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Goldring Travel’s 2024 Culinary & Cultural Journey (Venice-Athens-Istanbul) on Explora I – Part VIII – Reflections + Istanbul, Turkey

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.)

Hagia Sofia - Istanbul, Turkey — Hagia Sofia – Istanbul, Turkey

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.

Ciragan Palace - Istanbul, Turkey — Ciragan Palace – Istanbul, Turkey

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:

For me, Service is the most important, followed by Cuisine. Service around the ship was higher quality and more relaxed than on the Maiden Voyage. That was no surprise, as after being in operation for a year, the hosts had more experience…OK, just plain experience…so their true talents and charm could be at the fore.

I have always said, “If you have a bad server in a beautiful restaurant with amazing cuisine, you are guaranteed a poor meal. But if you have a great server in a decent restaurant with OK food, you will have a wonderful meal.”

On Explora I, there was always a combination of all three elements. Whether I dined in Sakura, Marble & Co., Med Yacht Club, or Anthology, service and cuisine were consistently wonderful…and each restaurant is beautiful and, for a cruise ship, intimate. (I did dine at Anthology twice, and, to be honest, the second time, the sommelier was not great, but the servers made up for him.)

The consistently high quality of the cuisine is remarkable, even in the informal Emporium. (Note: If you sit in the rear by the sushi station, it is more secluded and the carpeted floors make it a bit quieter.)

Cove Residence Living Room - Explora I — Cove Residence Living Room – Explora I

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.

Ciragan Palace's Le Fumoir Bar at Night — Ciragan Palace’s Le Fumoir Bar at Night

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.