Rediscover the magic of the deep blue Med, sailing on the Royal Clipper: Amalfi Coast and Sicily

There are places in the world that are so unique and colourful that even the most gifted painter couldn’t capture their splendour.  Imagine experiencing the architectural beauty of dome-roofed houses and the ever changing shades of the Tyrrhenian Sea, whilst the heavenly scents of thousands of lime & lemon trees mixed in with geranium and wild rosemary waft around you.  Then, imagine the most fantastic place to be while experiencing all this wonder…on the bowsprit of the Royal Clipper.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy: Departure port, St. Peter's, with its breathtaking Sistine Chapel, newly restored to its former glory, the Spanish Steps, where all Rome passes by, the Colosseum, where the real gladiators fought to the death, the Pantheon, considered to be the most perfect architectural statement of the ages. Life is not lived if you haven't been to Rome!

Day 2 - Ponza, Pontine Islands, Italy: The pastel houses of Ponza Town rise in neat terraced rows from the busy harbour where sleekly groomed yachts and ramshackle fishing boats moor side by side. Happily, there are few tourists here, so it's a delight to wander through the unspoiled town. Then find yourself a private bit of beach, there are lots of them, and enjoy the feel of warm sand and cool clear water lapping your toes.

Day 3 - Sorrento and Capri, Italy: Sorrento's city walls rise straight out of the sea, and they hold many charms within. Optional excursions might include taking a ferry to Capri, where the Emperor Tiberius held notorious bacchanals at his Imperial villa, or a trip back in history in Pompeii, where the ashen remains of ancient Romans lie frozen in time.
Capri, where the Emperor Tiberius held notorious bacchanals at his Imperial villa, has gradually become one of the most popular resorts in southern Italy. Famous for its scenery and climate, Capri is a garden of Eden teeming with vegetation despite the rocky landscape.

Day 4 - Amalfi, Italy: What is it about the Amalfi Coast that inspires such rapture? From the time of the Romans, who had grand villas here, Amalfi has been a preferred destination for the wealthy and the artistic. During the Middle Ages, Amalfi was a powerful republic of 70,000 people, rivaling nearby Ravello. For a sense of Amalfi's medieval glory, wander through the grand Duomo, containing the remains of St. Andrew. Or visit Ravello, where the annual music festival is held, or nearby Positano, said to be the most beautiful town in the Mediterranean.

Day 5 - Taormina, Sicily, Italy: Perched on the shoulder of Mt. Etna overlooking the green Gulf of Catania, Taormina inspired Goethe to say that "It is the greatest work of art and nature". Shop along the steep, cobblestoned streets of Corso Umberto. Or listen to the ghosts of the ancients in the Greek Theater, where even a whisper can be heard.

Day 6 - Lipari, Aeolian Islands, Italy: Italy's seven volcanic Aeolian Islands are obviously a place favoured by the Gods. Just off the north coast of Sicily, they are a favorite destination for adventurers and visiting yachts, which anchor in the numerous little harbors indenting the coastline. In Lipari, climb narrow streets to the medieval castello, and discover a beach with the whitest, finest sands in all of Italy.

Day 7 - Civitavecchia: Arrival port

Departure calendar every Saturday from 02 May 09 to 20 June 09
Prices per person if booked by the 28 Feb 09