Toronto departure
First departureToronto travellers
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Mediterranean 2026Six friends · one remarkable journey26 November — 12 December 2026
Six friends.
Nine ports.
One grand pour.
Our shared home for the EXPLORA II journey—from Athens and Santorini to Sicily, Tuscany, the Riviera and Barcelona.
- 17
- days away
- 10
- nights aboard
- 62
- ship experiences reviewed
EXPLORA II Piraeus → Barcelona
The adventure begins
Two cities.
One Mediterranean countdown.
Joyce and Gerry leave Toronto first; the Calgary four follow 35 minutes later. Each clock counts down to the confirmed local departure time.
Calgary departure
35 min laterCalgary travellers
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At a glance
The backbone is booked.
The best days are ours to shape.
- Confirmed
- Flights, Athens hotel, cruise and Barcelona stay
- Next decision
- Select two Italian wine days
- Best pairing
- Naples + Livorno
The route
A Mediterranean arc,
east to west.
Board in Athens, pause at volcanic islands and storied ports, then trace the Italian coast toward the French Riviera and Barcelona.
Open the journey in Google Maps ↗29 Nov
Athens
Embark in Piraeus30 Nov
Santorini
Caldera day02 Dec
Valletta
Malta03 Dec
Messina
Sicily04 Dec
Naples
Campania05 Dec
Rome
Civitavecchia06 Dec
Livorno
Tuscany07 Dec
Nice
Villefranche09 Dec
Barcelona
DisembarkThe trip cockpit
Every day, map, flight status and hotel contact in one practical view.
Open trip cockpit →02Excursion intelligence
Search all 62 EXPLORA experiences and compare the best ship, private and DIY choices.
Compare excursions →03Ports & Pours
Thirteen vineyard dossiers, satellite maps, ship routes, driver options and two clear winners.
Explore wine country →04Trip files
Reports, reference material and the creative archive collected in one place.
Open trip files →The working recommendation
Save the biggest pours for Naples and Bolgheri.
Cantine Astroni is the safest complete wine day: only about 13 km from the Naples pier, with volcanic Falanghina, Piedirosso and a substantial lunch experience. Terre del Marchesato is the emotional high point: a 16-hectare family estate in Bolgheri with deep visitor evidence and published Sunday tastings.
Fri 04 Dec · 08:00–19:00Cantine Astroni≈13 km · 25–40 min
Sun 06 Dec · 08:00–20:00Terre del Marchesato≈50 km · 55–70 min
Best ship experiences
Where EXPLORA earns its premium.
The ship is most valuable at tender ports, on weather-sensitive boat days and when a long return makes logistics important.
Santorini · 30 Nov
Map ↗Santorini by Catamaran
Ship control matters at this tender port
Valletta, Malta · 02 Dec
Map ↗Walking Exploration & Lunch
Private wins for six; DIY is easy
Naples · 04 Dec
Map ↗Herculaneum and Wine Tasting
One of the strongest ship packages
Livorno (Tuscany) · 06 Dec
Map ↗Tuscan Farm-To-Table
Private Bolgheri is the trip’s best wine day
Villefranche / Nice · 07 Dec
Map ↗Coastal Highlights of the Riviera
Ship boat for ease; train for value
Ready for the next round?
Turn the research into reservations.
The planning room keeps the group’s open choices in one small, shared action list.
Open the planning room →