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Rome to Athens 9 Nights Mediterranean Cruise

Rome to Athens 9 Nights Mediterranean Cruise

From AUD $5,220

Description

This voyage from Civitavecchia to Piraeus links Italy’s volcanic islands with the storied shores of Greece. After calling at pastel-hued Ponza, the route continues to the Aeolian archipelago, with Lipari and a sail-by of active Stromboli. In Sicily, elegant Taormina overlooks the Strait of Messina, followed by Calabria’s historic Crotone. Crossing the Ionian Sea, the journey explores Greece’s western and southern coasts, from colourful Parga and Katakolon, gateway to ancient Olympia, to Pylos and the fortified rock of Monemvasia, before concluding near Athens.

Trip Name
Rome to Athens 9 Nights Mediterranean Cruise
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Tall Ship Length: 133.8 m Passenger Capacity: 227 Built: 2000 Royal Clipper is the world’s largest and only five-masted full-rigged sailing ship, inspired by the legendary Preussen. Measuring 134 metres, she combines the grandeur and adventure of classic tall-ship sailing with modern luxury, accommodating just 227 guests in refined style. With 42 sails, three swimming pools, and 1,760 square metres of open deck, Royal Clipper offers expansive outdoor spaces perfect for relaxation, exploration, and panoramic ocean views, including hidden balconies and passenger lookouts high in the masts. Inside, the ship features elegant and light-filled interiors, including a three-deck atrium leading to the stylish dining room with no-tie dining, and a unique Captain Nemo Lounge housing the spa and health club with underwater glass portholes. Guests can also enjoy watersports from a convenient marina platform, while the combination of modern navigation systems, attentive service, and luxurious amenities ensures an exceptional and unforgettable sailing experience.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Civitavecchia (Port for Rome), Italy
 Civitavecchia is an important seaport serving Rome, the Italian capital. As a key entry point for Mediterranean cruises and ferries crossing the Tyrrhenian Sea, Civitavecchia offers a gateway to a variety of destinations in Italy and beyond. The city is 70 km from Rome and 62 km to Fiumiccino airport.
Day 2 - 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.
Day 3 - Day 3 Lipari - Aeolian Islands, Italy & Stromboli, Italy (sailing in area)
 The Aeolian archipelago is made up of 7 islands of volcanic origin, of which only Stromboli and Vulcano are still active volcanoes. The main island is Lipari, which offers travellers arriving by boat a beautiful panorama of its Acropolis, presided over by the Cathedral. Its marina is bustling with shops, boutiques and stalls... it's an island where life is good. Known as the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean,” Stromboli is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, rising dramatically from the sea in a perfect cone of black lava. As the ship sails in the surrounding waters, passengers gather on deck to watch the island’s smoking summit and the famous Sciara del Fuoco, where glowing ash and stones occasionally tumble down the slope. The volcano last erupted significantly in 2019, and its gentle, frequent activity creates a mesmerising natural spectacle. Whether at sunrise or sunset, sailing near Stromboli is an unforgettable moment of raw beauty and quiet awe.
Day 4 - Day 4 Taormina - Sicily, Italy
 Barreling under full sail through the narrow Strait of Messina past Scylla and Charybdis, where rock and whirlpool almost claimed Ulysses, you arrive in lovely Taormina. Perched on the shoulder of Mt. Etna, Taormina inspired Goethe to say that'It is the greatest work of art and nature.'
Day 5 - Day 5 Crotone, Italy
 Crotone is a historic coastal city in southern Italy, known for its rich Greek heritage and beautiful beaches along the Ionian Sea. The city boasts ancient ruins, including the remains of the Temple of Hera Lacinia at Capo Colonna, and a charming old town with narrow streets and vibrant piazzas. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and traditional Calabrian cuisine at local trattorias. Crotone’s scenic waterfront and historical sites make it a captivating destination for those exploring the Calabria region.
Day 6 - Day 6 Parga, Greece
 Nestled in a sheltered bay along Greece’s Ionian coast, Parga is a jewel of vibrant colour and easy charm. Passengers can wander through its cobbled lanes lined with flower-filled balconies and bright façades, or stroll the promenade overlooking the crystal-clear bay. Above the town, the ruins of a Venetian castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands and green hills. Those seeking a swim will find inviting beaches just a short walk from the harbor. With its seaside cafés, the colored waterfront and the ruins of the castle, Parga embodies the beauty of the peaceful Ionian coast in all its tranquil and picturesque splendor.
Day 7 - Day 7 Katakolon, Greece
 A charming port town on Greece's Peloponnese peninsula, Katakolon serves as a gateway to the ancient site of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Passengers can explore the ancient ruins with our optional tour. Katakolon itself offers a picturesque waterfront lined with shops and cafes, providing a relaxing prelude or conclusion to the historical exploration of Olympia.
Day 8 - Day 8 Pylos, Greece
 Homer's 'Wise King Nestor' was very wise indeed to build his magnificent palace near Pilos. For the city's harbour of Navarino Bay and the land-locked lake that was the original harbour were a perfect refuge from storms - and invaders. And it was at this site on October 20, 1827, with the help of Britain, Russia and France, that modern Greece attained independence, defeating the Turkish navy in the Battle of Navarino Bay.
Day 9 - Day 9 Monemvasia, Greece
 From the shore, it's a big rock sticking out into the sea. Then you pass over the causeway, and through an iron fortress gate, and suddenly, the town of Monemvasia is before you, a perfectly preserved Byzantine fortified port, once 60,000 strong, now home to just a few hundred. You can readily see why the name Monemvasia means single entrance! In the rocky hills above, ancient Byzantine ruins loom over the town, while below a maze of red tiled roofs and twisting alleys hide tavernas and cafes and the home of revered Greek poet Yannis Ritsos.
Day 10 - Day 10 Piraeus (Port of Athens), Greece
 Walking in the shadow of the Acropolis in the Agora, you can almost hear the voices of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle arguing about who was the greatest philosopher. Ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy and epicenter of western civilization, is a city for all eternity. Piraeus is the port of Athens, just 15km from the city and 45km from the airport.
Day 11 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $5,220Category 6 - INSIDE CABIN
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $5,530Category 5 - OUTSIDE CABIN
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $6,140Category 4 - OUTSIDE CABIN
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $6,550Category 3 - OUTSIDE CABIN
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $6,950Category 2 - LARGE OUTSIDE CABIN
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $7,880Category 1 - DELUXE DECK CABIN
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $10,645DELUXE OUTSIDE SUITE
11-09-202720-09-2027AUD $11,480OWNER'S SUITE - DELUXE OUTSIDE SUITE (NO PRIVATE VERANDAH)

Inclusions

    • Aeolian Island scenery with Lipari’s acropolis and a close passage by Stromboli’s volcanic slopes.
    • Layers of classical heritage from Crotone and Olympia to the Byzantine stronghold of Monemvasia.
    • A scenic sweep across the Ionian and Aegean approaches, ending at the historic gateway to Athens.

Map