The very successful, delicious, and enlightening Goldring Travel 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey on Explora Journeys’ Explora I ended with my “Cove Residence included” private transfer to the Ciragan Palace Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey; a definite favorite of mine.  (While some of my guests also chose to spend some time in Istanbul, mine was a rather last-minute idea, so other than booking hotel rooms and providing them with my excellent guides, there were no special events happening.)

After checking in with my room filled with an amazing array of Turkish delights (pun intended)

and receiving a very warm greeting from the General Manager and Director of Sales – along with a delicious Turkish breakfast – 

it was time to head into Old Istanbul for a spin around the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian (Spice) Market with a bit of a late snack at Pandeli Restaurant, which has a fantastic view and solid Turkish cuisine. (It is noted as a Bib Gourmand – “exceptionally good food at moderate prices” by Michelin, but it does not have a star…which, if it did, would be shocking, especially with its rather worn decor. But it remains a great spot with entertaining servers.)

After heading back to the hotel, it was time to dine in the actual Ciragan Palace at Tugra and, it being nice to have connections, it was al fresco on its coveted veranda. Tugra is all about having a luxury experience.  Michelin has not awarded it a star, but rather four forks for “luxury and quality” and, while the service was good, and Michelin allegedly does not award stars based upon service, it was a bit uneven, though not enough to spoil a wonderful dinner.

During dinner I did reflect quite a bit on my Explora Journeys Explora I experience. I broke it down into four categories: Ship, Suite, Service, and Cuisine. (Sorry I couldn’t come up with a good fourth “S”). 

For specifics, here are my prior articles:

• Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part I
• Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part II (Venice, Italy)  
• Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part III – First Impressions After a Year in Service
• Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part IV – Explora is Not MSC Cruises + Hvar, Croatia + More!
• Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part V – How Good is Explora Journeys + Athens & Corinth Culinary & Cultural Special Event
• Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part VI – Mykonos and The Chef’s Kitchen
• Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part VII – Visiting Truly Small Off-the-Beaten-Path Greek Ports

The suites on Explora I are as good as or better than any at sea. There are so many design elements and small touches that make them feel like your home at sea. While the Ocean Terrace Suites are quite large and comfortable at 377 square feet, I do genuinely love the Cove Residence. But the Serenity Residence is becoming an absolute favorite among those who want the best of the best. That is unless you want to splurge on the Owner’s Residence which takes up the width of the ship, has its own pool, and a commanding view over the stern of the ship.

Explora I looks as good as she did a year ago, both inside and out. You know, I have been on a few ships over the past year, and when I returned to Explora I I still felt that I was in a luxury resort, more than a ship.

Speaking of being on a ship, Explora I’s technological advancements really showed. Between incredibly smooth sailing, her lack of vibration or outside noises, and being able to anchor in Mykonos when other ships could not due to her power and sophisticated propulsion systems, for a ship geek like me, it is seriously impressive.

After reflecting and enjoying a wonderful meal at Tugra, the next day, it was back to the Old City part of Istanbul…because there is always something new to experience or something you did before, but differently. (I am not one to say, “I’ve been there before, so I want to go somewhere else.” I am more of a “Let’s dive deeper or differently” sort of person.

I did wander into Lokanta 741 Restaurant. I had taken the 2022 Goldring Travel Culinary & Cultural Journey group because, well, I enjoyed it, and I wanted to experience it on my own and not as a host. I sat down, ordered a few things, and then the server came over and said, “I remember you!” From there the service and cuisine was just that much better.

Over the next two days, I ate, drank, and relaxed my way through Istanbul, but both evenings, I found myself at the Ciragan Palace’s Le Fumoir for relaxing evenings of shisha, raki (too much, to be honest), and amazing views. It was the perfect way to wind down from a truly incredible journey from Venice to Croatia, to Athens, to small Greek ports, to Istanbul. 

Explora Journeys was, when I wrote this article, a one ship cruise line. Now it is two, and before you know it, it will be four and then six in total. (Explora II is sailing, and Explora III and IV – powered by LNG – are under construction.) There is no question that Explora Journeys provides an experience that is at the top of the luxury cruise range. All it needs now are more diverse itineraries…though you have to admit that the fourteen days just spent on Explora I + time in Venice and Istanbul was incredibly so!

Note: While the Goldring Travel 2025 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Botswana Safari & Expedition from Cape Town, South Africa to Ghana) is sold out, the 2026 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Bali, Indonesia, Borneo & Singapore) still has space available.