The annual Goldring Travel Culinary & Cultural Journey aboard Explora Journeys’ Explora I is about to set sail on August 9, 2024. (If you are considering the 2025 Culinary & Cultural Journey – which includes a safari in Botswana and an expedition up the coast of Africa, it is already sold out, but I can place you on the waitlist. However, the 2026 C&C in Southeast Asia is about to be announced, so stay tuned!)
Our journey is a very interesting one, highlighting Explora Journeys’ focus on visiting unique, smaller destinations. But it wasn’t the first itinerary we planned. You see this journey was originally to be on the Maiden Voyage of Explora II, however the ship was delayed, so we had to make a change quickly. Also highlighting Explora Journeys’ focus on its guests, it coordinated the change to Explora I, generously treating Goldring Travel’s guests for the inconvenience. To be sure, I think the new itinerary is even better than the original!
Our journey starts in Venice, Italy. While the ship overnights in Fusina, just outside of Venice, all of our guests chose to spend an additional pre-journey night in Venice at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel...one of my favorite hotels… known as a Private Palazzo, a Noble Residence, a Museum, and a 42 room boutique hotel. It is located on the Grand Canal, across from the Rialto Market (no need to get up early to visit it…it is Venice, so it opens mid-morning), and close to some amazing non-touristic restaurants.
Goldring Travel’s first Private Special Event will be at a favorite restaurant of mine where my guests may order ala carte from its amazing seafood-focused menu. (I do hope there will be seafood risotto – the best I’ve ever had!) Lots of Italian wine from the region too!
The next day, we will board Explora I via private water taxis to the Venice cruise terminal, and then we will have a bus transfer to the ship. Since we will be overnighting in Fusina and Explora offers complimentary shuttles into Venice most of my guests will be like me and head back into Venice for more exploration…and culinary experiences.
Our fourteen-day journey is as follows:
- 09 August 2024 Fri 17:00 Fusina, Italy
- 10 August 2024 Sat 14:00 Fusina, Italy
- 11 August 2024 Sun 09:00 18:00 Hvar, Croatia
- 12 August 2024 Mon 09:00 19:00 Kotor, Montenegro
- 13 August 2024 Tue 08:00 18:00 Brindisi, Italy
- 14 August 2024 Wed 09:00 23:00 Nydri, Lefkada, Greece
- 15 August 2024 Thu At Sea
- 16 August 2024 Fri 07:00 19:00 Piraeus (Athens), Greece
- 17 August 2024 Sat 09:00 Mykonos, Greece
- 18 August 2024 Sun 06:00 Mykonos, Greece
- 19 August 2024 Mon 08:00 21:00 Volos, Greece
- 20 August 2024 Tue 08:00 19:00 Skopelos, Greece
- 21 August 2024 Wed 08:00 20:00 Thessaloniki, Greece
- 22 August 2024 Thu At Sea
- 23 August 2024 Fri 07:00 Istanbul, Türkiye
- Hvar, Croatia – Hike between Mekićevica Beach, Milna and Malo Grablje
- Nydra, Lefkada, Greece – Wine and History in the Hills of Lefkada
- Volos, Greece – Truffle Hunting in Magical Meteora
- Skopelos, Greece – Alonissos Island Adventure
Right in the middle of those will be two Goldring Travel Private Special Events. In Athens, there will be a Full-Day Tour of Athens and Corinth with an amazing Greek Lunch overlooking the ruins of Corinth. (Ye, viewing the Corinth Canal will happen.) On the afternoon of Sea Day, after our early morning departure from our overnight in Mykonos, Greece, there will be a Private Special Event where Explora I’s Chef’s Kitchen cooking experience (Greek cuisine) will be just for Goldring Travel’s clients.
While a number of Goldring Travel’s guests have decided to spend time in Istanbul at the end of the journey, I originally was not planning to as the 2022 Goldring Travel Culinary & Cultural Journey had some very special time there. Culinary Cruise: Exploring Istanbul the Goldring Way (goldringtravel.com)
But a change of plans! I will be staying at another of my favorite hotels: Ciragan Palace for three nights. My plan? I don’t have one. I will just explore taking in all that Istanbul has to offer, especially its cuisine…and a real Turkish bath at an ancient hamam.
Next up: Getting There and Venice!Wine and History in the Hills of Lefkada
