Italy, Croatia & Sicily Sailing Cruise from Venice to Catania

Departure 7:00 pm
The floating city of Venice sits on millions of wooden piles and more than 400 bridges cross 150 canals. No other city possesses such an abundance of stunningly beautiful churches, monasteries, palaces and artistic treasures, and nowhere else has plaster that crumbles so elegantly. Venice is a unique work of art and, with its lagoon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gateway to the city is probably the most magical of any in the world. Slowly and majestically you glide past the proud palaces along the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, giving you a long look at the fairytale setting of St Mark's Square with the Doge's Palace and Campanile.

Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 4:00 pm
Ravenna, once a lagoon city and important naval base, is now located around nine kilometers (5.5 miles) inland from the Adriatic Sea. Its main heyday was between the 5th and 7th centuries when it was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. It was in this period that the most important early Christian and Byzantine religious buildings were constructed, as well as the delightful mosaics which, like large parts of Ravenna, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But this city of the arts also proudly bears witness to the highly eventful history. The Piazza del Popolo forms the lively heart of the city and creates a magnificent backdrop for colorful modern-day life.

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 1:00 pm
When film crews search for a city location with charming alleys, a colossal fortress, and medieval charm, Trogir is often the number one choice. On the central Adriatic coast in Croatia, the Pearl of Dalmatia, as it’s known, is considered the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex in the whole of Eastern Europe. Its beautiful city center, located on a small island, also enchanted UNESCO, which made it a protected heritage site in 1997. Here, the Cathedral of St. Lawrence overlooks small alleys, palaces, patrician houses, and a sea of red-tiled roofs. Meanwhile, Trogir’s palm-lined waterfront is a modern place to stroll around and have a coffee with a view of sleek yachts.

Arrival 06:00 pm, Departure 11:00 pm
The charming principal town of the small Central Dalmatian island of Hvar is picturesquely situated in a sheltered bay. Today, in the same spot where the Venetian fleet used to spend the winter and the proud republic of the Doges bequeathed its influence, yachts from all over the world bob about and transform this hotspot into the "St Tropez of Croatia". From the sea you can see the elegant harbor esplanade, the cathedrals with their distinctive bell towers, the old defensive walls and, towering above everything else, the medieval Spanjola fortress. The winding streets of the old town, with its many cafés, bars and restaurants around the lively main square trodden to a shine, have become a picturesque backdrop for today's sophisticated lifestyle.

Arrival 4:00 pm, Departure 11:00 pm
When Venice still ruled the Adriatic, Dubrovnik was an important maritime republic and the floating city's chief rival. Dubrovnik proudly calls itself the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and its fortress is one of the best preserved in Europe. As you walk around the imposing walls of the old town, you can look out across two seas – the deep blue Adriatic and a sea of red roof shingles. The old town, with its beautiful squares, magnificent boulevards and narrow winding alleyways, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fitness, massages or enjoy the sun and the sea with a good book in the deck chair, and think back on your eventful days.

Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 7:00 pm
Monopoli, a picturesque town on the Adriatic coast of Italy, enchants visitors with its historical charm and Mediterranean flair. The old town features ancient structures, narrow alleys, and a picturesque harbor district. The city is renowned not only for its rich history but also for its culinary delights, including fresh seafood and traditional pasta. Monopoli stands as a gem in Apulia, captivating with its unique atmosphere and warm hospitality.

Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 7:00 pm
Otranto is the most easterly port in Italy and, due to its geographic location in the Adriatic, has had an extremely eventful history over the centuries. Not far away is Lecce, one of the most beautiful and affluent cities in southern Italy whose heyday was immortalised in stone over 200 years. The Baroque cityscape, in the idiosyncratic "barocco leccese" style, is characterised by a marble-like stone known as Lecce stone. The numerous palaces and the Basilica di Santa Croce have profusely decorated facades and art feels right at home here. There is good reason why people are proud of its evocative nickname, the Florence of the South.

Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

Arrival 7:00 am, Departure 11:00 pm
Taormina is perched on a rock with a majestic view over the sea. In the 19th century, this small town had already developed into a dream destination for well-heeled travellers and artists. The town's fascination lies in its elegance, the many ancient buildings, the stunningly beautiful coastline, the mild climate, and the view over the silhouette of Etna. Europe's largest volcano is over 9,843 feet high, has four summit craters and around 400 subsidiary craters, and is covered with snow almost all year round. In ancient times it was considered the seat of the gods, but nowadays large sections of it are a nature reserve.

Arrival 8:00 am
Goethe wrote, "Do you know the land where the lemon trees bloom and oranges glow from the leaves' dark gloom." Sicily and the picture-perfect Baroque town of Catania, set right at the foot of Mount Etna, were genuine inspirations for him on his travels around Italy. On the fertile volcanic soil around Catania, orange and lemon trees try to out-glow each other, and you will be tempted to enjoy the coastline with its wonderful sandy beaches and impressive rock formations. The town was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and earthquake in the 17th century and, in the 18th century, a masterpiece of Roman Baroque emerged which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Itineraries are subject to change.