A Journey to Malta, Italy & Spain
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![Explora 2](/file/resize/c920x485-cc/22759_explora_2.jpg)
Snapshot
- 9 night package
- Aboard Explora II
- Flights Included
- Luxury
- Cruise Rome to Barcelona
- Departs 13 October 2025
From
$9,265*
per person twin share
Overview
Drink in Vesuvian views in Naples, amble the medieval streets of Taormina and dazzle at the intricate artwork of La Valletta’s golden cathedral on a timeless journey to epic lands. Find out why artists flocked to Tunis and watch the sun sink from Cagliari’s hilltop Castello before losing yourself among the Gothic spires of Mallorca and Valencia’s perfect plazas.
EXPLORA II, sets sail in 2024, paving the way to new discoveries and furthering possibilities. Guests prepare to immerse themselves in effortless luxury, as they journey to inspiring destinations and experience the Ocean State of Mind.
Each of Explora II's 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences are designed with a refined elegance in mind; floor-to-ceiling windows and private sun terraces bring guests closer to the ocean itself.
Every all-inclusive Journey is a promise of diverse culinary riches, self rejuvenation through Ocean Wellness and enriching entertainment. Shop luxury with a conscience and lounge with elegance.
Inclusions
- Return flights from Adelaide (to the value of $2500 per person)
- 9 night cruise from Rome to Barcelona
- EXCLUSIVE €150 per suite Journey Experience Credit
- EXCLUSIVE Savings of $710 per suite
- In-suite welcome bottle of champagne upon arrival
- A bottle of wine and a bottle of spirit of the guests’ choice upon arrival
- Authentic, cultured and intuitive service from our team of hospitality experts
- Eight distinct culinary experiences, including in-suite dining
- Unlimited beverages, fine wines and premium spirits, speciality coffees, teas and soft drinks available anytime, including in-suite mini-bar*
- Access to the spa thermal area
- Wellbeing and fitness programmes on board and at the destinations
- All on-board gratuities
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Shuttle services from port to city centre (where required/available)
Itinerary
DAY 1
CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME)
Italy
There’s more to Rome than its ancient architecture. The Eternal City is home to a seemingly endless array of hidden gems. The artistic-minded can enjoy fashion aristocracy, street art, vespa jaunts to The Appian Way and toss coins into fountains. Or you can stroll by appointment to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Pope’s private quarters at the Vatican. Explore the historic ruins of The Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps and The Pantheon. Learn how to make pasta the true Italian way, hunt truffles, nibble gelato, sip coffee and sink into a 3000 year old pool for a wellness experience. an ode to homespun pasta at a Renaissance piazza. When in Rome, fusing old with new makes it simple to indulge in whatever you like.
DAY 2
NAPLES
Italy
Pitched between mighty Mount Vesuvius and the volcanic calderas of Phlegraean Fields, history is revealed around every corner of Naples, cradle of Italian culture. Baroque churches, Italian-Renaissance palazzi and Neoclassical opera houses leave you breathless, so ride the funicular up to the top of Castel Sant’Elmo for dreamy views of the Bay of Naples and Sorrento Peninsula beyond, gateway to the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Beneath the cobblestone streets lies another Naples, a warren of subterranean tunnels hewn by legions of Roman and Greek settlers. Linger longer to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried under the wrath of Mount Vesuvius, or hop over to the idyllic Island of Capri.
DAY 3
TAORMINA (SICILY)
Italy
A medieval hilltop town spilling across the slopes of Etna; an ancient Greco-Roman amphitheatre carved into the cliffs; the tiny paradisical Isola Bella rising out of the Ionian Sea. Any one of these treasures would cast a spell; Taormina holds them all. Explore the pretty bays, grottoes and beautiful pebble beaches below. Stoll amongst historic palazzi, churches and piazzas; shop ceramics and chic boutiques; eat Sicilian caponata, pasta alla norma or pasta alici paired with Sicilian white wine. Or head up the slopes of Mount Etna, through rolling hills of olive groves, vines and apricot trees until the landscape becomes barren, lunar-like, otherworldly.
DAY 4
LA VALLETTA
Malta
Unearth the Med’s master of restoration and renovation behind honey-hued Valetta’s fortified walls. Strewn with a mass of well-preserved history - head back in time to hand-carved shelters, a maze of subterranean tombs and stone-age temples. Discover war secrets beneath the limestone streets, skim the Grand Harbour aboard a dghajsa, step into state history and get your fill of art and Fat Ladies in museums. But it’s not all ancient history - watch buzzing bars spill out onto limestone alleys, treat yourself to Michelin-starred Maltese cuisine, neighbourhood watch and dive over wrecks. Malta may be Europe’s tiniest capital, but she packs a might punch.
DAY 5
LA GOULETTE (TUNIS)
Tunisia
Whitewashed buildings have welcomed seafarers to Tunis, gateway to North Africa, since time immemorial. Elegant mosaics carved wooden doorways and intricately tiled courtyards lurk around every corner of the ancient medina (old town), a warren of labyrinthine souks, white-domed mosques and beautiful madrassas (Islamic schools) with their iconic black and white archways and cool arcades. French influence is palpable in the Ville Nouveau, where wide boulevards lined with eucalyptus lead to the monumental expanse of St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral. Don’t miss the ancient Phoenician ruins and astonishing mosaics of Carthage near the pretty oceanfront town of Sidi Bou Said, muse of artists and poets
DAY 6
CAGLIARI (SARDINIA)
Italy
Cagliari fans out from the steep slopes of Il Castello, the hilltop citadel built by Pisan rulers in the 13th century, home to the opulent Cathedral of Santa Maria and bloody Elephant Tower, where trophy heads once hung. The seven-kilometre expanse of Poetto Beach unfurls from the Devil’s Saddle (Sella del Diavolo) on St. Elia promontory, past a string of beachfront eateries where legendary Sardinian seafood is enhanced by crisp chilled Vermentino. Across the waves, the irresistible waters of Capo Carbonara Marine Reserve teem with colourful coral fans and kaleidoscopic sea creatures.
DAY 7
At Sea
DAY 8
PALMA DE MALLORCA
Spain
Leave craggy coastlines behind and venture to the heartland of the biggest Balearic. Where endless authentic charm, history and nature await. Celebrate at Spain’s oldest winery, shop chic Palma boutiques and marvel at blossoming UNESCO-limestone mountains aboard a vintage train. Experience a tranquil monastery, art at a historic hacienda and tons of protected wildlife. Delve into nature at reserves, feast on wood-fired paella at lively hangouts, pilgrimage to historic churches and tour old-world Mallorcan villages. And as for sapphire seas that frame spotless beaches - Mallorca is truly an immense Balearic beauty.
DAY 9
VALENCIA
Spain
Steeped in tradition, inundated in head-spinning architecture and drenched in history spanning more than 2,000 years, Valencia leaves you breathless. The labyrinthine streets of Ciutat Vella thread between cobbled plazas where flaming festivals erupt throughout the year. Spectacular frescoes, Gothic towers and intricately carved stonework make the city’s religious buildings some of the most awe-inspiring in the world, while secular strongholds like La Lonja — the UNESCO-listed Silk Exchange — echo its history as a commercial powerhouse. At the heart of it all, the Mercado Central, an Art Nouveau temple of gastronomy where generations of traders have fed the city under the iconic black and white roof for 100 years.
DAY 10
BARCELONA
Spain
Breathe in the cultural heart of Catalan; an elegant blend of high energy and undisturbed tradition. Muse over the origins of captivating Gaudi architecture within the enchanting labyrinth that is the Gothic Quarter. Savour the flavours of fresh tapas and crisp cava in breezy plazas, tranquil terraces and coveted cafés, or glide down to a shimmering beach club to unwind. Imagine a visit to peaceful Passeig de Gracia, where modernist buildings merge to showcase iconic global labels. And, as dusk falls, prepare for urban action and swing by the lively bohemian bars to fiesta on the leafy stretch of La Rambla. If you’re serious about style, this colourful city provides plenty to celebrate
* Term and conditions apply:
All pricing subject to change and availability.
Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise.
Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies.
Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.