'A journey of sensorial wonder from Istanbul to the Adriatic'

October 8-18, 2025

Ottoman sultan’s lair to the Grand Bazaar’s slippers and spices. Cerulean seas pull us to the southmost Aegean for cobalt-blue-sand beaches in Santorini and the domes and black, mind-bending rose-pink shores of Crete’s Elafonissi. Pearls of the Adriatic between Puglia and Dalmatia deliver us to Venice, its Queen.

We'll get into Explora's "ocean state of mind" aboard the brand-new, all-suite, luxurious cruise ship garnering astonishing reviews. All at an affordable price point, with virtually every top-shelf amenity you can imagine included in the fee.

Our journey

Follow along as we journey from Istanbul to Santorini, Crete, Gallipoli, Croatia, Ancona, Trieste to Venice.

Day-by-day on our Explora Journey

Days One and Two: Istanbul:
Embark on a European and Asian adventure packed with charm and cultural diversity. Roam the ‘blue’ mosque of Sultan Ahmet, the Grand Bazaar, the opulent Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, or sink into a serene Turkish Bath experience. An eclectic fusion of East and West, this city is conservative at heart with a truly modern soul.

Day Three: At sea
Relax and get into Explora's "ocean state of mind." So many things to do and enjoy. Or, do nothing at all.

Day Four: Santorini
Dreamily sail into Santorini when others leave. Romantic, exuberant, and pure, roam one of the world’s most enchanting islands as you enjoy breathtaking scenery, rock-set whitewashed houses, paved paths, sugar white sand, black beaches, and terracotta cliffs. Experience the many geological and architectural delights.

Day Five: Chania on the Isle of Crete
Chania is a cultural crossroads where eclectic architecture bears witness to ancient empires. Lose yourself in narrow streets lined with Venetian townhouses and Byzantine churches, where hidden corners reveal bougainvillea-covered courtyards and well-worn workshops. Woodcarvers and weavers flaunt their wares in covered markets, stalls piled high with olive oil and fragrant herbs from the surrounding hillsides. 

Day Six: At sea
By now, you will surely be in the "ocean frame of mind," and another sea day will be welcome with all the Explora brings.

Day Seven: Pulia's pretty port of Gallipoli
Flock to Gallipoli like young Italians do to sip fizzy prosecco and rich local Salentine wine. Gallipoli may be best known for its wartime history, but its island-like fortress retains a southern Italian charm all its own. Colorful fishing boats dart around the old city walls while resilient stone churches peer across a medieval bridge to the mainland port.

Day Eight: Distinctive Dubrovnik
Marvel at this chic walled city paved with a wealth of aristocratic palazzi, ancient forts, and epic Adriatic views. Enter Grand Pile Gate to lose yourself in intricate alleys, stage-set squares, museums, and baroque churches. It’s no wonder the glitterati flock to the strength of this charming and inspiring medieval Dalmatian marvel. 

Day Nine:  Ancona, Queen of the Italian Adriatic
Memories of maritime glory echo through the winding streets of charming Ancona, where handsome palazzos and elegant churches bear witness. Established by the Greeks on Italy’s outer elbow, the ancient harbor anchors undulating hillsides and a rugged Adriatic coastline peppered with fishermen’s caves and pearlescent beaches.

Day Ten: Poetic Plazas and Fairytale Castles of Trieste
For centuries, Trieste has been an essential bridge to Europe, connected by both land and sea. In the far north-eastern corner of Italy, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, on the border with the Balkans, Trieste has always been a wonderful border city. Its grand Habsburg past and the mixing of languages, peoples, and religions have given it an international flavor on top of its Central European and Mediterranean soul.

Day Eleven: A finale in Venice
Delve into ancient palaces, century-old galleries, and modern-day exhibits as you whirl through Venice. Walk through masterpieces, catch an opera, gaze at medieval buildings, blow Murano glass, and drift down the Grand Canal.  Cross hump-backed bridges and reach teeming Piazza San Marco’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Our Explora cruise ends here, but you might consider spending a day or two more in this captivating city.

More information

What will it cost?

Explora is the newest luxury cruise ship on the seas. All the staterooms are suites—even the lowest-cost tier, the Ocean Terrace Suite, is 377 feet and has a spacious balcony, far larger than most other cruise lines. The cost is $4,725 per person.

Here's what's included in your fare:

Suite accommodation, meals on board, alcoholic beverages—cocktails, soft drinks, mineral water, gratuities, WiFi internet access, entertainment, and transfers from the port to the town centers. 

About Explora 

Explora carries just 923 passengers and has made its debut with two ships (four more on the way) currently plying the European and Caribbean waterways.

Reviews from cruise travel experts and passengers give new meaning to “rave.” It is a standalone luxury concept of MSC Cruises (Mediterranean Shipping Company).

Owners say they are not trying to compete with other luxury cruise lines but provide an experience that is more like a floating ultra-luxury European hotel.  

Explora eschews a main dining room and typical buffet in favor of six standalone gourmet restaurants, each with its own identity.

Experience vibrant cosmopolitan life aboard, with European luxury, 5-star dining, ocean wellness experiences, and tech-savvy comforts in sophisticated suites.

How to register

The registration process is simple. Just click on the Go Travel button in the box below. Fill out the form and make your deposit. An expert Go Travel representative will contact you and answer your questions. They can also get you the best fares and airline routes.

Go Travel Representatives will help you plan pre and post-visits as well. Go Travel's Bob Cook is the expert consultant for the YMCA Alumni Travel Club Committee, and Go Travel is the booking agent for our adventures.

A Conde-Nast Traveler Review

"Explora I, which launched in 2023, had years of thought put into the ship design. The result offers smart compartmentalized interiors that bleed out into the intentional exterior spaces—creating intimate gathering spaces that never feel crowded or disconnected from the sea.

Four heated saltwater swimming pools and wellness facilities are spread across the ship's indoor and outdoor areas. The wellness slant is noticeable everywhere on board.

The lobby bar, which is also the first impression of the ship, is a particular stand-out that is in company with The Fairmont Olympic’s The George Bar, The Campbell, and the London Edition lobby bar. The atmosphere is one of elegance.  

Register now

Click the blue button below to Go Travel for more details and to register.

Register/Info

Your YMCA
Alumni Hosts

Craig Altschul and Peggi Simmons are your YMCA Alumni hosts on our Explora cruise from Istanbul to the Adriatic. Craig Altschul + Associates, owned and managed by Craig and Peggi, are YMCA Alumni’s Communications Manager. They are members of the Grand Canyon Chapter. Craig and Peggi are seasoned travelers and have hosted YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures in the British Isles, Alaska, Colorado, and the Mediterranean.