Your exclusive itinerary
Day1
FLY to roME you’ll fly direct from london to rome – where you could opt for a two-night pre-stay – home of St Peter’s and the Sistine chapel; the Spanish Steps, leading up from the Piazza di Spagna; plus two of the roman empire’s architectural marvels – the Pantheon and the colosseum. you’ll then board your luxury home for the next seven nights, the majestic royal clipper – which, with its 42 sails, is the largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world.
Day2
poNza & paLMaroLa today we’ll disembark in the delightful, unspoilt town of Ponza, one of the beautiful Pontine islands off the italian coast. behind its busy harbour – home to sleek yachts and old-fashioned fishing boats – lie rows of pretty, pastelcoloured houses, and we’ll explore its charming streets. our next stop, the spectacular and largely uninhabited island of Palmarola, boasts a rocky coast dotted with natural grottoes, bays, cliffs and crags. its pink coral beaches and emerald coves are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Exclusive w&h experience: aldo Zilli will give an informal private talk and Q&a on board the royal clipper, where you will discover more about his extraordinary life and career as a chef and restaurateur.
Day3
sorrENto this pretty coastal town, whose city walls rise straight out of the Mediterranean sea, is one of several unmissable destinations we’ll visit on the amalfi coast. With sweeping views across the bay of Naples, Sorrento is home to elegant piazzas, atmospheric medieval streets and beautiful baroque churches.
Exclusive w&h experience: today we’ll join aldo Zilli for an alfresco cocktail party before, in the late afternoon, aldo gives a pre-dinner cooking demonstration on board the royal clipper.
Day4
aMaLFI this picturesque town boasts great views and historical highlights at every turn and we’ve arranged for you to join an included guided walk around the cobbled streets. Exclusive w&h experience: after the walk, aldo will prepare local specialities in a cookery demonstration at the restaurant Sensi which
enjoys spectacular sea views from its terrace. then it’s time to enjoy an included two-course luncheon with a menu based on the dishes aldo has just prepared before we return to the ship.
Day5
taormina, sicily this morning the royal clipper will travel at full sail through the Straits of Messina towards taormina, the stunning town that clings to the side of Mount etna. in the afternoon, there’s an optional excursion** to the country estate of the aristocratic di Villagrande family, where you will be welcomed by the baroness in person. this charming lady will take you on a tour of the cellar and the winery. after the guided tour you will head back to the old stable, where you will be served a Sicilian meal prepared with local products and get to sample the different wines produced on the estate.
Day6
lipari rising out of the turquoise seas off the northern coast of Sicily is an idyllic cluster of Unesco-protected volcanic islands, known as the aeolian islands. today we’ll visit the largest, lipari, where we’ll walk the narrow streets to the medieval castello and unwind by the sea at a secluded beach. look out for fiery eruptions from the nearby island of Stromboli as we sail past.
Day 7
at sea today we’ll experience the full splendour of travelling across the Mediterranean on board the royal clipper, as she sets sail from the aeolian islands on the voyage north towards rome.
Day8
return to rome today your unforgettable journey ends where it began, in rome, from where you’ll fly home on a direct flight to london.