Live La Dolce Vita with Star Clippers

 

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering special package prices on three culture and romance-packed itineraries this summer, departing in July and August and exploring the exquisite coastlines of Croatia, Montenegro, Corfu and southern Italy.

Each cruise, either from Venice to Rome or Rome to Venice, is aboard the cruise line’s flagship, the graceful, five-masted Royal Clipper, calling at chic yachting ports along the Croatian coast, as well as beautiful Kotor in Montenegro, the lush Greek island of Corfu and several ports in Italy, among them romantic Taormina in Sicily; the jetset island of Capri; and Ponza, a popular weekend retreat for yachting fans. The July 31 departure also visits Piran in Slovenia, a port undiscovered by most cruise lines.

The length of each voyage, 11 days, allows for plenty of time to relax on the sun-warmed teak decks, gazing up at thousands of feet of wind-filled sails, sipping a cocktail in the al fresco Tropical Bar, or sprawling in the bowsprit nets, keeping a lookout for dolphins. Each itinerary includes a day at sea, too, during which guests can try activities like mast climbing. 

The three sailing dates are:

• Royal Clipper, July 14, Rome/Venice: 11 nights from £2,059pp
• Royal Clipper, July 31, Venice/Rome: 11 nights from £1,879pp
• Royal Clipper, August 18, Rome/Venice: 11 nights from £2,149pp

Prices include return British Airways flights from London, transfers, 11 nights’ full board on the ship in a Category 6 cabin and watersports where possible at beach stops.

To book, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Experience The Star Clippers 'Small Port' Style

Those tired of arriving in port to find it crammed with giant ships and several thousand cruise passengers swarming all over town should consider cruising on a smaller ship with access to less crowded and more remote destinations.

Tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers sails itineraries that feature wonderfully off-the-beaten-track ports and anchorages, some so remote they are visited by no other ships, others accessible only to sailing ships like the company’s three graceful full-rigged tall ships.

Small ports in the Mediterranean

Ponza, Italy: Visited by wealthy Italian weekenders who have homes there but otherwise unspoiled and rarely touched by the larger cruise lines. There are plenty of authentic bars and restaurants in the pretty town. Featured on Royal Clipper’s Rome-Rome itineraries throughout Summer 2012.

Dalyan River, Turkey: An anchorage attracting only the smallest ships. Take a flat-bottomed boat ride along the river, which is lined by reed beds, to see spectacular Lycean tombs cut into the rocks above, while keeping an eye out for the turquoise flash of a kingfisher. The excursion here includes a stop at a natural outdoor thermal pool with therapeutic mud baths. Featured on Star Clipper’s Southern Cyclades itineraries this summer.

Hvar, Croatia: Famous among the yachting fraternity but not visited by many cruise ships, other than very small or very upmarket vessels. Hvar is one of the smartest marinas along the Croatian coast, with a great nightlife scene in summer. Stony beaches mean the water is crystal clear, with some wonderful swimming spots from tiny, pine-fringed beaches. Featured on Royal Clipper’s Venice-Rome itineraries.

Limnos, Greece: As sleepy as a Greek island as you could hope to get, with decent swimming and snorkelling and a laid-back town overlooked by an amazing ruined castle, with extensive battlements snaking over the mountaintop. Featured on Star Clipper’s Yachtsman’s Paradise itineraries on June 23 and August 18.

Monemvasia, Greece: A fortified medieval town clinging to a towering hunk of rock that’s linked to the mainland by a causeway. Cross the causeway and climb the path to the upper town, a maze of narrow, cobbled streets, and the fortress for amazing views. Featured on Star Clipper’s Northern Cylades itineraries this summer.

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Star Clippers Solo Sailing Boost

Star Clippers, which operates three of the world’s most spectacular tall ships, is offering sailings with no single supplements for select spring 2012 European cruises on board the 170-passenger four-masted Star Clipper and Star Flyer and the 228-passenger five-masted Royal Clipper.

The offer saves up to £682 for sole occupancy of a cabin for two. Star Clippers’ cruises are a great environment for single travellers, with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere on board, open seating dining and a convivial social scene at the al fresco Tropical Bar, the setting for cocktails, talks and evening entertainment. Many single travellers come back time and time again as lasting friendships are formed on board.

The singles savings offer includes a choice of eight sailing dates:

· Athens-Athens on Star Clipper, seven nights, departing May 5 and calling at Kusadasi, Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos, Monemvasia; now from £1,370pp for sole occupancy of a double cabin, saving £610.

· Southampton-Hamburg on Star Flyer, five nights, departing May 5 and calling at Amsterdam, from £1,035pp for sole occupancy of a double cabin, saving £426.50.

· Hamburg-Oslo on Star Flyer, seven nights departing May 19 and calling at List, Esbjerg, Kristiansand, Arendal and Stromstad; now from £1,490pp for sole occupancy of a double cabin, saving £667.50.

· Oslo-Copenhagen on Star Flyer, seven nights departing May 26 and calling at Marstrand, Goteborg, Halmstad, Kalundborg and Helsingborg; now from £1,490pp for sole occupancy of a double cabin, saving £667.50.

· Malaga-Rome on Royal Clipper, five nights departing April 23 and calling at Palma de Mallorca and Mahon; now from £1,080pp for sole occupancy of a double cabin, saving £487.50.

· Rome-Rome on Royal Clipper, seven nights departing April 28, May 5 and May 12 and calling at Ponza, Sorrento, Amalfi, Taormina, Lipari and Stromboli (scenic cruising); now from £1,515pp for sole occupancy of a double cabin, saving £682.50. All prices include full board on the ship and port taxes. 

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Winds Up On Royal Clipper

Day Two, Part Two of my Live Cruise Blog from the deck of Star Clippers...

Now we really are sailing! The wind has come up big style, so much so that we couldn't land at Ponza and are now heading south in the open sea. The weather is glorious and everybody is on deck, listening to sails cracking and the spars and rigging groaning in the wind.

I tried out the swimming pool, which was great; no need to change, my costume was dry in about three minutes after getting out.

Then it was off to get a coffee and pastry from the bar (which are free) and watch the Italian mainland slip by. There are also some new lines in the clothing shop on board to check out.

Now it's off now to the Tropical Bar, which becomes the heart of the ship after supper.

Steve Newman

For more info on this cruise, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Approaching the Island of Ponza

Continuing with my 4-day trip on Royal Clipper, today we are visiting the island of Ponza. The dolphins were amazing off the bow this morning and the breakfast is just as I remember it, simply stunning. Having a choice of teas served in a Chinese replica personal teapot is something else!

The sails have been hoisted and they were a beautiful golden yellow colour as the rising sun bathed them in its light. The crew and the captain are having their meeting behind me, so out of courtesy I am going to sign off. See you tonight!

Steve Newman

For more info on Star Clippers, see

www.starclippers.co.uk or adventure sailing cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.