Venice, Italy

Venice floats like a mirage in a magical lagoon. It’s a city blissfully free of cars, where everything from arched bridges to gondoliers to blown glass displays beauty and romance. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the center of a maritime empire, and that wealth is still evident. The Grand Canal with its gondolas. St. Mark’s Cathedral, home to incredible treasures amassed during the Crusades. St. Peter’s Basilica with St. Peter’s Throne, said to be the hiding place of the Holy Grail. Take a deep breath at the Bridge of Sighs, gaze on the golden lions and the Renaissance glories of the Doge’s Palace, and glide in a gondola down the Grand Canal. And know that love is always in the air in Venice.

Day at Sea

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy everything tall ship sailing offers with your friends. Share in activities like rejuvenating yoga, a workout in the fitness center, or schedule a couples massage. Take a dip in one of two pools. On our swim stops, the Adriatic is your swimming pool, and you can dive off the ship’s marina platform. Enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, or snorkeling. Back aboard, climb the crow’s nest, help trim the sails, and be part of a spectacular experience for just these 200 guests. Dancing under the sails and stars is sure to be an unforgettable experience. You’ll enjoy afternoon T-dances, Theme Parties, and special entertainment in the piano lounge.

Kotor, Montenegro

The stunning rock-walled chasm splitting the coastal mountains of Montenegro is the longest arm of the sea in southern Europe. Just when you think you’ve reached your fill of blues and greens, the bright red rooftops of the medieval Old Town come into view. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was a town of the arts back then—goldsmithing, architecture, masonry, iconography—and even the setting seems to have been chosen with aesthetics in mind.

Founded by the Romans, fortified during the Byzantine era, then ruled by Venice for much of its history, Kotor has been naturally preserved by its isolation. Notice the “pillar of shame” near the central clock tower where lawbreakers were punished. For a fresh perspective, climb the fortress on the hill for a breathtaking vista.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Your first impression is the city walls. Massive and imposing, they cloak the town like a curtain of stone. Draw the curtain, and you’re in a medieval world of towers, turrets, and terracotta rooftops. While other larger ships pass by, we anchor right beyond the famous walled city so you can admire its beauty with every glance.

The entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A copper-roofed cathedral. A fountain of masked faces spouting water. The Sponza Palace, which once held the state mint, but now holds something infinitely more precious: the town’s history, dating back to the 12th century. Discover a 14th-century pharmacy tucked away in the Franciscan Monastery, still operating after 700 years, with dusty medieval remedies still lining the shelves. Take a ferry with your friends to the Lokrum and enjoy an afternoon at Dubrovnik’s local gay and nude-friendly beach. Or share a cable car to the top of Mount Srd for an outstanding view of the harbor, where one gorgeous yacht eclipses all others. End your day at the Buza cafe watching bold divers leap off the cliffs into the crystalline sea. After a day in Dubrovnik, you’ll know why George Bernard Shaw said Dubrovnik was “paradise on earth.”

Zadar, Croatia

No longer the capital of Dalmatia, today Zadar presents a feast for everyone. This medieval “sea organ” is a wonder that captures the movement of the waves and transforms it into music, giving out a sound that evokes the sea, wind, and sky. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula, is bustling and beautiful. The marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. For centuries, Zadar was an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken. It’s also relatively flat and bicycle-friendly, making it a great place to explore by bike with a small or large group. Or, for more adventure, go on a private excursion to Krka National Park. It’s a magical place where you can swim near the waterfalls and gorges.

Hvar, Croatia

Ah, the Croatian Riviera. Palm trees meet pine. Pebble beaches are washed by pristine waters. The heavenly scent of lavender fills the air. This is where you’ll find Hvar, an island that actually lives up to all the hype bestowed upon it. Hvar is on par with Cannes and Capri when it comes to glamor and nightlife, with the added plus of being ranked one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world. Sail into the Mandrac (harbor) and feel eyes turning, even on this watery red carpet where elegant yachts are a daily occurrence. Walk the quay, one of the oldest in Europe, and explore the old town with its Venetian cathedral and bell tower. Buy a sachet of the ever-present lavender to sniff as you follow the ancient city walls to the fortress on the hill.

Pakleni Islands, Croatia

The 20 small islets that make up the Pakleni Islands are directly southwest of Hvar Town’s harbor. Their name derives from the Croatian word ‘paklina’, which is what melted pine resin is called (the resin from the island’s many pine trees was melted down to make ships watertight). Summer restaurants and beach bars are built on many of the islands, some of which have excellent beaches that are reachable only by boat. Jerolim, the closest of the islands to Hvar Town, has a famous nude beach.

Rovinj, Croatia

Old Town Rovinj rises from the Adriatic, its arched profile frosted with terracotta rooftops and crowned by the white bell tower of St. Euphemia church. Rovinj was an island before the channel was filled in the 18th century, and the Old Town is nicely compact–perfect for exploring on foot. The town feels a bit Italian with its fleet of small fishing boats and Venetian-style piazzas, and for a good reason, it was part of the Venetian Republic for over 500 years. Signs appear in both Croatian and Italian, and both are official languages. Dining also reflects the town’s dual heritage, with menus that feature pizzas and pasta alongside seafood and the local delicacy, wild truffles. Medieval hilltop towns, ancient Roman buildings, and villages renowned for fine wines and olive oil await nearby

Venice, Italy

As we return to Venice, you won’t want to miss the spectacular morning sail into its glorious sundrenched heart. We know you won’t want to see an end to this week-long journey. We invite you to extend your stay under the Tuscan sun. Florence is the cradle of the renaissance, romantic, enchanting, and utterly irresistible. A place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine. The team at Source Journeys will personalize an extension to exceed all of your travel dreams.