Explora Journeys: Sailing the Mediterranean in Style
Category: Cruising
By Rosé-Tinted Journeys
Luxury travel, best served chilled.
Some trips change your scenery; others change your rhythm.
Our week aboard Explora Journeys was the latter — an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the joy of unhurried exploration across the Mediterranean.
Explora isn’t a cruise line; it’s a floating luxury resort, designed for travelers who value authenticity and ease as much as beauty. From the scent of sea air and espresso to the faint sound of live jazz at dusk, every detail feels curated for calm.
⚓ Our Ocean Terrace Suite: Designed for Living
Stepping into our Ocean Terrace Suite felt like stepping into serenity — floor-to-ceiling windows, a marble bathroom, and a private terrace that opened directly to the sea. The décor was modern yet soothing: warm wood tones, soft linens, and that effortless, understated elegance we gravitate toward.
I was pleased to find a Dyson Supersonic hair dryer tucked neatly into the vanity — a thoughtful touch that quietly says, we’ve thought of everything.
Each morning, we ordered in-room dining breakfast, enjoyed slowly on our terrace as the coastline came into view — cappuccinos, fresh fruit, flaky croissants, and that soft hush of open water. Evenings ended the same way they began: just the two of us, the sea, and the sunset.
🍽️ Dining at Sea
Explora’s dining is refined but never formal — indulgent, yet refreshingly light. Every restaurant feels like a destination:
Marble & Co. Grill – a sleek, modern steakhouse with impeccable wine pairings.
Med Yacht Club – Mediterranean flavors that taste like sun, salt, and summer.
Sakura – minimalist Japanese design and delicate, unforgettable flavor.
Emporium Marketplace – a global tasting room perfect for leisurely breakfasts or late afternoon grazing.
Evenings often ended at Journeys Lounge, where candlelight, piano notes, and laughter mingled beneath the stars.
🗺️ The Journey: Our Mediterranean Voyage
Our route mirrored the Luxury Mediterranean Itinerary we’ve shared on the site — an exquisite week from Barcelona to Rome with stops that read like a love letter to the Mediterranean:
Monday — Barcelona, Spain (depart 8:00 PM)
Tuesday — Ibiza, Spain (arrive 11:30 AM / depart 4:00 AM)
Wednesday — Sea Day
Thursday — Marseille, France (9:00 AM–7:00 PM)
Friday — Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice), France (10:00 AM–11:45 PM)
Saturday — Genoa, Italy (8:00 AM–3:00 PM)
Saturday — Portofino, Italy (6:00 PM–11:00 PM)
Sunday — Porto Santo Stefano (Argentario), Italy (9:00 AM–11:00 PM)
Monday — Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy (arrive 7:00 AM)
Each stop offered its own rhythm:
In Ibiza, we traded nightclubs for quiet coves and late-day sangria.
Marseille gave us harborside seafood and golden afternoon light.
Villefranche-sur-Mer stole our hearts with pastel houses and a table by the water.
Portofino shimmered at sunset — we lingered until the harbor lights danced on the waves.
Porto Santo Stefano felt secret and cinematic, the kind of place that still belongs to locals.
Every destination unfolded without rush — a perfect balance of discovery and rest.
🌊 Life Onboard
Days drifted easily between the infinity pool, the spa, and the occasional glass of champagne before lunch. Service was intuitive from the start — by morning two, our cappuccinos arrived just the way we liked them.
Everything onboard felt designed for a state of quiet contentment — art, scent, sound, and space blending into something wonderfully human.
🌅 A Rosé-Tinted Moment
One evening between Portofino and Porto Santo Stefano, we slipped out onto our terrace just as the sky turned to watercolor pink. The Mediterranean was still, the horizon endless, and the only sound was the soft rhythm of the sea.
We stood there, barefoot, glasses of rosé in hand, watching the light fade. No photos, no agenda — just presence.
That’s the essence of Explora: luxury that gives you time to feel everything.
✨ Ready to plan your Mediterranean voyage?
Join the Rosé-Tinted Journeys Insiders for our free 2-week Europe itinerary, featuring every stop from Barcelona to Rome — plus our favorite hotels, excursions, and restaurant picks along the way.