Explora Journeys’ seven-night cruise through the Turkish Riviera transports guests across time, cultures and breathtaking scenery – in unmatched luxury to boot. Zaneta Cheng climbs aboard

Is there anything better than cruising through the Turkish Riviera on your own private yacht? Turns out, yes: doing it with Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise company that is transforming ocean travel with its state-of-the-art ships and thoughtfully crafted itineraries. At least that’s our conclusion after experiencing a seven-night, eight-day adventure across the Aegean Sea from Istanbul to Athens.

Let’s start with the ship itself. Designed to be a home- away-from-home at sea, the Explora I boasts 461 suites – all with sweeping ocean views – along with five heated pools, six restaurants, and 12 bars and lounges. Guests can enjoy a wide range of world-class culinary experiences, unlimited fine beverages, and a unique collection of treatments and rituals across spa, fitness, beauty and well-being. Every detail has been thought through, from QR codes that provide access to new digital content each day to the artwork selection featuring masters such as Salvador Dalí and Marc Chagall alongside contemporary icons like Damien Hirst and Mr. Brainwash.

But before we check into our spacious suite and set sail for Athens, our first day is spent exploring the fascinating city of Istanbul. Home to the “Blue Mosque” of Sultan Ahmet, the Grand Bazaar and the opulent Topkapi Palace – to name just a few must-see sights – this eclectic fusion of East and West has something for everyone. The hours fly by as we haggle for jewellery and antiques, feast on mezze and kebabs, and stroll through the colourful and aromatic spice bazaar. By the time the ship departs close to midnight, we are abuzz with a heady mix of sights, sounds and scents that can’t be found anywhere else.

The next day is spent at sea, wallowing in the luxury of our elegant suite and exploring all the amenities from the rooftop open-air fitness area and whirlpool to the extensive thermal spa complete with a Finnish sauna, salt cave and steam room. Those who prefer to indulge in more “entertaining” pursuits can take in a DJ set at the Sky Bar on 14, sample some of the world’s rarest whiskies at Malt Whisky Bar or even try their luck at the casino.

Day three finds us in the heart of the Aegean and on the historic Turkish island of Bozcaada. The popular summer playground for Istanbulites was Byzantine before it was ceded to the Venetians in ransom and then became Ottoman. Today it offers a seductive intermix of influences and a stunning blend of old – think cobblestone streets, an ancient windmill and a beautifully preserved castle – and new with colourful cafés run by hip young islanders. There’s also no shortage of locally made wine or soft sand beaches.

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Still in Turkey, our next stop takes us to Bodrum. Described as an old-world fishing town with high society appeal, this captivating seaside resort is home to the temple-like Mausoleum at Halicarnassus that has been named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But it’s also very much alive and buzzing, with plenty of places to shop, eat, relax and explore. Highlights of our visit include Lake Bafa and its bird sanctuary as well as the island’s toe-tinglingly strong Turkish coffee.

We wake up the next morning, day five, in Greece and dock at “remarkable” Rhodes. Said to be a gift from Zeus to Helios, the sun god, this jewel-like island is like a step back in time with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, minaret-topped Suleiman Mosque and a Byzantine church that dates to the 11th century. It’s also the jumping-off point for one of two “exclusive experiences” we’ve chosen for our journey, from the 50 on offer.

The four-hour excursion to the Greek village and archaeological site of Lindos takes us through olive groves and vineyards and along cobbled alleys to the foot of the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes, where we discover the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia and the fascinating remnants of a Crusades-era castle. Mesmerising views of the village, the sparkling turquoise sea and the small fishing harbour of Psarto only add to the natural beauty. We sink into our floating bed that night dreaming of what life must have been like in ancient Greece.

We don’t have to wait long to find out, as we pull up the next morning at Samos. The centre of leisure in the ancient world, this far-flung Aegean island is said to have welcomed everyone from Aesop and Herodotus to Cleopatra and Pythagoras. The goddess Hera is even thought to have held her wedding to Zeus here. Samos also boasts incredible botanical beauty, as we witness on our seven-hour tour from the red-roofed coastal village of Pythagoreio to the famed Potami Waterfalls. Along the way we stop at the archaeological site of Heraion, Perachora – a ruined Ionic temple erected in honour of Hera – and a beloved local pottery shop in Koumaradei.

Our final stop before disembarking at Athens is Paros, another picturesque island dotted with everything from ancient remains to traditional tavernas and sweet villages and blue-domed churches to a bounty of blonde-sand beaches. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the labyrinth of lanes at the old Venetian port of Náoussa and the awe-inspiring archaeological history of the Byzantine monastery at Parikia. But it’s the carefree hours of walking, swimming and indulging in home-cooked feasts that make this final stop a perfect way to wrap up our Aegean adventure.

Finally, the day has come when we have to bid farewell to our private sun terrace, custom minibar, and some of the best food we’ve had on land or sea. We arrive at Athens at 7am and make our way – where else – to see the wonders that are the Acropolis and Parthenon. But as our guides explain, Athenians don’t live in the past. There’s a real sense of modernity and possibility among the city’s plethora of museums and markets. So as we settle into one of the many dimly lit bars alongside the harbour, the only thought on our mind is where we’re going with Explora Journeys next.

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