9 nights · Italy · Departs Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) · Visiting Ponza Island, Lipari Island, Stromboli Island, Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Crotone, Parga, Katakolon, Pylos, Monemvasia, Piraeus-Athens · Aboard Star Clippers on the Royal Clipper
Image courtesy of Star Clippers ©
| Cruise line | Star Clippers |
|---|---|
| Ship | Royal Clipper |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 11 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $3,320 per person |
| Year built | 2000 |
| Guests | 227 |
| Cabins | 112 |
| Crew | 106 |
| Length | 133 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 14.0 kn |
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.
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.
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.
Giardini Naxos sits on Sicily’s Ionian coast, beneath Mount Etna and a short drive from Taormina. Its waterfront pairs pebble beaches with cafés, gelaterie and views across the bay. Sicily’s first Greek colony was founded here in 734 BC. A nearby archaeological park preserves traces of its ancient streets and walls. Come for a seaside day, or use the port as a gateway to Taormina. There, the Greek Theatre commands sweeping views of Etna and the coast.
Crotone puts ancient Magna Graecia within easy reach of Calabria’s Ionian coast. Greek settlers founded Croton in the eighth century BC, and Pythagoras later taught here. In the old town, narrow lanes lead to the 16th-century Castle of Charles V and the cathedral. At Capo Colonna, the last standing column marks Hera Lacinia’s ancient sanctuary. The headland opens to broad Ionian views.
Parga makes an immediate impression: pastel houses climb the hills above a sheltered Ionian bay. At the water’s edge, cafés and tavernas face fishing boats, while the Venetian castle crowns the headland. Climb to its walls for broad views. Nearby Valtos Beach offers a broad sweep of sand, reached on foot or by water taxi in season. Choose Parga for an easy blend of history, swimming and unhurried evenings beside the sea.
Katakolon is a compact seaside port on the western Peloponnese, with cafés and shops lining its waterfront. Most visitors come for ancient Olympia, about 35 kilometres inland and readily reached by road. There, the sanctuary, archaeological museum and ancient stadium bring the story of the Olympic Games into focus. Back in Katakolon, allow time for a stroll along the harbour before returning to your ship.
Pylos stands above the sheltered waters of Navarino Bay, where a deep natural harbor shaped centuries of maritime history. At the town’s southern edge, Niokastro fortress commands the entrance; its Ottoman walls date to 1573. The 1827 Battle of Navarino, fought in the bay, helped secure Greek independence. Nearby, the Palace of Nestor reveals Mycenaean life, while Voidokilia’s crescent beach curves beside Gialova Lagoon. Explore this coast at an unhurried pace.
Monemvasia rises from the sea as a sheer rock, joined to the Peloponnese by a narrow causeway. Step through its medieval gate into a stone-built town of vaulted lanes, Byzantine churches and Venetian-era mansions. Cars stay outside the lower town, leaving its steep alleys to walkers. Climb to the ruined upper fortress for wide views across the Aegean, then return for local wine and seafood.
Piraeus is Athens’ working harbour, not a resort port—and that is its appeal. From here, the capital’s ancient landmarks are within reach, while the waterfront keeps its own busy, distinctly Greek character. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, then linger over grilled fish in Mikrolimano, a small harbour lined with tavernas. Metro connections make central Athens straightforward. Or stay near the water and watch ferries depart for the islands.
Published August 11, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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