the site began in the mid-19th century, and archaeologists have since uncovered Pompeii’s former beauty and grandeur, with its temples, public spaces, and sumptuous villas. In the afternoon, visit the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The Museum occupies the huge building that was originally designed in 1582 to house the Royal Riding School and today possesses one of the world’s richest collections of Greek and Roman art and artifacts. Return to the ship in the evening. (B,L,D)

Sunday, April 5
AT SEA
Attend lectures, relax, and enjoy the many amenities of the ship as EXPLORA I sails onward to Malta. (B,L,D)

Monday, April 6
VALLETTA, Malta
For millennia, Malta’s commanding central location in the Mediterranean Sea made the Maltese Islands a strategic stepping-stone between Europe and Africa. During the Bronze Age, the country’s magnificent megalithic monuments were built, making it home to some of the earliest free-standing stone structures in the world. Ruling entities from the Phoenicians to the Romans left their mark, but none more so than the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Beautiful Valletta, built by the Knights in the 16th century as their capital city, clearly demonstrates the Order’s strong imprint. This morning, a tour of historic Valletta includes the National Library;the Manoel Theatre, constructed in 1731 and one of the loveliest theaters in Europe; the Lascaris War Rooms; and the impressive St. John’s Co Cathedral and cathedral museum. After lunch, explore the remarkable Temples of Tarxien complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for the architectural, technological, and artistic advancement of prehistoric Maltese society that it evidences. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, April 7
SYRACUSE, Sicily
Founded by the Greeks in 734 BC, Syracuse became one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Mediterranean world, rivaling even Athens in power and prestige. Begin in Ortygia, a small island just off mainland Sicily, with a walking tour featuring the Cathedral built upon a 5th-century BC temple; the Arethusa Fountain; the remains of the Temple of Apollo; and the Piazza Archimede, dedicated to the mathematical genius Archimedes, a native of the city in the 3rd century BC. On the mainland, visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park, including its Greek Theater hewn from the rocky hillside; the Roman Amphitheater; and the Latomia del Paradiso. Later today, visit the impressive collection of Syracuse’s Archaeological Museum. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, April 8
AT SEA
Enjoy lectures, EXPLORA I’s amenities, and the “ocean state of mind” during a day cruising across the Ionian Sea. (B,L,D)

Thursday, April 9
CORFU, Ionian Islands, Greece
With its stunning turquoise waters, lush landscape, iconic olive groves and distinctive blend of architectural styles, Corfu’s richly layered history was shaped by its strategic location in the Ionian Sea. Settled by the Greeks as early as the 8th century BC, Corfu became a key naval base and trade point under the Roman and Byzantine Empires. In 1386, Corfu came under Venetian rule for a period of nearly 400 years before being reunited with the modern Greek state in 1864. Explore the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a morning tour that will reveal the strong influence of the Venetian era on Corfu’s architecture and fortifications. (B,L,D)

Friday, April 10
KOTOR, Montenegro
Small in size but rich in natural beauty, formerly Yugoslavian Montenegro offers unspoiled UNESCO-listed towns and stunning scenery along with a long and eventful history. This morning, EXPLORA I arrives in the dazzling Bay of Kotor. One of the best-preserved medieval towns along the Adriatic coast, Kotor is situated on the only fjord-like waterway in southern Europe, nestled beneath towering mountains. A walking tour reveals Kotor’s formidable walls and stone-paved streets, lined with churches and impressive palaces. The Drago Palace, with its elegant Renaissance windows; the 12th-century St. Tryphon Cathedral; and the baroque Lipovac Palace are special highlights of this striking town. (B,L,D)

Saturday, April 11
BRINDISI/LECCE/ALBEROBELLO, Italy
From Brindisi in Italy’s Puglia region, take a morning excursion to historic Lecce, renowned for its intricate baroque architecture. The Basilica di Santa Croce and Cattedrale di Lecce, built in local soft, creamy limestone, are notable examples of this ornate style. Nearby the Sant’Oronzo Column, a Roman column topped with a bronze statue of the city’s patron saint, and the well-preserved sunken amphitheater reminds visitors of Lecce’s legacy as a significant city in Roman antiquity. After lunch aboard the ship, explore Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features over 1,500 trulli dwellings. These white-washed structures have pyramidal, conical or domed roofs built of corbelled local limestone without mortar, employing a remarkable prehistoric building technique that is used to this day. (B,L,D)

Sunday, April 12
SPLIT, Croatia
Built around a spacious bay and flanked by mountains, Split is one of the most vibrant cities in the Adriatic Sea. Said to derive its name from an ancient Greek settlement called Aspalathos, Split’s official history began with the construction of the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 305 AD. Medieval Split grew within the walled grounds of the enormous palace. Inhabited continuously since antiquity, Diocletian’s Palace still plays a key role in the city’s life and urban development. A morning walking tour of Split explores Diocletian’s Palace, with its Underground Halls and elegant courtyards; the Peristyle with its arcades; the well-preserved Mausoleum of Diocletian, which was converted to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius in 652 AD; and the Temple of Jupiter, which was later adapted as the cathedral Baptistery. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the fascinating old medieval town. (B,L,D)

Monday, April 13
VENICE, Italy/USA
Disembark in Fusina, a port town near Venice, and transfer to the Venice airport for flights homeward. (B)

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.