September 1219, 2015
Star Clippers S/V Royal Clipper
Sail through history with Source Events on a spectacular voyage aboard the world's largest 5-masted sailing ship – Royal Clipper. There a magical dreamlike quality to tall-ship sailing. The feeling is elegant yet laid back. So this is what it feels like to sail aboard your own private yacht! Take pleasure in the great cuisine, entertainment, theme parties and the company of like-minded friends.
Sailing from magnificent Venice, you'll enjoy a relaxing day at sea sailing across the Adriatic for the legendary blue Dalmatian Coast. Surrounded by mountains soaring 5,000 feet high, the walled city of Kotor presides over a breathtaking view of the bay, which is one of the best-preserved cities along the Montenegro Cosat.
The fortified medieval town of Dubrovnik is another pedestrian paradise. Walk along the city's historic ramparts or the café-lined Straadun in the heart of town. Primeval forests, twisted grapevines, and a medieval main port belie the funky chic port of modern Hvar. Mingle with the yachting set near the harbor before sailing to beautiful and trendy, Palkeni islands to enjoy some of the best beaches in Croatia.
You'll then sail to Zadar, former capital of Dalmatia for over 1,000 years, Zadar presents a feast for everyone with medieval architecture, a kinetic sculpture, and an active "sea organ" with pipes played by the waves. From Zadar you can visit the famous Krka River Waterfalls, cascading over 17 natural barriers, and located in one of Croatia's most beautiful national parks.
Before returning to Venice, sail into the Old Town of Rovinj. It feels a bit Italian with its fleet of small fishing boasts and Venetian-style piazzas, and for good reason; it was part of the Venetian Republic for over 500 years.. Medieval hilltop towns, ancient Roman building, and villages renowned for fine wines and olive oil await.
The Royal Clipper then sails up the Adriatic to the canals of Venice. Sip a bellni in the Piazza San Marco and enjoy Biennale Venezia, one of the worlds top art festivals. Or take a romantic ride in a Gondola. Venice is a city blissfully free of cards, where everything from arched bridges to gondoliers to blown glass oozes beauty and romance.
Treasures of Venice and the Dalmatian Coast Gay Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 - Saturday, September 12, 2015 Venice, Italy Venice floats like a mirage in a magical lagoon. It's a city blissfully free of cars, where everything from arched bridges to gondoliers to blown glass oozes beauty and romance. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the center of a maritime empire, and that wealth is still evident. But while the buildings awe, it's the space between them that defines the city. "Landmark" is almost a misnomer here where boots and boats are the only ways to get around. And yet they shine. The Doges' Palace with its poetic Bridge of Sighs. The Grand Canal with its gondolas. St. Mark's Cathedral, home to incredible treasures amassed during the Crusades. St. Peter's Basilica with St. Peter's Throne, said to be the hiding place of the Holy Grail.
Day 2 - Sunday, September 13, 2015 Day at Sea Pamper yourself at the Spa or enjoy early morning yoga or meditation or just simply relax by the pool taking all in by the gorgeous scenery. This is the day for yourself to do whatever your heart desires...
Day 3 - Monday, September 14, 2015 Kotor, Montenegro The sight of the Royal Clipper tracing its way across the royal blue Montenegrin waters is almost too perfect to bear. Then the pièce de résistance comes into view: the red roofs of medieval Kotor. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was a town of the arts back then—goldsmithing, architecture, masonry, iconography—and even the setting seems to have been chosen with aesthetics in mind. In fact the bay is so integral to the town that it's included in the UNESCO designation. Explore 12th-century treasures like the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, and the 17th-century Pima Palace with its green shutters. Notice the "pillar of shame" near the central clock tower where lawbreakers were punished. If you want to work off last night's creme brulee, follow the city walls that zigzag up St. John's Mountain to St. John's Castle and the Church of Our Lady of Remedy.
Day 4 - Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Dubrovnik, Croatia Your first impression is the Dubrovnik city walls. Massive and imposing, they cloak the town like a curtain of stone. Draw the curtain and you're in a medieval world of towers, turrets, and terracotta rooftops. The entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, a copper-roofed cathedral. There, a fountain of masked faces spouting water. There again, the Sponza Palace, which once held the state mint but now holds something infinitely more precious: the town's history, dating back to the 12th century. Discover a 14th-century pharmacy tucked away in the Franciscan Monastery, still operating after 700 years with dusty medieval remedies still lining the shelves. Take a cable car to the top of Mount Srd for an outstanding view of the harbor where one gorgeous yacht eclipses all others.
Day 5 - Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Hvar, Croatia Ah, the Croatian Riviera, where palm trees meet pine, and pebble beaches washed by pristine waters are all the rage. This is where you'll find Hvar, an island that actually lives up to all the hype bestowed upon it. Hvar is on a par with Cannes and Capri when it comes to glamor and nightlife, with the added plus of being ranked one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world . Sail into the Mandrac (harbor) and feel eyes turn, even on this watery red carpet where elegant yachts are a daily occurrence. Walk the quay, one of the oldest in Europe, and explore the old town with its Venetian cathedral and bell tower. Buy a sachet of the ever-present lavender to sniff as you follow the ancient city walls to the fortress on the hill.
Day 5 - Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Pakleni Islands, Croatia The 20 small islets that make up the Pakleni Islands are directly southwest of Hvar Town's harbor. Their name derives from the Croatian word paklina, which is what melted pine resin is called (the resin from the island's many pine trees was melted down to make ships watertight). Summer restaurants and beach bars are built on many of the islands, some of which have excellent beaches that are reachable only by boat. Jerolim, the closest of the islands to Hvar Town, has a famous nude beach.
Day 6 - Thursday, September 17, 2015 Zadar, Croatia No longer the capital of Dalmatia, today Zadar presents a feast for everyone with medieval architecture, a kinetic sculpture, and an active "sea organ" with pipes played by the waves. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken. It's also relatively flat and bicycle-friendly, making it a great place to explore by bike.
Day 7 - Friday, September 18, 2015 Rovinj - Croatia Old Town Rovinj rises from the Adriatic, its arched profile frosted with terracotta rooftops and crowned by the white bell tower of St. Euphemia church. Rovinj was an island before the channel was filled in the 18th century, and the Old Town is nicely compact–perfect for exploring on foot. The town feels a bit Italian with its fleet of small fishing boats and Venetian-style piazzas, and for good reason; it was part of the Venetian Republic for over 500 years. Signs appear in both Croatian and Italian, and both are official languages. Dining also reflects the town's dual heritage, with menus that feature pizzas and pasta alongside seafood and the local delicacy, wild truffles. Medieval hilltop towns, ancient Roman buildings, and villages renowned for fine wines and olive oil await nearby.
Day 8 - Saturday, September 19, 2015 Venice, Italy Arrive in Venice early morning to return home or stay post cruise. * Itinerary subject to change without notice.
Extend Your Holidays! - Venice Simplon Orient-Express Train Voyage, from Venice, Italy to Paris, France
Your Ship - the largest, fastest sailing ship the world
The Royal Clipper has the proud distinction of being the largest and only five-masted full-rigged sailing ship built since her predecessor was launched at the beginning of the last century. With her complement of 42 sails, Royal Clipper is a splendid sight to behold. You might think she was an apparition from the grand age of sail, but Royal Clipper is as new as tomorrow, boasting state-of-the-art navigation systems and every comfort and luxury one could wish for.
For connoisseurs of sail cruising, the 439 foot Royal Clipper offers the ultimate sea-going experience, balancing the grandeur, adventure and tradition of sailing with the superb service, amenities and accommodations of the finest modern yacht. Royal Clipper carries just 227 guests in luxurious style. A full 19,000 square feet of open deck and three swimming pools create a wonderfully spacious and expansive outdoor environment. Find your secret hideaway on one of the hidden balconies on either side of the bow. Or climb the mast (with safety harness provided) to one of the passenger lookout crows-nests, thoughtfully furnished with a comfortable settee, where you'll have the grandest view of all!
Royal Clipper's interior spaces are just as dazzling. They include a three-deck atrium that funnels sunlight into the elegantly appointed, three-level dining room featuring open-seating dining, deliciously prepared cuisine. A convenient marina platform lowers from the stern for watersports. And the ultimate unique Royal Clipper experience, the one-of-a-kind Captain Nemo Lounge, is the site of our spa and health club with underwater glass portholes.
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