11 nights · Marghera-Fusina, Italy · Departs Venice (Italy) · Visiting Lošinj, Sibenik, Hvar Island Croatia, Kotor, Sarande, Siracusa, Lipari Island, Stromboli Island, Sorrento, Ponza Island, Palmarola Island, Civitavecchia-Rome · Aboard Star Clippers on the Royal Clipper
Image courtesy of Star Clippers ©
| Cruise line | Star Clippers |
|---|---|
| Ship | Royal Clipper |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 13 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $3,870 per person |
| Year built | 2000 |
| Guests | 227 |
| Cabins | 112 |
| Crew | 106 |
| Length | 133 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 14.0 kn |
Arrive in Venice by water, where the lagoon’s canals replace ordinary streets. St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace anchor the celebrated Piazza San Marco. Take a vaporetto along the Grand Canal, then explore a quieter neighborhood on foot. Confirm your ship’s terminal and transfer arrangements before setting out; cruise access varies. Near Rialto, the market and bridge offer a lively glimpse of the city’s trade. Give yourself time to leave the main routes and follow smaller canals.
Lošinj lies in Croatia’s Kvarner Gulf, where pine-covered hills descend to clear Adriatic coves. Mali Lošinj, the island’s principal town, wraps around a sheltered harbor. Pastel façades recall its seafaring past, while the Museum of Apoxyomenos displays an ancient Greek athlete recovered nearby. Follow coastal paths to quiet bays, or take a boat trip into waters frequented by bottlenose dolphins.
Šibenik pairs a working waterfront with a medieval centre climbing the hillside. The Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built entirely from stone. From St Michael’s Fortress, take in broad views across the islands, then explore the cafés and narrow lanes below. Four historic fortresses speak to the city’s strategic past. Krka National Park is a rewarding excursion inland.
Hvar Town combines a handsome harbor with stone lanes and a lively island setting. From the waterfront, climb to St Stephen’s Square and its Renaissance cathedral. Continue uphill to the Spanish Fortress for a commanding view over town and Pakleni Islands. Water taxis link the harbor with the nearby islands, weather and schedules permitting. Choose a table along the port, or find a quieter lane above the square. In summer, book ahead; Hvar’s waterfront is among Croatia’s busiest.
At the head of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, the old town sits beneath steep mountains. Enter through the Sea Gate and follow stone lanes to St Tryphon’s Cathedral. Venetian-era walls frame squares, churches, and cafés within a compact UNESCO-listed center. For a broader view, climb toward San Giovanni Fortress; the steps are demanding. Take water and allow time for the ascent, especially in summer heat. From the harbor, the bay’s changing light makes a memorable arrival and departure.
At Sarandë, the Ionian Sea glitters; Corfu lies across the water, and Albania’s southern coast begins here. Palm-lined promenades, small beaches and seafood restaurants make the waterfront an easy place to settle. Then head south to Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site amid lagoons and woodland. Inland, the Blue Eye spring rewards a longer excursion with strikingly clear water. Look up to Lëkurësi Castle for broad views over town, sea and island.
Siracusa rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. On Ortigia, the old island heart, Greek temples, Baroque palaces and lively markets sit within an easy walk. Across the channel, Neapolis Archaeological Park preserves a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the famed Ear of Dionysius. Pause for granita or fresh seafood, then watch the light soften over the Ionian Sea.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic chain off Sicily’s northern coast. The town rises around a citadel, home to the Aeolian Archaeological Museum and its collection of island finds. Walk the old lanes to Marina Corta, then choose a waterfront table for fresh seafood. Beyond town, pumice quarries and coastal viewpoints reveal a landscape shaped by fire and sea.
Stromboli rises from the Tyrrhenian Sea, its active volcano visible long before you reach the island. Whitewashed houses and bougainvillea line narrow lanes in the villages of San Vincenzo and Ginostra. From the water, look toward the Sciara del Fuoco, where glowing fragments sometimes descend toward the sea. For a closer encounter, follow local guidance: access to upper trails depends on volcanic conditions and regulations.
Sorrento rises above the Bay of Naples, facing Mount Vesuvius across water busy with ferries. From here, ferries connect with Capri, while the town rewards a slower day among old lanes, churches, and sea-view terraces. Follow the scent of citrus to shops selling Sorrento lemons, locally made limoncello, and finely crafted marquetry. Then pause over lunch: the region’s seafood and Campanian produce are best enjoyed without hurry.
Ponza is the largest island in the Pontine archipelago, set off Lazio’s coast between Rome and Naples. Arrive by ferry, and pastel houses climb above a harbour where fishing boats share the water with sleek yachts. Beyond town, Roman-era grottoes, clear coves and volcanic cliffs reward a day spent exploring by boat. On land, follow winding roads to beaches and viewpoints. Return for seafood as the sun sets over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Palmarola is the Pontine Islands’ wild outpost, a short boat ride west of Ponza. Uninhabited and without a harbour, it is reached by boat, with landings shaped by sea conditions. Volcanic cliffs rise above clear water, framing sea caves and small coves that reward a swim or a slow cruise. Come for the stark geology and unbuilt shoreline; bring what you need, and let Ponza handle the comforts.
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
Published August 14, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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