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Royal Clipper

Italy’s art cities and an Adriatic square-rigger sailing cruise

14 days from £5,980±è±è

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Tour highlights

  • Discover the secrets of Ancient Rome on a personal tour of the Colosseum.

  • Admire Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling masterpiece with a private guide.

  • Experience the Renaissance through a guided walking tour of Florence.

  • Explore gourmet Venice with a private, connoisseur-led bacari (small tavern) tour.

  • Discover the ancient ports of the Dalmatian Coast in both Croatia and Montenegro.

Price includes:

  • Scheduled international flights
  • All meals included during your cruise
  • Activities and excursions as detailed
  • In-destination transfers
  • All accommodation
  • 24-hour support while you travel
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Itinerary idea in detail

Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  • Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Rome. Arriving at Rome Airport, you'll be met by your private driver and escorted to your centrally located hotel. Once you've settled in, take your time to explore the streets and piazzas of Rome close to your hotel.

  • Enjoy a walking tour around Rome today with your private guide. The city is perfect for exploring on foot and this tour will take you through its heart to some of its most famous landmarks. Highlights of the tour will include the Spanish Steps as well as the magical Trevi Fountain, where you may wish to throw a coin over your shoulder to ensure your return to the eternal city.

  • Arguably Rome’s most iconic landmark, the towering Colosseum still retains an air of incredible majesty nearly 2,000 years after it was first built. With your guide, you’ll enter the ancient structure, climb up within the interior walls for a view of the central arena and learn about the fascinating history surrounding the building. Just steps from the Colosseum is the Roman Forum. Nestled at the juncture of the Palatine, Quirinale and Capitolium hills, the area was once a bustling district of temples, basilicas and grandiose public spaces.

  • In the morning, your driver will take you to the train station for your premium class train journey to Florence. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a private driver and escorted to your hotel in the heart of the city. You'll then have a free afternoon to explore. We recommend heading to the Duomo, where you can climb the bell tower and dome for spectacular city views.

  • Get to know Florence today with your local guide. Florence is a very pedestrian-friendly city, so exploring on foot is a great way to visit sights like the Piazza della Repubblica, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria. The tour will also take you to some of Florence’s most beautiful religious buildings, including the Santa Croce Church and, of course, the towering Duomo. As you stroll around the city with your guide pointing out areas of interest, you will quickly gain an appreciation for its wonderful Renaissance heritage.

  • Your private driver will take you to Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence to board your train to Venice. On arrival, you'll be met by your private water taxi to take you to the hotel. On route, enjoy the bustling atmosphere of Venice as you head along the waterways. This afternoon, explore Venice like a Venetian, visiting a selection of hidden bacaros (wine bars) with a local guide. This tour will take you to a selection of small, authentic haunts where you can enjoy a glass of wine and cicchetti, a traditional tapas-like snack, in true Venetian style.

  • Today you’ll board your sailing ship for a cruise of the Adriatic Sea. Before setting off, you’ll have the chance to get to know your ship, the largest five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in the world. The ship salutes the beauty and design of the glory days of ocean sailing but includes the state-of-the-art amenities and facilities of modern yachts. It boasts huge open decks, three outdoor swimming pools, and a captivating Captain Nemo Lounge with underwater portholes.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   
  • Your first port of call is Zadar, once the largest fortress city in the Venetian Republic and capital of Dalmatia from the 7th century until 1918, and now a fascinating architectural and cultural fusion, with an entangled mix of Roman, medieval and modern buildings. You may choose to explore this city independently, or your specialist could suggest shore-based excursions to include — perhaps a guided tour of Zadar, or a visit to Krka National Park, with its cascading waterfalls and travertine cliffs.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   
  • You’ll sail to the island of Hvar for your next stop. A popular retreat since the Roman era, it exudes a lavender-scented serenity. You may choose to add a small sailing boat or kayaking adventure to your itinerary here, exploring the archipelago of the Paklemi Islands. Alternatively, there are options for a cultural city tour, a leisurely wine-and-cheese tasting trip, or a more active experience that includes hiking to the panoramic peaks and seeking out the island’s hidden corners.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   
  • You have some time onboard in between each of these port stops, which you could spend time luxuriating in the onboard health and beauty spa. Once you’ve arrived in Dubrovnik, you’ll have the chance to disembark and wander around the vertiginous 10th-century city walls, the narrow cobblestoned alleyways, and fortress towers. Alternatively, you may choose to book an additional-cost experience, maybe a guided walking tour of the city’s artistic treasures, or a tour that offers insight into the secret stories behind this ancient city.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   
  • Today you’ll pass into Montenegro and dock in the Bay of Kotor. Encircled by soaring mountains and known for its cobblestoned streets, palaces and churches, Kotor is a historic port that has largely been preserved thanks to its isolated setting. You might opt to explore the town and nearby Perast with a guide. Or you can choose a speedboat trip out to the Blue Cave, a sea-kayaking adventure, or a hike and picnic within the forested high peaks of Lovcen National Park.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   
  • Some time at sea will give you an opportunity to enjoy the international cuisine options onboard in the Clipper Dining Room before you arrive at Vis. Though few visitors come here, Vis boasts gentle winds, crystal seas, and beach-fringed coves. You might want to add a speedboat trip to nearby BiÅ¡evo Island to view the dazzling cerulean shades of the Blue Cave, or a tasting tour — tasting, walking and driving between panoramic and historic viewpoints.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   
  • Your final stop in Croatia is the city of Rovinj. The crowning glory of the Istrian peninsula, Rovinj juts proudly out into the azure Adriatic and is known for its striking Venetian-inspired architecture. Compact and bounded by water, Rovinj is an ideal city to explore at your own leisure, but you may want to add a trip to nearby Pula, with its ancient Roman amphitheatre. For a gastronomic immersion, you could book a trip to historical Poreĉ and the Matosevic winery.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   
  • Today you’ll complete your cruise by sailing back to Venice. You may want to toast your travels with a cocktail at the Tropical Bar, or pre-dinner drinks at the Piano Bar. Or, for a different viewpoint, climb the mast and relax on the suspended sofa high above the water, or stretch out in the bowsprit net that rides above the ocean and gives the ultimate opportunity to watch any bow-riding dolphins. Once in Venice, you’ll have a private driver to take you to the airport. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

    On board ship, Star Clipper 'Croatia & Montenegro'   

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ specialist Cara
Contact an Italy specialist

The specialist who designs your trip to Italy will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

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When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°C) Monthly rainfall (mm)
Rome
 
Florence
 
Venice
 
Zadar
 
Hvar
 
Dubrovnik
 
Rovinj
 

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